Sewn Memorial

From the Pensées, what is called the Memorial, detailing the conversion of Blaise Pascal (1623-62). At his death it was found sewn into his clothing. At all times he carried with him the reminder of his Redeemer.

The year of grace 1654

Monday, 23 November, feast of Saint Clement, Pope and Martyr, and of others in the Martyrology.

Eve of Saint Chrysogonus, Martyr and others.

From about half past ten in the evening until half past midnight.

Fire

'God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob,'¹ not of philosophers and scholars.

Certainty, certainty, heartfelt, joy, peace.

God of Jesus Christ.

God of Jesus Christ.

My God and your God.²

'Thy God shall be my God.'³

The world forgotten, and everything except God.

He can only be found by the ways taught in the Gospels.

Greatness of the human soul.

'O righteous Father, the world had not known thee, but I have known thee.'⁴

Joy, joy, joy, tears of joy.

I have cut myself off from him.

They have forsaken me, the fountaion of living waters.⁵

'My God wilt thou forsake me?'⁶

Let me not be cut off from him for ever!

'And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou has sent.'⁷

Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ.

I have cut myself off from him, shunned him, denied him, crucified him.

Let me never be cut off from him!

He can only be kept by the ways taught in the Gospel.

Sweet and total renunciation.

Total submission to Jesus Christ and my director.

Everlasting joy in return for one day's effort on earth.

I will not forget thy word.⁸ Amen.

¹ Exo. 3:6 - ² John 20:17 - ³ Ruth 1:16 - ⁴ John 17:25 - ⁵ Jer. 2:13 - ⁶ Matt 27:46 - ⁷ John 17:3 - ⁸ Ps. 119:16