Brother Alban Cyr, from the Mother House of La Prairie, in Quebec:
“As soon as he found a free moment in his day, he who was a bit of a Nurse attentive to Our Ailments of all kinds, he went Gently and Calmly to his Workshop.
What was he doing?
With Patience, Delicacy and Precision, he would build Replicas of Trucks, Planes, Boats and Buildings of all kinds using Matchsticks (without Sulphur!) and Glue.
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For about Two Decades, Bro Alban worked with Heart and Soul at the Provincial Infirmary before it was transferred to Laval. He led the Prayers of Our Elderly Brothers, Recited the Rosary with them, organized the Daily Mass, participated in their Meals, responded to their Personal Needs, etc.
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Despite that Demanding Task, he was able to sacrifice Leisure Time in order to devote a few hours Daily to the construction of various Projects. What Beautiful Masterpieces of Patience and Meticulousness he had executed over the last 15 years, from a Simple Photo, a Model or his own Imagination! We had more than 35 Construction Models exhibited here and there in Our large Mother House.
Rebuilder of Notre-Dame de Paris !!!!
On average, Each Matchstick Replica took about Three Months to complete.
The Taj Mahal took about Eight Months to build, while Notre-Dame de Paris took Nine Months to build: the latter was made of 8,000 to 9,000 Small Matchsticks, carefully cut and Meticulously Glued in place.
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Congratulations, Brother Alban, for your Excellent Work of Patience and Love that the Brothers, the Students of the Collège Jean de la Mennais and the Visitors admire with Joy and Wonder. May the Lord Bless your Mission among us!
Testimony of Brother Charles Desjarlais