title: The Appalling Strangeness of the Mercy of God: The Story of Ruth Pakaluk - Convert, Mother & Pro-life Activist
author: Ruth Pakaluk
description: People frequently commented on Ruth's selfless character, boundless optimism, and fervent faith. Her zest for life and zeal for faith were gifts from God - gifts offered to us all. I pray that these pages will inspire you to be ever more open to God's grace and mercy. --<b>Most Reverend Daniel Reilly</b>, Bishop Emeritus of Worcester, Mass.<br /><br />I have never read a more beautiful and touching book - a book about a joyous life and overpowering death, and grief and joy. Michael and Ruth Pakaluk's account of love and grief towers head and shoulders above the justly acclaimed accounts of C.S. Lewis in <i>A Grief Observed </i>and Sheldon van Auken in <i>A Severe Mercy</i>. Throughout, I felt in my heart that Ruth is a marvelous saint for our times --<b>Michael Novak</b>, Philosopher, Author, and Diplomat<br /><br />In this book you will meet a truly wonderful person. There are few things in life more precious than that. I invite you to meet a warrior for life whose pen is truly mightier than death's sword. --<b>Peter Kreeft</b>, Author, Because God is Real
zlib_text: THE APPALLING STRANGENESS OF THE MERCY OF GOD
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ## The Appalling Strangeness of the Mercy of God
  
  
  The Story of Ruth Pakaluk  
  Convert, Mother, and Pro-Life Activist
  
  
  Edited with a Biographical Overview and Afterword  
  by  
  Michael Pakaluk
  
  
  Foreword by the Most Reverend Daniel P. Reilly, D.D.
  
  
  Introduction by Peter Kreeft
  
  
  IGNATIUS PRESS SAN FRANCISCO
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Cover design by Riz Boncan Marsella
  
  
  Photographs courtesy of Michael Pakaluk, Ruth’s husband
  
  
  © 2011 by Ignatius Press, San Francisco  
  All rights reserved  
  ISBN 978-1-58617-451-4  
  Library of Congress Control Number 2010931415  
  Printed in the United States of America
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  To Michael Sebastian
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  CONTENTS
  
  
  [Foreword](index_split_005.html#filepos5839)
  
  
  [Introduction](index_split_006.html#filepos8737)
  
  
  [Biographical Overview](index_split_007.html#filepos17448)
  
  
  The True Greatness of a Christian
  
  
  True Life Stories of Christian Heroes
  
  
  I Want to Live Like Them
  
  
  A Friend’s Conversion
  
  
  Encounter