Louis Cattiaux (1904 – 1953) corresponded with Serge Lebbal (1931 – 1955)
Son of an Algerian immigrant, Serge Lebbal was somewhat the son that Louis Cattiaux never had. Serge had discovered the first edition of The Message Rediscover in a library. Practically ignorant, he sought to educate himself… So he went to see the author.
A keen observer of the human soul, Louis Cattiaux quickly sensed that this boy’s mind was still untouched by any preconceived ideas and that it was inhabited by an inner fire. He was thirsty for knowledge. After testing him, Louis Cattiaux took him under his wing. He taught him to read and write correctly. He recommended books, taught him to pay attention to the edition and the author, and then sent him to second-hand bookshops to look for old treatises on alchemy. Serge became unbeatable at finding rare books. He liked to present himself as the bookseller of the Sun King. Since he had no religious training, Louis Cattiaux advised him to choose a religion, either the Muslim one, that of his country of origin, or the Christian one, that of his host country. He opted for Christianity and was baptized.
In Serge Lebbal’s circle, life was not always easy. They lived off makeshift means. His mother was a «maker of angels» as they called her, and went by the name Madame Chimka; «seer and occultist from the East» could be read on her business card. Since Serge was not earning a living, his relatives tried to push him to take on manual jobs, but being asthmatic, he would tire very quickly.
The young man often visited Cattiaux in his workshop on Casimir Périer Street. Monday was his visiting day. He would settle in and watch the painter work, ask questions of his master and friend, and remain in awe of the majestic virgins that were born under the caress of his brushes. Henriette Cattiaux liked this candid young man and always welcomed him kindly.
One day, by a happy coincidence, Serge Lebbal met Charles d’Hooghvorst in a Parisian bookstore. As they were both looking for the same kind of books, they went for a coffee to discuss. Thus, little by little, the young Algerian became friends with the d’Hooghvorst brothers and the entire Belgian family that Cattiaux also frequented. He then made short stays in Belgium with some and in Catalonia with others, in the countryside, to regain his health. He maintained regular correspondence with all of them.
A few years after the passing of Louis Cattiaux, his poor health took its toll. An asthma attack overcame his determination to study the Scriptures. He was only twenty-four years old, but already had a very beautiful soul.
