The Appalling Strangeness of the Mercy of God

Book excerpt: This book is the powerful story of an amazing woman who converts to Catholicism at Harvard University, marries her college sweetheart and joyfully welcomes several children. After some successful forays into pro-life activism in New England, Ruth Pakaluk is struck with breast cancer and dies at the young age of forty-one. Ruth's story is told primarily through her humorous, sparkling and insightful letters, through which her realistic cheerfulness shines. A biographical sketch by her husband, Michael Pakaluk, fills in the needed background information, while a collection of her talks on abortion and on being a Catholic wife and mother round out the volume. Ruth Pakaluk exemplified the powerful integrity of someone who lives what she believes. She was steadfastly committed to Christ and to the culture of life, and this commitment was manifested in her consistent affirmation of life in her family, in her society and even in the face of her own death. Peter Kreeft, Professor of Philosophy and widely published author, referred to Ruth Pakaluk as the best and most effective and inspiring pro-life speaker he had ever heard. She was so renowned as a pro-life debater in New England, that eventually Planned Parenthood spokeswomen refused to spar with her in public. The forceful logic of her arguments was made even more compelling by the strength of her personality. All of Ruth's virtues - her love as a devoted wife and mother, her zeal for the truth and her hope while battling a terminal illness - offer inspiration and encouragement to anyone striving to put Christian faith into action.