His new home inspired him to write several novels
By Josh Tng
The B.C. Catholic
Caption: Henry K. Ripplinger
Creative inspiration for writing can come from the strangest places. For Henry Ripplinger, that strange place was someone else’s home.
A cradle Catholic in a small farming community in Saskatchewan, he enjoyed success as an artist throughout his life. However, he was not as strong in his faith as he had been in his youth, “never able to regain the inner peace and closeness to God which I had after completing high school.”
This all changed when he began “a spiritual journey which would lead back to the Lord.” In 2000 Ripplinger purchased a home, intending it to become a revenue property, which inspired him to write several novels.
“Imagine purchasing a home that someone has lived in for years, and then suddenly, in the blink of an eye, the tick of a clock, they suddenly had to leave,” said Ripplinger. “Nothing is removed or changed. Everything is exactly as the owner left it.”
The home was left in stasis when its previous owner left, with a full fridge, antique furniture, and an incredible collection of books. “Taking possession of such a home was an incredible experience!” Ripplinger said. “It’s like entering someone’s private and inner world.”
“Books reflect what the person thinks about, things that touch their heart and soul. To discover that this person has thoughts and feelings that, astonishingly, match your own tastes and interests is truly a remarkable, overwhelming experience.”
Ripplinger had a “deep sense of comfort and peace and feeling of belonging” at the property, and for months he couldn’t rent the home out. “The spiritual presence of the previous owner and the peace I felt each time I came overwhelmed me,” he explained. “I would sit for hours and read her books and listen to her music.”
He eventually did rent out the home, but not before taking the books and most of the furniture to his own house. Reading the mysterious owner’s books gave Ripplinger an emotional connection to her, despite never having seen or spoken to her.
“I frequently spoke of this experience, and said the books and memories seemed to haunt me. I often told family and friends that there was a story here, and they would either laugh or give me that strange look, as if my age was catching up with me.”
The experience culminated in a spiritual and emotional revelation. “I finally realized (the bond between us) was a testament to the enduring miracle of love. The familiarity (with the previous owner) brings back and revives a feeling of so long ago. It takes me back in time to when it all began.”
The feeling was of falling in love with his wife, when they were only 15. With this in mind, Ripplinger began to write the first book of the Angelic Letters series, Pewter Angels.
“Through the lives of the characters in the book, I was not only writing a self-development book, but also my own spiritual journey,” he said. “I was amazed at the revelation that life lessons and insights are far better absorbed intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally when revealed through a story than by listing a series of dos and don’ts.”
The series is about the romantic connection of two Catholics over four decades. “While it is a captivating love story that weaves and ties the series together, the real essence of the story is the life teachings revealed by its lead characters,” Ripplinger said.
Sister Theresia Elder, of the Sisters of the Precious Blood in Regina, Sask., wrote to Ripplinger, praising the presence of God in the book. “After reading the books I said to myself, ‘These books must have been written by someone whose life has been touched by God and His precious angels,'” she wrote.
“It is my prayer and hope that these faith-filled books find a way into the schools, for as the stories unfold, so does Catholic teaching.”
“It has many spiritual lessons proclaiming Bible passages, and the characters do a good job of revealing these lessons regarding our faith. I believe that these books can offer, to young people especially, help and guidance through the many difficulties they have to face.”
Within months of the release of the first book it had sold more than 5,000 copies, becoming a Canadian bestseller. The combined sales of the whole series have exceeded 180,000 copies.
Ripplinger believes his success is due to the Lord’s providence. “His creative spirit through His divine providence is at work in our world every second of every minute of every day. This story is only one small example of it,” said Ripplinger.
“As I stepped out in faith, God was right there to guide, lead, inspire me through His angels and the Holy Spirit, and expand it all 10-fold, 100-fold, and more!”
