Victor Lebufle
Victor Lebufle was a young dock worker from the port city of Havre who died at only twenty years of age. He lived alone with his mother, who ran a small poor shop, and he devoted himself completely to caring for and supporting her through his hard physical labor.
Despite working in an environment filled with drinking, vice, and bad influences, Victor avoided the excesses common among many workers around him. He never wasted money in taverns or selfish pleasures because every coin he earned was dedicated to helping his mother. During all his free time, he assisted her and tried to spare her as much labor as possible.
Long before his death, Victor knew he suffered from a fatal illness. Yet he hid his pain from his mother because he feared she would become distressed and try to do the heavy work he normally did for her. His strength of character, self-control, and purity of life deeply impressed everyone who knew him.
The night before Victor died, he persuaded his exhausted mother to rest. During her brief sleep, she saw herself inside the dark hold of a great ship. Then a tiny point of light appeared, grew brighter and brighter, and filled the whole hold with magnificent radiance. In the middle of that light, she saw her son, beautiful, happy, transformed, and rising upward through the air.
She immediately understood the vision as a sign that his death was near. The next day, Victor peacefully passed away while praying.
A Spiritist family who admired Victor’s life and felt compassion for his now lonely mother intended to evoke him after his death. But before they could do so, Victor communicated spontaneously.
The medium’s hand begins writing...
Victor LebufleYou wish to know how I now find myself.
Victor LebufleI'm happy.
Victor LebufleOh... wonderfully happy.
Victor LebufleYou should not think suffering and hardship are things to be regretted.
Victor LebufleThey are the source of blessings and happiness beyond the grave.
Victor LebufleHappiness...
Victor LebufleYou can't yet understand what that word truly means.
Victor LebufleEarthly happiness is nothing compared with what we experience here.
Victor LebufleWhat joy it is to return toward the Master with a clear conscience...
Victor LebufleWith the confidence of a servant who faithfully fulfilled his duty...
Victor LebufleAnd who joyfully awaits the approval of the One who is everything.
Victor LebufleOh friends... life on Earth is painful and difficult if you don't look beyond its end.
Victor LebufleBut I tell you truthfully...
Victor LebufleWhen you come among us, if you have lived according to God’s law, you will receive far more than your sufferings could ever deserve.
Victor LebufleBe kind.
Victor LebufleBe charitable.
Victor LebuflePractice the kind of charity too rare on Earth...
Victor LebufleThe charity called true benevolence.
Victor LebufleHelp your fellow beings.
Victor LebufleDo even more for them than you would wish others to do for you.
Victor LebufleYou know your own sufferings...
Victor LebufleBut you don't know the silent suffering hidden within the hearts of others.
Victor LebufleBe kind to my mother...
Victor LebufleMy poor mother...
Victor LebufleShe is my only sorrow in leaving the Earth behind.
Victor LebufleShe still has more trials to endure.
Victor LebufleShe must continue advancing toward Heaven.
Victor LebufleFarewell.
Victor LebufleI'm now going to her.
After Victor’s communication, another spirit — identified as the Mediums’ Guide — gave additional explanations concerning the meaning of Victor’s life on Earth and suffering.
The medium’s hand begins writing...
Mediums’ GuideThe sufferings endured during life on Earth are not always punishments.
Mediums’ GuideSome spirits voluntarily accept suffering as part of a mission entrusted to them by God.
Mediums’ GuideSuch was the case with the spirit who has just communicated with you.
Mediums’ GuideDuring sleep, such spirits temporarily return to the spiritual presence of God in order to regain strength.
Mediums’ GuideThrough this, they receive the power needed to endure all things for the glory of God.
Mediums’ GuideThe mission of this spirit during his final life on Earth was not outwardly brilliant.
Mediums’ GuideBut precisely because it was humble and hidden, it was all the more meritorious.
Mediums’ GuideNothing in his situation appealed to pride or vanity in order to support his courage.
Mediums’ GuideFirst, he had duties to fulfill toward the spirit who was his mother.
Mediums’ GuideSecond, he needed to demonstrate that even within the worst surroundings, souls can remain pure and filled with noble and elevated feelings.
Mediums’ GuideHe also demonstrated that a firm and determined will can resist every temptation toward evil.
Mediums’ GuideSuch a life proves that a person’s moral qualities come from causes existing before the present life on Earth.
Mediums’ GuideAnd the example given by the spirit with whom you have just communicated won't be without effect upon others.