In recent days, France has been experiencing an unforgettable moment of grace with the Pope’s visit to Paris, Lourdes, and Metz. Together with the Chemin Neuf Community, we had the joy of living each stage of this apostolic visit to the fullest, which has strengthened our faith and renewed our missionary zeal!
From Web Designers to Notre-Dame de Paris
This time of grace began on Thursday evening during the vigil for Christian content creators and influencers at the Church of Saint Sulpice. It was so moving to see Thibault Pfeffer and Benoît Gélébart leading the event (the channel Two Disciples), who crossed paths with the Community during World Youth Day in Portugal and at Maison Neuf Media in Villeneuve d’Ascq! It was a joy to see so many young people close to the Community serving through music and praise. The talks given by various figures—such as Brother Paul Adrien and Sister Albertine, who exhorted us to holiness—demonstrated a beautiful diversity and a form of “internal ecumenism” within the Catholic Church: all gathered together in the same praise and the same adoration.
On Friday, it was a time for reflection and prayer during the Solemn Vespers at Notre-Dame de Paris, surrounded by men and women religious and consecrated persons from all over France. Many of our brothers and sisters were present in the cathedral to celebrate this time of precious encouragement for our vocations.
A radiant youth and the breath of the Spirit
On Friday evening, the Stade de France was transformed into a vast open-air sanctuary for the grand youth vigil. In an atmosphere filled with worship, prayer, and fireworks, tens of thousands of young people bore witness to the vitality of the Church. Among them were some who share in the daily life of the community in student housing, and they shared with us their joy at this gathering!
Saturday marked the highlight of this Parisian pilgrimage: a grand, solemn Mass celebrated between Place de la Concorde and Avenue des Champs-Élysées. Giant screens displayed the faces of the fervent and joyful crowd. For our community gathered there, it was like a confirmation of this palpable wave of return to the faith in the parishes entrusted to our community—a phenomenon that became clearly tangible and real before our very eyes with these 800,000 people gathered together.
It was as if Providence had given us a sign when the cloudy sky cleared just as the Holy Father began Mass. He reminded us, in particular, of this great responsibility we have toward the many young adults who seek the sacraments of Christian initiation each year. These new believers bring new vitality to our communities through their sincere desire to follow Christ.
A Boost for the Mission
Both in the media and within our communities, the images of this vibrant, youthful, and united Church have resonated deeply. The message of hope, fraternity, and unity conveyed by the Pope brings comfort to us all: we are not alone, and grace continues to take root.
This apostolic journey is not an end in itself, but a magnificent starting point for strengthening our faith and continuing the mission together.
To be continued…