I just caught the tail end of a CBC interview with the late John ODonahue and was touched by the poem he read “November Question ” and would very much like to obtain a copy to read at my fathers funeral next week. somehow i got to your web site and hope you might be of help. thanks so much, sincerely, victor cano

I had just finished a lovely walk along the water yesterday and was driving home when I heard John O’Donahue being interviewed on CBC for the first time. I was absolutely taken with his words and the magical lilt of his voice. I could have listened to him forever. I was so curious to find out who this amazing man was. After he read his last poem (it was only 4 lines, but so powerful), the interviewer said that John had died last week and I truly felt sad. I am so grateful that I was able to discover the thoughts and words of this wonderful and interesting man and look forward to reading his books. The world needs more people like him!

I too heard the interview that day with John O’Donahue (whom I had never heard of). Now, I cannot stop thinking about him . I want to know all about him . He’s wonderful …….. so sad that he has passed. I plan to read all of his books and them pass them on to my friends. Laurie

Hello,
I also heard Father O’Donahue for the first time on CBC. He told a beautiful story at the end of the interview about a woman bringing with her, from elsewhere a basket of spirit. I was wondering if anyone knew where to find it. I have been reading his poetry and it is deeply moving.
Maria

isn’t life the strangest thing. I am an avid book lover and bring them with me wherever I travel. Just the week before I watched the Caroline Myss Video on the net with John speaking, making me both cry and laugh at various points throughout the talk. I was mesmorized and motivated to such a degree I dashed to find out where he was next speaking. Such sadness enveloped me when I consequently learned of his passing…I told myself to buy some of his books and do you know there in my bookcase this past 7 years was a book I bought with the intention of reading and never did…it was anam cara waiting there for me, like a lost friend ready to comfort me when I most needed it. Life and death is indeed strange. I am honoured to have met him if only for a few moments…sometimes that is all we need to change a fundamental view of life.
berni darnell

Very true Berni, thank you for sharing.

Wow, how amazingly similar these stories are! Just after Christmas I was tuning the radio stations on my new CD player and heard an Irishman speaking about spirituality. It was a really bad signal and I didn’t know who he was, but as I listened I realised I recognized the substance of what he was saying. I too jumped up and pulled ‘Anam Cara’ off the shelf. Amazing. I’d had the book for years; couldn’t really get into it. I’d even contemplated giving it away. But when I reread it, it suddenly all made so much sense. I guess I was ready to receive it. He says, in ‘Anam Cara’, “The stranger does not come accidentally; he brings a particular gift and illumination.” How true it is, and what a particular gift he was.
Ruth

Do we know how John died?