Abbe Michel Quoist was born 10th June 1918 at Le Havre France
Michel Quoist lived for four years in one of the poorest parts of the city. As a parish priest, he worked as
chaplain to various youth clubs in and around Le Havre. Although he has received many acedemic honuors
his real care is still for the poor and the young. Many of his published prayers tell God exactly how how is feeling
and help to work out - for him and his readers - attitudes and reactions to some of life's big problems.
Green Blackboards
The school is up to date.
Proudly, the Principle tells of all the improvements.
The finest discovery, Lord, is the green blackboard.
The scientists have studied long, they have made experiments;
We now know that green is the ideal colour, that it doesn't tire the
eyes, that it is quiet and relaxing.
It has occured to me Lord that you didn't wait so long to paint
the trees and the meadows green.
Your research laboratories were efficient, and in order not to tire
us, you perfected a number of shades of green for your modern
meadows.
And so the 'finds' of men consist in discovering what you have known
from time immemorial.
Thank you, Lord, for being the good Father who gives his
children the joy of discocering by themselves the treasures
of his intelligence and love.
But keep us from believing that - by ourselves - we have invented
anything at all.
From 'Prayers of Life' by Michel Quoist
Michel Quoist lived for four years in one of the poorest parts of the city. As a parish priest, he worked as
chaplain to various youth clubs in and around Le Havre. Although he has received many acedemic honuors
his real care is still for the poor and the young. Many of his published prayers tell God exactly how how is feeling
and help to work out - for him and his readers - attitudes and reactions to some of life's big problems.
Green Blackboards
The school is up to date.
Proudly, the Principle tells of all the improvements.
The finest discovery, Lord, is the green blackboard.
The scientists have studied long, they have made experiments;
We now know that green is the ideal colour, that it doesn't tire the
eyes, that it is quiet and relaxing.
It has occured to me Lord that you didn't wait so long to paint
the trees and the meadows green.
Your research laboratories were efficient, and in order not to tire
us, you perfected a number of shades of green for your modern
meadows.
And so the 'finds' of men consist in discovering what you have known
from time immemorial.
Thank you, Lord, for being the good Father who gives his
children the joy of discocering by themselves the treasures
of his intelligence and love.
But keep us from believing that - by ourselves - we have invented
anything at all.
From 'Prayers of Life' by Michel Quoist
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