We can still talk to those who have died, and we can, even now, say the words of love, forgiveness, gratitude, and regret that ideally should have been spoken earlier.

— Ronald Rolheiser (b. 1947), Katholischer Priester (Oblaten), Autor

Source: ronrolheiser.com, Kolumne „Unfinished Business and the Communion of Saints“, 20. Juli 2026

Topics: Grief & Comfort, Guilt & Forgiveness, Love

Ronald Rolheiser

Ronald Rolheiser (* 1947) ist ein kanadischer römisch-katholischer Ordenspriester, Theologe und ehemaliger Präsident der Oblate School of Theology in Texas. Er wurde durch spirituelle Bücher und weltweite Kolumnen bekannt, in denen er christliche Mystik mit psychologischen und existenziellen Fragen verbindet, während konservative Kritiker ihm eine teils zu weitgehende Anpassung an den säkularen Zeitgeist vorwerfen. Für Bibelleser erschließt er theologische Grundfragen seelsorgerlich mit einem Schwerpunkt auf menschlicher Sehnsucht, Scheitern und göttlicher Barmherzigkeit.

All quotes by Ronald Rolheiser (16)

More on this topic

Ultimately mourning means facing what wounds us in the presence of One who can heal.
Henri Nouwen

A Jesus who never wept could never wipe away my tears.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Death in its substance has been removed, and only the shadow of it remains… Nobody is afraid of a shadow, for a shadow cannot block a man’s pathway for even a moment. The shadow of a dog can’t bite; the shadow of a sword can’t kill.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Fits of depression come over the most of us. Usually cheerful as we may be, we must at intervals be cast down. The strong are not always vigorous, the wise not always ready, the brave not always courageous, and the joyous not always happy.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon

The bells sound, they sound quite differently than usual, when one knows of a dead person whom one loves.
Martin Luther

No greater sorrow than to recall a time of happiness in misery.
Dante Alighieri

Death is no more than passing from one room into another. But there's a difference for me, you know. Because in that other room I shall be able to see.
Helen Keller

What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, For all that we love deeply becomes a part of us.
Helen Keller

All quotes · lumen.bible