Born in 1894 in Le Gua, southern France, Henri Grialou grew up in a poor mining family marked by hardship and strong Christian faith. After his father’s sudden death, he received free education and later entered the seminary at Rodez. His studies were interrupted by the First World War, during which he served for five years in major battles. Returning to the seminary in 1919, he firmly resolved to become a priest.In 1920, while reading the life of John of the Cross, he experienced a profound call to enter Carmel despite strong opposition from others, including his own mother. Ordained a priest in 1922, he joined the Discalced Carmelites and took the name Marie-Eugene of the Child Jesus.

 

Fr Marie-Eugene became a renowned preacher, spiritual director, and leader within the Carmelite Order, contributing greatly to the renewal of the Church in France. Together with Marie Pila and companions, he founded the spiritual family Notre-Dame de Vie. In 1954, while visiting the Carmelite foundation in Jaro, Iloilo City, he met Fr John Mary Chin (our founder) and expressed the wish of the Superiors General to re-establish the Carmelite Order in mainland China after its last missionary presence there in 1951. Despite declining health in later years, he continued guiding souls in the spiritual life until his death in 1967.