When faced with the daunting diagnosis of terminal cancer, how does one find peace? How does someone cling to faith, hope, and trust when their world is turned upside down?
Dr. Ernest Cronin's response was to conduct a personal spiritual audit-an honest examination of his faith, rooted in his cradle Catholicism. In these pages, he reflects on deeply personal and theological themes, including the role of the Church, the deposit of faith, the Bible, the early Church Fathers, authority, liturgy, the sacraments, and the personal cross he bears. His journey offers insight and encouragement to fellow Catholics struggling with doubt or suffering.
Dr. Ernest Cronin practiced plastic surgery for 38 years in Houston, Texas, authoring numerous medical articles and book chapters. He served as president of the Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons and, in 1998, was honored with a Jefferson Award for Public Service in Washington, D.C., presented by Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. That same year, he became the first recipient of the Distinguished Surgeon Award from the Association of Operating Room Nurses of Greater Houston, at a dinner attended by President George W. Bush.
After receiving a confirmed diagnosis of cancer, Dr. Cronin followed his oncologist's advice to retire and focus fully on his battle. Since then, he has written five books, including The Healing Mission of Plastic Surgery: One Surgeon's Story; Family Reading Time: A Grandfather's Dinner Table Recitations; From Relishing Cancer to Living with Cancer, A Doctor Faces Cancer with Faith and Peace; and From Affliction to Spiritual Audit.
"These reflections are the fruit of prayer, study, and a lifelong pursuit of discipleship-one that imparts not just knowledge, but wisdom. The spiritual audit Dr. Cronin proposes is both a deeply personal journey of discovery and a model for the kind of self-examination every serious Christian must engage in from time to time."
- The Most Reverend Steven J. Lopes,
Bishop of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter
