Q&A with FAITH Magazine

Nearly five years ago, John Schlimm of St. Marys, Pennsylvania, wrote about his unlikely friendship with an aging Benedictine nun that turned into a popular memoir, Five Years in Heaven.

Sold around the world, including Korea and China, the book offers poignant scenes between John and the late Sister Augustine Huefner, who had been a resident artist at St. Joseph Monastery, the first Benedictine monastery of women in the U.S.

During his five years of weekly visits, John encouraged Sister Augustine to continue to create art — in the form of colorful ceramic bowls and an abundance of other items. And she inspired him to be his most creative, loving, forgiving and compassionate self.

Read the following Q&A with the author to find out more about Five Years in Heaven and the inspiration behind all of his 19 books.

To read the full Q&A, please click HERE.