C&SI - Venerable Pierre Goursat - 23 Feb 2025 (S05 E13b) (podcast excerpt)

On this week's podcast excerpt, Geraldine Creaton from the Irish branch of the Emmanuel Community introduces us to Pierre Goursat (1914-1991), the founder of the Emmanuel Community.  On 18 December 2024, Pope Francis approved the publishing of a decree recognising the “heroic virtues” of Pierre Goursat and declaring him venerable as part of the process of canonisation.

Pierre Goursat has been described as a humble lay person, both contemplative and a man of action. After his conversion at 19 years old, he was on fire with love for Christ, compassion for the poor, and zeal for evangelisation which led to the foundation of the Emmanuel Community. He retired from managing the Community in 1985, and spent his final years in silence and adoration. He died 25th March 1991. 

You can watch a video about Pierre called "Pierre et L'Emmanuel" (in French with English subtitles).

A book setting out his story called "Words of Pierre Goursat" written by Martine Catta, and originally published in 2013 by the Emmanuel Community is a book which shows Pierre as  ‘a man of prayer… his teachings and the advice he gave were words of fire. His words reveal his strong character and the way in which he introduced people to a Christian life of evangelization lived out in the real world."

 You can discover more about Pierre Goursat at “Pierre Goursat and his Brothers & Sisters” which is a website specially dedicated to sharing about his personal journey and teaching.

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