This was the question which faced Michel Quoist. It frightens us. He guided millions of people across the world to seek the answer in Scripture, prayer and sacrament. He led to the Risen Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life. Tomorrow (the "month's mind" of his death) in Le Havre, and across France, grateful Christians will gather to pray for him and to thank God for his life of self-sacrificing love and radiant faith, bringing inspiration and new hope. He was a priest and, in all his days, a burning and a shining light. Over seven million copies of his books on prayer sold across the world. All income went to the poor of France and to deprived people in South America.
His father, speculating in shares, lost savings and job. Michel went to work early to help mother and sister. He joined the Young Christian Workers. The family moved between Le Havre, Paris and Rouen. The young wage-earner saw the oppression of the poor and the horror of Nazi brutality. It seemed after illness that he would be blind for life. From this possibility of Milton's fate and total darkness he developed a deep appreciation of the blessed gift of sight. He linked it all his days with the Holy Spirit's gift of insight. His dynamic prayers recall us from mindless ingratitude to songs of thankfulness and praise.
After an astounding route of study and work, seeking to know God's call, he was ordained, aged 26, in Rouen Cathedral. It was July 1947. The "Priest of the Poor", Henri Godin, issued the historic document, "France Pagan?". The beloved Dominican scholar Fr Dominic Chenu with Abbe Godin and the "rag-picker" priest Abbe Pierre inspired and helped the young generous Michel in every effort to carry light and to dispel the gloom. "Better to ligh one candle than to curse the darkness".
In his total self-giving, prayer came first. Why not speak to God in real, vibrant language? He urged reverence with awareness of our poverty, our weakness, our need and - alas - our sin! Living prayers were born which found welcome with women and men in all walks of life across the world. He made clear the dignity of women and made every effort to secure justice for them in the workplace.
"Nothing is written here that was not lived amid the stress of daily life . . . I have prefaced Prayer with Scripture so that all will meditate the Gospel and find daily strength . . . God speaks in two ways:Scripture word and daily life . . ."
We pray our loneliness and our love. We are led to prayer by our feeble attempts at holiness and by our sin; by telephone and by tractor; by bank notes and by the horror of poisoned pornographic magazines; by restless sea and by silent hills.
"Thank you for the tranquil night,
Dear God. Thank you for the stars!
Thank you for the silence!
Thank you for the time you give me!
Thank you for life.
Thank you for grace."
Michel did not seek to offer scholarship or research. His Prayers of Life (Gill and Macmillan) urge us to live. "My task is to live; to help others to live; to reflect; to help. I wish to write nothing that has not been lived".
Without God there is only failure and despair. Too often our streets, our cities and our living are a foul blot on God's creation. Will we moan - and do nothing? He calls for action now!
Lord, Teach us how to Pray!
F.MacN