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 The light of an encounter
"La lumière d’une rencontre"
The light of an encounter ... What encounter is Marie-Hélène Mathieu talking to us about with this title? Is it with Suzanne, her intellectually disabled school friend who was humiliated by the comments of the other pupils? Or even the one with Father Henri Bissonnier that led her to found the Office chrétien des personnes handicapées (OCH)? Or even the one with Marthe Robin, who carried the Faith and Light pilgrimage through prayer?
Because the encounters in the life of Marie-Hélène Mathieu have been many, all completely revolving around the guidance of disabled people and their families. Beyond the strength, the intensity of her testimony, the author shows us what the welcoming of ill, fragile and marginalized people can be for each of us, and invites us to get close to them and to be taught by them. This book is also an appeal for their voice, their rights and the meaning of their life to be fully recognised.
The light of an encounter is an unusual anthology of the writings of Marie-Hélène Mathieu: editorials, columns, lectures ...
To order 
Mieux vaut allumer une lampe que maudire l’obscurité (It’s better to light a lantern than to curse the darkness) 7€
 «How can you address yourself to the parents of children with an intellectual disability in a manner that is neither banal consolation, nor psychological language, or conventional hope ? The pages of this book succeed, putting the reader almost immediately into contact with what is unique in each disabled person, particularly those whose intelligence is afflicted. The book is full of hope, because it conveys the grace of God page by page. It is also permeated with realism, because the experience of the author is that of a special teacher, and a woman who is in daily contact with people afflicted in both body and spirit.” Stéphane Desmazières, ex-bishop of Beauvais.
Dieu m’aime comme je suis (God loves me as I am) 13€
 Publication available in French, Spanish, Portugese, Italian, Romanian and Slovak.
People thought that François, who has an intellectual disability, hadn’t understood a thing about his first communion. Then he came out with the following reply : “God loves me as I am”. It’s by using these simple words that Marie-Hélène Mathieu introduces us into the heart of the lives of people with disabilities and their families, with whom she is in daily contact. She tells us how necessary it is to give disabled people their proper place, and to base ourselves on their example as far as the essentials of life are concerned : to be loved and to love others. “God loves me as I am”, which assembles the editorials of the “Ombres et Lumière” magazine, is a follow-up to her first publication
mentioned above "Mieux vaut allumer une lampe que maudire l’obscurité".
"These simple, moving pages, reflecting long experience, address a vital message for each human being (…) Thank you for helping us to give thanks with Jesus for the mysteries “hidden from the wise and the prudent that He has revealed to the little children” (Mt 11,25)" Cardinal Lustiger.
If you want to order books by Marie-Hélène Mathieu, write to Faith and Light specifying which book you would like to receive as well as your full address. Email
An invoice including post and packaging will be sent to you with the delivery of your order.
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