One speaker, however, stands above all others in our memories through all of these years since then. Dr. Jerome Lejeune was already known to us via print, but meeting him was unforgettable. By chance, during the luncheon banquet when he was to deliver a keynote address, we found ourselves at the same table as the distinguished medical doctor and discoverer of Down's syndrome. What a loving, humble man: generous, polite, interested in what everyone had to tell or ask him. After our table talk he was called and stood up to deliver a most excellent address on general issues of Catholic moral life since Humanae Vitae. Dr. Lejeune also spoke on some of his then-recent research with identical twins to better understand the genetic make up of humans. My dear friend Wanda, then my sole partner in what was still a pioneer life of Catholic homeschooling, had had twins a few weeks before—Husband and I drank his words, and they made us better understand our tiny goddaughter. (I found a nice and personal biography of Lejeune here).
Then a few years ago, when looking for a very special gift for my father, I came across book by his daughter Clara entitled Life is a Blessing. Ignatius Press published the book, and this is taken from their site:
A Biography of Jerome Lejeune – Geneticist, Doctor, Father
Jerome Lejeune was one of the most highly regarded geneticists of modern times. He discovered numerous sicknesses of genetic origin, of which Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21) is the best known, and he was an ardent defender of the handicapped and of the unborn.
His daughter Clara presents here the private man: the happy father of a family, surrounded by children and grandchildren, a great Christian marked by a radiant faith, a man of culture inspired with a great sense of humor, but above all a man of courage and of great relevance who would become involved in causes that would transform his life into a destiny.
"This engaging book shows that Jerome Lejeune, the most renowned geneticist in the world, drew his strength from faith and family."
—Charles E. Rice, University of Notre Dame"Jerome Lejeune was one of the greatest Catholic men of the 20th century. To Pope John Paul II he was a valued personal friend. To pro-life activists he was a great international hero. To medical researchers, he was an esteemed colleague, who should have won a Nobel Prize. But in his own children, he remained first and foremost a loving and beloved father."
—Philip Lawler, Editor, Catholic World Report
I don’t quite remember if we ever shook hands with the dear Doctor. I like to believe we did, because the touch of a saint is not something to be disdained: the news of the opening of his beatification process is so sweet to our ears.
Hat tip Causa Nostrae Laetitiae blog via Love2Learn
Another upcoming beatification
The same day we heard the news of Dr. Lejeune's cause, Number One told us about another upcoming beatification: all Notre Dame students who will be taking a semester abroad in Europe next Fall were officially invited to the beatification of the founder of the Holy Cross priests, to take place in France. They will
MOREAU BEATIFICATION IN SEPTEMBER
As September draws nearer, plans have been finalized for the Ceremony of Beatification of the Founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, the Venerable Basile-Antoine-Marie Moreau, C.S.C., in Le Mans, France, the site of the foundation.
On September 14, 2007, members of the men's and women's Congregations of Holy Cross will gather with invited guests for a prayer vigil at Notre-Dame de Sainte-Croix, Mother Church of Holy Cross in Le Mans, France.
On September 15, a Solemn Eucharist and Rite of Beatification will be held at the Antares Center in Le Mans. Cardinal José Saraiva Martins, Prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Causes of the Saints will be present. The Bishop of Le Mans will preside.
1 comment:
I have heard about LeJeune's cause and was very interested. What an incredible scientist!
I will tell my mom about the second. Her uncle was a Holy Cross father.
Susan
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