Gabrielle Bossis –Laywoman and mystic of the 20th century
The source for this information is from the excellent book "He and I" by Gabrielle Bossis, 1985, translated by Evelyn M. Brown, published by Editions Mediaspaul, Imprimatur- Msgr Jean-Marie Fortier, Archbishop, Sherbrooke, Quebec.
Gabrielle Bossis (1874-1950) was a Catholic Mystic and layperson who lived in France in the 20th century. Born in Nantes, France in 1874, she was the youngest child of a family of four children. As a child in a well to do family, she was taught and raised in proper social graces and etiquette, and she grew up to be a graceful, happy and high spirited young woman, but as from her childhood she possessed a strong yearning for God and the things of the Spirit. She obtained a Degree in Nursing, and enjoyed the fine arts of that time, including sculpting, painting, illuminating and music. Later in life she discovered that she had another talent- that of writing moral plays and also acting. From that point on until two years before her death she traveled extensively in France and abroad, producing her own plays and acting in the principal role. Those who still remember her remark about her infectious laughter and her unfailing charm.
On very rare occasions in her early life, Gabrielle had been surprised by a Mysterious Voice, which she heard and felt with awe, and sometimes anxious questionings, which she perceived to be the Voice of Christ. It was only at the age of 62, however, that this touching dialogue with the "Inner Voice" began in earnest, continuing (at least in her notes) until two weeks before her death on June 9, 1950.
The journal that she kept of her dialogue with the Inner Voice has been published in numerous languages under the title "He and I" (see note above) and has become a source of deep inspiration and edification for those who read it. Below are a few excerpts from this extraordinary dialogue between "the Inner Voice" and Gabrielle
April 12, 1945. In the [train] station at Angers.
Coming from Paris I had a seat in spite of the dense crowd.
"You see what great care I take of My own. Even in the tumult I draw them into solitude where the heart is on the alert to hear the Beloved. Didn't I say to them in the past, 'When I sent you out without purse or staff did you lack anything?' And they answered, 'Nothing'"
'Lord, it is often l who am lacking.'
"For these omissions humble yourself, and don't be astonished by them. Wish to be cured of this lack of carefulness in My service. Take frequent stock not only of the value of your actions, but above all, of the value of your motive in doing them - the forthrightness of your will to glorify Me.
Perhaps if you paid attention more often to what you do for Me, you would intensify your fervor and tenderness. You would be more faithful in the details - these precious details that can earn so much. They are the specks of goodness that fill life....You get the picture -the invisible grains of sand that make up the immense Sahara. Take great care in the very little things, My Gabrielle. Say to yourself, 'They are made to the Measure of My little nature'. And this thought will keep you humble.
Have you noticed how often the work of the humble has to be done again? Put all your heart into it, knowing that you please Me. And since you want to live for Me, since you want to see everything in relation to Me, and pattern your life after Me, then consider how short the time is that remains for you on earth. You can give Me glory in that time. Give it to Me unstintingly,"
April 20, 1945 - Le Fresne. At church.
I had seen flowers of all kinds at the edge of a ditch.
"You see how insurgent the spring is! Let a springtide of love in your soul blossom out in good deeds of every color. I shall look lovingly at them just as you looked at the flowers in the underbrush. Tell yourself that love alone can make fresh wonders spring forth.
Then give yourself to Love so that Love may possess you. Don't divide yourself into two - one part for you and the other for Me - since I long to have all of you and cherish this hope. Your love quenches My thirst. I am most demanding: you see I want My children to be wholly and utterly Mine at every moment. So don't withhold a thing. Don't take anything of yourselves away. You would steal from Me if you did, because everything is Mine.
If I require this of you it is because My yearning for you is a consuming fire. And My yearning is born of My love. Do you understand? Do you at last believe? Do you acknowledge My power to love? And if Mine is a love beyond all others, then how could you fail to go beyond your usual ways of loving to make your home in the higher realms - the realms where all is simplicity in our oneness. Above all when you know that it is there that I'm waiting for you and that great is My need to Meet you.
Meditate on this need of Mine and you will call to mind that it is in your power to give Me this alms. Then remember the value of a free gift - the gift of oneself when offered out of tenderness. What inexpressible joy will be His who receives it. He will multiply His blessings so that the one that receives them will be lost in wonder and gratitude. 'What have I done to deserve the kindness of My God?' he will ask. And I shall reply, 'You loved Him with all your strivings and you let Him love you'"
April 26, 1945 - 'Lord, Your poor little girl, Your poor image is here before you, yearning for You with all the strength of her being.'
"Have you noticed how people talk among themselves, discussing all their personal affairs? They spend so much time this way and it does them so little good. Don't you think that if they gave themselves to Me, their Friend, I should rejoice to have My place in their thoughts and I should know how to reward their confidence in abundance? Don't you think that it would create a moment-to-moment intimacy between them and Me, and this would be a joy for them, because close to Me their lives would lose their tension.
You understand? It would be life together with Me- I carrying the heavy end of things. So again I say: speak with Me, My little ones. Speak with Me. And our hearts will Merge. Isn't this the aim of My Christians? Isn't that why you want to die? Then begin living this heart-oneness. Seize upon every opportunity. Find every pretext. You aren't bold enough. For some of you it is because you are indifferent.
But My close friends, why, why don't they call to Me from their heart's depths? If only their belief were less like unbelief! If their hope were fixed upon My help ... And if, in all simplicity, their love loved Me more. I should be there looking after everything in their day, and when night fell, their eyes would close again on My face."
Aug 12, 1945, Le Fresne Church
"When you say to Me 'Beloved Jesus, I give You My entire life' do you realize that at the same time I have given you more, since even what you are giving Me is what I've given you? Admit that everything you have comes from Me. It's all a gift from Me, and not to display My power, not chosen at random, but by My most attentive love -chosen especially for you, My children -for your path in life, in order to help you reach the goal that is yours."
"You have everything you need to perfect the Gabrielle I dreamed of in creating you. Did you watch Me creating you? You see, you can have no idea of the tenderness that I pledged to your soul so long ago -from all eternity. Then I ask you not to consider Me too exacting if I say to you, as I do so often, 'Give Me everything'.
March 21, 1946 -Holy hour
"All night long I waited for you in My Eucharist -waited to give Myself to you in the morning. Why should this astonish you? You believe in My presence and a tabernacle, don't you? You believe in My immense love? Then put the two together. And when you wake up during the night, look at the One who is already longing for the dawn to bring you to Him. This will quicken your love and give you confidence in My power. Let Me profit by the days of your life, they are not many. Prolong Me in them as much as you can don't let a day go by without doing something for Me, for there is not a single day that I am not at work, you for your own happiness. Do you believe Me?"
'Yes Lord'
"Then humble yourself for not having responded better to all the loving kindness of your Creator. You know how I love to forgive? You know how your confidence attracts My compassion? Your trust can win anything from My heart. Count on Me. Call Me. Don't you love your name? I love to hear Mine on your lips. Don't deprive Me."
December 19, 1946
"Don't be afraid to discover how little it takes to touch Me. I am the sensitive One and you can never know how your gestures make music in My heart. Be afraid of hurting Me. Always try to give Me joy and above all don't imagine Me to be far off. You realize that I am in you, don't you? And if you do, why don't you think of Me more often? I was going to say, always. Then My longing for you, would be completely satisfied. I am the same for all people. They are all My children. I long for every one of them. So, in offering yourself offer the others to Me with My joy in mind."
February 6, 1947 –Holy hour
'I would so love You to be happy in My heart'
"Your desire in itself is a call that pleases Me and gives Me great honor. You make amends for yourself and you make amends for the ingratitude of so many others. Do they think of Me with a little affection even once a year? Do they accept the thought of My love for each one of them? When will you realize that time -the span of earthly life- is too short, that I need all eternity to love them? That this present life of theirs is not their goal, but only a Means given to them to earn the Alder life? Pray for them. You can do a great deal without seeing the fruit. But I see; I hear. I see that in helping others to arise you rise yourself. Do you believe Me? Come to Me and bring others with you."
February 14, 1947 -in a moment of sadness
"Remember that I traveled all of your roads".
"If you want to gain strength to make a sacrifice, don't look at the sacrifice. Look at My joy."
"Don't you realize that I have been waiting a long, long time for you? No two souls are alike. None other can give Me what I expect from you."
March 6, 1947
"Each soul is the object of My special love. That is why I am so grateful to those who are resourceful and bringing back sinners to Me. Keep this in mind then. I gave My life for them in the most atrocious torture, for these poor beloved ones. A humble repentance, and they are already on My heart. So speak gently to them. Speak with tenderness. A brusque remark could drive them farther away.
'I am going to meet one tomorrow, Lord'
"I will give you the necessary tact. As always, I will be in you. You will look at Me and call Me and say 'speak through me'. I will be the listening Brother."
'I have just received telegrams and telephone calls for 101 things'
"That his life, unforeseen events, moving from one place to another, rough weather. But, come what may, remain steadfastly in My heart. Keep your eyes fixed on Me as you ask Me for advice, or as you tell Me that you love Me always. Remember that nothing happens without My permission, and be very calm and serene. There is nothing like serenity for convincing people of the Good. This was My response to the craftiness of the Pharisees. So, be calm in your soul, and happily docile to My will. As you look back over your life, don't you see that My will was always for your good? This is because I love you, and it's the same for everyone, since I love each of you individually. I see you all differently; I see every detail about you, do you understand? My love is not of global love.
I need each one of you as though you were the only person in the world, as though the cosmos had been created for you alone, and My love is greater than the cosmos. So let this thought be a strength to you and your smiling calm.
Let us include My Mother in this life of ours. Do you really believe that Her love is active on your behalf? Oh, My little girl, have faith in the great things that you can do with Us. Without Us…but you are already aware of your nothingness. "
April 8, 1948
"Have you thanked Me for all I did for you, for mankind, for the angels, for My mother? What a concert of blessings, My child! Gather them all as though they were yours and join in the symphony of thanksgiving. Sing your part in the choir of number¬less voices, and I'll know it from all the others. Are there two voices alike in the whole world? Aren't you struck by the diversity in human creation? In heaven too, each saint differs from the other, and if you are enchanted by the variety of colors in your garden, you may be sure that Paradise flashes with a myriad of countless splendid things, all for My glory. There too, I know the voices, for I know you all. My children, I atoned for all of you and I know My redeemed ones.
‘Lord, who will teach me to thank You and what words should I use?’"The most simple - straight from your heart. Say them to Me at Mass. Say them again after your Communion when we are only one. Once more it will be I who give them to you. How I love to act for Myself in you. Can you believe that? I feel at home, and I feel you are Mine. Be very much Mine ... I was going to say, 'Be your Christ before the Father, before others. Be the gentlest and the smallest'
April 17, 1948 - 'Lord, I should so love to live Your words, and I am always myself, still my old self.'"Is it so difficult to think of your Lord? Is it so difficult to talk with Him and to keep Him company? When you meet someone in a waiting room, don't you instinctively approach that person and in a kindly way do your best to make the time pass pleasantly for him? And if he were a poet, or a scholar, or someone great in the eyes of the world, wouldn't you go even further and show more joy?
My child, it's a God who is waiting at the door of your heart, a God who is all yours and who is in you. You open to Him when you talk to Him, when you look at Him, when you try to take your thoughts off the things around you so that you may turn them to Him with the utmost tenderness.
Don't think that this is a fable I'm telling you. It is the simple reality. But as it's all happening in the shadowland where everything is imperfection, you find it difficult to believe, and you are slow in acting upon it. That is why I am like that person in the waiting room. If only you could approach Me more often with all your kind charm, you might suspect My long yearnings. You might think, 'He's waiting for the world: Yes, My little child, for everyone, and for such a long, long time ... I came to Bethlehem to seek them and I shall go on seeking them right to the end of the world.
This is the patience of God. This is His love. Then how could you ever understand? Yet it would be very sweet to believe, wouldn't it? So quicken your faith by telling Me about it often. More often. Don't get weary: you will hope more and love more. It's your great God who wants you greatly, My very frail little girl"
November 4, 1948
“I knock at your door. You don’t believe that I need my children, do you? An yet, My God-Love needs your love. That is how it is. Always. You remember My words, 'I thirst'? I am always thirsty. If you knew this thirst, more intense than the thirst of men, you would devise every means in your power to quench it. That is why I knock at your door.
Do you remember the heat of the Sahara? The desert burns less than I. Can you understand My thirst for your awareness of Me, for your desire to be pleasing to Me, for your gratitude for My pitiable sufferings, your compassion for all the disgrace, the filth and the hatred I received during the night before My crucifixion and on the morning of My death? And for the blows, and the torture of My body and mind. Do you sometimes think of it?
Can you measure this love that made Me give Myself up when I could have escaped into the invisible? It was My love that went out to meet the torture.
Don't you believe that I paid for the right to have at least your friendship? You recall what the thief said: 'Remember me when You come into Your kingdom'? And I say to you, 'Remember Me during your life'. Place Me as a lighthouse in the center of your mind, not just a lighthouse that illumines, but one that gives warmth. Where can you be where I am not? When you are hunting for Me, I am already there, and when you love Me, I love Myself in you.
I am your Source. Give everything back to Me in joy and simplicity. So few stop to think about this.
Then tell Me now, do you want Me to knock at your door?"
November 11 - Holy hour.
"Practice being more attractive for love's sake. You could do immense good with an affectionate look and a smile. If you keep yourself for yourself, you are your own slave. But if you go to meet people with delicate thoughtfulness, you bring peace and rest; you give the balm of Gilead. How a smile from you would have soothed X this morning if you hadn't shut yourself up in your ivory tower. There is a demon called the spirit of contradiction; he fraternizes with the spirit of self-seeking.
Remember that love is not puffed up with pride and that it will never pass away. What you do for yourself will perish miserably. What you do for others, for the love of Me, will go on re-echoing throughout all eternity.
Have you tried to see Me in others? Have you understood that I live in that old crippled woman on the 'sunken road' and all others like her? Couldn't you bring Me a little wood for this winter, and some clothing? Won't you give Me something to eat? Suppose she is bitter and doesn't thank you, what difference does it make? Since I am the One who receives, and I am rich.
Don't be shy when you give. Be daring in goodness:' I was thinking that I should be ashamed to wheel a barrow with wood in it right to that place.
"Perhaps. But I shall not be ashamed of you at the last judgment. Don't run away any more from what costs you something, and you will be among the happiest people. Besides, I've done so much for you ... You are free though. You will not even commit a fault by not going. I'll just have the sadness of wanting some¬thing without getting it."
"Lord, I'll go."
December 15, 1949 - Holy hour.
Coming back from Mass in the dark at 7am in the freezing rain. "This too, Lord, may I offer for Your sinners in this Marian year?
"I take all sufferings little and big, and place them in the treasury of the Church - the treasury used for the making of saints. You forget your past sufferings, but they continue to bear fruit in My sight. You have already forgotten your travel weariness, weather annoyances, desert thirst, the fears, exile in distant countries, the slow journeys back, the long tests of endurance, times of illness. But remember that you offered Me everything and that I've kept everything.
You love to look at the precious jewels in your mother's jewel box, or your favorite books in your library, or the unusual souvenirs given to you during your long tours. Often it's only a trifle, something that hasn't cost the donor much. You remember the Moslem's terebinth, the Indian's moose glove and the pressed leaf given to you in Larache? You treasure these things because those who gave them to you wanted to please you. For the same reason I have found joy in all the little presents given to Me by My children. Even, if they have not cost you very much, even if you gave them to Me only because My Father put them into your hand by some circumstance other than your own free choice, you offered them to Me like good and affectionate children. And so I treasure them as though they were a part of you. Such is your power over Me! You bind Me to you by a single hair of your head. And the more you believe how utterly disarmed I am by your love, the more My unfathomable tenderness overflows to you. The great wrong is to lack faith in it. Then offer Me everything –every gesture, every thought.
-Looking at the preparations for Christmas- ‘Thank you Lord. How could you come down to earth, knowing that You were going to suffer so much?’
“And, if I had not come down, should I have had the joy of instituting My Eucharist where I remain right to the end of the centuries?”
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The source for this article is from the excellent book "He and I" by Gabrielle Bossis, 1985, translated by Evelyn M. Brown, published by Editions Mediaspaul, Imprimatur- Msgr Jean-Marie Fortier, Archbishop, Sherbrooke, Quebec, available here: http://www.catholicfreeshipping.com/He-and-I-by-Gabrielle-Bossis-p/9780819834386.htm
"...Ask Me for love. Ask Me; I am burning with desire to give it to you"...."Talk to Me. For Me, there is no sweeter prayer." -Words of our Lord to Gabrielle Bossis
****UPDATE, January 14, 2016:
A wonderful gentleman by the name of Carlton Sheely kindly got in touch with me and shared a wonderful story of his pilgrimage through France in the summer of 1990 with a American priest by the name of Fr. August Bosio, who was very devoted to Gabrielle Bossis and her writings. As you will read below, together they made a very special visit to the house and burial site of Gabrielle Bossis, actually being led to the house and gravesite in a very Providential way, as you will see.
In his story he reveals some wonderful details of how another French mystic named Marthe Robin (whom I have written about on this website here) was instrumental in informing Evelyn Brown, the English translator of "He and I", about Gabrielle Bossis and her writings, thus being the instrument in leading Evelyn to eventually became the one to translate "He and I" into English. Well, enough of the introduction---I will let Carlton tell the story himself:
"I found your website in my search for some more information regarding Gabrielle Bossis, not really about her life but rather since her death. Has anything taken place since then regarding a cause for her sanctification. My first knowledge of He and I was from Fr August Bosio at the Marian Shrine in West Haverstraw, New York. The story I am about to reveal to you is long and has multiple parts. Please bare with me but I have felt the need to pass this story on to someone before I get to old to remember it and the spirit seems to have pointed me in your direction.
In 1990, as a cardiac surgeon, I was on my way to a conference in Boston. A friend said it would really be worth my while to go and meet a Fr. August Bosio, a very saintly Salesian priest. Indeed he was. I was attracted to him immediately because of his sanctity. We became friends and later he became my spiritual advisor. On leaving, he gave me a copy of Gabrielle Bossis’ He and I. He felt strongly that He and I is a book that can change lives. He continuously promoted the book and was having it translated into other languages. Fr. Bosio shared with me what he had discovered about the book’s journey into its current state.
As you know Gabrielle wrote Lui et Moi in seven separate journals. As a collection it never made much headway in France and was destined to be forgotten. Now jump to another mystic, Marthe Robin in Chateauneuf de Galaure in France. I won’t go into the details about Marthe Robin as I’m sure you are aware of them. Recall that on Tuesdays she would receive outside visitors. Marthe told one of the priests who saw after her, that he should send a copy of Lui et Moi to an Evelyn Brown in Canada. He was to instruct her to translate the books into English. The priest consulted his Bishop and was told that if Marthe Robin asked you to do this then best he had better do it. When Evelyn Brown received the book, she was surprised as she had heard neither of Marthe Robin or Gabrielle Bossis. AND, she wasn’t Catholic. To shorten the story, Evelyn Brown read the book which converted her to Catholicism. To translate or condense the book from the seven volumes there needed to be some editing and truly the edited translation is even more inspired. I continue to give out copies of the book and it has been an inspiration to all.
Now for my story. Fr. Bosio as truly a saintly priest after his founder, Don Bosco. If he needed a pair of his EEE size shoes, a pair would somehow just show up. On another occasion, to fill his need to replace a badly worn black Jacket to fit his 6’ 2’’ frame, a parishioner who’s brother had died thought that his brother’s jacket would do for Fr Bosio Fit perfect. The name of the label inside the jacket…Lazarus! He lived to save souls. I could hardly refuse him when he called saying I really think “we” need to go to France because I want to see where Gabrielle lived and especially where she died because in her book she indicated that she had designed her own gravestone. I agreed only if along the way on our journey through France, we could go to Ars.
It was a trip totally led by the Spirit. Fr. Bosio had no idea where to start. He spoke fluent Italian, but only broken French. I spoke only English. We arrived in Paris with no reservations. He knew of a Vincentian House nearby so we drug our luggage around until we found the dark empty church. Fortunately a janitor was able to point us to a Vincentian Retreat house only a few blocks away. Their front desk was manned by someone who spoke English, but he was not very encouraging. All of the priests in Bourdeaux had been thrown out by the communists and were staying here so there probably wouldn’t be any rooms remaining. After a short while, he returned and said we could each have a room and that supper was being served! Fr Bosio circulated among all the priests to see whether any of them knew of Gabrielle Bossis or her book. No one. Next morning we headed for Nante where she had lived. Again, the church was closed.
The house where she grew up was now an apartment house. Someone told us where the priest of this parish lived. We found him out back in the garden in overalls. He had no knowledge of Gabrielle. He did say that if her spiritual advisor had been a Jesuit , that we might try the Jesuit House up the road. Here too, no knowledge of a Gabrielle or of the book Joi et Moi. I thought I might see a bit of disappointment in Fr Bosio. Nope. He just walked over to a phone book, coughed while he ripped out a page containing the phone numbers of 31 Bossises. We went back to our small hotel room, said Mass, the he began calling each of the numbers. Some never answered. Some hung up immediately on hearing only broken French from a stranger. The last number. The very last number, someone answered, spoke English and actually knew about Gabrielle though he was not related. He knew she had a place on the Loire river but not specifically. She still had a niece that was living in a nursing home. Next morning we head out from Nante with no idea of where to go. It’s June. The weather is beautiful and the scenery breathtaking.
After over an hour of driving we spotted a small sign, Gabrielle Mansur de retreat, a nursing home. We drove down to a small road along the Loire river. We were greeted at the front door of this large building by a very pleasant young lady that said the name Gabrielle was not related to any Bossis and that she had never heard of our Gabrielle. As we are about to leave she said, “But, if you say she was buried near the Loire river, then she must be buried there.” She pointed to a very large cemetery just down the road. Now imagine a very large cemetery along a hillside. Picture the graveyard in Clint Eastwood’s, The Good, The Bad , and the Ugly, where Eastwood and Pesci circle around looking for a particular grave marker. That’s what it felt like .
Fr Bosio had me start at the top end working down while he worked up from the bottom. I’m praying please Lord let him find this grave. We’ve run out of options. He said later he was praying that I would find it since he felt he had drug me all the way to France on a wild goose chase. After some time we met in the middle. I told him I had seen a nee Bossis but no Gabrielle. He also had come up empty. We were now out in the middle of this large cemetery. I thought for the first time that he was looking a little downhearted. As I hung my head and looked down. Yes. There it was. We had come together at the foot of her grave stone. See the insert (photo). In English translation it says:
The Holy Spirit didn’t stop here. After Fr Bosio dried his eyes from gladness, we drove a little further down the road and came to some houses that fit the descriptions Gabrielle had described looking out the window of her summer home. A caretaker came out of the house we were looking at and confirmed that it had belonged to the Bossis family. Fr Bosio asked if we could see inside. Sure he said. I’ve got to leave. Just lock the door when you’re finished! Must be the collar. We looked but didn’t touch. At her bedside was some of Joi et Moi in pencil, her originals. Fr. I’m sure was tempted. We then left and were able to speak to Gabrielle’s niece.
Fr Bosio kept his end of the bargain. I did get to Ars and said confession sitting in the small confessional of the Curare de Ars. We also made it to Chateauneuf de Galaure and visited Marthe Robin’s house and spoke to some family members. How impressive it was to see the small bed that confined Marthe Robin for almost 50 years. We were also able to tour her first Foyer de Charite nearby. My trip with Fr Bosio then went on to Nevers for Bernadette Soubirous, Paray le Monial for Sacred Heart, and St Margaret- Mary, The Oratory Of St Don Bosco, The Shrowd, and the Miraculous Medal of St Catherine Laboure’.
i.e. when you travel, travel with a Saint. Our travels together are no more. Fr August Bosio died back in Italy not far from where he grew up (1/22/1918 – 10-24/2000)
I wrote this because I wasn’t sure how much of the connection between Marthe Robin, Evelyn Brown, and Gabrielle Bossis was known.
Carl Sheely
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**Note: For those interested, Carlton also kindly included some photographs of his visit to Marthe Robins house, which I added to the Marthe Robin page here.
The source for this information is from the excellent book "He and I" by Gabrielle Bossis, 1985, translated by Evelyn M. Brown, published by Editions Mediaspaul, Imprimatur- Msgr Jean-Marie Fortier, Archbishop, Sherbrooke, Quebec.
Gabrielle Bossis (1874-1950) was a Catholic Mystic and layperson who lived in France in the 20th century. Born in Nantes, France in 1874, she was the youngest child of a family of four children. As a child in a well to do family, she was taught and raised in proper social graces and etiquette, and she grew up to be a graceful, happy and high spirited young woman, but as from her childhood she possessed a strong yearning for God and the things of the Spirit. She obtained a Degree in Nursing, and enjoyed the fine arts of that time, including sculpting, painting, illuminating and music. Later in life she discovered that she had another talent- that of writing moral plays and also acting. From that point on until two years before her death she traveled extensively in France and abroad, producing her own plays and acting in the principal role. Those who still remember her remark about her infectious laughter and her unfailing charm.
On very rare occasions in her early life, Gabrielle had been surprised by a Mysterious Voice, which she heard and felt with awe, and sometimes anxious questionings, which she perceived to be the Voice of Christ. It was only at the age of 62, however, that this touching dialogue with the "Inner Voice" began in earnest, continuing (at least in her notes) until two weeks before her death on June 9, 1950.
The journal that she kept of her dialogue with the Inner Voice has been published in numerous languages under the title "He and I" (see note above) and has become a source of deep inspiration and edification for those who read it. Below are a few excerpts from this extraordinary dialogue between "the Inner Voice" and Gabrielle
April 12, 1945. In the [train] station at Angers.
Coming from Paris I had a seat in spite of the dense crowd.
"You see what great care I take of My own. Even in the tumult I draw them into solitude where the heart is on the alert to hear the Beloved. Didn't I say to them in the past, 'When I sent you out without purse or staff did you lack anything?' And they answered, 'Nothing'"
'Lord, it is often l who am lacking.'
"For these omissions humble yourself, and don't be astonished by them. Wish to be cured of this lack of carefulness in My service. Take frequent stock not only of the value of your actions, but above all, of the value of your motive in doing them - the forthrightness of your will to glorify Me.
Perhaps if you paid attention more often to what you do for Me, you would intensify your fervor and tenderness. You would be more faithful in the details - these precious details that can earn so much. They are the specks of goodness that fill life....You get the picture -the invisible grains of sand that make up the immense Sahara. Take great care in the very little things, My Gabrielle. Say to yourself, 'They are made to the Measure of My little nature'. And this thought will keep you humble.
Have you noticed how often the work of the humble has to be done again? Put all your heart into it, knowing that you please Me. And since you want to live for Me, since you want to see everything in relation to Me, and pattern your life after Me, then consider how short the time is that remains for you on earth. You can give Me glory in that time. Give it to Me unstintingly,"
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| Gabrielle Bossis First Holy Communion |
I had seen flowers of all kinds at the edge of a ditch.
"You see how insurgent the spring is! Let a springtide of love in your soul blossom out in good deeds of every color. I shall look lovingly at them just as you looked at the flowers in the underbrush. Tell yourself that love alone can make fresh wonders spring forth.
Then give yourself to Love so that Love may possess you. Don't divide yourself into two - one part for you and the other for Me - since I long to have all of you and cherish this hope. Your love quenches My thirst. I am most demanding: you see I want My children to be wholly and utterly Mine at every moment. So don't withhold a thing. Don't take anything of yourselves away. You would steal from Me if you did, because everything is Mine.
If I require this of you it is because My yearning for you is a consuming fire. And My yearning is born of My love. Do you understand? Do you at last believe? Do you acknowledge My power to love? And if Mine is a love beyond all others, then how could you fail to go beyond your usual ways of loving to make your home in the higher realms - the realms where all is simplicity in our oneness. Above all when you know that it is there that I'm waiting for you and that great is My need to Meet you.
Meditate on this need of Mine and you will call to mind that it is in your power to give Me this alms. Then remember the value of a free gift - the gift of oneself when offered out of tenderness. What inexpressible joy will be His who receives it. He will multiply His blessings so that the one that receives them will be lost in wonder and gratitude. 'What have I done to deserve the kindness of My God?' he will ask. And I shall reply, 'You loved Him with all your strivings and you let Him love you'"
April 26, 1945 - 'Lord, Your poor little girl, Your poor image is here before you, yearning for You with all the strength of her being.'
"Have you noticed how people talk among themselves, discussing all their personal affairs? They spend so much time this way and it does them so little good. Don't you think that if they gave themselves to Me, their Friend, I should rejoice to have My place in their thoughts and I should know how to reward their confidence in abundance? Don't you think that it would create a moment-to-moment intimacy between them and Me, and this would be a joy for them, because close to Me their lives would lose their tension.
You understand? It would be life together with Me- I carrying the heavy end of things. So again I say: speak with Me, My little ones. Speak with Me. And our hearts will Merge. Isn't this the aim of My Christians? Isn't that why you want to die? Then begin living this heart-oneness. Seize upon every opportunity. Find every pretext. You aren't bold enough. For some of you it is because you are indifferent.
But My close friends, why, why don't they call to Me from their heart's depths? If only their belief were less like unbelief! If their hope were fixed upon My help ... And if, in all simplicity, their love loved Me more. I should be there looking after everything in their day, and when night fell, their eyes would close again on My face."
Aug 12, 1945, Le Fresne Church
"When you say to Me 'Beloved Jesus, I give You My entire life' do you realize that at the same time I have given you more, since even what you are giving Me is what I've given you? Admit that everything you have comes from Me. It's all a gift from Me, and not to display My power, not chosen at random, but by My most attentive love -chosen especially for you, My children -for your path in life, in order to help you reach the goal that is yours."
"You have everything you need to perfect the Gabrielle I dreamed of in creating you. Did you watch Me creating you? You see, you can have no idea of the tenderness that I pledged to your soul so long ago -from all eternity. Then I ask you not to consider Me too exacting if I say to you, as I do so often, 'Give Me everything'.
March 21, 1946 -Holy hour
"All night long I waited for you in My Eucharist -waited to give Myself to you in the morning. Why should this astonish you? You believe in My presence and a tabernacle, don't you? You believe in My immense love? Then put the two together. And when you wake up during the night, look at the One who is already longing for the dawn to bring you to Him. This will quicken your love and give you confidence in My power. Let Me profit by the days of your life, they are not many. Prolong Me in them as much as you can don't let a day go by without doing something for Me, for there is not a single day that I am not at work, you for your own happiness. Do you believe Me?"
'Yes Lord'
"Then humble yourself for not having responded better to all the loving kindness of your Creator. You know how I love to forgive? You know how your confidence attracts My compassion? Your trust can win anything from My heart. Count on Me. Call Me. Don't you love your name? I love to hear Mine on your lips. Don't deprive Me."
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| After death, in her habit as a 3rd order Franciscan |
"Don't be afraid to discover how little it takes to touch Me. I am the sensitive One and you can never know how your gestures make music in My heart. Be afraid of hurting Me. Always try to give Me joy and above all don't imagine Me to be far off. You realize that I am in you, don't you? And if you do, why don't you think of Me more often? I was going to say, always. Then My longing for you, would be completely satisfied. I am the same for all people. They are all My children. I long for every one of them. So, in offering yourself offer the others to Me with My joy in mind."
February 6, 1947 –Holy hour
'I would so love You to be happy in My heart'
"Your desire in itself is a call that pleases Me and gives Me great honor. You make amends for yourself and you make amends for the ingratitude of so many others. Do they think of Me with a little affection even once a year? Do they accept the thought of My love for each one of them? When will you realize that time -the span of earthly life- is too short, that I need all eternity to love them? That this present life of theirs is not their goal, but only a Means given to them to earn the Alder life? Pray for them. You can do a great deal without seeing the fruit. But I see; I hear. I see that in helping others to arise you rise yourself. Do you believe Me? Come to Me and bring others with you."
February 14, 1947 -in a moment of sadness
"Remember that I traveled all of your roads".
"If you want to gain strength to make a sacrifice, don't look at the sacrifice. Look at My joy."
"Don't you realize that I have been waiting a long, long time for you? No two souls are alike. None other can give Me what I expect from you."
March 6, 1947
"Each soul is the object of My special love. That is why I am so grateful to those who are resourceful and bringing back sinners to Me. Keep this in mind then. I gave My life for them in the most atrocious torture, for these poor beloved ones. A humble repentance, and they are already on My heart. So speak gently to them. Speak with tenderness. A brusque remark could drive them farther away.
'I am going to meet one tomorrow, Lord'
"I will give you the necessary tact. As always, I will be in you. You will look at Me and call Me and say 'speak through me'. I will be the listening Brother."
'I have just received telegrams and telephone calls for 101 things'
"That his life, unforeseen events, moving from one place to another, rough weather. But, come what may, remain steadfastly in My heart. Keep your eyes fixed on Me as you ask Me for advice, or as you tell Me that you love Me always. Remember that nothing happens without My permission, and be very calm and serene. There is nothing like serenity for convincing people of the Good. This was My response to the craftiness of the Pharisees. So, be calm in your soul, and happily docile to My will. As you look back over your life, don't you see that My will was always for your good? This is because I love you, and it's the same for everyone, since I love each of you individually. I see you all differently; I see every detail about you, do you understand? My love is not of global love.
I need each one of you as though you were the only person in the world, as though the cosmos had been created for you alone, and My love is greater than the cosmos. So let this thought be a strength to you and your smiling calm.
Let us include My Mother in this life of ours. Do you really believe that Her love is active on your behalf? Oh, My little girl, have faith in the great things that you can do with Us. Without Us…but you are already aware of your nothingness. "
April 8, 1948
"Have you thanked Me for all I did for you, for mankind, for the angels, for My mother? What a concert of blessings, My child! Gather them all as though they were yours and join in the symphony of thanksgiving. Sing your part in the choir of number¬less voices, and I'll know it from all the others. Are there two voices alike in the whole world? Aren't you struck by the diversity in human creation? In heaven too, each saint differs from the other, and if you are enchanted by the variety of colors in your garden, you may be sure that Paradise flashes with a myriad of countless splendid things, all for My glory. There too, I know the voices, for I know you all. My children, I atoned for all of you and I know My redeemed ones.
April 17, 1948 - 'Lord, I should so love to live Your words, and I am always myself, still my old self.'"Is it so difficult to think of your Lord? Is it so difficult to talk with Him and to keep Him company? When you meet someone in a waiting room, don't you instinctively approach that person and in a kindly way do your best to make the time pass pleasantly for him? And if he were a poet, or a scholar, or someone great in the eyes of the world, wouldn't you go even further and show more joy?
My child, it's a God who is waiting at the door of your heart, a God who is all yours and who is in you. You open to Him when you talk to Him, when you look at Him, when you try to take your thoughts off the things around you so that you may turn them to Him with the utmost tenderness.
Don't think that this is a fable I'm telling you. It is the simple reality. But as it's all happening in the shadowland where everything is imperfection, you find it difficult to believe, and you are slow in acting upon it. That is why I am like that person in the waiting room. If only you could approach Me more often with all your kind charm, you might suspect My long yearnings. You might think, 'He's waiting for the world: Yes, My little child, for everyone, and for such a long, long time ... I came to Bethlehem to seek them and I shall go on seeking them right to the end of the world.
This is the patience of God. This is His love. Then how could you ever understand? Yet it would be very sweet to believe, wouldn't it? So quicken your faith by telling Me about it often. More often. Don't get weary: you will hope more and love more. It's your great God who wants you greatly, My very frail little girl"
November 4, 1948
“I knock at your door. You don’t believe that I need my children, do you? An yet, My God-Love needs your love. That is how it is. Always. You remember My words, 'I thirst'? I am always thirsty. If you knew this thirst, more intense than the thirst of men, you would devise every means in your power to quench it. That is why I knock at your door.
Do you remember the heat of the Sahara? The desert burns less than I. Can you understand My thirst for your awareness of Me, for your desire to be pleasing to Me, for your gratitude for My pitiable sufferings, your compassion for all the disgrace, the filth and the hatred I received during the night before My crucifixion and on the morning of My death? And for the blows, and the torture of My body and mind. Do you sometimes think of it?
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A diagram of the cilice (instrument of penance) that Gabrielle often wore |
Don't you believe that I paid for the right to have at least your friendship? You recall what the thief said: 'Remember me when You come into Your kingdom'? And I say to you, 'Remember Me during your life'. Place Me as a lighthouse in the center of your mind, not just a lighthouse that illumines, but one that gives warmth. Where can you be where I am not? When you are hunting for Me, I am already there, and when you love Me, I love Myself in you.
I am your Source. Give everything back to Me in joy and simplicity. So few stop to think about this.
Then tell Me now, do you want Me to knock at your door?"
November 11 - Holy hour.
"Practice being more attractive for love's sake. You could do immense good with an affectionate look and a smile. If you keep yourself for yourself, you are your own slave. But if you go to meet people with delicate thoughtfulness, you bring peace and rest; you give the balm of Gilead. How a smile from you would have soothed X this morning if you hadn't shut yourself up in your ivory tower. There is a demon called the spirit of contradiction; he fraternizes with the spirit of self-seeking.
Remember that love is not puffed up with pride and that it will never pass away. What you do for yourself will perish miserably. What you do for others, for the love of Me, will go on re-echoing throughout all eternity.
Have you tried to see Me in others? Have you understood that I live in that old crippled woman on the 'sunken road' and all others like her? Couldn't you bring Me a little wood for this winter, and some clothing? Won't you give Me something to eat? Suppose she is bitter and doesn't thank you, what difference does it make? Since I am the One who receives, and I am rich.
Don't be shy when you give. Be daring in goodness:' I was thinking that I should be ashamed to wheel a barrow with wood in it right to that place.
"Perhaps. But I shall not be ashamed of you at the last judgment. Don't run away any more from what costs you something, and you will be among the happiest people. Besides, I've done so much for you ... You are free though. You will not even commit a fault by not going. I'll just have the sadness of wanting some¬thing without getting it."
"Lord, I'll go."
December 15, 1949 - Holy hour.
Coming back from Mass in the dark at 7am in the freezing rain. "This too, Lord, may I offer for Your sinners in this Marian year?
"I take all sufferings little and big, and place them in the treasury of the Church - the treasury used for the making of saints. You forget your past sufferings, but they continue to bear fruit in My sight. You have already forgotten your travel weariness, weather annoyances, desert thirst, the fears, exile in distant countries, the slow journeys back, the long tests of endurance, times of illness. But remember that you offered Me everything and that I've kept everything.
You love to look at the precious jewels in your mother's jewel box, or your favorite books in your library, or the unusual souvenirs given to you during your long tours. Often it's only a trifle, something that hasn't cost the donor much. You remember the Moslem's terebinth, the Indian's moose glove and the pressed leaf given to you in Larache? You treasure these things because those who gave them to you wanted to please you. For the same reason I have found joy in all the little presents given to Me by My children. Even, if they have not cost you very much, even if you gave them to Me only because My Father put them into your hand by some circumstance other than your own free choice, you offered them to Me like good and affectionate children. And so I treasure them as though they were a part of you. Such is your power over Me! You bind Me to you by a single hair of your head. And the more you believe how utterly disarmed I am by your love, the more My unfathomable tenderness overflows to you. The great wrong is to lack faith in it. Then offer Me everything –every gesture, every thought.
-Looking at the preparations for Christmas- ‘Thank you Lord. How could you come down to earth, knowing that You were going to suffer so much?’
“And, if I had not come down, should I have had the joy of instituting My Eucharist where I remain right to the end of the centuries?”
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The source for this article is from the excellent book "He and I" by Gabrielle Bossis, 1985, translated by Evelyn M. Brown, published by Editions Mediaspaul, Imprimatur- Msgr Jean-Marie Fortier, Archbishop, Sherbrooke, Quebec, available here: http://www.catholicfreeshipping.com/He-and-I-by-Gabrielle-Bossis-p/9780819834386.htm
"...Ask Me for love. Ask Me; I am burning with desire to give it to you"...."Talk to Me. For Me, there is no sweeter prayer." -Words of our Lord to Gabrielle Bossis
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| Caretaker at Gabrielle Bossis House |
A wonderful gentleman by the name of Carlton Sheely kindly got in touch with me and shared a wonderful story of his pilgrimage through France in the summer of 1990 with a American priest by the name of Fr. August Bosio, who was very devoted to Gabrielle Bossis and her writings. As you will read below, together they made a very special visit to the house and burial site of Gabrielle Bossis, actually being led to the house and gravesite in a very Providential way, as you will see.
In his story he reveals some wonderful details of how another French mystic named Marthe Robin (whom I have written about on this website here) was instrumental in informing Evelyn Brown, the English translator of "He and I", about Gabrielle Bossis and her writings, thus being the instrument in leading Evelyn to eventually became the one to translate "He and I" into English. Well, enough of the introduction---I will let Carlton tell the story himself:
"I found your website in my search for some more information regarding Gabrielle Bossis, not really about her life but rather since her death. Has anything taken place since then regarding a cause for her sanctification. My first knowledge of He and I was from Fr August Bosio at the Marian Shrine in West Haverstraw, New York. The story I am about to reveal to you is long and has multiple parts. Please bare with me but I have felt the need to pass this story on to someone before I get to old to remember it and the spirit seems to have pointed me in your direction.
In 1990, as a cardiac surgeon, I was on my way to a conference in Boston. A friend said it would really be worth my while to go and meet a Fr. August Bosio, a very saintly Salesian priest. Indeed he was. I was attracted to him immediately because of his sanctity. We became friends and later he became my spiritual advisor. On leaving, he gave me a copy of Gabrielle Bossis’ He and I. He felt strongly that He and I is a book that can change lives. He continuously promoted the book and was having it translated into other languages. Fr. Bosio shared with me what he had discovered about the book’s journey into its current state.
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| Rev. August Bosio |
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| The writer of this story, Carlton Sheely |
It was a trip totally led by the Spirit. Fr. Bosio had no idea where to start. He spoke fluent Italian, but only broken French. I spoke only English. We arrived in Paris with no reservations. He knew of a Vincentian House nearby so we drug our luggage around until we found the dark empty church. Fortunately a janitor was able to point us to a Vincentian Retreat house only a few blocks away. Their front desk was manned by someone who spoke English, but he was not very encouraging. All of the priests in Bourdeaux had been thrown out by the communists and were staying here so there probably wouldn’t be any rooms remaining. After a short while, he returned and said we could each have a room and that supper was being served! Fr Bosio circulated among all the priests to see whether any of them knew of Gabrielle Bossis or her book. No one. Next morning we headed for Nante where she had lived. Again, the church was closed.
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| Gabrielle Bossis bedroom |
After over an hour of driving we spotted a small sign, Gabrielle Mansur de retreat, a nursing home. We drove down to a small road along the Loire river. We were greeted at the front door of this large building by a very pleasant young lady that said the name Gabrielle was not related to any Bossis and that she had never heard of our Gabrielle. As we are about to leave she said, “But, if you say she was buried near the Loire river, then she must be buried there.” She pointed to a very large cemetery just down the road. Now imagine a very large cemetery along a hillside. Picture the graveyard in Clint Eastwood’s, The Good, The Bad , and the Ugly, where Eastwood and Pesci circle around looking for a particular grave marker. That’s what it felt like .
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| Gabrielle Bossis Livingroom and bedroon |
Fr Bosio had me start at the top end working down while he worked up from the bottom. I’m praying please Lord let him find this grave. We’ve run out of options. He said later he was praying that I would find it since he felt he had drug me all the way to France on a wild goose chase. After some time we met in the middle. I told him I had seen a nee Bossis but no Gabrielle. He also had come up empty. We were now out in the middle of this large cemetery. I thought for the first time that he was looking a little downhearted. As I hung my head and looked down. Yes. There it was. We had come together at the foot of her grave stone. See the insert (photo). In English translation it says:
O Christ my Brother
To work close to You
To suffer with you
To die for You
To live in You
The Holy Spirit didn’t stop here. After Fr Bosio dried his eyes from gladness, we drove a little further down the road and came to some houses that fit the descriptions Gabrielle had described looking out the window of her summer home. A caretaker came out of the house we were looking at and confirmed that it had belonged to the Bossis family. Fr Bosio asked if we could see inside. Sure he said. I’ve got to leave. Just lock the door when you’re finished! Must be the collar. We looked but didn’t touch. At her bedside was some of Joi et Moi in pencil, her originals. Fr. I’m sure was tempted. We then left and were able to speak to Gabrielle’s niece.
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| Eating apples in Gabrielle Bossis back yard |
i.e. when you travel, travel with a Saint. Our travels together are no more. Fr August Bosio died back in Italy not far from where he grew up (1/22/1918 – 10-24/2000)
I wrote this because I wasn’t sure how much of the connection between Marthe Robin, Evelyn Brown, and Gabrielle Bossis was known.
Carl Sheely
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**Note: For those interested, Carlton also kindly included some photographs of his visit to Marthe Robins house, which I added to the Marthe Robin page here.
65 comments:
This book has inspired me to the extent that it has changed my image of God from a stern judge to a loving friend. I'm on my 12th reading of the book and each time there is something wonderful that keeps me hope-filled in this difficult time - mainly His closeness, His caring and the intimacy that brings to me - a 66 year old widow.
T.W.
Hi T.W.
It is nice to meet you. Thank you for your comments.
I have read the entire book "He and I" by Gabrielle Bossis and I must say that it left a deep impression upon me also. It is definitely in my top 5 books of all time (and I am quite a reader!)I highlighted many parts of the book.
What I get out of the book "He and I" especially is how Jesus really brings home the point that He wants us to speak to Him throughout each day, thereby keeping ourselves in His presence, so to speak. Very simple concept, but not so easy in practice, I have found.
Thanks again for your comments and may God bless you!
-Glenn Dallaire
I cannot tell you what a tremendous impact the book "He & I" had on me. My soul was enraptured with love for the Lord. It wasn't Jesus speaking to Gabrielle, but to this little self. There is no book which highlights so much the intimacy and wonder of God contact.
Khurshid Jassawala - India.
I found this book in the Public Library in our city when I was searching for knowledge of my Catholic faith because i had got my faith back after years in the wilderness and I read He & I from cover to cover and i fell in love with God again. When my wife died of cancer i gave away 18 of these little books to all my friends as a memorial of her life. A protestant friend of mine was so enchanted with He & I she also gave way 6 of these books because she wanted people to know about jesus.
Ainsley Thomson
Hi Ainsley,
It is a pleasure to meet you. Thanks so much for your comments.
I too was very inspired and edified by the book "He and I". By reading it we realize how close God is to us, and how He is concerned with every little part and moment of our lives. It also helps us to realize how God wants us to speak to Him throughout the day (this is something that for many cetainly takes a bit of practice), but by doing so our lives are thus transformed into a constant prayer and deeper union with God. This is something that God really makes apparent in this book and I confess that it is a practice that I am still working on in my own life!
Anyway, "He and I" is definitely in my top ten book list.
May God bless you and draw you ever closer to Himself,
-Glenn Dallaire
Hi,
thank you for this information... I've been wondering for a while if I should read the book "He and I". But I can't seem to find out anywhere if it's approved by the Church or not... I've heard it has the "Imprimatur", does this mean it's approved? What is the Church's position on this book, do you know? Thanks :)
Hi Anonymous,
The Imprimatur for this book was given by his excellency, Msgr Jean-Marie Fortier, Archbishop, Sherbrooke, Quebec and is posted at the beginning of the book.
From Wikpedia:
"An imprimatur (from Latin, "let it be printed") is an official declaration from the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church that a literary or similar work is free from error in matters of Roman Catholic doctrine, and hence acceptable reading for faithful Roman Catholics"
In the past, after doing some research into the life of Gabrielle Bossis, I have never found any negative judgments against her writings, from either her local Bishop or any other Church authority.
In light of the Imprimatur from Archbishop Msgr Jean-Marie Fortier and also the fact that her writings have been around for almost 60 years without any type of condemnation or negative judgement, we can safely conclude that her writings are in conformity with the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Union in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary,
Glenn Dallaire
I am not a member of the Catholic Church, but this book is totally wonderful, one of the best.
One great saint said, "God comes to us even before He is sought. There is none more intimate and affectionate than God."
The book "He and I" is all about that.
Sincerely,
Douglas
aspendougy@gmail.com
Hi Douglas,
It is a pleasure to meet you. Thanks for your comments.
It is so true that no one is more loving than God, for His love for us is infinite!
I too so love the book "He and I". Through it we really come to understand how close and attentive God is to all of us.
Thanks again and may God bless you and yours!
-Glenn Dallaire
I always try to make this book my daily companion.
It's not easy remembering to read one or two pages during my days that are always filled up with work. And it's even less easy giving Jesus that space in my life that He deserves rather than being concerned with myself.
But at least I try. Again and again and again. Maybe one day I will manage this somehow =) And until then His loving words written in this book give me great hope!
What a precious treasure!
Hi Sabine,
Thanks for your comment. "HE and I" is such an excellent book full of "spiritual food" to contemplate and reflect upon. It is definitely in my top 10 all time favorite Catholic books----it's really a spiritual treasure.
Thanks again.
Union in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary,
Glenn Dallaire
This book changed my life when I was 18 and I committed to naming a future daughter "Gabrielle" after the author. I was blessed with my daughter 8 years later and continue to use this book as a source for inspiration and motivation.
Hi Capegirl,
Thanks for your comments.
I could not agree with you more! "He and I" is an extraordinary book, that really makes God present in one's life.
May God bless you and your loved one's.
Glenn Dellaire
I bought this book in 1987 and it has remained my favorite through the years. This is how I came to know Jesus and how I learned how to "find me in your thoughts."
I keep extra copies on hand to give to people whom I think are "ready" for it.
This year I started something different with it: I picked the year 1940 and began with the first reading of the year. I meditate on that reading until a new one comes along, just like Gabrielle did. Sometimes it is only one day, sometimes weeks! I do not permit myself to read ahead. My year is almost up, and it has been a great joy to experience it in this way.
I am delighted to find your site.
P.S. Funny story....I gave one to the wife of my boss many years ago as a Christmas present. On our first day back to work he said to me...."You ruined my Christmas. I spent thousands of dollars on a mink coat for Kathy and all she talked about all week was that $8 book you gave her!"
Hi Dy Tryin,
Thanks for your comments and sharing the story about "He and I". I am not at all surprised that your bosses wife was completely enthralled with the book--I believe that most everyone who reads it is soon enchanted by it, because in it the Divine Lover speaks to our souls in the way that only He knows how to do.
Thanks again and may God bless you and yours,
Glenn Dallaire
I am so grateful for this website especially because it has many people who are not famous. I ordered all the books on saints/mystics from this website. I cannot even begin to tell you the joy it brings me. I am reading He & I now and there is no photo of her in the book. I would love to buy her photos. Please call me at 310 967 2004 and let me know where I should send the check. Jennifer
Hi Jennifer,
It is nice to meet you. Thank you for your comments. I am glad to hear that you are enjoying this website.
Sorry, but I don't offer any books, however all the books that I use as source material for this website can be found online. Amazon or ABE books are excellent sources.
Thanks again and may God bless you and yours,
Glenn
I bought this book 23 years ago. I have highlighted it, some pages are worn and each passage is gem for me to meditate on. I started reading it again because it gives me so much hope and I don't feel so alone. I gave one to a friend and I hope to give out more. It reminds me of how big God's heart is and how important we all are to Him. How we are truly brothers and sisters in this world. I think reading this book would be so helpful for those who are suffering from loneliness, depression and anxiety. God's love heals everything. He loves us with no conditions.
My nephew when he was 3 saw a crucifix of Our Lord and almost starting crying. He said Jesus needs a bandaid. We can love Him and offer ourselves to Him. We all can receive healing through Him. God bless you and happy reading!
most inspiring book i have ever read.brings you to your dear friend jesus
Surely Gabrielle Bossis must be a Saint in heaven, my prayer is for the people on earth to know she is one. This book has meant a lot to me.
Here is a little shorten story of how God had spoken to me,through her willingness of being His instrument. The day before Pentecost, the Church i went to was selling books in the lobby. i saw the cover of this book, which looked just like a picture a friend had taking during Lent, of Mount Temptation, which also had the cloud in the shape of the Holy Spirit (Dove). My friend and i had one year early, before the picture was taken, had started a daily Rosary group after Mass, and in between the decades, we asked for more of the Holy Spirit, through Mary. In the book on September 30 1948, she writes "i was admiring the clouds in the form of gigantic animals heads", a week later, October 4, 1948, He says "Have you anyone else so ingenious in his ways of pleasing You? You have someone to carve the clouds of the shapes you love, haven't you?"
My prayer is that everyone can be united with our Lord, in this wonderful way too ! ! ! How beautiful ! ! !
Hi HeandI,
Thank you for sharing your comments. I too hope that Gabrielle Bossis will someday be declared a Saint, God willing.
Gabriele Bossis, pray for us!
-Glenn Dallaire
I have often given a copy of "He and I" to those I meet who have a negative image of God. It has also served me well as a meditation book. I resist simply reading it, but always stop when a particular thought or phrase strikes me in a special way. I then close my eyes and let the phrase settle in my mind - savor it if you will - since this seems to be a work of the Holy Spirit.
Recently I have found it difficult to purchase the book (I usually use Amazon.com) and only used copies seem to be available. I believe the Canadian publisher, St. Paul Media, has either discontinued the book or has closed its doors altogether. I anyone has any knowledge of this, would you let me know? I have done several books for Ave Maria Press and Paraclete Press and may encourage them to pick up the title if this is the case.
By the way, I believe this is the finest website on mystical spirituality on the internet.
God bless,
Fr. Richard Beyer
Hi Father Richard,
It is really nice to meet you. Thanks for your comments. I am really glad to hear that you have a great appreciation for the book "He and I."
-It is one of my all time favorites also.
I have been informed that Pauline Books and Media has taken over this title now, so I am looking forward to seeing it republished soon in a new format.
Thanks again for your kind message and may God bless you and your loved ones.
-Glenn Dallaire
I liked this book along with Imitation of Christ.
Peace! Do you know of any way to obtain the plays of Bossis, or other writings of/about her? English or French would be fine. Gratefully, David Elliott
daelliott@mac.com
Hi David,
It is nice to meet you.
To reply to your question, no, I have not thusfar run across any of Gabrielle's other works.
Perhaps some of the other readers of this website have? Is so please leave a comment below.
May God bless you and your loved ones,
Glenn Dallaire
The book that Gabrielle Bossis wrote, He & I, has sat next to my bed this entire year. I read a few pages every morning before getting out of bed. Jesus told Gabrielle that she should read a few lines (that He dictated to her for this book by way of locution) every day. I have found that it helps me to do so. After I read a little, I feel very inspired to pray. There are only a few books that I will read as often as the bible and this is one of them. Thank you for introducing me to it.
Hi Anonymous,
Thanks for your comments. I am really glad to hear that you have found "He and I" to be very edifying and enlightening.
As for myself, I have a pretty good sized library of spiritual books, and "He and I" is definitely in my top 10 favorites.
Best wishes and may God bless you and your loved ones,
Glenn Dallaire
Gabrielle Bossis's recorded messages from Jesus are so awesome and inspiring that they transcend all denominations and are for ALL Christians! I saw her book mentioned somewhere and asked the Lord if I could get a copy. Checking out Amazon.com, I found out that I was able to order it for free through my Discover credit card- since I had enough "points" to use toward a purchase. I consider this book a true gift from Jesus and every morning now before going to work, I have to just open it at random and see what the Lord wants to share with me today from what He shared with her.
Next to the Bible, this has got to be one of my new favorite books of God's messages!
He and I is my favorite book. I love it and read in it every day . It has healing power and the love to Jesus grows with each page ... Thank you all for this book thats given for our time.
I read this book about 10 years ago...and it was just recommended to me again...so I'm reading it again. This time...I'm circling my favorite messages and adding notes in pencil: something I almost never do in my books!
This book makes me want to know Jesus as Gabrielle knew Him...I'm listening for His Messages to me!
Beautiful dialogue between Our Lord and his dear soul.
I have emailed it to my daughter who is a religious
Living overseas. She loved it.
So many of us carry on blindly without realising how much Our Saviour has done for us! If more read He and I, this
World would be less self absorbed.
Thanks for this great blog.
D.E.
Australia.
I happened to be in Sedona, AZ in 1982 and through a mutual friend at the parish Church of St John Vianney met the translator, Evelyn Brown, a holy & charming woman.
She said she had experienced many interior graces translating this book, and considered herself "the dot over the "i" in the title.
Thanks Glen for this post and many beautiful things I have read over the years. Readers should know the book, He and I, is now available in the Kindle store. I love this book and find it inspires confidence in prayer. I have a small website about conversion, the Eucharist, and mental prayer. www.unexpectedlight.com
Best regards,
Peter
I read both volumes of this book when it was first published in english. An influential older mystical Catholic suggested I read it.Apart from the Bible itself, it has been the most influential book on my having developed a conversational relationship with the Father and the Son.
This book is beautiful- a large part of my spiritual reading! I am a convert from the Methodist faith and we had an old hymn that had lyrics- He walks with me and He talks with me and he tells me I am His own. This book is all about how Jesus longs to walk with every one of us!
He and I is one of the most beautiful books that I have ever read. I love reading of her life with Jesus!!! God bless, C-Marie
It seems that Gabrielle is better known outside of France than in it! I hope her niece will do something to make known and preserve her story.
I can't thank you enough for this website, Glenn. I have been seeking an intimate relationship with God for 50 years, but it's challenging. "He and I" has exploded on me in terms of my daily intimacy with Christ. Christ makes it clear to Gabrielle how critical our love is to him. He had told St. Margaret Mary in the Sacred Heart revelations 200 years earlier that he suffers more than he did in his passion because of the world’s indifference. He begged St. Margaret Mary for just a little love, to make up for all of mankind’s ingratitude. This is heart-breaking to me. "He and I" tells me how I can love him more intimately and begin to console him, in my little way.
FYI, there's a 3-minute video photo album on You Tube with lots of photographs from Gabrielle's life (https://youtu.be/TiOWyJXgQyw).
Thanks Scott for your kind message and especially for the Youtube link with the photo album on Gabrielle Bossis---very much appreciated!
May God bless you and your loved ones,
Glenn Dallaire
Thanks so much for doing this work. My Mother gave me a copy of He and I forty years ago. I still pass it on to anyone I know Like you I wondered a great deal about Gabrielle's life but also whether what she wrote was of God. I have no doubts. Countless time I have been given insight, direction and God's love from the pages.
Baroness Von Trapp wrote "Since half a year He and I is my daily companion......To me it is merely a continuation of the Gospel' I share that experience.
What a gorgeous woman and I know she prays for us all.
Bill
Melbourne Australia padua120@gmail.com
padua120@gmail.com
Just finished reading "He and I" for the 35th time over 30 years (I started making a little tick mark after each reading). When I began my 36th reading, the words were more alive than ever before. The book resonates on multiple levels, having symbolic and metaphorical meaning. The messages conveyed seem to always have a timely significance for something that is occurring in my life. Organized religion for me proved to be an impediment to my spirituality; and, "He and I" accomplished what sitting in a church pew was unable to achieve.
Hi! I love the book very much and read it everyday I felt love for Jesus like never before but of course it came from him, everything from him. How i wish copies of books are available in the philippines but I called St. Paul's bookstore, and it's not. I pray that the book will be more available to people.
I know someone who wish to publish the book, coz it's not available too in our country,could u email me at jmj143ss@gmail.com if you can help me or connect me to the person or organization who grants the copyright? Thank you.
So grateful for this article, which is not only interesting but so very inspriing, particularly the report about the priest and his friend who travelled through France to Gabrielle's grave in a way so clearly led by the Lord Holy Spirit. I was providentially led to a copy of the book myself when a student, "accidentally" picking it up from the a shelf in the Catholic chaplaincy's library. It's amazing, everyone should read it! To hear the way that the Lord Jesus so intimately and passionately loves us...it's just so beautiful.
I'm writing this in 2017. The imprimatur for the book (I have my copy here) was granted in 1969. I wonder if the copyright was also granted in 1969. If so, it would expire in 2019 (year end). Perhaps the whole thing could then be scanned and freely distributed in its entirety online? Think what a tremendous blessing that would be, even leading souls back to the Lord and to salvation :) :)
Bella
I briefly knew Evelyn Brown as she visited in the beautiful desert town of Sedona Arizona in 1982. She was not in good health, and had come to stay with mutual friends of mine, good Catholics Norman and Eileen McGee.
We all met each morning at Mass at the Church of St John Vianney. (I was temporarily in Sedona writing to Carmelite Monasteries for one who might accept me as a late vocation)
Over several weeks Evelyn told me how the translation of "He and I" had led her to the Catholic Church and the joy of the Faith. She was a radiantly holy woman and I loved being with her; she said that as translator, she was the dot over the "i" in "He and I".
Years later when I understood the job of editing as well as translating Gabrielle Bossis' journal into the smooth text in English, I realised that her translation was truly inspired.
Raven Wenner,
Broadbottom Hall,
Broadbottom,
Cheshire, UK
Thanks Raven for sharing your personal experiences with Evelyn Brown--it was very interesting to read!
May God bless you and your loved ones,
Glenn Dallaire
Can i get a pdf format for this book. I have heard so much about this book and am keen to read. Can you please help me out
I have just heard about the book for the first tune this morning and I'm truly intrigued because I yearn to know Jesus more each day. I would definitely order the book.With Love From Nigeria
Dear Glenn,
Thank you for this wonderful website.
It has been such a help to my Faith.
You mentioned in a comment that He and I is one of your top 5 favourite books.
I was wondering what the other 4 are.
I love this book .
Thank you Glenn.
Gabrielle Hennessy
Hi Gabrielle,
Thanks for your comments---I'm happy to hear that yu are enjoying the website.
To reply to your question, my all time favorite book (outside of the Holy Scriptures of course) is "THE GOSPEL AS REVEALED TO ME" written by the 20th century Italian mystic Maria Valtorta (in English it was previously entitled "The Poem of the Man-God")--I have written about Maria and her writings on this website.
My other favorites are the Autobiography and Diary of St Gemma Galgani (which can be read in their entirety for free on my St Gemma Galgani website, for those interested). Gemma's autobiography and diary made a big impression on me.
Other on my favorites short list are "She wears a Crown of Thorns" (about the life of the Rhode Island mystic Marie Rose Ferron) by Fr. Boyer, along with Fr. Carty's book on Padre Pio, (and Bernard Ruffin's book on Padre Pio too!), "Story of a Soul" by St Therese of Liseaux, "Alexandrina -The Agony and the Glory", by Francis Johnston, “Under Angel Wings- The Autobiography of Sister Maria Antonia”, and "Father Paul of Moll: Benedictine Wonder-Worker" by Edward Van Speybrouck.
-While not a very "traditional" list for sure, since as one can see I personally am not so fond of scholarly works,(though I have read some like St Augustine and St John of the Cross for example)--I personally find such writings to be intellectual and dry--- but I very much prefer reading the lives of the mystics of the Church, as I find them to be very lively, inspirational and edifying. Just my .02 cents, for whatever it is worth!
Thanks again for your comments and may God bless you and your loved ones,
Glenn
Finally, this book landed in the hands of a Chinese, an Austrian Italian priest recommended this book to me. I, read with emotions , how sad it was not yet translated into Chinese. May more hearts be touched
Hello :) Could someone send me the book via email!
I encountered He and I when I was around 14 years old. This would have been the mid 70's and an older "Jesus freak" recommended I read it. It had a profound impact on my relationship with the Father and the Son, second only to the Bible itself. It helped me by affirming how personal the relationship was meant to be, that He is always present and available, that no formalism is required to enter into His presence. It is so personal that He feels our pain when we cause Him to dwell with our sins. He also shares in our moment to moment joys and appreciations of existence.
Has anyone been to visit Gabriela Bossis' home or church in France? If so, any tips on where they are located or if they are better marked now? I tried to locate Dr. Carlton Sheely who visited her home in 1990, with much difficulty, but he appears to have retired with no forwarding info. My email is lizweist@hotmail.com. Thank you.
Hi Glen, Bless u for this information as it is only a while ago I leaned about Gabrielle Bossis from my sister Jean who is an ardent reader of this amazing Book who also said she receives coincidental messages from her writings. I believe so as I too experienced such a coincident when I read ur Blog, the BEST piece of information my very first browsing found me as it contained exact something my sister related. For us believers a genuine Coincidence=God!! Here's believing ur work will add in some small or big way towards her Sainthood. With all my Thanks for this enlightenment & God's Blessings!!
Marie
Hi Marie,
I'm glad to hear that you liked this article. Thanks for your commentary.
May God bless you and your loved ones.
Glenn
Cool story! Le Fresne HOUSE FOUND!:
After seeing this blog (Thanks for posting!!), I unsuccessfully searched for C. Sheely. However, had a thought that if he and the priest found her house by just looking for it based on descriptions?...maybe I could, too. (All things are possible in Christ, right?!) Did a google map search of Le Fresne, looked for a body of water in the town and found a church. Figured that she probably wasn't far away from the church since she frequented it. Used Google Earth to "walk down" the road that is next to the river and was able to view all around the road because of the 360 degree feature they have. Since the blog showed a picture of the house, I looked for it and actually found it, praise God!
Seemed to be confirmed by comparing photos from a short youtube video (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TiOWyJXgQyw) and the photos from this blog to the Google Earth/map images. Also, was somehow linked to some french websites and came across something like a town "map" which talked about her briefly and gave her address, actually confirming the address! (http://www.ingrandes-lefresnesurloire.fr/camping/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/parcours-découverte.pdf - page 18)
Here is her house, I labeled it on Google Earth but not sure if that's a permanent label that I made: https://goo.gl/maps/NaiJPKYsbgpjnyH86
Address: 10 Rue Principale, 49123 Ingrandes-le-Fresne-sur-Loire, France
Here is where I think she is buried as it seems like the only cemetery there, but this is unconfirmed. Hopefully, I'll come back and edit my post after future visit there, but for now:
https://goo.gl/maps/ewGcad3YGrM1twNR8
I included the links so you could see them and know that I'm not sending you on a wild goose chase in case you ever decide to go on pilgrimage there! I also found an "Association Gabrielle Bossis" in France, they likely know more. From http://gabriellebossis.fr , Email: chantal.cambay@gabriellebossis.fr
No other book has ever touched or shaped me as much as this book. I feel that Lord Jesus is speaking to me everytime I read it. God's love for us is so great. Thanks for this book that I am able to have a glimpse of a fraction of his unfathomable love
For those interested, the book He and I can be borrowed online for free at https://archive.org/details/hei0000boss
No book has invited me to intimate personal prayer like this one. For me, it is far beyond "inspiration". It's almost like a close friend of mine bring me into a close relationship with her Friend. Has anyone gone to her house and tomb on a pilgrimage. I would very much like to go if someone can give me the basic clues like travel, etc...
I read "He and I' every night for the last minutes before sleep. I have been doing this for 5 years now and when I get to the end of the book, I just start right over and have read it cover to cover 5 times now, savoring every sentence. Most page corners are folded down, most sentences are now underlined, the spine has broken and it is completely falling apart. I draw little hearts in the margins when particularly moved by Our Lord's words of love. I agree with the intro that He intended each reader to feel like He is talking to them. That is how I feel. It is exquisitely inspirational and more than anything else, has drawn me into very close relationship with Jesus, Our Beloved. I can't wait to meet Gabrielle in Heaven and thank her for her efforts in sharing the precious Words of God with the world.
Several years ago, at a former parish, I went to Eucharistic adoration, intending to spend an hour in prayer, but I couldn't focus. So I went to the back of the church, where there were some books to help those who needed it. I picked up He and I, and read it with deep appreciation. But then temptation...There was a sticker on the book: "Do Not Remove from Church".
What to do? So I took it home to read. I would return it, but once having seen it, I was not able to leave it. I ordered two more from the publisher (and returned the original to the church). I recommended it to my spiritual director, and we both agreed that it was a very rich source of prayer. I gave a copy to a friend, and she agreed. It seems that it is time to spread the good news about this book again.
Bought the book!! Thank you!!
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