Why Hast Thou Forsaken Us?

About the Book

The wailing of the babes could be heard throughout the land. There was nothing to eat. Men, women, and children perished. Mothers scoured the countryside looking for something to feed their sobbing infants. When the crying stopped, it was too late; the babes had succumbed to the Great Hunger. It was the scourge of Ireland. It would last for six years, taking the lives of more than one million people. At thirteen years old, Sally O’Rourke felt the full force of the Great Hunger, the famine that descended on Ireland in the year 1845. Many perished—family members, friends, and neighbors. She, along with her sixteen-year-old brother, took the only recourse open to them: leaving their beloved country to cross the ocean in search of some means to abate the plague that had befallen their family. Her older brother James, who was preparing for the priesthood, was strong in his faith and accepted without question the Word of God. Unlike her brother, Sally was filled with anger at what had befallen those she loved. While James prayed for redemption, Sally remained silent, but her heart cried out to the Lord, “Why hast thou forsaken us?”

About the Author

Mary McGuire began writing books after her retirement. In the past, she has written articles and term papers for college, but with working, and raising a family, did not have enough time to devote to creating a book. With the encouragement of family, especially grandchildren, she began writing. She finds it a very interesting hobby, especially for a retiree. This is her second book. Mary also likes to travel and spend time outdoors. She lives in Cleveland, Ohio.