Heroic virtues of Fr. Marie-Eugene of the Child Jesus OCD approved

The Holy See issued its decree of approval of the heroic virtues of the Servant of God, Fr. Marie-Eugene OCD, Founder of the Secular Institute Notre-Dame de Vie, on 19 December 2011.  

"Venerable" is the title for a person who has been declared "heroic in virtue" during the investigation and process leading to possible canonization as a saint. Before a person is considered to be venerable he or she must be declared as such by a proclamation, approved by the pope, of having lived a life that was "heroic in virtue" — the virtues being the Theological Virtues of faith, hope and charity and the Cardinal Virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance. The next step is beatification, at which point the person is referred to as "Blessed", and then finally canonization, at which point the person is referred to as "Saint".

Our recent pilgrimage to World Youth Day in Madrid gave us a wonderful first hand experience of the dedication of the members of this secular lay instute - Notre Dame de Vie.  The Institue were based in the Discalced Carmelite Church at Plaza de Espana during the week of WYD. They organised the veneration of the Relics of St Therese of Lisieux for the duration of the festival.

On 2 December 1894, Marie-Eugene was born into a modest family in Gua-Aveyron, a small mining town in the south of France. From an early age he felt called to the priesthood and entered a seminary when 17 years old. Three years later the First World War broke out and he joined the army as a volunteer. He felt that he had special protection from Sister Therese of the Child Jesus (of Lisieux) while serving as a soldier. At the conclusion of the war he re-entered the seminary and was ordained a priest on 4 February 1922, at the age of 28.
He had felt God’s call to Carmel during his seminary years and, 20 days after his ordination, entered the Discalced Carmelite Noviciate in Avon, near Paris. He took the religious name Marie-Eugene of the Child Jesus.

There he intensified his prayer life and immersed himself in the teaching of the Carmelite masters. From the very outset of his ministry, through his writings and retreats, he dedicated himself to sharing the deep spiritual experiences of the Carmelite saints and of the practice of prayer.

He was elected General Definitor in 1937 and had to assume the role of General in 1954, when Fr. Silverius of St. Teresa died tragically. It was precisely during his years in Rome that he wrote his masterly synthesis of the teachings of the Saints of the Order: I Want to See God.

He died on 27 March 1967 in Notre-Dame de Vie (France), at the age of 73.

Notre-Dame de Vie

In 1932 Fr. Marie-Eugene founded the Secular Institute Notre-Dame de Vie with a view to letting the world of his time appreciate the riches of contemplative prayer. Members of the Institute, men and women, lay and clerical, are called to give witness to the presence of God in our world, by living and teaching the pathways of prayer.

Click to find out more about Notre Dame de Vie

 "Finding God everywhere" retreat  click here for info >>>>

Members of Notre Dame de Vie Institute and Fr Matt Blake, OCD at Boars Hill, Oxford

A prayerful weekend exploring the teaching of Fr Marie-Eugene OCD (founder of Notre Dame de  Vie) on the integration of prayer and life.

VICAR GENERAL AND FOUNDER OF THE SECULAR INSTITUTE NOTRE-DAME DE VIE
	Heroic virtues of Fr. Marie-Eugene of the Child Jesus approved
	· Communicationes Rome-Italy (19-12-2011).- The Holy See issued its decree of approval of the heroic virtues of the Servant of God, Fr. Marie-Eugene OCD, Founder of the Secular Institute Notre-Dame de Vie, on 19 December