Blessed Marie-Eugene of the Child Jesus was born as Henri Grialou

in Le Gua, a little town in the mining region of southwest France, in 1894.

He always wanted to be a priest.  Drawn to the works of St. Thérèse of Lisieux in the seminary, from whom he learned of her little way of spiritual childhood, his training was interrupted by World War I wherein he served and was decorated with the military cross as a Chevalier by the French Legion of Honor. 

He became a Roman Catholic priest and a professed member of the Discalced Carmelites of which he was a member since just after his ordination (24 February 1922).

 

Fr. Marie-Eugene held several positions of leadership within his Order, and because of his responsibilities in Rome he travelled extensively visiting the different Carmelite convents and monasteries across the world.

He founded the Secular Institute of Notre-Dame de Vie. He is also a noted spiritual author and wrote at great length on the Carmelite Doctors. He is considered amongst the most important authors of Spiritual Theology.

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Fr. Marie-Eugene’s life was driven by his devotion to Carmelite Spirituality and to the spreading it with great zeal. His motto in life was “Traditus Gratiae Dei” (Surrendered to the Grace of God). He ensured that Carmelite teachings and its Spirituality was promoted amongst the faithful.

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He was beatified on 19 November 2016 in Avignon, France. 

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