Light upon the scaffold: Prison letters of Jacques Fesch, executed October 1, 1957, age twenty-seven (A Priority edition)

by Jacques Fesch

English, French (translation)

153 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

Jacques Fesch was a French criminal who killed a cop and then reinvented himself while on death row. Raised as an atheist he turned devout Roman Catholic while waiting for the guillotine during his incarceration between 1954 and 1957 leading to conversion other inmates and jailers.

Until his crime Fesch had led a spoiled and vicious life. At one time he had dreams of sailing the South Pacific, leave everything and live there. And to fulfil his vision, on 24 February 1954 Fesch attempt to rob money from a money changer office to buy a boat, when he tried to escape Fesch accidentally shot policeman Jean Vergne, who was in pursuit.

Later on the press and public opinion went frenzy about the case and Fesch was sentenced to death penalty on 6 April 1957.

At first Fesch was indifferent to his plight and mocked his lawyer's Catholic faith whom he nicknamed "the panther of God". However, after a year in prison, he experienced a profound religious conversion, became very pious, and bitterly regretted his crime. He corresponded regularly with his family, notably his brother and stepmother, and kept a spiritual journal. He accepted his punishment serenely and was reconciled to his wife the night before his execution. His last journal entry was "In five hours, I will see Jesus!". An appeal for clemency to President René Coty failed, and he was guillotined.

After his death he became an example of redemption and devotion and a cause for his beatification was formally opened in 1993.

Reviews

[Stefano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sorprendente vedere come questa persona si confronta con la sua morte trovando pace e coraggio nell'affrontarla

[Teresa]

Great book! This is a true story, a saint in the making! I highly recommend this book for all readers, religious or not! It will give you hope and inspire you to not give up on life!