Simone Weil
1909-1943 20th century
Pure attention as the very form of prayer, and solidarity with the affliction of others.
Who was Simone Weil?
A French philosopher of Jewish origin, she taught before choosing to share the condition of factory workers, then briefly joined the Spanish Civil War. From 1938 a series of inner experiences drew her toward Christ, though she never accepted baptism, out of fidelity to those outside. She died in exile in London in 1943, exhausted, having refused to eat more than her occupied compatriots.
In their own words
Absolutely unmixed attention is prayer.
Christ likes us to prefer truth to him, because before being Christ he is truth. If one turns aside from him to go toward the truth, one will not go far before falling into his arms.
The fullness of the love of neighbour is simply being able to ask: 'What are you going through?'