April 11, 2006
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Profond mystère
Deep mystery
English version below the pictures
Dans ette vieille église que je visitais le 27 Janvier denier j ' ai ressenti un sentiment ineffable et complètement inattendu que j ' ai hésité à raconter dans ce blog tellemnt il est inhabituel .
L ' église était chauffée et il n' y avait personne ! Des quantités de bougies étaient allumées et de très nombreuses fleurs naturelles étaient placées en différents endroits . Il est probables que de nombreuses personnes devaient passer pour dire une courte prière mais j ' étais seul à ce moment - là .
Et soudain je me sentis comme j ' avais été depuis toujours , toujours le même jusqu 'au fond de moi - même : ni élève , ni étudiant , ni officier , professeur , inspecteur , ni retraité . Je ne me sentais ni un enfant , ni un père , ni un mari ou un grand - père mais seulement Michel . Je ne me sentais ni jeune ni vieux . Le temps avait disparu . Une immense joie m ' envahit alors qui dura un bon moment .
Comme vous voyez c 'est assez difficile à partager et vous comprendrez que j ' ai hésité . Mais c ' est ce qui m ' est arrivé et je le rapporte avec simplicité et modestie
Berck - ville church / Eglise de Berck ville dans le nord de la France Photo M. Fauquet January 2006
Berck- ville ( Northern France ) church inside Photo M.Fauquet January 2006
In that old church which I visited on the last 27th of January I felt an inexpressible and totaly unexpected feeling that I hesited to relate on this blog so much it is completely unusual .( and unique for me )
The church was heated and no one was there . There were a lot of candles lighted and amounts of natural flowers at different places . Probably numerous people came here for a short prayer but I was alone at this time .
And suddenly I felt myself like I always have been for ages , always the same from the bottom of my being : neither pupil , student , army officer , teacher , inspector nor retired man . I felt myself neither a child nor a father , grandfather , husband but only Michel . I felt myself neither young nor old . Time had disappeared . Then a flush of immense joy envaded me during a time .
As you see it ' s rather hard to share and you understand why I hesited to relate . But this is what has happened to me and I relate it simply with humility . I don' t want to hurt anyone , of course .
Comments (121)
I am so honored for you to have related your experience to us. "The peace that passeth all understanding." It was that moment when you were standing on Holy Ground. Not many experience that in a lifetime on earth. Blessings to you my friend.
that's beautiful
to just be in God' house and feel his joy
take care
Michel, this was beautiful. Thank you for sharing with us.
I am happy that you experienced this feeling of joy and peace.
I'm so glad you did decide to share. As hard as it is to describe some experiences we have before God here on earth can you even possibly imagine what it will feel like when we stand before Him in Heaven?
Have a blessed day!
Michele
truly it was the House of God....and yours too at that moment and from hereon
It was a great experience you had. A moment of being one with the universe. Such moments give us the force and the joy to go on in this world.
You are a very lucky one and you have a life full of meaning to be ablr to feel it.
Amitié
Carlo
you have written your experience in a way that shares the awe,amazement and simple power and beautiy of that moment for you. the photo is just beautiful. thank you for sharing with us and done with humility.-g
Absoluement parfait, monsieur. Parfait.
Thank you for sharing this spiritual experience.
RITA
Hi Michel: I can understand how you felt, I have experienced that feeling sometime stronger than other times, brings tears to my eye's to even remember, it is a wonderful feeling. The church is beautiful inside and outside. Thank you my friend for sharing this it's beautiful
Shirley
Wow. Another thought provoking, great entry from you!
Thanks for sharing.
Vous avez eu une épiphanie... it seems like about your true identity. I had one of those too a while back! It was an amazing and an inexplicable feeling... But no, it wasn't a feeling, it was a new knowledge! The spirit works mysteriously.
Ooops! I accidently signed into my old xanga.
SDK
what a beautiful church... i think you were "one with God" at that precise moment.. i understand clearly how you felt... an amazing and beautiful feeling, i am sure!
nice photos Michel
thanks for the sharing!
and yes i understand french. so u can write to me in french actually
love,
ann
It's wonderful to have that experience, where you just ARE. That's probably the best way to experience God. What a wonderful experience. Thank you for sharing it.
Blessings!
Marguerite
Bonjour, Michel!
Allow me to share with you my views on this post. You have spoken about your experience the best that you could do so. Rather anyone else can understand it or not, the fact remains that you had a special moment. You have put it on here more for yourself than for others, I believe. I am so happy that you could have this little epiphany about yourself and in such a beautiful place and structure for God.
Have a wonderful week, my friend. God bless.
There's a church like that in Washington D.C.!! Thank you for sharing such a special and intimate moment with us. I feel that way many times when I'm in the presence of something majestic...something that God dwells in.
thank you, Michel....how beautiful and how wonderful for you to really feel God. blessings on your Easter....Melinda
what a beautiful church! and a beautiful story Michel! Isn't God good? Have a great and holy Easter ...God bless you and Janine((HUGS))
This was so generous that you shared with us the feelings from in your heart.
The photos are so beautiful of this church. We know this is a place that we can find God.
I hope you have a lovely Easter week.
~Rosemary
Michel you were indeed fortunate to have such an experience. I wonder if it was because of the numerous hours of prayer said in the church over the years when people brought their joys and sorrows to lay before the Lord making it a holy place.? God was with you at that moment in a very special way. You will remember the feeling for the rest of your life. Happy and holy Easter to you and Janine. May God pour out blessings on you both.
marie
Michel, I get a little emotional when I read things like this. It makes me very happy. I think what you experienced is the feeling of how God sees you - just as Michel. The Michel He made and loves. I think it is good for all of us to see ourselves and also to see how God looks at us. We are all sinners, and yet, because of Him, we can stand before Him as sons and daughters of the Most High God! I think this is a wonderful entry. I also think it was a very opportune time for you to enter the church and no one was there! I can sense the extra emotions that would bring on you (because it would me)! When we write of these things it is hard not to offend someone because of the many beliefs, but I think it is important to express feelings from your heart. Thank you, Michel! - Rachel
What a beautiful experience!
nice pics there Michel taken especially when no one was around ......after all you feel closer to God in silent contemplation!!
best wishes*
ashar
A beautiful church.
Yes, such feelings are difficult to relate, which is why everyone should seek to experience it themselves.
it's moments like this that bring us closer to God. you were filled with His spirit.
~janny
Vous avez été emporté par la beauté de l'endroit.
- NaNa -
What a beautiful old church and what a wonderous moment, praise God. To be just you for a moment a gift to be remembered always, Judi
What a wonderful moving moment you have shared with us. Your spirit was moved by the peace and been with God. This is a good week for you to tell us this story.
wanan say Hi hun
C'est vraiment une expérience très profonde. Je ne suis pas religieuse, mais quelquefois quand je vais aux églises, je sens comme toi—simplement moi, sans désignation. Merci pour partager ce mystère avec nous.
♥
Great pics of a lovely church. Don't hesitate as I can relate to your experience.
Michel Lovely pics with a lovely feeling to go with it. Thanks for sharing. Regarding your question I have three children. Laura who lives in Perth with my mother, Elliot as you saw was on holiday in Morocco(he is living in London at the moment) and Henry he is 14 and away at boarding school during the week and comes home on weekends. It is an agricultural school where he is very happy being active with less focus on book work. cheers Yvonne
C'ETAIT UN MOMENT TRES...SPIRITUEL JE PENSE.
You surrendered to the moment and it became yours.
Love, Brenda
It has happened to me once. I recognized it as The Holy Spirit and I felt illumined. I felt warmth and light filled.. I am so happy it happened to you, Michel. Perhaps the fact the church was nearly empty and the silence with the beauty of the church was just the right moment for the Holy Spirit to bless you. From knowing you here in Xanga, I feel most strongly that you were chosen for excellent reason.
To have that feeling of joy and to escape time... what a moment.
very pretty buildings
lots of attention to detail
It's your spirit. You are what you felt.
that is beautiful...
It made me smile with happiness to read this. You know, this is how we can all connect; as just ourselves, by the grace of God.
The interior of that church reminds me so much of the little church which I attended as a child. It had the most beautiful, detailed stained-glass windows. It was very old - well, for here - and I loved the fact that my family in times past had gone there, too. I loved it so, down to the very smell of it.
Happy Easter, Michel. I have had a similar experience, only the feeling I got was of peace. Peace and joy to you and your family.
Michel this is quite an incredible feeling you've spoken of! It just proves even further to me there is a God looking down on us, looking out for each and everyone of us. This feeling you've described is quite profound though. It's a little like a sign, or God speaking to you in his own way. Just amazing.
wow.. heh what a complicated post!!
impressive, Michel
That's some feeling, and you shared it in such an expressive way. I'm not sure that I have anything worth saying after reading that. Except I hope you have a lovely Easter.
A beautiful church indeed - I can understand how the church moved you as I get a sense of wonder when I look around a church.
that is so lovely and amazing. filled with devine spirit. life is good.
What a beautiful place. A place where you can enjoy a solitude and a purity of who you really are and what defines "you". It seems in the quiet of the place , you were alone with God. I do believe it will be wonderful in heaven when we are not defined by anything other than our real essence and just savor being in God's presence.
How old is this church?
votre amie,
Francoise
That sounds like a wonderful feeling.
What an awesome experience! God was there and speaking to you!
Pas de peur, Michel. Tres bien dire!
T'as réussi très bien a expliquer ce que tu as ressenti, Michel. Moi aussi j'ai ressenti la même chose dans une église en Espagne. Et en plus il y avait une musique sacre, quelque chose comme du grégorien.
Merci de la simplicité et de la modestie avec lesquelles tu as partagé cette sensation, ça va être très approprié à la période de Paques!
Ciao, best wishes.
But SO MANY TRY to hurt behind the obscurity offered by the internet
Thank *Gott* i THRIVE on knuckleheads
was that a pics from a chruch
Church is where my early memories of my connection with Jesus begin. I understand your feelings.
God is constantly stretching His arms to us....is beautiful and amazing to feel His peace and joy in the most strange places....or at least where we never expected it!!! Thanks for sharing... it's humbling and honest. God bless you my sweet monsieur.
Love, Xally
I know that God is always with us, but think he made himself known to you at that moment, Michel. What a wonderful experience. Carry it with you always! What a beautiful old church!
I think that it's an awesome thing to have a feeling like that, like God is speaking right to you. I'm glad that it happened to you and I hope it happens more
Thank you for sharing my friend just looking at the beatuiful old church gave me a feeling I can not put into words other than it was a good feeling and I feel bless to see the pictures God Bless and I hope you and your family have a blessed Easter fill with love and joy and family
Rememberthecross
how very spiritual
what's curious to me: why would you think you would hurt someone?
Wow what a beautiful experience, to feel God's peace and joy. Thank you so much for sharing with us.
Wow... what a strange experience! I think only those who have gone through it will truely understand.
Yes Michel, Sebastiano loves fish, especially prawns, plus he likes wine, which we have to try and fool him by giving him stained water. I have recently read a book by Peter Mayle called Bon Appétit, all about French food and customs, it appears that the Frenchman similar to the Italian loves his food and allowing young children to taste and enjoy wine from an early age. The English abhor allowing children to drink wine, thus creating a taboo which in later years becomes counterproductive, anything that is prohibited has a greater charm. Young English people like to drink in eccess, when they come to Italy they tend to exaggerate with the wine because it's much cheaper than in GB.
HAPPY EASTER TO YOU AND YOUR SWEET JANINE.
RITA.
How wondeful to be in the house of God and feel his presence so profoundly. Thank you!
RYC: I'm not an ordained pastor....but I do try to speak to as many women's groups and I am in the music ministry. I try to sing wherever they'll let me! lol
Ménilmontant mais oui madame
C'est là que j'ai laissé mon cœur
C'est là que je viens retrouver mon âme
Toute ma flamme
Tout mon bonheur...
Quand je revois ma petite église
Où les mariages allaient gaiement
Quand je revois ma vieille maison grise
Où même la brise
Parle d'antan
Elles me racontent
Comme autrefois
De jolis contes
Beaux jours passés je vous revois
Un rendez-vous
Une musique
Des yeux rêveurs tout un roman
Tout un roman d'amour poétique et pathétique
Ménilmontant !
Quand midi sonne
La vie s'éveille à nouveau
Tout résonne
De mille échos
La midinette fait sa dînette au bistro
La pipelette
Lit ses journaux
Voici la grille verte
Voici la porte ouverte
Qui grince un peu pour dire "Bonjour bonjour
Alors te v'là de retour ?"
Ménilmontant mais oui madame
C'est là que j'ai laissé mon cœur
C'est là que je viens retrouver mon âme
Toute ma flamme
Tout mon bonheur...
Quand je revois ma petite gare
Où chaque train passait joyeux
J'entends encor dans le tintamarre
Des mots bizarres
Des mots d'adieux
Je suis pas poète
Mais je suis ému,
Et dans ma tête
Y a des souvenirs jamais perdus
Un soir d'hiver
Une musique
Des yeux très doux les tiens maman
Quel beau roman d'amour poétique
Et pathétique
Ménilmontant !
do you believe in reincarnation? perhaps you know that church from before?
namaste
p.s.
i'm workin on a poem for you!
Beautiful photographs and what a beautiful experience. I agree with Aslans daughter! Thank you so much for sharing your experience with all of us.... it has truly blessed me!
Love,
Debbie
Perhaps a filling of the Holy Spirit?!
Just today, I was reading how each individual is looked upon by Jehovah. It is truly a comfort to know that, isn't it, Michel.
It sounds like a very powerful, humbling, yet secure feeling. I'm sure it is very difficult to describe or understand to someone who has not had the experience. Very beautiful pics, thanks for sharing.
Nice to hear of this comfort you felt in this Church. You must have left any burdens at the door.
That is a stunning experience. A holy and fulfilling feeling of being. I am so very happy that you have experienced it. I cannot say I have been one with myself completely but I have had glimpses to know what you are saying. Love to you and Janine and have a holy and happy Easter
Nancy & Knight
Thank you SO MUCH for sharing this..REALLY!!!
What a beautiful experience you had!! How beautiful!1
You describe so well... AMAZING!!
Thank you, Michel..God bless you...
A hug, lucy
Hi Michel! That's such a beautiful and awesome experience that you had. Thanks so much for sharing it with us.
Good luck with the choir on Easter.
Happy Easter to you and your family!
Your friend Paula
Merveilleux ~Saint Michel~
Merci de partager avec nous cette intense beauté vécue dans le silence !
Amitiés et Joyeuses Fêtes de Pâques à toi et à toute ta famille et amis
bb_am te dédie aujourd'hui une image sur fotolog
Michel,
When you said in a comment "what is important is what remains alive in your heart and never fades or molds" you are so right! Merci!
"L'essential est invisible" always.
Sheryl
You have a blessed and glorious Easter Weekend!
votre amie,
Francoise.
C'est ton âme qui parle ici Michel, c'est merveilleuse quand on se sent que le temps a disparu. C'est en ce moment ou nous sommes en réunion avec l'unverse totale!
Bon weekend des Pâques 
.
Merci beaucoup pour tes mots gentils à propos de Minou... il est un ange! Nous allons le rendre visite une fois devant nous déménageons à ma vielle ville
Have a Blessed Easter Hun
Je ne sens aucun mal de vos expressions d'unité avec l'Esprit de Dieu / l'Esprit Universel. Je, aussi, sens quelquefois cette union de mon âme avec une connaissance que je suis sans âge et peu importe que je suis sur le plan spirituel sûr et gardé par Dieu.
Cette joie dont vous parlez remplit mon esprit quand je me tiens tranquille dans un endroit le fait de me rappeler je suis plus que ce corps de chair et d'os.
That was very touching Michel. I often wish that the United States had churches that old here. There is so much History, and mystery.
Thank you for your kind words on my website. I needed them!
~Ranah
Hi Michel: Wishing you and your family a very Happy Easter
Shirley
I have a deep appreciation of church Sanctuaries. Often the massive ones leave me in awe and sometimes even a calmness. I can understand your feelings.
I just came upon your entry, and I can honestly say it moved me. And I love pictures of old churches. Hope you have a great day!
- Nick
Love is an action, a thought, a verb, a healer, the list could go on and on as far as I am concerned. God is love so all is love, Judi
If you liked that one try this one for that big ole full moon outside ha
http://solosong.net/dino/amore/amore.html
Happy Easter to you and yours.
Love, Brenda
RYC: Non, ma soeur n'avait pas été habillée comme Josephine Baker, merci beaucoup!
C'est seulement moi et ma soeur qui étudient la langue française. Mes parents n'ont pas les oreilles pour les langues, et mon frère avait étudié l'allemand, mais il ne l'aimait pas. C'est possible que ma soeur a choisi le français parce qu'elle savait que je peux l'aider! Et aussi, ma famille est un peu français...le nom de mon grand-père maternel est "Lacroix." Mais simplement, j'adore cette langue!
Quand j'ai parlé de "Union," ça signifie le bâtiment dans le centre de la université. C'est grand, et une place où tous les étudiants peuvent réunir...il y a des magasins et des restaurants "fast food," et beaucoup d'ordinateurs. C'est plutôt pour les étudiants qui n'habitent pas sur campus, mais c'est pour tout le monde. Quand il y a les fêtes ou les compétitions, c'est dans le "Union." J'espère que c'est assez clair pour toi maintenant!
Joyeux Pâcques à toi aussi!
♥ Jenny
Oui, c'est un haïku.
Amitié
Stephen Andrew Kai Tai Lo
I do so hope you have enough choir members, Michel. I would give a lot to be there to see you direct and hear, if only partially, your choir. I will be thinking of you!!
I didn't have to water the flowers for it rained all day yesterday!!!!!
Have a blessed Easter, dear friend!
Love
Bev
Hope you have a special Easter, Judi
What a wonderful experience to have happen. Happy Easter
Angela
Such a beautiful post and beautiful pictures!! Thanks so much for sharing them!
Thank you also so much for your kind words at my Xanga! I really appreciate it!!
I hope you and your family have a very Happy Easter!!
(((Love & Hugs)))
I wish you and your family a Blessed Easter faith,hope,and love the greatest is love.
God Bless
CLICK HERE
Thank you for the comment! I'm actually planning to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy for college, after which I will be a commisioned officer. Hope you have a happy easter! - Nick
What a wonderful experience. There is something very powerful about experiencing God's presence and the peace that ensues.
Have a blessed Easter weekend!
Karen
Bonjour, Michel!
J'ai vu votre commentaire sur la xanga de symbolreader. J'aime votre blog. Si ça vous êtes bien egal, je voudrais m'abonne à vous. J'ai besoin de la m'exerce mon français. Il y a longtemps depuis je l'ai utilisé.
Bisous,
jen
Yes, Hannah is my very sweet 13-year-old friend who has a "speaking role" in our Easter "passion play." Poor thing had a difficult time last night but, if she's feeling better will go at it again tonight! We'll see how that goes! I haven't yet talked to her to see if she actually "lost consciousness" at all, or if she was just trying to avoid that very thing!
Origins of the name "Easter":
The name "Easter" originated with the names of an ancient Goddess and God. The Venerable Bede, (672-735 CE.) a Christian scholar, first asserted in his book De Ratione Temporum that Easter was named after Eostre (a.k.a. Eastre). She was the Great Mother Goddess of the Saxon people in Northern Europe. Similarly, the "Teutonic dawn goddess of fertility [was] known variously as Ostare, Ostara, Ostern, Eostra, Eostre, Eostur, Eastra, Eastur, Austron and Ausos." 1 Her name was derived from the ancient word for spring: "eastre." Similar Goddesses were known by other names in ancient cultures around the Mediterranean, and were celebrated in the springtime. Some were:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0>
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<TD vAlign=top width="100%">Aphrodite from ancient Cyprus
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<TD vAlign=top width="100%">Ashtoreth from ancient Israel
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<TD vAlign=top width="100%">Astarté from ancient Greece
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<TD vAlign=top width="100%">Demeter from Mycenae
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<TD vAlign=top width="100%">Hathor from ancient Egypt
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<TD vAlign=top width="100%">Ishtar from Assyria
<TR>
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<TD vAlign=top width="100%">Kali, from India
<TR>
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<TD vAlign=top width="100%">Ostara a Norse Goddess of fertility.
An alternative explanation has been suggested. The name given by the Frankish church to Jesus' resurrection festival included the Latin word "alba" which means "white." (This was a reference to the white robes that were worn during the festival.) "Alba" also has a second meaning: "sunrise." When the name of the festival was translated into German, the "sunrise" meaning was selected in error. This became "ostern" in German. Ostern has been proposed as the origin of the word "Easter". 2
There are two popular beliefs about the origin of the English word "Sunday."
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<TD vAlign=top width="100%">It is derived from the name of the Scandinavian sun Goddess Sunna (a.k.a. Sunne, Frau Sonne). 5,6
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<TD vAlign=top width="100%">It is derived from "Sol," the Roman God of the Sun." Their phrase "Dies Solis" means "day of the Sun." The Christian saint Jerome (d. 420) commented "If it is called the day of the sun by the pagans, we willingly accept this name, for on this day the Light of the world arose, on this day the Sun of Justice shone forth."
My Easter gift to you Michel Judi
Happy Easter
JESUS LOVES
Very nice.
~*Sazzy*~
I love your interpretation of te song, but the dirty is meant as sexy!
Re coucou !!
Pour la photo sur mon blog, oui, c'est bien moi à droite !!
Bon dimanche de pâques !!
Oups! ! j'ai oublié de signer mon message!! (rires)
- NaNa -
HAPPY EASTER!!!!
A hug,
lucy
HAPPY EASTER TO YOU AND YOURS
A religion has been in the mind of man not the spirit. So as the mind changes so do the religions but man has always worshipped all that is, Judi
j'adore les vieux bâtiments... et particulièrement, les églises! Merci de la photo!
what a cool blog.
That's a beautiful and very profound experience. Thank you for sharing it.
I hope you and your family had a wonderful Easter.
I left comments under your 2 previous posts, also.
It was a special personal time for you and God! love fancy
Hi Michel: Weee it's a long ways down to the comment box
Just stopping over to leave a 
and a big Hello. 
Shirley
Hi Michel: Yes, Tony will be an Architect with a master degree for teaching as a bonus, that's why he took this extra class. I don't know about Jessica as Interior Design is over run meaning there are far too many already but she is good. I think their careers go together. I don't know if their future together will mean marriage, I'll wait and see. I like her.
Shirley
Merci beaucoup, Michel! For the Easter wishes, and the nice compliment! Was Matisse a French artist? I love his work.
What a wonderful church. And I understand the feelings you are talking about in the church. I don't get those kinds of emotions from churches here.... but I feel all kinds of things when I travel to Europe and visit the cathedrals. It must be something about how old they are and the people that have passed through their doors. These people have maybe left a bit of themselves behind for us..... for us to touch, to experience and to learn from. Hope you are having a great week. Blessings, kc
Coucou Michel...Comment ca va?J'espere que vous avez passe de bonnes Paques
Mimi
Oh YES* you slipped out of Time and Soared with Your Soul..mmm Thanks for sharing such a wonderful experience whatever words we use to corrale it*((Wings with a Hug))
Good Morning and hope you have a blessed day
Michel, this is a beautiful secret you have shared! This too happened to me one time in church, in fact when I was being baptized at age 19. I understand what you mean. I am so happy that you had this experience. It is a very special blessing.
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