MARTHE ROBIN AND FR GEORGES FINET
Marthe Robin
The grace of the Foyers was first of all entrusted to the prayer and to the offering of Venerable Marthe Robin.
Marthe was born March 13, 1902, in a farming family of south eastern France, near the village of Châteauneuf-de-Galaure. Marthe shared the work of the house and the farm and attended the primary school in the village. On October 15, 1925, Marthe consecrated her life to God. "On this day I give and consecrate myself to you irrevocably. O beloved of my soul, gentle Jesus, it is you alone I want, and for your Love I renounce all."
Between 1926 and 1929 Marthe was gradually paralysed, and her prayer became constant. From September 1930 Marthe's union with Jesus became more complete, and she could say, after St. Paul: "I am crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer, but Christ lives in me" (Gal 2:19f).
From this time until her death on February 6, 1981, Marthe never left her parents' farmhouse. Her life was entirely given to prayer and to hospitality. She lived her life with God with great discretion, and she disliked having attention fixed on her. But her constant suffering did not prevent a generous hospitality, and her giving full attention to the many people who visited her to share their concerns. Those who came - young and old, neighbours and strangers, believers and unbelievers - all appreciated her youthful spirit and joy, her wide interests and her strong, practical judgement.
Since Marthe's death the visits to her home and to the nearby cemetery of St. Bonnet continue.
The process for the Beatification of Marthe Robin is now well advanced. Marthe was declared Venerable by Pope Francis on 7 November 2014. Fr Bernard Peyrous, the Postulator for her cause has published an excellent book on Marthe. The vice-postulator is Marie-Thérèse Gille to whom any favours and miracles received through the intercession of Marthe may be sent. Her address is:
Foyer de Charité
85, rue Geoffroy de Moirans
26330 Châteauneuf-de-Galaure
Fr Georges Finet
On February 10, 1936, Marthe was visited by Father Georges Finet, and their meeting marks the birth of the Foyers.
Fr. Finet was a priest of the diocese of Lyons where be was born in 1898. After military service in World War 1, and theology studies in Rome, Father was ordained priest on July 8, 1923. He served as parochial vicar, cathedral vicar, and assistant director of Catholic schools.
At this first visit, Marthe entrusted Father Finet with the grace given her, to spend her life for the Foyers of Light, Charity and Love. Anticipating the renewal of Vatican II, Marthe spoke of the New Pentecost of Love, of the regeneration of the whole world, of the renewal within the Church of the spirit of the apostolic times, and of the fullness of the vocation of the laity. She recognized in Father Finet the one chosen by God, and she asked him plainly to undertake the work.
With a courageous, energetic faith, and the permission of his superiors, he accepted, and from then until his death on April 14, 1990, he devoted himself tirelessly to the work of the Foyers.