An evening with Jacques Fesch - another Good Thief?

About This Event

The Archdiocese invites everyone to a special evening exploring the extraordinary conversion story of Jacques Fesch, on Thursday 1 October at St George's Cathedral (Amigo Hall). Fesch, a young Frenchman executed in 1957 for the murder of a police officer, underwent a profound conversion to faith during his imprisonment - a journey from murder to mercy that has since become a powerful witness to the transformative power of grace. Archbishop John Wilson will give an introduction and reflection, followed by a talk from Fr Rupert Allen CO, author of a book on Fesch's life and conversion. The evening runs from 6.30pm for a 7pm start, concluding at 9pm. Refreshments will be available, and all are welcome to attend. Jacques Fesch (1930 to 1957) was a Frenchman whose dramatic conversion to a living Catholicism is inspirational. At the age of twenty-four, he attempted a robbery to finance the purchase of a sailing boat. During the failed robbery, he shot and killed a police officer. Arrested, tried, and sentenced to death, Fesch underwent a profound spiritual transformation while in prison. Through prayer, the Sacraments, reading Scripture, and correspondence with family and spiritual advisers, he came to a deep faith in Christ and expressed sincere repentance for his crime. Executed by guillotine in 1957, he is remembered as a powerful witness to God's mercy and conversion. Archbishop John Wilson has long been interested in Jacques Fesch and has preached and written about his life. Fr Rupert Allen CO has recently translated Jacques Fesch’s death row journal into English for the first time, with a commentary, entitled I Wait in the Night: The Death Row Journal of Jacques Fesch(Our Sunday Visitor, 2025).

Event Details

RSVP & Registration