The Mass

Approximately 40 bishops joined the Eucharistic celebration in the Domitilla catacombs on 16 November 1965.

The principal celebrant was Bishop Charles-Marie Himmer, a key figure in convening and animating the Jesus Christ and the Church of the Poor group at Vatican II.

Bishop Himmer was an early JOC chaplain in the Diocese of Namur, becoming director of Catholic Action for the diocese.

He became bishop of Tournai near the French border, a major coal mining area at the time.

A close friend and collaborator of Cardijn, he often used to say « J’ai pratiqué à plein la méthode de Cardijn : voir, juger, agir. J’y suis resté fidèle, et j’y crois toujours ». I fully practised the method of Cardijn: see, judge, act. I stayed faithful to it and I still believe in it.”

Bishop Charles-Marie Himmer

SOURCE

Charles-Marie Himmer (Joseph Cardijn Digital Library)