Following the death of Brother Raoul Auclair, numerous appreciations, judicious and touching comments were received on the man, the writer and the apostle he was. Below are a few excerpts from these:
– THE MAN (Paul Brame, Serge and Yvan Laprise and Roger Michaud)
– THE WRITER (Marc Bosquart)
– THE APOSTLE (Ginette Simoneau)
Short but broad-built, as upright as an "i", as though not to lose an inch of his height, he impressed everyone. /.../ Intuitively, I sensed in him a strength, yes, an inexpressible strength which surpassed me. But to defend myself and because of the general atmosphere in broadcasting, there were topics which I hesitated to bring up with the one who was still, for me, simply a stranger. /.../
With regard to "the things of heaven" in particular, he was much more knowledgeable than I was, and yet, he never once refused to share this knowledge with me cleverly, patiently, with a pertinence and sovereign simplicity, a smiling camaraderie, which always exemplified the humility of the Beatitudes and also that poverty which is a source – and to such an extent – of misunderstanding on the part of those who consider to be stupidity that which is, in fact, an inner wealth when it emanates from the Holy Spirit. Such was the secret of such a limpid gaze characterized by a joyous interior fulness which is a sort of spiritual nourishment so substantial that it could not, egoistically, remain confined for the benefit of one single being. /.../
– Paul Brame, St-Uze, France
* * *
There was in fact two Raouls, somewhat after the example of Saint Francis de Sales. First of all, there was this scholarly man, learned, who mastered the French language as only great individuals do. Thanks to his culture, his professional achievements, his family and social background, he had lived among the great people of this world, having access to the best human opportunities: trips, wealth, comfort, participation in a multitude of cultural events or gratifying human experiences. He was a man with a refined taste, able to appreciate the best of what this world had to offer.
But then there was the other Raoul, the one we got to know better: this man with a deep interior life who had put all his knowledge and his abilities into seeking to understand the mystery of the Virgin and of the Church. Through the grace of God, Raoul had discovered the great mysteries of our time. However, he was not satisfied with a theoretical knowledge of it, and desired especially to experience and to put into practice for himself what he had discovered. |
 Raoul in his apartment in Quebec City. |
This commitment to live what he had understood led him along paths he knew nothing of. Raoul gave up his country, his wealth, his culture, his freedom, his friends. He abandoned it all todedicate the last twenty years of his life to the service of the Lady of All Peoples.
We can bear witness especially to the man we would meet in our daily activities. Raoul loved quietness and solitude which constituted, in fact, the largest part of his daily life, a time set aside for writing. But he also loved to welcome his several friends to share with them his understanding of the great mysteries of our times. Finally, he completed his detachment and the stripping of self in a definitive manner by becoming a religious with the Sons of Mary. In this way, he became even more totally the son of this Mother whom he so dearly loved, defended and understood.
Following the example of Saint Francis de Sales, and in the course of his last years with us, he worked at his personal interior reform. Raoul, a man with a fiery temperament, put all his energies into becoming a gentle and patient man.
– Serge and Yvan Laprise and Roger Michaud, Quebec
* * *
THE WRITER (posthumous letter)
/.../ It was nearly by chance that you began writing plays for the O.R.T.F., the French radio and television network. There were about thirty of these, essentially religious in nature, and even Marian, and this is how you discovered your path. Then it was a collection of poems Un et mille ["one and a thousand"] and then one book, a second and a third... Today, there are twenty-four books and more could no doubt be published from among your accumulated writings.
For three years, you directed the paper L'Étoile (between Marie which preceded it and Le Royaume which followed it). From your editorials, two works were to be drawn: Eschatologie de notre temps ["the eschatology of our times"] and Tous ces mystères dans le Mystère de Marie ["all these mysteries in the Mystery of Mary"]. With regard to L'Étoile, it was doubtlessly the only truly eschatological paper ever to come into being. In itself it was somewhat of a sign of the times, like a condensation of history as it was being fulfilled.
"One must be something of a prophet to understand the prophets." These words of Father André Richard in your regard are often quoted. I obviously agree with them. But a prophet is not a seer who can predict the quality of the crops or the coming of earthquakes. According to etymology, he is someone who speaks in God's name! You know the cost and the responsibility of such a privilege. /.../
And yet, Raoul, you were a prophet and not just any prophet: you were the first great prophet of God's Kingdom on earth after the end of the times. For you it was evident, and the Apocalypse had again taken on its true meaning of Revelation. The Apocalypse! It was as clear in your mind as it was obscure to ours and everything fitted together perfectly.
You kept the best for the last and here I speak of L'Homme Total dans la Terre Total ["the total man on the total earth"]. As far as I'm concerned, that is the pinnacle of your work. And that year, I wasn't the only one to think that way. /.../
– Marc Bosquart, Lac-Etchemin
* * *
On Wednesday January 8, 1997, at about six o'clock in the evening we received the news of our dear Raoul's death. For a long time, I had been anticipating somewhat with dread the day when he would leave us for the other world, certain that it would be for us a day of great mourning. /.../ And yet, it was just the opposite, for here is what happened.
Precisely on this January 8, Germain and I were celebrating our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. Now Raoul is no stranger to the fact that Germain and I were able to celebrate together and in joy this anniversary since he was the instrument, through his writings, which drew us to the Army of Mary and it was our adherence to this Work of spiritual regeneration which saved "in extremis" our marriage which like so many others was about to fail. The news of his death, on the evening of this our happy day in which we had been spoiled by so many joys beginning with the morning Mass which had been offered for our intentions, rather than casting a shadow over the day, gave us the joy of realizing just to what extent our dear big brother always remained close to us even though he had quit this world corporeally.
Our dear Raoul was a great contemplative. This great man knew how to make himself little among the lttle ones, by causing images to speak, to those who were prepared to listen, of the grandiose spiritual realities hidden in contemporary historical events. An ardent herald of the establishment of God's Kingdom on earth, Raoul was one of those who profoundly marked our spirituality. /.../
– Ginette Simoneau, Lac-Etchemin
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