The Catholic Gentleman

What We Can Learn From a Dying Father: Former Senator Ben Sasse Speaks

Mar 5, 2026
Ben Sasse, former U.S. senator and academic leader facing stage-four pancreatic cancer, reflects on mortality and priorities. He speaks about regret, fatherhood, and redeeming time. The conversation explores how remembering death clarifies what truly matters and challenges men to reorder life toward love, virtue, and responsibility.
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INSIGHT

Memento Mori Reveals What Truly Matters

  • Remembering death (memento mori) breaks modern complacency and reveals what truly matters in life.
  • John Heinen cites Sirach and Church Fathers to show constant awareness of mortality redirects priorities toward God and others.
ANECDOTE

Ben Sasse Redeems Time After 90 Day Diagnosis

  • Ben Sasse describes being told he had 90 days and choosing to 'redeem the time' by prioritizing gratitude and service.
  • He launched a podcast and shifted focus from projects to loving his wife and hugging his kids.
INSIGHT

Imminent Death Exposes Workaholic Regrets

  • Facing imminent death clarifies lifelong regrets, especially workaholism and missed family time.
  • Ben Sasse repented of decades of excessive travel and ambition and wished he'd prioritized Sabbath and household ambition earlier.
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