A wonderful discovery

The recent traditionalist pilgrimage of Chartres decides to make this story. In 1953-1954, a high school student in Paris, I stayed in a home. I am a believer, practicing. One evening, going to bed, I come across a comrade. I question him: “Marie-Thérèse, where are you going?” – In the evening prayer, in the room of a girlfriend. – Can I go with you? – Yes of course ! There, six or eight girls stand in a circle, in silence. One of them makes the sign of the cross, followed by all of us, and begins a prayer with her words, addressing Jesus as to a friend to whom we can say everything. Then, each entrusts their joys, their difficulties, their family. A prayer coming from the heart, without formula. In silence, eyes and ears wide open, my heart welcomes this revelation. What a wonderful discovery: we can speak to God, live! We finish this moment with a our father.

A few days later, in high school, he whispers intriguing information about a pilgrimage to students to Chartres*. It will be in May, I want to participate! Other information stubble my thirst: prayer meetings, morning masses, conferences on a religious theme, or on the Bible – a proscribed word of my vocabulary as a daughter of a secular teacher and a book totally unknown with family! Soon, one morning or another, before lessons, I go to mass, despite the incomprehensible Latin and the priest who turns our backs by mumbling his prayers. Meetings with open Christian academics, evening prayers: little by little, I learn to live in my faith less and less with “by heart”, in hope and charity.

At the start of the school year, here I am a replacement teacher. I join the teaching teams, a movement which brings together Christian teachers of public education. With them, I will welcome with joy, a few years later, the Vatican Council II and the renewal of the liturgy. What a joy to hear the readings read by lay people, to pray in French with the simple rites of the first centuries, to respond to the priest who stands in front of the people, to sing hymns adapted to the liturgical time and to the different moments of mass, to receive “bread of God” in hand, to live fraternity and community life. All of this allows me to stay in service outfit, happily.

* Created in 1935, not to be confused with the traditionalist pilgrimage Notre-Dame de Chrétiennité.