Selfless support
As we visit Fournier’s rooms on the day of our interview, although there is not much space, the vestiges of a lifetime’s missionary work, keepsakes, old photos, old radios, and so on are spread throughout the study, already quite small enough. As we enter the bedroom, apart from the narrow single bed, at the side we see a small washroom and toilet. Frankly, the space is cramped, but he endures hardship gladly. We listen to church members beside us discussing the priest’s belt and how, for decades, kept repairing it rather than buy a new one. Also, many of the tables and chairs in the church are recycled.
“Don’t forget the way back home.” This is an admonition with which Fournier often exhorts church members. He never forces his religion on people, but appeals to his neighbors through the example of daily life.
Fournier fears that this kind of simple and unadorned missionary style, also displayed in the ceremony of the mass, may not be understood by indigenous church members when the gospel is delivered in Chinese, so he has someone stand next to him to repeat it in the Amis language, enabling all those who attend the mass to receive and share in God’s love.
If a church member is ill or passes away, Fournier will go to the family members’ homes every day to deliver mass. Accompanying them in mass and prayers in this way truly touches the relatives. “Without Jesus, there is no escape. When somebody dies or is taken ill and we go to pray, it is in order quickly to bring them God’s love. In this way they will surely come to happiness.” Because of God, Fournier’s desire to care for the poor or sick never rests.