Charles de foucauld biography of michael
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Charles de Foucauld: Prophet of Universal Fraternity
Pope Francis will canonize Blessed Charles De Foucauld, considered to be one of the pioneers of interreligious dialogue, together with six other Blesseds, during a Canonization Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on 15 May.
“In the desert we are never alone.”[1] This affirmation comes from someone who loved the Sahara, Little Brother Charles of Jesus, Charles de Foucauld, and it embodies the essence of his life in the desert, where he lived in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, his own “treasure.” It embodied the presence and humility of God, but was also the sacrament of love. He had chosen to “take his place as close as possible to Jesus of Nazareth, among the least, even if it meant being hidden and ‘useless’ in the immensity of the desert.”[2]
Paradoxically, in 1916, that “treasure” was the cause of his death. Among the marauders of the desert of Tamanrasset in the depths of the Sahara, the rumor had sprea
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Seeking Christ in the Desert – The Conversion of Charles dem Foucauld
Jesus showed humanity how to be fully human. Yet Christians of modern Western culture are far removed from the Eastern world He lived in. By modern standards, His society was poor, simple, almost primitive. His early followers lived with few possessions and comforts. They were humble, common människor of the Near East. The wisdom of the Fathers of the Church developed out of this simple Eastern way of life in radical fidelity to Christ. Like Paul and Augustine, Francis of Assisi followed Christ’s path to an austere yet joyful spirituality. Modern Christians who are unhappily caught up in a pursuit of temporary pleasures have a more recent model of fidelity to Jesus’ human path.
Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916) took the difficult journey into Eastern culture in search of Christ. The confusing allures of modern life tempted him before he began his quest for faith. Living among the poor, though, led him to
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SAINT FOR ALL SEASONS: Charles de Foucauld.
It is hard to imagine a more conflicted and convoluted life than Saint Charles de Foucauld, Martyr. Yet, he is indeed one to whom I look for inspiration in my journey from my false self to my true self as an adopted son (daughter) of the Father and heir to what fulfills my humanity as nature intended.
Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916)
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CHARLES DE FOUCAULD (Brother Charles of Jesus) was born in Strasbourg, France, on September 15th, 1858. Orphaned at the age of six, he and his sister Marie were raised by their grandfather, in whose footsteps he followed by taking up a military career.
He lost his faith as an adolescent. His taste for easy living was well known to all and, yet he showed that he could be strong-willed and constant in difficult situations. He undertook a risky exploration of Morocco (1883-1884). Seeing the way Muslims expressed their faith questioned him, and he began repeating, “My God, if you exist, let me