The Little Story of My Long Life: The Life of Archbishop Lefebvre as Told by Himself

by Marcel Lefebvre

In January of 1990, Archbishop Lefebvre came to the motherhouse of the Sisters of the Society of Saint Pius X in France to work on writing his book Spiritual Journey. A few days after his arrival, his heart began to give him trouble and serious symptoms once again put the prospect of death before his eyes. All the sisters of the community thus came to be around their founder - a true father - as he recounted with joyful and moving simplicity the story of his life.

And what a life! Born in 1905 in Northern France, family life, nine years old as the First World War raged around his hometown, drafted into military service three times, the French seminary in Rome, the death of his father in a German prison during the Second World War (he was an operative for Belgian Intelligence), missionary work in Africa as a priest and bishop, Superior General of one of the largest religious orders in the Catholic Church ... and why he resigned during what he called the Third World War (Vatican II), the foundation of the Society of Saint Pius X and so much more.

All told in a conversational format...as if the Archbishop were telling you his life story. Very easy to read, uplifting, full of spiritual insights into the workings of Providence in our lives. It is almost impossible to put down - really! With nearly 40 photographs - many new - covering every stage of Archbishop Lefebvre's life.

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Biography

119 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Marcel François Marie Joseph Lefebvre (29 November 1905 – 25 March 1991) was a French Roman Catholic archbishop. Following a career as an Apostolic Delegate for West Africa and Superior General of the Holy Ghost Fathers, he took the lead in opposing certain changes within the Church associated with the Second Vatican Council.

In 1970, Lefebvre founded the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX). In 1988, after he consecrated four bishops to continue his work with the SSPX against the expressed prohibition of Pope John Paul II, the Holy See immediately declared that he and the other bishops who had participated in the ceremony had incurred automatic excommunication under Catholic canon law. In 2009, 18 years after Lefebvre's death, Pope Benedict XVI lifted the excommunication of the four surviving bishops.

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Reviews

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

“When we do the will of God and not our own, the Good Lord blesses us. And in the end we become attached to the task which God has given us. Do not be afraid.”

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second time I have read this book. What an amazing and humble man!!

[Jimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating look at the Archbishop's life and career, as told by the Archbishop himself. It also shows several trends present in the early 20th century that would lead up to Vatican II, such as the condemnation of Fr. Le Flock.