*** DEBUG START ***
*** DEBUG END ***

When Silence Speaks: The life and spirituality of Elisabeth Leseur, by Jennifer Moorcroft

by
22 May 2020

John-Francis Friendship considers the devout life of Élisabeth Leseur

THIS valuable book concerns the life and profound spirituality of a married, childless Frenchwoman who lived in an era of intense atheism and religious persecution in late-19th-century France.

Born into a world of wealth and culture, Élisabeth Leseur (née Arrighi) moved beyond her childhood faith when she married a man who turned out to be leader of the French anti-clerical movement. But they loved each other dearly, and, eventually, she rediscovered God, as others have, through reading the Gospels and a Life of Jesus. Much is known about her through her letters and the books that she wrote, and the cause for her beatification proceeds.

What makes this of such interest is the way in which it reveals the development of her relationship with God against a background of ill-health and a society aggressive towards Christianity. It gives a moving insight into her piety at a time of violent atheism, a piety rooted in the School of Berulle, which involved a deepening love for Christ and the saints as self was set aside in the service of others.

In particular, the spirituality of St Vincent de Paul informed her as she developed a ministry among the poor, believing that every loving act, no matter how small, had a consequence. In her often solitary life in Christ, the place of the communion of saints played an important part — something that I found particularly refreshing, as this can often be neglected by Anglicans, and yet is of such importance at times when many feel isolated.

This book might challenge those who dislike personal piety or 19th-century French spirituality. It certainly offers an approach different from much that is being written at present; but Leseur’s own writings, liberally quoted throughout, have inspired many, and, after her death, brought her atheistic husband to faith and the religious life — a story related in the final two chapters.

The author gives inspiring insights into this woman who, in her early forties, was diagnosed with cancer. The title of the book reflects the way in which Leseur’s spirituality led to a place of deepening silence as her health deteriorated, and concerns the strength that she found through regular confession, reception of holy communion, a deep and intense love for her husband, and an utter abandonment to God’s will. Here is a mysticism rooted in a life that was centred on the love of God at a time when atheism was intellectually fashionable.

The Revd John-Francis Friendship is a senior team member at the London Centre for Spiritual Direction.


When Silence Speaks: The life and spirituality of Elisabeth Leseur
 
Jennifer Moorcroft 
Gracewing £15.99
(978-0-85244-903-5)
Church Times Bookshop £14.40

Browse Church and Charity jobs on the Church Times jobsite

Church Times Bookshop

Save money on books reviewed or featured in the Church Times. To get your reader discount:

> Click on the “Church Times Bookshop” link at the end of the review.

> Call 0845 017 6965 (Mon-Fri, 9.30am-5pm).

The reader discount is valid for two months after the review publication date. E&OE

Forthcoming Events

Inspiration: The Influences That Have Shaped My Life

September - November 2024

St Martin in the Fields Autumn Lecture Series 2024

tickets available

 

Can a ‘Good Death‘ be Assisted?

28 November 2024

A webinar in collaboration with Modern Church

tickets available

 

Through Darkness To Light: Advent Journeys

30 November 2024

tickets available

 

Women Mystics: Female Theologians through Christian History

13 January - 19 May 2025

An online evening lecture series, run jointly by Sarum College and The Church Times

tickets available

 

Festival of Faith and Literature

28 February - 2 March 2025

tickets available

 

Visit our Events page for upcoming and past events 

The Church Times Archive

Read reports from issues stretching back to 1863, search for your parish or see if any of the clergy you know get a mention.

FREE for Church Times subscribers.

Explore the archive

Welcome to the Church Times

 

To explore the Church Times website fully, please sign in or subscribe.

Non-subscribers can read four articles for free each month. (You will need to register.)