Gabrielle Bossis - Jesus’ Intimacy with Souls

To describe who the modern mystic Gabrielle Bossis is, perhaps it will be helpful to compare her to her French contemporary Therese Martin (The Little Flower). Born within a year of each other in western France, both Gabrielle and Therese had a well provided for childhood marked by an early-blossoming prayer life and relationship with the Lord. There is a beautiful counterpoint in comparing these two holy women’s lives considering they are very different from each other. Therese found her call to holiness through religious life in the Discalced Carmelite order–on the other hand, Gabrielle lived as a single lay woman her whole life. While Therese lived only for twenty four years, Gabrielle lived until her mid-seventies, and her interior mystical dialogue with Jesus began not until her sixties. Despite all these differences, both Therese and Gabrielle both witness to the high holiness found in ordinary life.

Gabrielle Bossis spent her years on earth doing things that are quite “unextraordinary.” Her occupation was a playwright, but her daily life consisted of traveling, cleaning, socializing, working, etc. Jesus showed her, through short intimations, just how high He desired her to go in the spiritual life. He insists again and again to her that He demands nothing less than everything:

“My child, don’t lose a single minute. Time is short for saving so many souls. It is not merely by praying that they are saved, you know, but through the actions of even the most ordinary lives lived for God. Offer me everything. Absolutely everything, united to My life on earth. What wealth! Give it to poor sinners, most of them are just ignorant.  You have known and received so much. Take pains to help them. You will comfort this heart of mine so full of tenderness, and you will satisfy justice. Offer me all the crosses of the world” (p.159-160).

Gabrielle Bossis’ diary of the Lord’s messages is titled He and I, and can be purchased through Pauline Books and Media as well as other outlets. The overriding theme throughout the book is the intimacy in which Jesus wants to be addressed throughout life. The excerpts we provided below are to help familiarize you with Gabrielle’s transformative message for these modern times.

“Talk to Me…”

April 18, 1937 – At the theater.
“Why do you talk to Me as though I were so far away? I’m very near…in your heart.”

May 28, 1937
“Don’t be afraid to enjoy me. You see this little insect darting straight into the sky? You do the same. Learn to look and you will learn to see Me, your Creator.”

June 26, 1937
“Is it because I’m God that you think I have no need of tenderness? Do you think I remain silent with those who want to talk to Me? Talk with Me…”

August 25, 1937 – On the terrace.
“Keep Me company. I am your intimate One. When you read, don’t be with the author of the book. Be with Me. I admit no rivals.”

June 22, 1939 – In the country.
“Be very simple with me. You know how people act en famille. They kiss each other affectionately morning and evening and this is perfectly natural. And sometimes during the day some word or gift makes them exchange a loving look. There are outpourings of tenderness! Oh, if only I were allowed to be one of the family!...”

March 1 – La Fresne. Holy Hour.
“Little soul, let it be very simple for you to believe that I love you more than you have ever been loved. Come to this wellspring of My love; come, draw living waters of constant union and levitating joy.

“Ponder these words: He and I. Live them. I and you: I in you. So often you imprison Me in your hearts by the two bars of the sign of the cross, and in the tabernacle of the Eucharist. Where else would I prolong My life on earth if not in the hearts of men, at least in the hearts of those who open them to Me. They called Me. They called Me night and day. And I came. And I made My home with them.”

Silence

October 24, 1936 – Montreal. (In such a gentle voice)
“When you don’t go deep into the inner stillness you deprive Me.”

July 10, 1937
“Don’t aim at saying an exact number of wordy prayers. Just love Me simply. A look of your heart. The tender smile of a friend.”

October 2, 1947 – I knew He was very near
“Keep Me in mind. Imitate Me. Reflect Me, more by your actions than your words. Oh, the beautiful silence of those who act! You remember My hidden life, and the life of my parents? And the influence we had on all around us? Yet everything went on in a quiet way. Act…and more often than not, keep silence. The power for this is in Me; take it. I am ready to give you everything you need if you ask Me.

“Be My grace for everyone…”

March 10, 1937 – Crossing the Saint Nicolas, Nantes.
“I am no longer on earth, so take My place.”

May 19, 1937 – Paris. In the “metro.”
“I am the Host. You are the monstrance. The golden rays are the blessings I give through you.”

May 25, 1937 – Rennes, in the train.
“Why should you create solitude for yourself if I want you before the public? (then tenderly): My beloved little child, take Me, take Me to others. Be Christlike.”

February 17, 2022 – La Fresne church
“Get used to spending hours in love, walking with love, resting for love. And at last, you will come to death and it will be for love that you will die. Prove your love for Me by the help you give your neighbor, keeping in mind that your neighbor is Myself and that your neighbor takes up more than half of life. My darling child, try at last to understand love a little better.”

January 30, 1947 – Holy Hour.
“What would be simplest for you would be to incarnate My goodness. In a single day you have so many opportunities to do this by your actions, your gestures, your words. Give birth to Me again. Every evening review your day to see if you have given Me life again by you. I’ll add My charm to all you do and there again we’ll be one. You can never know how deeply I desire this. Above all you cannot grasp it. You know all about the Redemption and the Passion, but can you understand the love of your God – the feeling of this heart? Its intense desire is beyond your power to comprehend.”

Order He and I by clicking here.