Hand in hand

I have had a life full of activities. Union and association commitments, three mandates as mayor. When I retired, I became a chaplain in a nursing home. None of this would have been possible without the support of Odile, my wife, who often replaced me on the farm, and looked after our four children. Our prayer consisted of reciting those that our parents had passed on to us.

The illness took us further. Odile suffered a stroke in December 2023. A few months later, suffering from painful hands, I consulted. “You have stage four out of five cancer,” the doctor told me. On Good Friday 2025, returning exhausted from a last session of rays, I went to rest. I prayed, “Jesus, look at my hands. » Immediately, I heard Christ answer me: “Look at my hands. » Then I fell asleep. A dream woke me up: Mary stood near me and comforted me: “Don’t be afraid, take my hand and walk with me to meet my son who loves you and wants to share with you the joy of his resurrection. »

Finding Odile and I in the same situation led us to pray together. In the most difficult times, we hold hands. We feel closer to Jesus. And we realize that he is there, in our life. Over the decades, I have discovered the importance of listening. If I don’t remain silent, it’s impossible to welcome the other. Today, I understand that Jesus and Mary listen to us. If we want to.

A priest friend came to celebrate mass at home. I wrote three intentions for universal prayer: “Mary, you who gave us Jesus, whom you accompanied throughout his life, take my hand and that of Odile. Help us to take a few more steps on his path every day, so that we find confidence and peace. » The second: “Jesus, see our couple. Sometimes we get fed up, our backs are full of it. Our hearts are in doubt, anguish, fear. Now the door to our heart is ajar. Lay down your love and tell us loudly: “God loves you”. » Finally, the last: “Jesus, see the Church of our diocese. We are a little disoriented. Our landmarks are moving away. Help us to keep trust, to be witnesses of your love and servants of peace and unity. »