Despite the pain, a certain atmosphere of hope and solidarity reigned Dec. 9 in St.-Pierre-aux-Liens Church, where 250 people gathered for a commemorative Mass for the eight-year-old accidentedly killed by a snowplow Dec. 1 in Quebec City.

The church was essentially filled with members of Quebec City’s growing French-speaking African community, who came to show their support for the Tchoutouo family.

In front of the sanctuary, some of Michelle Solaye’s favourite belongings were laid on a small table, including a teddy bear. All around, there were pictures of her smiling.

The Tchoutouo family came to Quebec City five years ago and later asked to be baptized. This is where they met Nadeau, who said he was amazed by Michelle Solaye’s love and warmth for everyone.

The evening began with a testimony from her family. Her older sister talked about the love she had for her, and her mother, Josiane, managed to pronounce a few words despite her grief. Her father, Hypolyte, spoke at length and with passion about her.

“She was extraordinary. Even I, her dad, am not able to understand,” he said. “Michelle Solaye was very, very, very positive.”

He described an altruistic child who enjoyed most things in life, with a strong preoccupation for the well-being of others.

“Before going to bed every night, she prayed for her dad to finish school. For her mom to succeed in what she has to do. For her sister to succeed at school. She always thought of others,” said Hypolyte Tchoutouo.

He said his family is deeply grateful for the support they have received since her death, including from Cardinal Gerald Lacroix, who met them earlier that day.
Nadeau then presented Michelle Solaye’s baptismal candle. He invited her little sister, Laken, 4, to light it at the Paschal candle with help from their father.

“The Paschal candle represents the risen Christ. He is alive with us tonight,” said Nadeau. During the homily, the deacon reminded the assembly how the girl “had the goodness of God in her.”

“She was trying to make this world a better world. This is what Michelle Solaye invites us to tonight, to make this world a better world, where we welcome the others with their differences, without judging, without condemning,” he added.

“Michelle Solaye lived her life as a child by giving love and welcoming Jesus as a friend, constantly present, in all simplicity, confident of His love. I am sure that this is a strong invitation to live our life of faith as Christ invites us, in the manner of a child.”

After the Mass, the priests and Nadeau took Michelle Solaye’s lit baptismal candle and discreetly gave it to her parents, who put out the flame.

The family leaves for Cameroon in mid-December to have the child’s funeral according to the Cameroonian tradition and bury her next to her grandfather.