Face to Face: Divine Encounters in God's Earthly Kingdom is a deeply moving spiritual memoir that invites readers into the sacred intimacy of one man's lifelong journey of discovering God - not only in churches and chapels but in bustling cities, quiet villages, majestic landscapes, and within the tender bonds of human love and loss.
Catholic theologian and Deacon Robert Hesse takes readers through over one hundred countries and across all seven continents - not to chronicle places, but to bear witness to the presence of the Divine encountered in every corner of the earth. These are not ordinary travel stories; they are holy moments - profound, joyful, sometimes humorous, often tearful - each one revealing God's face in the ordinary and the extraordinary alike.
Structured as a series of standalone stories, the book gradually builds toward a deeper spiritual crescendo: from marital union with his beloved wife Linda, through seasons of personal growth and bereavement, to a culminating mystical union with God. Whether marveling at nature's grandeur, journeying with family, or reflecting on solitude, Deacon Bob offers readers a mirror to recognize their own sacred encounters and spiritual longing.
Inspired in part by the great mystic Meister Eckhart and the transformative wisdom of contemplative prayer, Face to Face is more than a memoir - it's a spiritual legacy. Readers will laugh, reflect, and perhaps weep as they join Deacon Bob on his journey to seeing, with eyes wide open, not just places or people, but God - everywhere.
