This “Spiritual Notebook” by the former Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster has been reprinted eight times since it was originally published in1984, an indication of its continuing popularity. In this book Basil Hume has put together his thoughts on what it is to be a Christian and how we should prepare ourselves for our new life with God. He speaks simply and directly to the ordinary Christian seeking to know, love and serve God better and how to live the life God wants of us. We are all pilgrims through life moving towards our final destination which is eternal happiness in heaven. In short sections Hume deals with, among many other topics, the search for meaning in life, the fact of sin, forgiveness and reconciliation, prayer, family, the sacraments, Christian disunity, the religious life. There is a moving final chapter which deals with the evening of life and our inevitable death. He finishes with a lovely phrase to describe that instant when we are united with God – “the moment of ecstasy.”