Immense joy

In my sick career, I was very lucky. “Go quietly,” reassures me the radiologist after an ordinary screening mammography in 2016, just before my departure for the metropolis. Once again, I go to Lourdes, via Paris.

Arriving at my niece, I go as usual at the Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Délivrance chapel, in Neuilly-sur-Seine. A group of children on pilgrimage sings: “I am in joy, immense joy! (…) For my God released me! Why am I moved to tears? This refrain never leaves me. Having God at the heart – my work every day – becomes so easy as well.

But after Lourdes, I receive an unexpected call from my attending physician: “As soon as you return to Guadeloupe, come and see me. “In his cabinet, while I am surprised by his prescription for an MRI, he goes up in a tone, in Creole:” An di-w or ay fè-y! ” “(” I tell you to go and do it! “) The result, bad, trains in a whirlwind of emotions, exams, prescriptions. I don’t cry. I have so much confidence in God. “Bondé”, as we say here.

Comes the removal of my tumor. Upon returning from the operation, in my room, family and friends surrounded me. It feels good. The next day, in the early morning, in a half-sleep, a lady stands at the foot of my bed. She smiles at me. Like someone who passes a hello and leaves.

Two hours later, a dear friend – a spiritual sister – takes me to the hospital. “Cathou, we go through Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes in Massabielle (a district of Pointe-à-Pitre, editor’s note), Do you have the strength? I have drains under my clothes, but let’s go.

In the church, my gaze falls on the statue of Saint Thérèse de Lisieux. Amazed, I recognize this face: “It is she that I saw earlier, I swear! ” -” Calm down “, replies my friend. I cry. Am I crazy?

Since then, my devotion to Sainte Thérèse has been daily. Then, I was very happy to engage in the chaplaincy of the CHU. Prepare the church for the masses, welcome the patients whose torments I know, give them joy.

Last year, I relapsed. My cancer is metastasized. I offer my suffering, I pray for many people. I’m not afraid to die – to suffer, yes. I received the sacrament twice from the sick. Each time, I was full of joy, spiritual energy.