Sunday, February 2, 2014

We miss you, l'Abbé Pierre...


I had a fun little story to tell today... It involved the French, the Americans, and swear words. 

As I was about to start writing it, I bumped into a photo taken by blogger Eric Tenin. Eric had decided to honor one of the most popular men who ever lived in France. That man was not a monarch; a president; or even a celebrity; quite the opposite in fact. He was a priest, and a sickly man, who doggedly led a lifelong struggle to help others. Seven years after his death, he remains one of my countrymen's favorite public figures. His is an incredible story. A story of courage, determination, controversy and deep humanity. It is the story of l'Abbé Pierre

Sixty years ago, on February 1, 1954, l'Abbé Pierre famously called for solidarity on Radio Luxembourg, as poor, homeless French people were dying in the streets during a particularly harsh winter. Sixty years later, homelessness and a shortage of safe, affordable housing, are still concerns in France, and in many industrialized nations.

This week, I have decided to publish again the tribute I wrote in December 2011. I hope you enjoy it. 

L'Abbé Pierre: the Reluctant French Icon
December 2011


La Fresque des Lyonnais (the famous Lyonnais fresco)
 Lyon,  France


World War II broke out in 1939. He was mobilized as an N.C.O. (Non Commissioned Officer) but contracted pleurisy while training in Alsace. When France fell in 1940, he became vicar of the Grenoble cathedral. Throughout the war, he would take enormous risks to help others; enabling Jews and other politically persecuted to escape to Switzerland; joining the French Résistance where he operated under several code names including the now-famous "Abbé Pierre;" founding a clandestine newspaper; stealing clothing from warehouses for the poor and the Résistance. He was arrested in 1944 but managed to escape and joined General de Gaulle and the Free French Forces in Algiers. He continued fighting and received top French military honors at the end of the war.



He also knew how to use his reputation and growing fame, and his connections to politicians to further his cause, lecturing the formidable General de Gaulle, in January 1945 on the need for milk to feed babies.




and do what they can with their own two hands."
-- L'Abbé Pierre.

L'Abbé Pierre and the first Emmaus companions


Throughout his life, l'Abbé Pierre used the power of the media
 to further his cause






Finally accepting the prestigious Legion of Honor
awarded by President Chirac in 2001
L'Abbé Pierre meets l'Abbé Pierre in 2005



Henri Grouès - l'Abbé Pierre - rests in a small cemetery in Esteville, a small village north of Rouen, in Normandy. At peace at last, (one would hope,) he is in good company, surrounded by several of his early companions and friends. At his request, his grave is anonymous, but it is easy to find, thanks to all the flowers left by visitors. 


Adieu, l'Abbé. On t'aimait bien.
So long, l'Abbé. We liked you.
A bientôt.



You may also rent the 1989 movie "Hiver 1954: L'Abbé Pierre" ["Winter 1954: L'Abbé Pierre"] with Lambert Wilson. 



  1. Bonjour. Thanks for repeating the story of L'Abbé Pierre. Believe it or not, I have never heard his story or heard anything about him despite living in France while he was still alive back in the 60's. Have a great week. A bientot.

    1. Bonjour Michel. Well, it is never too late to hear the story of this generous man, so here you go. You're welcome. :-)

  2. Dearest Véronique,
    This post did make me cry... Probably because I just had published my post about World Leprosy Day: where I write about our project in Indonesia and our visits to the hospital to meet with those leprosy victims. The very hospital where Princess Diana went in 1989 (link is in my post).
    Crying because those poor leprosy victims NEED a person like Abbé Pierre, for getting the media involved. With Princess Diana being such a public figure, she did draw full media coverage for the leprosy people but when she died it abruptly stopped. That makes me so sad... Millions of people suffer with disfigured bodies because of the disease and they still face the harsh stigma and ostracism.
    The media does not pay any attention because it does not fit into their political correct agenda.
    Abbé Pierre went against the law and through his controversion and determination he moved literally mountains or moved people over the mountains. What a GREAT person he was!
    Thanks for sharing this again and this time around it did touch me in a very special way. Guess I need to talk to Abbé...

    1. Dear Mariette. I will go over and read your post later today. In the meantime, I agree that it takes very special people to draw the media and the public's attention to worthwhile causes. Princess Diana was one (even if she found her calling later in her short life,) and so was l'Abbé Pierre. Both were charismatic people, who were media savvy and knew how to get politicians' attention. In the world we live in, you can't just be a *good* person. You also have to be smart and know how to use the right channels to get the word out and the ball rolling (even if it means being controversial at time, as l'Abbé very well knew.) Thank you for stopping by.

  3. Replies
    1. Ah, Coluche. Je l'aimais bien, lui aussi, Encore un qui est parti trop tôt. Lui et l'Abbé étaient séparés par au moins une génération, mais, il se sont battus pour les démunis (je pense aux Restaus du Coeur pour Coluche,) et avec beaucoup d'énergie et un goût prononcé pour la mise en scène. Ces deux là n'auraient pas supporté d'être "balayés" sous le tapis et ignorés, et tant mieux.

  4. As soon as I read the title, the name rang a bell! Of course I remember reading about L'Abbé Pierre here on your blog but December 2011, how time flies! I found this story just as moving the second time around. A truly inspirational and selfless person. Great post and you have shown again that you are able to write about both sensitive issues as well as the fun and lighthearted topics! Regular readers know this already though! Have a good week Véronique.

    1. Well, merci beaucoup miss b. I remember spending a lot of time researching, then writing that story, and I learned a lot while doing it. L'Abbé Pierre was certainly worth the effort! Thank you for following the blog for so long and for always making the time to leave a comment. I will head over to yours later today after my French classes. Bonne semaine.

  5. Replies
    1. Yes it is an inspirational story. I am glad you enjoyed it. A bientôt.

  6. Replies
    1. Difficult to summarize such a life in just a few paragraphs, but as the French say: "L'essentiel y est..." (the most important parts are there.) Thank you for your visit.

  7. How dearly he is missed and how much we could use his spirit of generosity and connectedness today! Hope you are well, Vero...

    1. I am well, Heather. How is life in Southern France? I need to swing over to your blog and catch up. I have been a little too busy to visit my friends lately…

  8. Very inspiring! I have heard of the Emmaus institutions in various countries, but had no idea about it's founder. People like him shouldn't ever die, they do so much good they should be able to live forever!

    1. I agree Sami. L'Abbé had a very long and fruitful life. I guess he deserved to rest, after all of his hard work.

  9. What an inspirational man. I learned about him originally from my French friend, who was all too happy to educate me about him. I wish that we knew more about him here in the US! He's done so much!!

    1. He certainly has, Amber. It sounds as if you enjoyed your Paris visit. Staying with a local makes all the difference in the world, doesn't it?

