At the age of 76, Father Jean-Pierre Mourier is today an auxiliary priest for the Saint-Joseph en Velay parish complex in Sainte-Sigolène. A native of the country and originally from Monistrol-sur-Loire, he celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination this year. We spent a day with him.
In 1974, young Jean-Pierre experienced a high point in his life. After his years at the Seminary, the native of Monistrol-sur-Loire was ordained a priest. Five decades later, Father Mourier is 76 years old. He lives in Sainte-Sigolène, in a house in the town center which belongs to the diocese. After 49 years of good and loyal service, he is now retired… Or almost. Auxiliary priest within the Saint-Joseph en Velay parish complex and for the parishes of Tence-Dunières, he says he remains “in the service” and “in support” of the Church, even if he has a little more free time, retirement required.Father Mourier prepares before giving mass in the church of Sainte-Sigolène.
This Thursday in November, Father Mourier spent the morning at his home. Exceptionally, the mass did not take place at the start of the day. It takes place at 2 p.m., at the request of the Sainte-Sigolène seniors club. And he's the one in charge. Retired, but still active, the priest today has a very different daily life. “We never really stop in the end,” smiles the septuagenarian. Because, despite a well-deserved rest, he continues to perform certain masses and other celebrations within the parish. “I don't have a typical day, apart from weekends when the mass schedule is the same. With my special status, I always face a lot of unexpected events! There is diversity! »
“Called” and “sent”
Before settling in Sainte-Sigolène in September 2023, when retirement time came, the priest underwent various assignments in Haute-Loire, Paris and elsewhere. “I would summarize my journey in two words: “called” and “sent”. » In 1974, the young priest was sent to Sainte-Florine, in the northwest of the department. He stayed there for 13 years. Subsequently, Father Mourier was “called” by the Catholic Youth Workers (JOC) and became the movement’s national chaplain. He then settled in Paris, in the 5th arrondissement. In the mining area, as vicar, he organized masses and various celebrations. As national chaplain of the JOC, he spiritually accompanies the movement and travels across France to meet numerous religious and lay people for training sessions. “I took the metro every morning! »Now retired, Father Mourier has more time for himself and his reading.
But the good air of Haute-Loire was missing in Monistrolien. After four years in the capital, in 1991, Father Mourier returned to his native territory and became vicar of the parish of Saint-Didier-en-Velay and Saint-Just-Malmont. During these seven years, he also spent a lot of time in Séauve-sur-Sémène. During the same period, the priest accompanied young seminarians in the Rhône-Alpes region. “Support in the human, spiritual and training in general,” explains Father Mourier. In 1998, he became parish priest of Saint-Didier and Séauve. This is the first time that the two bell towers are united. Four years later, he became a guide and trainer at the Prado International Seminar in Lyon. Three years of happiness for the septuagenarian, always invested in the spiritual accompaniment of dozens of young people from the four corners of the globe. “It was a special stage, I participated in the discernment (moment when the members of the Seminary choose their path, Editor’s note). I was very involved in the French Prado. »
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Father Mourier giving the host at the end of mass at Sainte-Sigolène.
In 2005, he returned permanently to Haute-Loire. Priest of the bell tower of Saint-Maurice-de-Lignon and chaplain of the lay apostolate at the Maison de la Providence in Puy-en-Velay, he managed the movements of the local Church in the name of the bishop for eight years. He was then sent back to where it all began years earlier, in the mining area, as parish priest of Sainte-Florine and Brassac-les-Mines, in the diocese of Clermont-Ferrand. And in 2018, his mother fell seriously ill. Throughout his life as a priest, Father Mourier responded to the various “calls” of the Church. But this time, he asked the bishop if he could come closer to Monistrol-sur-Loire so that he could be at his bedside. His request was accepted by the Diocese and he settled down in Vorey-sur-Arzon. Parish priest, he has 13 bell towers under his responsibility. This was his last assignment before slowing down in the summer of 2023.
I have moved around a lot in 49 years of life as a priest. Most colleagues stay in post longer. This was not my case, I always responded to “calls”. My life has been shaped by movement.
Today, Father Mourier has slowed down. He allows himself free time that he rarely allowed himself in his life as a priest, chaplain or parish priest. “I have a lot more time to read and devote myself to prayer. I was lucky during all these years, because I discovered new horizons and I trained a lot in theology or by studying the Bible. The meetings also helped me enormously. Working with young people has always brought dynamism to my life and my daily life. »With less busy days, Father Mourier takes the time to cook good meals.
Humility, discretion, service… Father Mourier was forged with the values instilled by his family, but also in his faith. “I prefer the style of a Church that is close to people rather than one that teaches. We have much to receive. And the Church has everything to gain from this notion of “giving and receiving”. » A motto which has followed the Monistrolien throughout his life and which continues to drive him. Since he has a little more time for himself, he has participated in discussion groups and is also involved locally, notably with the Secours catholique de Sainte-Sigolène branch which he is trying to revive with the support of lay people and parishioners. “Books and prayers are part of my daily life as a retiree, but there is also cooking and housekeeping,” smiles the priest.The mass was given in the presence of members of the Sainte-Sigolène seniors club.
On Sundays, he takes care of mass in the bell towers of the parish complex of Tence and Dunières. Two or three times a week, he goes to meet the parishioners of Montfaucon and Dunières. Once a month, it is at the church of Sainte-Sigolène that Father Mourier puts on his tunic. Like that Thursday, when we met him at his home before exceptionally giving mass to the members of the seniors club. “My two colleagues are absent, so I take care of them with joy. »
From the height of his 76 years, the Monistrolian is still animated by the same faith as during his ordination in 1974. “Thanks to my various missions and my life as a priest, I have had the opportunity to have many “free” meetings. ”. These people spoke of their joys or their sorrows and there are inevitably strong moments that remain in my memory. » Like this thirty-year-old who contacted him again 13 years after their last exchange, or this mother who asked him to accompany her, because she wanted to be baptized.A day with Father Mourier, auxiliary priest in Haute-Loire.
“I was in contact with a lot of people thanks to the Prado and the Catholic Worker Youth. I was really lucky. I never imagined living this life, all these encounters have built and enriched me. It allowed me to open up. I have now reduced the sail, but I live it well. This allows me to have more time to live with people,” concludes Father Jean-Pierre Mourier.
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Text and photos Nathan Marliac
