Our Founder
Pierre Goursat, Servant of God
1914 — 1991
A Life Between Two Feasts
Born on the
Assumption
Pierre (Peter) Goursat was born in Paris on August 15, 1914 — the day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. He died also in Paris on March 25, 1991, on the solemnity of the Annunciation, the Monday beginning Holy Week. His entire life was somehow inscribed between these two Marian holidays, and within the space of one city: Paris, which Pierre loved so much.
Pierre's mother, Maria Goursat, was a woman of great faith who loved the Mother of God very much, and attached great importance to prayer. The whole family was deeply Christian, and this reference to God played a huge role in Pierre's life.
His father's family came from southwestern France, in Périgueux — a wealthy Catholic family. Pierre's parents were not a happily married couple; their worlds were very different, and after a short time the couple split up. From childhood, Pierre was deeply wounded by his mother's suffering and his father's absence.
Pierre had a brother, Bernard, eleven years younger. At the age of ten, Bernard died suddenly of illness. Sixty years later, Pierre spoke of the loss: "It was terrible. I had the impression that I had been cut in half and that one half had been taken away. With time, slowly, I returned to balance."
A Poor Worm
Strength From a
Contemplative Life
As the authors of the book Fire and Hope write, Pierre Goursat did not have a saintly aura about him — he had his limitations and weaknesses. He was a film critic and, as a layman, decided to serve the Church. His life was not easy, and he struggled with tuberculosis from the age of 19.
He derived his strength from a deeply contemplative life. He founded the Emmanuel Community and the Fraternity of Jesus, which now have thousands of members around the world. He spoke of himself with great humility: "I am a poor worm" — referring to Isaiah 41:13–14: "I, the Lord, your God, holding you by the right hand... do not be afraid, Jacob, poor worm, Israel, puny mite."
"You did not notice that the Lord had led the community of the greatest poor, so that everyone could see that He was the author of everything."
Pierre called himself an "adorer," because he spent long hours — even entire nights — in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. He attached great importance to personal evangelization.
A year after Pierre's death, the Emmanuel Community was recognized by the Holy See, in a special decree, as "a gift for the universal Church." Today it is present almost everywhere in the world, and in the USA since 1982.
It is essential not to choose our path, but to take the path that the Lord tells us, because He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Case for Beatification
Servant of
God
With the agreement of Cardinal André Vingt-Trois, Archbishop of Paris, the cause of canonization of Pierre Goursat was officially introduced in January 2010.
An important step was taken on Saturday, December 19, 2015: the diocesan phase was officially closed at a ceremony open to all in the Church of the Holy Trinity in Paris. Since then, Pierre Goursat is officially called "Servant of God."
If you experience special graces through the intercession of Pierre Goursat, please send your dated and signed testimonials to:
Postulation de Pierre Goursat, Maison de Chézelles
6 place de la Mairie, 37220 Chézelles
FRANCE
Prayer
For the Beatification
of Pierre Goursat
Inspired by a fervent desire for the salvation of souls and a great love for the Church, he worked with faith and hope for the Church's spiritual and apostolic renewal. Lord, through his intercession, grant us the grace of trusting you fully, serving you generously, and doing your will.
Give us a heart which is open to adoration and overflowing with compassion for all people. Set us ablaze with fire and love for the evangelization of the world.
Lord, through the intercession of the Servant of God Pierre Goursat, we ask you with insistence to grant many favors to all of our brothers and sisters in humanity — especially the poor and those wounded by life. Lord, console the afflicted, strengthen the weak, heal the sick!
In a particular way, we entrust to you this intention…
Lord Jesus, to those who are far from you or who do not yet know you, we ask you to reveal the infinite love of your meek and gentle Heart.
To pray through the intercession of the Servant of God Pierre Goursat, you can download this brochure:
