(by Roland Bonenfant, OFM, and Guylain Prince, OFM)
Small miracles happen at any age! Michel Boyer, guardian of our Franciscan community in Trois-Rivières, has lived as long as possible without a computer. Ten years ago, with great reluctance, he understood that it was inevitable. Now, after more than two years of the pandemic, he is most grateful! Like most of us, he has discovered how useful videoconferencing can be.
Software such as Zoom (or equivalent) is used in a way that is totally original – and certainly not envisaged by the designers: to meditate, not alone, but with others. Michel entered the tradition of Christian Meditation more than 40 years ago thanks to a Benedictine monk from Montreal: John Main. He has been a part of this trend, mostly made up of lay people, from its very beginnings until it became an international movement present in more than a hundred countries. Now at home with Zoom and his computer, he accompanies more than a hundred meditators in Mauricie, Centre-du-Québec, and all of French-speaking Canada.
The circumstances, sometimes difficult, bring out the creativity of those who spread the Word of God. Of course, on a personal basis, he also remains faithful to his own times of silent prayer and intimacy with the Lord (2 x 30 minutes per day).
