By: Alan Davis
For Michael Haverkamp Sr., writing a novel about the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus was not a mere literary endeavor—it was a spiritual journey guided by inspiration, faith, and years of reflection. His book, From the Last Days of Darkness Through the First Day of Light, co-written with his son Michael Haverkamp Jr., offers a vivid retelling of one of the most pivotal moments in human history, told through the eyes of St. John the Apostle.
Haverkamp Sr.’s path to authorship began quietly, with the persistent feeling that he was meant to write a book. “For very many years I had in the back of my mind that I would write a book,” he recalls. However, it was not until the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 that the idea of a religious novel took hold. “From time to time I would get a thought for something to add to the book in the middle of the night, and I would have to get up, go in the bathroom, and write the thought down,” he says. One example of these “midnight inspirations” was the idea that Jesus first appeared to Mary after His resurrection—a detail that his son later supplemented with footnotes referencing saints who shared the same belief.
Several influences converged to shape Haverkamp’s approach. Encouraged by his son, he read The Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, finding inspiration in its detailed account of divine experiences. He also explored religious novels based on the Old Testament, which skillfully intertwined scripture and fiction, providing a framework for his own narrative. “I learned more about the Old Testament reading those two books than I ever knew before,” he notes. Writing his novel offered him an even deeper understanding of the New Testament, he adds, revealing nuances he had not appreciated before.
The choice to tell the story primarily through St. John the Apostle was both personal and strategic. Haverkamp Sr. had always envisioned writing in the first person, a style he finds most comfortable for storytelling. St. John was the perfect lens through which to view these events—not only because of his beloved status among the apostles, but also due to his unique proximity to key moments of the Passion. He accompanied Jesus deeper into Gethsemane than most of the other apostles, witnessed the Transfiguration, remained present in the courtyard after Peter fled, and, most significantly, stood near the cross at the crucifixion. “He was the only Apostle mentioned at the crucifixion,” Haverkamp Sr. explains, making him a natural narrator for this intimate and human portrayal of divine events.
Balancing biblical accuracy with creative storytelling was a meticulous process. Haverkamp Sr. spent extensive hours reviewing New Testament passages, ensuring every scene aligned with scripture. He credits his son and his sister Jan, who edited the final draft, with helping maintain consistency and integrity throughout the narrative. The challenge was particularly acute when writing the crucifixion, a scene charged with immense suffering and spiritual significance. “It is very hard to capture the incredible pain that Jesus willingly suffered for our salvation,” he reflects, noting that they carefully framed the scene from the perspectives of John and the holy women, who bore witness to the events in their own ways.
Haverkamp Sr. hopes that readers will not only gain a deeper understanding of the events themselves but also experience the emotional and spiritual realities of those days. “I want readers to feel the unbelievable suffering that Jesus willingly endured for the salvation of our souls, the unfathomable mercy He will grant us if we trust in Him, and the incredible fear and confusion the disciples felt from Holy Thursday through Easter Sunday,” he says. Beyond these historical and spiritual insights, he also aims to humanize the apostles, showing that even those destined for sainthood experienced doubts, fear, and confusion—emotions familiar to any believer.
Published by Covenant Books and spanning nine chapters across 114 pages, From the Last Days of Darkness Through the First Day of Light presents a narrative that is both accessible and deeply reverent. Its storytelling has been recognized for its engaging approach, as well as its adherence to Catholic teachings, receiving a nihil obstat certification—an official declaration that the content is free from doctrinal error. By weaving scripture with historical fiction, Haverkamp Sr. provides readers with a meditative and enriching experience, ideal for those seeking to reflect on the significance of Holy Week and Easter in a fresh and personal way.
The collaborative effort with his son adds a layer of scholarly rigor to the work. Michael Haverkamp Jr.’s contributions to footnotes and historical references ensure that the narrative remains grounded in tradition, providing readers with both spiritual inspiration and a subtle educational component. Together, the father-son team has created a book that bridges devotion, historical understanding, and literary craft—a rare achievement in contemporary religious fiction.
Ultimately, Haverkamp Sr.’s novel is an invitation: to journey through the darkness of Good Friday into the light of Easter Sunday, to witness the human emotions, divine mercy, and transformative power of these events through the eyes of one of Jesus’ closest followers. It is a story of suffering, hope, faith, and redemption—a narrative meant to resonate not only with the mind but also with the heart.
For readers seeking to deepen their understanding of the Passion and Resurrection while connecting emotionally with the apostles’ experiences, Haverkamp Sr.’s work offers a compelling and spiritually rich experience. As he himself reflects, writing this novel has been a journey of learning, devotion, and inspiration—a journey he now shares with the world.
