December 1, 2024
Charles Eugène de Foucauld de Pontbriand was born into an aristocratic family in Strasbourg in 1858. He was a French soldier, explorer and Catholic revert, who became a priest and hermit, living in the Sahara in Algeria.
He lost his faith as a youth but was guided back by a priest at 28. He once said, “As soon as I believed in God, I understood that I could not do otherwise than to live for him alone.” For seven years, he was a Trappist monk in France and Syria. At 43, he was ordained a priest in 1901 and went to live among the Tuareg people of Northern Africa.While in the desert, he welcomed everyone, regardless of their faith. He often said he wanted to “shout the Gospel with his life.”
He was assassinated on December 1, 1916, by a band of rebels. His inspiration and writings led to the founding of the Little Brothers of Jesus and other religious communities. He was canonized by Pope Francis on May 15, 2022 and today is his feast day.
Prayer of St. Charles de Foucauld
Father, I abandon myself into your hands;
do with me what you will.
Whatever you may do, I thank you;
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only your will be done in me,
and in all your creatures.
I wish no more than this, O Lord.
Into your hands, I commend my soul;
I offer it to you with all the love of my heart
for I love you, Lord,
and so need to give myself,
to surrender myself into your hands, without reserve
and with boundless confidence,
for you are my Father.
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