Pere Jacques: Resplendent in Victory

Rating:
Summary: PERE JACQUES: DOING THE RIGHT THING
Review: At one time or another, most people have been deeply touched by a remarkable teacher. At times people may wish to give a fitting tribute to that teacher, sharing with others the goodness they have experienced. Few people, however, can do what Louis Malle did in his 1987 film AU REVOIR LES ENFANTS (GOOD-BYE CHILDREN)and few people have experienced as remarkable a teacher as his.

AU REVOIR LES ENFANTS recounts how Father Jasques Bunel sheltered three Jewish students in his boarding school during the Nazi occupation of France where Louis Malle was also a student. In January 1944 the Gestapo suddenly arrived at the school and arrested the three Jewish students, a Jewish faculty member and Pere Jacques. The film, however, only covers the most famous incident in the life of Pere Jacques. Francis J. Murphy's book reveals this as one remarkable event in the life of a remarkable man.

A native of Northern France, Lucien-Louis Bunel was born in 1900 into a devout working class family. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Rouen in 1925. His first assignment was to a school where he quickly proved to be not only a talented teacher but a preacher much in demand throughout the diocese; a friend of youth, the sick and workers. Despite being an apostolic dynamo, or perhaps on account of it, Father Lucien maintained a strong and intense prayer life--so strong that both prior to and after ordination, he seriously considered joining a Trappist monastery. Eventually he realized that his pastoral abilities would not be utilized in the cloistered life and instead joined the Discaled Carmelites in 1930, taking the name, Jacques de Jesus. While still in simple vows his superiors directed him to found, with only six months preparation, a prepatory high school. Here Pere Jacques fully exploited his gifts as a holistic and progressive educator.

As France fell to Nazi occupation Pere Jacques, ever the French patriot, supported the resistance movement. He chafed against Nazxi anti-semitic policies and hired a distinguished university professor who had been dismissed because he was Jewish. In 1943 Pere Jacques took in three Jewish boys and gave them false identites. His religious superior approved and supported his work. He ominously told Pere Jacques, "Do what you must; come what may." A year later the Gestapo raided the school. The Jewish students and teacher were taken to Auschwitz and immediately killed. Pere Jacques approached his own Calvary in prison and concentration camps. Even here he displayed his strong leadership and pastoral skills. He would rise early each morning and visit the sick sharing with them what became his starvation rations. He even learned Polish so as to minister to the many Polish prisoners. Those he continued to serve and love included atheists and Communists. He lived to see the liberation of his camp in May 1945, but less than a month later died as a result of his cruel treatment while imprisoned.

In addition to the film by Louis Malle, Pere Jacques has been posthumously honored by the State of Israel and the United States Holocaust Memorial Musuem. His cause for beatification was introduced in 1990.

Francis Murphy's book is clear and moves at a good pace. In addition to telling the story of Pere Jacques, he offers selections of his writings. He admirably situates the events of Pere Jacques' life into the broader historical context of that time.

Pere Jacques represents not so much the triumph of the human spirit but rather the triumph of the Holy Spirit through the human spirit. His intense prayer and intense pastoral activity, even in the most dehumanizing of circumstances, makes him a model of Christian courage. May we all show simliar courage following the counsel give to Pere Jacques of by his superior, "Do what you must; come what may."

Rating:
Summary: PERE JACQUES: DOING THE RIGHT THING
Review: At one time or another, most people have been deeply touched by a remarkable teacher. At times people may wish to give a fitting tribute to that teacher, sharing with others the goodness they have experienced. Few people, however, can do what Louis Malle did in his 1987 film AU REVOIR LES ENFANTS (GOOD-BYE CHILDREN)and few people have experienced as remarkable a teacher as his.

AU REVOIR LES ENFANTS recounts how Father Jasques Bunel sheltered three Jewish students in his boarding school during the Nazi occupation of France where Louis Malle was also a student. In January 1944 the Gestapo suddenly arrived at the school and arrested the three Jewish students, a Jewish faculty member and Pere Jacques. The film, however, only covers the most famous incident in the life of Pere Jacques. Francis J. Murphy's book reveals this as one remarkable event in the life of a remarkable man.

A native of Northern France, Lucien-Louis Bunel was born in 1900 into a devout working class family. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Rouen in 1925. His first assignment was to a school where he quickly proved to be not only a talented teacher but a preacher much in demand throughout the diocese; a friend of youth, the sick and workers. Despite being an apostolic dynamo, or perhaps on account of it, Father Lucien maintained a strong and intense prayer life--so strong that both prior to and after ordination, he seriously considered joining a Trappist monastery. Eventually he realized that his pastoral abilities would not be utilized in the cloistered life and instead joined the Discaled Carmelites in 1930, taking the name, Jacques de Jesus. While still in simple vows his superiors directed him to found, with only six months preparation, a prepatory high school. Here Pere Jacques fully exploited his gifts as a holistic and progressive educator.

As France fell to Nazi occupation Pere Jacques, ever the French patriot, supported the resistance movement. He chafed against Nazxi anti-semitic policies and hired a distinguished university professor who had been dismissed because he was Jewish. In 1943 Pere Jacques took in three Jewish boys and gave them false identites. His religious superior approved and supported his work. He ominously told Pere Jacques, "Do what you must; come what may." A year later the Gestapo raided the school. The Jewish students and teacher were taken to Auschwitz and immediately killed. Pere Jacques approached his own Calvary in prison and concentration camps. Even here he displayed his strong leadership and pastoral skills. He would rise early each morning and visit the sick sharing with them what became his starvation rations. He even learned Polish so as to minister to the many Polish prisoners. Those he continued to serve and love included atheists and Communists. He lived to see the liberation of his camp in May 1945, but less than a month later died as a result of his cruel treatment while imprisoned.

In addition to the film by Louis Malle, Pere Jacques has been posthumously honored by the State of Israel and the United States Holocaust Memorial Musuem. His cause for beatification was introduced in 1990.

Francis Murphy's book is clear and moves at a good pace. In addition to telling the story of Pere Jacques, he offers selections of his writings. He admirably situates the events of Pere Jacques' life into the broader historical context of that time.

Pere Jacques represents not so much the triumph of the human spirit but rather the triumph of the Holy Spirit through the human spirit. His intense prayer and intense pastoral activity, even in the most dehumanizing of circumstances, makes him a model of Christian courage. May we all show simliar courage following the counsel give to Pere Jacques of by his superior, "Do what you must; come what may."

Rating:
Summary: Interesting bio of a priest in German concentration camps.
Review: This engaging biography presents the life of Lucien Bunel (1900-1945), also known as the Carmelite priest, Pere Jacques. Louis Malle's film AU REVOIR, LES ENFANTS details an episode in his own life when he saw Pere Jacques as headmaster shelter three Jewish boys in his boarding school. Imprisoned by the Nazis, Pere Bunel used his prayerful interior strength to endure hardships at the same time that he helped other prisoners. Tubercular, he died only three weeks after liberation from Mauthausen. The author wisely appends to his clear narrative some writings by Bunel, a testimonial from a fellow prisoner, notes, and a bibliography that summons the reader to learn more. The references to Carmelite spirituality, contemplation, and French devotionalism ought not put the reader off. They are necessary to comprehend the man and his motivation. This reviewer reminds readers that diverse spiritualities exist among Christians.