Father Finet's visit to Châteauneuf, the 10th February 1936

From Father Finet's account of his first meeting with Marthe Robin.

For more than an hour Marthe and Father Finet spoke of the Holy Virgin. He was very much struck at hearing Marthe explain points of Marian theology which he had himself developed in his Marian conferences at the Cenacle and which he had discovered more by prayer than in books. It's in this way that they spoke of Mary's role of intercession at Gethsemany. Little by little they were led by the Holy Virgin to speak of France. Marthe was filled with joy on seeing that the priest sent by the Good Lord loved the Holy Virgin and was very appeased by this, as if confirmed in the choice of the Good Lord...

Marthe then spoke of the Church and of her love for the Holy Father, Pope Pius XI whom we weren't to keep much longer. The Lord seemed already to be preparing his successor who would be Cardinal Pacelli. Pius XI had accomplished a beautiful mission, but his successor would accomplish an even more beautiful one.

During the last hour of the visit Marthe spoke to Father Finet of the work of the Foyers of Charity in broad terms, telling him even that the Lord would enlighten us with regards to the work little by little and progressively. All the same it would start this very year, at the centre of the school of Châteauneuf where God wanted it, by the preaching of a retreat. This retreat would be like the opening of the Foyer. The retreats would last five days, in complete silence, because three days is not long enough for the formation of souls, and because that is what the Holy Virgin desires.

In this first visit a very great intimacy of soul was established between Marthe Robin and Father Finet. She had the very clear impression of having at last fully answered the insistant will of the Good Lord.