BRO. MARCEL VAN: JOY 2
The ideas presented here come from the dialogues Bro Marcel
Van had with the Lord Jesus, with the Blessed Mother, and with St Therese of
the Child Jesus (it is indicated who is speaking or sending the message) with
whom he enjoyed spiritual conversations. Brother Marcel’s holy life did not
rest on these conversations but rather on his deep love for God, his obedience
to his will, and his commitment and service to others. He died as a “confessor
of the faith” – one who lived his faith heroically in the midst of trials – in
a North Vietnamese Communist prison where he strived to bring joy and faith to
his companions, Catholic or not.
4.2 Every moment is conducive to joy
Marcel: The other day my sister Thérèse gave me a crazy
desire to laugh; but I already told Mother Mary this.
Jesus: Little brother, who ordered you to cry over my
crucifixion? It's still interfering with my business. Your role is not to have
pity on me, but only to love me. As for pity, it's up to me to exercise it
towards you. When speaking to me, you can never use the word "pity",
but exclusively the word "Love."
Thérèse: "My dear little brother, in these days when
the Holy Church recalls all the sufferings endured by Jesus in the past, strive
to console yourself in comforting the heart of little Jesus by hiding your own
sadness and avoiding reminding him of those painful days.
4.3 remain joyful in suffering
Therese: Little Jesus loves you very much. He never wants to
see you sad, and if you're sad, he does not know who to laugh with anymore. You
are like me the toy of little Jesus: you must be joyous, without ever showing
sadness. If he sees you sad, he is very troubled, afraid of having pained you
in something, and of being himself the cause of your sadness
Therese: Be happy, little brother, never give in to sadness.
Even if you feel a little sad, do not let it be seen externally, because by
imposing this sacrifice, you will give me great pleasure ...
Marcel: What happiness! And what a sweetness! At that
moment, why were all my sufferings so beautiful? Impossible to say, impossible
to describe this beauty by comparing it with some earthly beauty. All I can say
is that God has given me a treasure, the most precious gift of Love.
In an instant, my soul has been completely transformed. I
was no longer afraid of suffering; on the contrary, I rejoiced and took
pleasure in finding opportunities to suffer. My conquering flag will now float
on the Hill of Love. God gave me a mission: to change suffering into happiness.
I do not suppress suffering, but I change it into happiness. Drawing strength
from Love, my life will be no more than a source of happiness.
