160th death anniversary of our Founder, The venerable Fr. Pierre Bienvenu Noailles (February 8th, 1861 – February 8th 2021)
Our Founder, at his last moment deeply moved and said to those gathered around him;
“Come now, have courage. Is there a more beautiful or consoling spectacle to the eyes of faith than that of a father on the threshold of eternity blessing his children?”
Fr. Noailles left behind an eloquent testimony to his zeal, devotedness, optimism, and indomitable courage. Many beautiful tributes, very consoling for his spiritual family were paid to the founder. One of the most important ones was written by a life-long friend and one time spiritual director, Fr. Hamon, Parish priest of St. Sulpice:
“Yes, truly I loved this good father, as a man of God, a priest entirely devoted to doing good; of an excellent heart; charitable, meek and good natured. The prosperity and development of his works prove that God’s Spirit was with him. His death is, without doubt, a great loss for you (the PBN Spiritual Family) but from on high in heaven, he will protect you, and his prayer will perhaps accomplish even more than his presence.