RLR Interview with Jim Valois: The Inspiring Story of Charlene Marie Richard

Jim Valois holds a B.A. in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville. His articles and book reviews have been featured in The Wanderer Newspaper, Soul Magazine (World Apostolate of Fatima, USA), and Catholic Life Magazine. He is the author of Our Lady's Prophecies and reverted to the Catholic faith from Evangelicalism while studying at Franciscan University. Jim is a husband and father of two adult children. He has worked in business and previously served in youth ministry in both teaching and administrative roles.

In this discussion, Jim shares the inspiring story of Charlene Marie Richard, a young Cajun Catholic farm girl who died over 60 years ago at the age of 12 after a painful battle with leukemia. Charlene was known for her bright, generous and exuberant spirit. Even in her suffering, she served God by offering up her pain to help others—a practice known as redemptive suffering. Many believe she is a saint, with over 1,600 testimonials of miracles attributed to her intercession. Jim highlights how saints and holy people have historically offered their suffering to God for the redemption of others. He adds, "We may not always feel like we can offer up every single time we experience a suffering, but even if we could do it some of the time....direct it and offer it and give it to God and let him do what He can do with it." 

Jim Valois books can be found here: https://catholicexchange.com/author/jim-valois/