« How shall I render to the Lord all the good he has done for me? »
Reflecting again on the prayer of consecration during diaconal ordination, a word resonated in a very special way in my heart: « May they be filled with sincere charity, may they care for the sick and the poor »; indeed, diákonos means servant. And as I think about my diaconate, I wondered if I was truly « caring for the sick and the poor ».
A few weeks ago, with the young people of ECYD in Bordeaux, we went to visit and give Christmas gifts to elderly people. The testimony of a lady touched me deeply. She had just arrived at the « seniors’ club » located right in front of the church, and despite her desire to attend the Christmas Mass, she was unable to participate. She is 87 years old, blind, and still cares for her disabled daughter. We talked with her for a good while, and the next day I brought her communion. She insisted on kneeling. Receiving Jesus, she said out loud, with touching innocence and simplicity: « Oh, that feels so good… Oh, that feels so good! Thank you! »: a faith that moves mountains, a faith that made me feel so small. Since then, I have visited her several times and bring her communion on Sundays. Among many other experiences, the diaconate has helped me realize that the priest, through the words of the Curé d’Ars, « is the love of the Heart of Jesus ».
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Father George de La Cotardière was born in Versailles on June 14, 1989. He has six brothers and one sister. It was during ECYD weekends in 2001 and 2002 in Rennes that he first encountered Regnum Christi and the Legionaries of Christ. Enrolled at the Apostolic School of Méry-sur-Marne from 2003 to 2007 until obtaining his baccalaureate, he then entered the novitiate in Ireland (2007-2009) and later studied his classical humanities in the United States in 2009-2010. Two apostolic internships brought him back to France: from 2010 to 2012 at the School of Méry-sur-Marne, then in 2012-2013 within ECYD. He then continued his studies in Rome: philosophy from 2013 to 2016, then theology in 2016-2017. From 2017 to 2019, Brother George paused his studies to work in youth ministry at the University of Anáhuac in Mexico. He returned to Rome in 2019 to complete his theology studies. Currently, Fr. George is responsible for ECYD (youth ministry of Regnum Christi) in Bordeaux.
After these long years of formation towards the priesthood, the words of the psalmist resonate in a special way in his heart: « How shall I render to the Lord all the good he has done for me? I will lift up the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord.» (Ps 115)
