The work that we present, MORE THAN THEIR LIFE! The Picpus Vocation in A Time of Terror, by Marcel Bocquet sscc, makes known in more depth the figures of our brothers who were shot, as well as the story of the SSCC sisters in Picpus who, without reaching the point of bloodshed, were strongly shaken by persecution and violence. It is, therefore, a family story. David Reid sscc, the editor of this edition, and who was a member of the Commission for Spiritual and Historical Patrimony for the period 2012-2018, puts it well:
“This work is, therefore, an invitation to the reader to become interested and learn more. Together with the death of Saint Damien de Veuster, the deaths of the four brothers in the Commune precipitated an era of growth and enthusiasm in and for the Congregation under the leadership of Marcellin Bousquet who was elected Superior General in 1870”.
We sincerely encourage you to read the book. There will be parts of the book that will draw you into the life and intimacy of these brothers and sisters, their spirituality, into what really moved their lives. You will see that they are people very close to us: they do not stand out for any specific heroism or special qualities; rather through their trials they tried to be faithful to the call they received from the Heart of God and to have the attitudes of Mary who "kept all these things in her heart" (Lk 2:19). They sought to be faithful to their vocation and mission in their daily lives. That is why getting to know them may help motivate us today along the path of holiness to which the Church continues to call us. In some chapters we are led directly into the Way of the Cross and the Passion. It is not advisable to read the book very quickly, but rather we would propose that you read the book seeking to enter into the feelings and experiences of these brothers. Our hope is that such reading will be of help to all of us, especially in the context of today’s convulsing world in which we live our vocation.
At the beginning of September, the Commission will send out four reflection papers, already prepared, to help in the study - both personal and in community – of our brothers who were killed in the Commune. Our hope is that this material will help all of us to know them better, understand the context in which their story developed and to connect what they lived with the present reality that envelopes us. This could be an interesting exercise for personal and community renewal. The papers contain a section for individual reading and some guidelines for the community meeting, ending with adoration. SSCC Sisters, brothers and secular branch members are called to the same task throughout the world. Together we can engage in an exercise of communion with those who, in 1871, gave their lives for Christ in what was then a very turbulent Paris - conditions not that far removed from today’s social manifestations. That is why reading the book can lead us to ask ourselves several questions, as noted by Alberto Toutin sscc, Superior General, in the prologue to this volume:
“Reading this book how can one not think of the Christian communities who are persecuted today because of their faith and their service of the God of Jesus in worship and in their love of neighbour? How can one not think of the men and women who live their religion in a context which forbids diversity of opinion or critical debate? How can one not think of the deep social illnesses and injustices which pervade vast sections of our world and which take on a religious form when the name of God is invoked to justify violence and destruction?
This edition is thanks to the very important work concluded by David Reid, undertaken with the enthusiasm that so characterises him. A word of thanks is also due to the various people who dedicated many hours in translating, editing, proofreading, designing the cover, etc., to ensure that this book reaches the hands of all of you. We are especially grateful for the work of Rosa Mª Ferreiro sscc, Marie-France Gazan and Derek Laverty sscc. A pdf version of the book can be downloaded at this link:
https://bit.ly/3e1camo
12/28/2020