Memory of P. Jacques de Jésus: Light of Hope in dark times

Memory of P. Jacques de Jésus: Light of Hope in dark times

On May 30, 2025, in Linz, P. Jacques de Jésus is reminded of in Linz, a French Carmelite who became unforgettable for others during the Second World War. P. Jacques, born as Lucien Bunel in 1900 in Normandy, was the director of a religious school in Avon, near Paris. In 1943, he took three Jewish children to his boarding school under false name to protect them from the upcoming deportation. However, his brave action led to his arrest by the Gestapo and the children were deported to Auschwitz. While he was brought to the Royallieu concentration camp and later to the Gusen concentration camp, P. Jacques was a light of hope for many prisoners. [Dioezese-Linz] (https://www.dioezese-linz.at/news/2025/30/p.-jacques-de-glicht-der-hoffnung-in-hoelle-des-gusen-i reports that he organized clothing and mealing there and pastoral care.

The cruel reality of the camp was a constant challenge for P. Jacques. Despite the brutality that surrounded him, he tried not to be influenced by the darkness of the camp. In secret celebrations of the Eucharist and in losing weight, he found a way to secretly continue his priestly service. In April 1945, P. Jacques fell ill with pulmonary tuberculosis, but did not prevent it from being stopped and helped his fellow prisoners. After the liberation of the camp by American troops in May 1945, he was brought seriously ill to the Elisabethinen hospital in Linz, where he died on June 2, 1945

honor and commemoration

his victim and his courage were not forgotten. In 1985 P. Jacques de Jésus was recognized by Israel as one of the righteous among the peoples. In addition, the Catholic Church was opened in 1990. His life story inspired the French director Louis Malle for the film "Au Revoir Les Enfants", which reminds of the events that P. Jacques witnessed.

On June 2, 2025, a memorial event will take place in the Church of the Carmelites in Linz on the occasion of its 80th death. At 5:30 p.m. Bishop Manfred Scheuer will celebrate a Holy Mass. Afterwards, at 6.30 p.m., a documentary about P. Jacques' life is shown in the crypt. The evening is completed with the possibility of exchange and deepening by P. Paul Weingartner at 7.30 p.m.

The event takes place in the Carmelite Church and the crypt, Landstrasse 33, 4020 Linz. People are invited to honor the memory of a man whose noble action brought light and hope in a time of darkness. Wikipedia also emphasizes that P. Jacques was not only an active member of the French resistance, but also acted as a moral support for his fellow prisoners during his time.