Saint Who?
Saints Who Were Writers
Blessed Marie-Eugène of the Child Jesus
Priest and religious († 1967) Feast: March 27
Henri Grialou’s father died when he was only ten years old, leaving his mother to raise and support five children. Henri felt called to become a priest from a young age and entered minor seminary. During his teenage years and as a young seminarian, he discovered the writings of Saints Thérèse of Lisieux, John of the Cross, and Teresa of Ávila. The spirituality of these great Carmelite saints deeply affected his understanding of Catholic prayer, and their writings convinced him that his vocation lay in the Discalced Carmelite order.
World War I interrupted his studies for the priesthood, and Henri served on the front lines as an officer. During the war, he often called upon the intercession of the not-yet-canonized Thérèse for himself and his comrades.
After the war ended, he was ordained and took the religious name Marie-Eugène of the Child Jesus. The young priest immediately began to preach about Carmelite saints and spirituality, with a particular emphasis on the idea that personal holiness and deep contemplation were paths to God available to all the faithful, not just priests and religious. Over the years, he became a popular preacher and spiritual writer. Marie-Eugène traveled all over the world, speaking, writing, and fulfilling his lifelong mission of leading souls to God.
Child Jesus, give us the grace to pray
with the simplicity and purity of a child.
