A few years ago, (probably around 2019) a friend told me about Charles de Foucauld (1858 – 1916). At that time he was considered “blessed” in the Catholic Church because of the life he lived and the fact that he was martyred for the faith. As my friend explained his spirituality, to live as ‘the universal brother’ to all, and strive to live as Jesus did in the hidden years in Nazareth. I was intrigued.
As I often do, I went into a deep dive reading everything I could about de Foucauld. What amazed me was that he was a man born to privilege, was intelligent, and had a life of adventure, but he turned his back on all of that to humble himself and live a life of prayer. By no means is he the first to do this, but his idea was inspiring. So much so, that if I were still single I might actually seek out one of the many communities that have sprung up following his spiritually. Even with that door shut, my wife and I have been discerning how to start a lay organization in our local faith community.
His Prayer of Abandonment has become a staple of my daily prayers.
Father,
I abandon myself into your hands;
do with me what you will.
Whatever you may do, I thank you:
I am ready for all, I accept all.Let only your will be done in me,
and in all your creatures –
I wish no more than this, O Lord.Into your hands I commend my soul:
I offer it to you with all the love of my heart,
for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself,
to surrender myself into your hands without reserve,
and with boundless confidence,
for you are my Father.
Amen
I was extremely excited on May 15, 2022 when he was officially canonized. His feast day will be celebrated on December 1st.
