"How blest are the poor in spirit : the reign of God is theirs"

The Community of the Beatitudes is a Catholic community present in twenty-six countries. It brings together in one spiritual family sisters, brothers, priests and lay people, married or single, who share a fraternal life, a life of prayer and mission. They desire to follow Christ on the path of the Beatitudes.

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      Les frères et sœurs de la Communauté des Béatitudes prient pour vous et à vos intentions, spécialement lors de l’office d’intercession du jeudi soir suivie de l’Heure Sainte ou de la nuit d’adoration. Pendant celles-ci, la Communauté accompagne le Christ en agonie à Gethsémani et intercède auprès de Lui.

      Qu’Il vous apporte ses grâces de force et de réconfort ainsi qu’à tous ceux que vous nous confiez.

      recevoir la lettre
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        Qu’est-ce que
        la Lettre à nos Amis ?

        La Lettre à nos Amis est un bulletin papier de quatre pages qui paraît deux fois par an. S’y ajoute au mois de juin la Lettre des Frères. Ces trois Lettres vous donnent des nouvelles de la Communauté, de ses missions à travers le monde, de ses propositions pastorales, de ses vocations et de leur formation. Elles vous donnent aussi une nourriture spirituelle.

        N’hésitez pas à vous y abonner gratuitement en laissant vos coordonnées postales.
        Cette proposition est réservée aux habitants de la France métropolitaine.

        NOUS SUIVRE

        témoignage de

        Jaime et Laurence

        Nous sommes mariés et avons trois enfants de 15 à 9 ans. Nous sommes d’origine française, italienne et espagnole ! Nous sommes actuellement en mission à la Réunion. Entrés à la Communauté en 1995 et 1996, comme célibataires tous les deux, et après notre rencontre, nous nous sommes fiancés et mariés à la Communauté.

        En 2002 nous avons voulu prendre le temps de construire notre famille et après treize années, nous avons réintégré la Communauté. Les différentes modalités de vie communautaire sont bien adaptées à notre vie familiale et nous pouvons pleinement y servir le Seigneur.

        Nous vivons dans une maison qui se trouve à sept minutes à pied du foyer des frères. Cette proximité géographique est capitale pour nous et nous permet de participer aux offices et à la vie fraternelle de manière très souple par rapport à notre organisation familiale. Le foyer communautaire demeure le lieu de la communion (vie de prière, temps fraternels et missionnaires). La communion des états de vie est un véritable défi à relever aujourd’hui et demain pour évangéliser et annoncer la bonne nouvelle du Christ.

        Nous sommes, pour Jaime, professeur d’espagnol, et pour Laurence, formatrice et consultante en communication. Notre vie professionnelle nous permet de subvenir aux besoins de notre famille, mais est aussi une mission, celle de témoigner de notre foi par des gestes, des actes et des paroles simples.

        La vie avec le Seigneur est une aventure extraordinaire !

        Jaime et Laurence

        POUR ALLEZ PLUS LOIN

        testimony of

        Sr. Eva de Jesus

        I’m Austrian and have been in the Community of the Beatitudes for 22 years. Before following the Lord’s calling I was a law student intending to train as a diplomate. The Lord made good use of my attraction for different countries and cultures by calling me as His ambassador to… Peru, to proclaim His love as a missionary.

        How did it come about ? My path toward consecrated life started with a Mass celebrated by the Community of the Beatitudes in Lisieux. Touched by the beauty of the liturgy, by the joy of its consecrated members singing and dancing before God, I immediately knew that Jesus was inviting me to join in that joy.

        A consecrated sister gave me a booklet on the Community’s mission in Peru. It must be said that I had been looking for quite some time for a location to experience a missionary activity. That is when my adventure with Jesus started.

        After working as a « volunteer » I decided to join the Community in Peru. Having worked on several evangelization projects in different countries, I am now back in Peru. I can only admire God’s faithfulness, His love for me which sustains me and the joy of having given my life to Jesus.

        I can see every day the marvels God achieves in the lives of the poor who cry out to Him. Jesus is present : He consoles the afflicted, He strengthens the weak, He heals the broken-hearted, where there is despondency He gives hope. My joy is to be His little instrument, a witness of His mercy and of the joy experienced when giving one’s life to Jesus !

        Sr. Eva of Jesus

        to go further

        TESTIMONY OF

        Brother Nathanael

        A Parisian, I joined the Community at the age of 24 after a master’s degree in philosophy and studies in finance.

        I remember my first call at the age of 7. It was a call to the consecrated life. Without knowing it, I had really made my own this quote from the Curé d’Ars: “There is no greater happiness on earth than to love God and to know that he loves us”. This desire for the greatest happiness, in consecration, has always remained deep in my heart, even when I later thought of marriage.

        It was at the age of 24 that I left everything to answer this call: family, country, culture, friends and girlfriend, work. I joined the Community of the Beatitudes in the Ivory Coast, in a Catholic mission. It was there that my call to the priesthood was born, seeing how much people “needed the sacraments”.

        Since then, I have travelled a lot: six years in Africa (Ivory Coast, Rwanda, Gabon), Israel, Rome, Toulouse, Denver in Colorado… And yes, the four continents! This is one of my favourite aspects of the Community: the internationality. The Community has given me the opportunity to meet the people of God in their universality, and to meet them in truth, in depth. As a brother and as a priest, we share the most intimate part of people’s lives: their joys, their distress, etc. We are there at the most difficult moments of their lives. We are present at the happiest moments of their lives (weddings, births, etc.) as well as at the hardest (deaths…). What a grace, and what a richness!

        I can testify that the Lord speaks the truth when He promises a hundredfold in brothers, sisters, houses… to those who have left everything to follow Him. He has fulfilled me far beyond what I could have dreamed. After eleven years in Denver, Colorado, I am returning to France this year, for a new service: that of our Parisian house and parish in Maisons Alfort. After so many years abroad, I am returning to serve “my” people who need it so much.

        Do you discern a call? Then I would simply like to say to you: if you are baptized, listen to your heart, and not to your fears. Go forth into deep water, He will be faithful.

        Brother Nathanael

        TO GO FURTHER

        témoignage de

        Valérie

        Originaire de Paris, je suis entrée à la Communauté il y a une vingtaine d’années. Je finissais mes études en Lettres modernes et en Histoire à la Sorbonne.

         

        J’avais tout pour être heureuse mais je cherchais désespérément un sens à ma vie. J’avais juste oublié l’essentiel : Dieu.

        La Sainte Vierge est venue me chercher dans toutes mes impasses et a commencé à me conduire pas à pas pour me faire revenir à l’Eglise et me permettre de découvrir la Communauté. Inscrite à un camp de jeunes au Liban pendant l’été 1997, ce fut une expérience décisive suivie rapidement d’une année Nazareth (un temps pour Dieu proposé aux jeunes pour discerner leur vocation).

        J’ai senti clairement un appel aux Béatitudes car, aspirant à l’union à Dieu à l’école du Carmel, j’étais très attirée par la spiritualité mariale et la beauté de la liturgie. J’y ai découvert la joie de la vie fraternelle et l’accueil des pauvres, une vie simple et sobre comme remède au matérialisme, le tout cimenté par la prière liturgique et l’adoration eucharistique. Bref, tout me semblait familier et attirant. Une évidence s’est vite imposée à moi : après deux années de recherche, j’avais enfin trouvé ma famille spirituelle.

        Aujourd’hui, je vis mon appel communautaire au sein de la Branche laïque en ayant fait un vœu de célibat pour le Royaume. Cet appel me permet de vivre ma consécration et d’être pleinement épouse du Christ dans un discret témoignage, tout en exerçant un métier que j’aime.

        Je travaille en effet aux Editions des Béatitudes à Nouan-le-Fuzelier. Un cadeau vraiment providentiel car, à la fin de mes études littéraires, je me destinais justement aux métiers de l’édition… Le Seigneur m’a redonné cela après m’avoir demandé de tout quitter pour Le suivre. C’est une grande joie de pouvoir vivre l’intégralité de la vie communautaire tout en exerçant sur place un métier sur mesure ! Ce travail est aussi l’occasion de pouvoir participer à une œuvre d’évangélisation par le media du livre qui m’a toujours passionnée.

        Enfin, une autre chose qui me tient à cœur : la musique et le chant en particulier. J’ai la joie de faire partie de l’équipe des chantres pour animer les offices et les messes au service de la Communauté et des retraitants qui la visitent. Aider les autres à prier grâce à la musique, c’est tellement beau !

        Tout mon cheminement pourrait se résumer en une phrase : « Approchez-vous de Lui et Il s’approchera de vous. » (Jc 4,8) C’est par le Cœur de Marie que j’ai pu entrer dans l’intimité du Cœur de Jésus. Deo gratias !

        Valérie

        POUR ALLEZ PLUS LOIN

        testimony of

        Sr Maya-Lys de Jésus

        My name is Maya and I am Lebanese. Jesus came to pick me up while I was studying finance at the age of 25…

        During childhood, I received a Catholic education, partly from my parents and partly from my school. But I always had in my mind an image of a distant God, who is in heaven and looks down on us as if watching a movie. Since my adolescence, I have followed a very dynamic path in scouting and various sports activities, with a busy social life and full of friends. As they say, I was “always on the move”! I didn’t feel the need to take pauses for reflection!

        I crunched life thoroughly
        When I left my country to study in Belgium, I entered a very difficult period to live with: for the first time, I had lost my bearings and my network of friends. In this solitude – the first break in my life – I realized that I was not happy. And a lot of questions arose at that time: what is true happiness? What is the meaning of my life ? Why this emptiness in me?

        Still in Belgium, and in full questioning, I made the acquaintance of the Community of the Beatitudes, where I came to spend the weekends and the holidays. What joy on the faces of the brothers and sisters, I who was looking for happiness! I was challenged by the life of prayer, adoration, the beauty of the liturgy, fraternal life, the communion of states of life. From stay to stay, the Lord spoke to my heart, drew me to Him, I found happiness in Him, this void in me was filled with a presence, with His Presence. I discovered a God very close, not at all distant. I was drawn to worship where I tasted God’s love for me, where I experienced deep peace! The experience of God was taking up space in my heart. More and more, I was certain that God

        loved me with an infinite love that nothing and no one could take from me. This love gripped me from within.

        Vocation: the call to the Community

        Little by little a desire to give myself to God was born in me, at the same time as my attraction for the Community grew. And my resistances have all fallen! I understood that the Lord was calling me to give him my life in the Community.

        I entered the Community in 2013 and made my first vows in 2016. On May 29, I will make profession in Lebanon. I give thanks to God for the path traveled with Him and in the Community. “The eternal appeared to me: I loved you with an eternal love; therefore I draw you with kindness. (Jr 31.3)

        I entrust myself to your prayers so that the love of Christ never ceases to attract me and that in my turn I can always be faithful and respond to his call daily with joy because before the Lord, I desire to be a soul joyful.

        Sr. Maya-Lys of Jesus

        to go further
        Frère Alphonse-Marie

        testimony of

        Br. Alphonse-Marie

        I come from Vietnam and am the eldest of four children. I grew up in the faith thanks to very religious parents. I was able to follow the catechetical training of my parish but I never thought of becoming a priest or a religious. It was only at the age of 22, after my baccalaureate, that I asked myself the question of a vocation ! Not very keen on studying, I missed the entrance exams to the universities. So the following year, I stayed with my family to help my parents in agricultural work. I had the opportunity to go to Mass every day, join the choir, teach catechesis to the children and I even accompanied my parish priest in his rounds.

        One day, after the evening rosary, a lady catechist came up to me and said, “Son, do you want to become a religious ?” So surprised by this question, I did not know what answer to give her. Hesitating, I replied, “I never thought about it.” She replied, “Go and pray, I too will pray for you.” She gave me two readings to go through: The story of a soul of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux and the life of Saint Damien who took care of lepers on the island of Molokai.

        I began to pray and read these two stories. I was also fortunate to have a spiritual director. Three months later, I wanted to become a religious, to be like St Thérèse and St Damian in his service to the poor. The priesthood was not yet at the center of the questions I was asking myself. You should know that in Vietnam, to become a priest you have to have university degrees, and that was not my thing at all.

        During this period, every morning I got up very early to take part in the Mass at 4 : 30 am ! I loved the Mass, especially the homilies. As my priest was old, he sometimes did not preach. When that happened, I was unhappy. One day, as this happened again, I prayed to the Lord : “Lord, if you make a priest of me, I will preach in his place”. It was simply like this that I had the desire to become a priest. And this prayer was answered… 20 years later!

        With this desire to become a religious and a priest, one of my cousins introduced me to the Community of the Beatitudes in Vietnam. Immediately, I saw brothers and sisters together and especially so joyful. It is this communion of states of life that attracted me. “Lord, this is where I want to live” I have been there since December 27, 1999. And now that I am a priest, the prayer made 20 years ago has been answered : I preach for priests who can no longer preach.

        « If you believe, you shall see the glory of God ! » So why not you ? Just believe !

        Brother Alphonse-Marie

        to go further
        Bart et Veerle

        témoignage de

        Bart et Veerle

        Nous nous sommes mariés en 1993, et avons trois enfants. Belges néerlandophones, nous habitons en Flandres (Belgique).

        C’est comme « touristes », en visitant l’abbaye Saint-Martin-du-Canigou, que nous avons fait la rencontre de la Communauté des Béatitudes. La joie, la beauté de la liturgie et la communion des états de vie nous ont tout de suite interpellés.

        Dans notre quête spirituelle, nous avons beaucoup cherché ! Et c’est dans la Communauté que nous avons vraiment rencontré le Christ ! Whaou ! Quel changement dans notre vie. Nous avons découvert la diversité de la prière et de la spiritualité : vêpres byzantines, entrée en shabbat, danses d’Israël, renouveau charismatique, spiritualité carmélitaine. Et avec l’internationalité, la Communauté a formidablement élargi notre regard sur le monde.

        Dans la Communauté des Béatitudes nous aimons cet équilibre entre la vie contemplative et la vie active et missionnaire. A la fois la prière intérieure, l’adoration, le silence, mais aussi la louange et la prière charismatique.

        Quelle belle unité !

        Bart et Veerle

        POUR ALLEZ PLUS LOIN

        testimony of

        Sr. Clare of Assisi

        I’m a New-Zealander of English origin. I was sixteen months old when we left England for New Zealand, a country my father fell in love with in the course of his maritime journeys.

        In my youth my aspirations were more of an artistic nature with an attraction to the fine arts. For different reasons this dream never came true.I went through different types of training which allowed me to work whilst seeking my vocation. At the time I was already thinking of a consecrated life… but where ?

        I had to wait for God’s hour! This time of somewhat painful waiting proved necessary to learn not to turn away when confronted with God’s silences. After a 6-year search I received the answer I was waiting for. In a prayer group a video on a ”new community” in France was making the rounds. A German/New Zealand couple in touch with “that community” in Germany desired the Community to be known in NZ I discovered young people experiencing an intense life of prayer and what’s more there were consecrated artists present ! That is how I discovered the “Community of the Beatitudes”.

        It needed something strong and somewhat out of the ordinary to convince a rather timid soul to leave everything/ family, work, country, culture and language to follow the call received in her heart and set sail toward the unknown.

        Today my heart is full of gratitude. In Him I have learned to live a new, ample, free life : the life of the Kingdom. I have become a citizen of that Kingdom searching the way in my heart that I may live ever more deeply in that Kingdom and communicate it to all around me.

        The advice I would give is to always listen to our heart’s aspirations : they are the desires God implants in us, and He can do all things for He is with us and on our side !

        Sr. Clare of Assisi

        to go further

        testimony of

        Br. Andreas

        My name is Brother Andreas of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. I was born in German-speaking Switzerland in 1986. After my high school, I studied geography and geology in Zurich. It was during a pilgrimage in 2006 that I met the Community of the Beatitudes. Attracted by the quality of fraternal life and by the beauty of the liturgy, at the age of 21 I joined the Community House in Zug in German-speaking Switzerland). I was able to finish my studies there.

        And yet, my lifestyle until then was totally different !

        After a lovely childhood, very early on, at the age of 12, I began to lead a life of pleasure and absolute freedom, repetitive parties and evenings out. Alcohol, adrift… and yet I thought I had found great happiness.

        At the age of 16, my « happiness » collapsed. In a second ! A serious scooter accident with my older brother.

        We fell asleep while driving, colliding with a car coming in the opposite direction. We were both seriously injured. Lying on the ground, I could not move. It took a long time before help arrived. My life ? What about it ? All those parties, pleasures… and now ? For the first time I was looking for meaning. Isn’t there something more ?

        While I was in hospital for five weeks, I looked for answers. It was later, and contrary to all my expectations, that I found them within the Catholic Church. While participating in a Mass, when the priest raised the host, I knew intimately that Jesus was there, and that He loved me.

        Unbelievable ! Everything had changed. JESUS was now the meaning of my life ! A few years later I decided to dedicate my whole life to Him. It is in the Community of the Beatitudes that I pronounced my final vows, saying : “Lord Jesus, I renounce myself to become attached only to You, the one Treasure and the only hope of my sojourn on earth as long as I live.”

        On 15 September last I was ordained a deacon. The Community tasked me with a youth ministry. Asking me to act towards them as a “servant of charity” and to lead them to Jesus. Wishing them to discover that only Jesus can fulfill our deep desires, “He is the Way, the Truth and the Life !” (Jn 14 : 6)

        “Here I am Lord, without delay, unhesitatingly, not looking back, out of love ! ” (St Michael Garicoits)

        Brother Andreas of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

        to go further
        guillem et esther

        témoignage de

        Guillem et Esther

        Nous sommes Guillem et Esther. Originaires de Barcelone, nous sommes rentrés à la Communauté lorsque nous étions fiancés en 1995. Esther avait fait des études d’institutrice et de pianiste et Guillem des études de journalisme. Nous avions connu la Communauté aux sessions d’été qu’elle organisait à Lourdes. Puis nous l’avons fréquentée en allant régulièrement faire des séjours dans la maison de Saint Martin du Canigou à 250 kms de chez nous.

        Esther : moi j’étais touchée par la vie de prière, la vie fraternelle et par l’eschatologie : « voir le Peuple de Dieu (frères, sœurs, familles, prêtres), vivre le Royaume au milieu de nous » : cela se sentait, se respirait, se voyait…
        Guillem : ce qui me touchait c’était la dimension de mission et d’évangélisation. On voyait que la fécondité des missions de la Communauté prenait sa source dans la vie de prière.

        Nous portions tous les deux un désir de consacrer notre couple à Dieu et au service de son Royaume. Le Seigneur nous a montré la Communauté et son charisme comme la réponse à ce désir profond qui nous habitait.

        Esther : cette évidence m’est apparue en premier. J’ai attendu et prié que le moment vienne pour Guillem.
        Guillem : pendant une Semaine Sainte à la Communauté à l’abbaye Saint-Martin, en faisant du jardinage, j’ai ressenti moi aussi cet appel !

        Nous avons passé neuf ans en vie communautaire résidentielle, pendant lesquelles nous avons poursuivi nos études par de la psychopédagogie pour Esther et de la théologie pour Guillem. Et en 2004, nous avons été envoyés pour fonder la Communauté en Espagne dans le diocèse de Segorbe-Castellon. C’est là qu’après dix ans de mariage, le Seigneur nous a bénis avec l’arrivée de notre fille, cadeau de la Vierge Marie. Cela nous a préparés à l’apostolat que nous vivons aujourd’hui auprès des jeunes mamans célibataires en difficulté.

        Aujourd’hui, nous travaillons tous les deux comme institutrice et au service de la communication du diocèse. Nous proposons aussi des veillées de prière, des retraites et des sessions toute l’année.

        Nous vivons une réalité missionnaire qui est nourrie par une vie d’amitié avec Dieu, par la prière, les sacrements, la conversion continuelle.

        Quand on est en mission, le Seigneur nous fait vivre une pauvreté à tous les niveaux. Cela n’est pas toujours facile, mais nous expérimentons que plus on est pauvre, plus on est riche, et plus grandit en nous la certitude que le Seigneur Seul agit dans les cœurs au milieu du monde.

        Guillem et Esther

        POUR ALLEZ PLUS LOIN
        Sr Claire Sandrine

        testimony of

        Sr. Claire Sandrine

        Born in Grenoble, I entered the Community aged 23.

        When I was confirmed at the age of 16 I experienced a true outpouring of the Holy Spirit which changed my life. In a mysterious way I heard God say to me: “Sandrine I trust you to proclaim me to others!” This was serious. I felt great peace and joy, an inner conviction that I had to commit myself to God and his Church.

        I started studying in Paris: philosophy followed by secretarial training. During that time I joined a missionary fraternity: a prayer group of young people with whom I had the joy of sharing my faith and participating in evangelization missions. I experienced God’s power in my daily life.

        Two unforgettable experiences deepened within me the desire to give my life as a religious:

        – a humanitarian experience with “rag men” in a Cairo slum in Egypt with Sr. Emmanuelle whose testimony impressed me so much: give everything for others!

        – and a second experience during an incredible week of prayer and sharing with thousands of young people from the whole world during the Youth Festival in Medjugorje. At the end, I was no longer the same; it was as if the Lord was telling me: “If you follow me I will fulfill you.” I knew I could count on His Faithfulness, so I said “Yes” to Him. Having decided, immense was my joy!

        Two years before, during a Holy Week retreat with the Community of the Beatitudes at Nouan-le-Fuzelier, I remembered saying “Lord, if one day you should call me to consecrate my life to you, it is here I shall enter!”

        My calling to the Community of the Beatitudes was so strong that one year later I asked to enter and that was twenty six years ago! So much for God’s sense of humor!

        To love in giving and giving with love!

        Jesus fulfills the heart of those who give Him everything. As for the hope within me, I have not been disappointed!

         Sr. Claire Sandrine

        to go further

        TESTIMONY OF

        Bro. Anthony of the Transfiguration

        My name is Brother Anthony of the Transfiguration. I am from Boulder, USA, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. While in the diocesan seminary, the Lord called me to join the Community of the Beatitudes.

        In the seminary we were taught that the centre of the priesthood is the liturgical life. But that was not what attracted me to become a priest, and I had much to discover. Our formation led us to the heights of the Eucharist, through the rises of praise, sacred art and song.

        At the Community, I was dazzled by the beauty of the liturgy, which is one of the reasons why I finally discerned to continue my path towards the Priesthood. The Liturgy is a duty and a work, but it is all the more a participation in the praise of Heaven! Three times a day the bell cuts me off from work. I go from the worries and constraints of the “world” to an atmosphere of peace and beauty. I find myself in the midst of brothers and sisters as well as angels and saints. There I draw on communion with the Lord and with others who strengthen me to abide in Him in the midst of the day’s work, whether it be works of ministry or practical tasks.

        “The brothers and sisters of the Community will take care to be one body and one soul, thus manifesting in the liturgy the unity of the people of God. In the liturgy they will draw the living strength for the exercise of charity”.

        Since my ordination, my apostolic activity has been aimed at sowing vocations, especially among young Americans. It is a question of going to young people, of witnessing to them the joy of giving everything. I often find the opportunity to give them a taste of the beauty of the liturgy. When I go to the university campuses, I often offer them a beautiful celebration of an office or of the Eucharist. I find in students and young adults a recovery of the sacred and of respect. But it is often a step forward for them to discover the wonder of God’s Presence, and also to open themselves so that the Lord can dwell in them.

        I invite them to take time for God, in a retreat or a stay in the Community abroad, especially in Israel where I am currently assigned. In this country we are surrounded by the liturgy of the different religious communities (Eastern Rite, Judaism…), not to mention the muezzins who call the Muslims to their prayers. This stimulates young people to look for a rhythm of prayer for their lives.

        Whether we are at home in Emmaus for weeks of service, or out for a week of camping in Galilee, each day is centred on the Eucharist, Lauds, Vespers, and an examination of conscience followed by a blessing before bedtime. It is a taste of religious life and community life for those who open their hearts. For all, this habit of daily prayer keeps them in the Presence of God.

         

        These experiences with young people renew my spiritual life and my listening to the radicality of the Gospel. At forty, am I starting to lose momentum? Well, keeping the Liturgy at the centre is anticipating Heaven, so there will never be any reason to retire!

        Bro. Anthony of the Transfiguration

        TO GO FURTHER

        témoignage de

        Jean-Claude et Martine

        Nous sommes, Jean-Claude, diacre permanent, et Martine, parmi les tous premiers membres de la Communauté.

        Nous étions tous les deux étudiants à la faculté de médecine de Nancy et voici que nos chemins se sont croisés en 1970 dans le cadre de l’aumônerie protestante réformée que fréquentait aussi le fondateur de la Communauté et quelques autres anciens. Nous nous posions bien des questions sur Dieu, sur la Vérité, sur notre avenir…

        En juillet 1974, à la fin de nos études, nous nous sommes mariés Peu auparavant le Renouveau charismatique était passé par là et suite au témoignage de nos amis Gérard Croissant et de son épouse Jo, nous avions reçu l’effusion du Saint Esprit, ce qui orienta radicalement notre vie. Nous comprîmes que Jésus était une personne, vivante et agissante, qui nous appelait à sa suite à marcher dans la sainteté. La solution pour y arriver, c’était la vie communautaire car, même si chacun a son chemin, on ne peut y arriver seul. La vie communautaire permettait de s’organiser et de se stimuler afin que Dieu soit toujours le premier servi.

        Répondant, dans un acte de foi, à l’appel du Seigneur, nous nous sommes lancés tête baissée dans ce projet fou et inédit et avons intégré la première maison de la Communauté à Cordes en septembre 1975, cela fait 44 ans. Après quelques mois, nous sommes partis, sans rien, fonder la Communauté en Israël, et vivre proches du peuple élu dont nous apprenons tant de choses.

        De retour en France, nous avons participé à diverses nouvelles fondations et assumé des responsabilités variées : pastorale des jeunes, adolescents puis adultes, services administratifs et juridiques, formation, soutien aux œuvres de compassion de la communauté ainsi que diverses tâches de gouvernement qui nous ont bien occupés !

        Que retenir de ce parcours ? Nous avons connu des hauts et des bas, des temps bénis et des temps de désert, des périodes de communion et d’autres de dissensions… Mais après 44 ans, la certitude qui nous habite et qui demeure intacte, c’est que la Communauté est un don de Dieu, elle n’est pas une œuvre humaine, et ce que Dieu donne, Il ne le reprend pas. Si nous, nous sommes inconstants, notre Dieu est fidèle, nous pouvons compter sur Lui ! C’est là notre force qui nourrit notre espérance.

        Jean-Claude et Martine Michel

        POUR ALLEZ PLUS LOIN

        TESTIMONY OF

        Sister Claudia of the Lamb

        My name is Sr Claudia of the Lamb of God. I grew up not far from St. Gallen in Switzerland. Before joining the Community of the Beatitudes in Zug in 2010, I studied theology.

        At the age of seventeen I had the chance to have a personal encounter with God. I felt a joy and peace that I had never known before!

        After this discovery of God’s love for me I wanted to put myself at the service of the Lord and spend time with Him in prayer. One of the ways I sought to do this was by getting involved in the organisation of the WYD in Switzerland. Praising God by playing the piano with other young people in a worship group always gave me great joy.

        During my studies, I was constantly asked the question: “Am I called to start a family and serve in a parish or am I called to the consecrated life? I appreciated the beauty of marriage and I loved children. But deep down, the attraction for the consecrated life was the strongest. So I asked the Lord for concrete signs to receive a light.

        In order to get to know the daily life of a monastery better, I spent a year with the Daughters of the Cross in Rome. Touched by the reading of the Word of God and the witness of the sisters, my desire to consecrate my life to the Lord grew more and more. But which community to go to? I visited several in Rome, but there were so many … of all kinds and of all colours! So, what to do? My spiritual guide advised me to write down all the important things that had happened in my life and my personal prayer. To my great surprise and joy, I realised that everything I had written in my list corresponded to the charism of the Community of the Beatitudes: the beauty of the liturgy, the daily adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the fraternal life between the sisters, brothers and lay members, as well as the fidelity to the universal Church!

        Today, at the age of 32, I am a sister in the community in Switzerland and I took final vows on 8 December 2018. I am very happy to belong totally to the Lord. In Zug we are about 15 brothers, sisters and lay people. One of the main apostolates of the house is the new evangelisation among and with young people, in which I am involved. However, our first mission is prayer.

        Confidently, I place my future in the hands of the Lord. He is so good! So far He has exceeded all my expectations. Each new day is an opportunity for me to discover His gentle love, even in the smallest details of everyday life.

        Life with Him is really worth it!

        Sister Claudia of the Lamb

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        TESTIMONY OF

        Fr. Etienne

        From a large family where we prayed a dozen rosaries every night, I perceived the absolute Love of God at the age of 12 around a scout fire: I saw humans so microscopic under the Milky Way, and each Hail Mary was like an arrow of divine Love. I understood that there would be no one as great and beautiful as God to give my life to.

        As school was going well, I put it aside. I looked for a lot of money, did a lot of travelling and sports, but I could never find the absolute.
        I went to HEC. Then I became the operations manager of a safari company. There I did mountaineering in Kilimanjaro and scuba diving. But again God’s incredible goodness came to me… on the roof of a Land Rover! I was in the middle of the great migration of wild animals in Tanzania: the Creator of these wonders must really be even more extraordinary. I started to really read the Bible and go to mass every day at the mission.

        At that time I saw the tents of hundreds of thousands of Rwandan genocide survivors, with no one to stand up and help them. I volunteered in the Marine Commandos and passed the selection as a reserve officer. But reading the life of Mother Teresa, I saw that the most effective action of all for the good of this world was prayer and charity.

        I joined the Community of the Beatitudes in 1998, and for two main reasons:

        – I saw all the states of life gathered there, praising and adoring the Good God, in a profound joy. To me, all this was like an anticipation of Heaven;
        – I saw brothers and sisters all sharing a great desire for holiness, and seeking, each with his or her weaknesses, to live first of all the radicality of charity.

        I was then sent as needed on mission to the five continents. Ordained a priest: the celebration of Mass became my daily Heaven. I had the chance to do a biblical doctorate on the ancient Aramaic version of the Gospels in order to proclaim Jesus by relying more on the authority of the text itself, and to participate in the Catholic work of re-translation.

        At present I am a parish priest in the mission of the port of Lima (Peru). Jesus touches hearts, He is worth following more than anything else, and He alone never disappoints:

        Eph 3:19: “The love of Christ surpasses all that can be known”. The rest may be good, but next to it, it is not much.

        Bro. Etienne

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        témoignage de

        Joumana

        Je suis Joumana du Liban. J’ai rejoint la Communauté il y a quatorze ans déjà, à l’âge de 25 ans. Avant cela, j’étais prof de philosophie pour des classes de terminales, et assistante de production dans des programmes culturels télévisés.

        Ayant vécu des phases de remise en question de ma foi d’une part, aimant beaucoup la vie et rêvant de projets d’études avancés et de mariage d’autre part, j’étais loin de penser qu’un jour je « tomberais amoureuse de Dieu » et que cet amour m’appellerait à tout abandonner, et à tout donner.

        En pleine recherche de « la vérité », je lance à 20 ans un défi dans l’absolu : « si la philosophie me prouve que Dieu existe, je croirais, sinon, c’en est fini pour la foi ». Me prenant à la lettre, Dieu s’approcha de moi dans un premier temps à travers la philosophie… Ayant été invitée un samedi soir aux vêpres à la Communauté par un frère qui étudiait avec moi, le Dieu des philosophes acheva de découvrir son visage plein d’amour et de toucher mon cœur par la beauté qui émanait du lieu, des visages, des chants… et des prières spontanées : ce soir-là j’ai compris que son nom est « Seigneur », et qu’il est « la Vérité ».

        A 24 ans, la visite des reliques de Thérèse au Liban remit sur mon chemin la Communauté, et je découvris avec joie le programme tout neuf des retraites qu’elle venait de mettre en place. De retraite en retraite la folie d’un appel retentissait en moi et faisait tomber tous les autres désirs déjà présents. La force de ma résistance égalait celle de mon attirance vers cet amour que nul autre n’égalait, et jour après jour je me laissais envahir par ce désir unique : « Aimer, c’est tout donner et se donner soi-même ». Tout dans la Communauté parlait à mon cœur ! Alors j’ai dit oui, et je ne l’ai jamais regretté.

         « Il n’y a pas de plus grand amour que de donner sa vie pour ses amis »… pas de plus grand bonheur non plus, car « qui est en Dieu, ne manque de rien » !

        Joumana

        POUR ALLEZ PLUS LOIN
        Emilie

        testimony of

        Sr. Emilie

        My name is Sr Emilie of the Heart of Jesus and Mary. I am originally from Ardèche and it is after obtaining a bachelor’s degree in history that I entered the Community.

        As an adolescent, during a pilgrimage to Medjugorje, I had a strong experience of the presence of God in my life. Oh, I wasn’t overjoyed to be there: my parents where the ones who took me there. Indeed God had little place in my life at that time. A few months later I perceived a calling to consecrated life: when I read a prayer intention for consecrated souls I heard this question resound in my heart: “and why not you?” , which for me was a source of great joy… Almost in the same period I discovered the Community of the Beatitudes who had come to carry out a mission in my parish. What joy could be seen on the faces of the brothers and sisters! I wanted to know more, to have a closer look at this. I asked to stay in one of the houses for a week. I was so challenged by what I saw: a life of prayer, adoration, the beauty of the liturgy, a fraternal life, the communion of states of life, and a concern for evangelization. Of course, I was still too young. I continued my education followed by my studies. During the latter, I discovered other communities, but I always returned to this first calling to the Community of the Beatitudes. For me it was evident the Lord was waiting for me there. From the beginning of my life in community, the importance of a heart-to-heart with God in adoration, in contact with his Word, has been anchored in me. that’s where I can come and get everything I need to answer his call. I crossed the threshold and a whole adventure began: the Lord is full of surprises! And this adventure does not end with perpetual vows. Every new day is a sign of this, there is always a “yes” to give, and this assurance that God is there,

        “  The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, his mercies are not spent; they are renewed each morning, so great is his faithfulness!  (Lm 3:22). So … “  duke in altum  ”,

        “  Put out into deep water…  ” (Lk 5, 4)

        Sr. Emilie of the Heart of Jesus and Mary

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        testimony of

        Br. Giuseppe Maria

        I come from Sicily.  Over there, from childhood, my heart was filled with a mad desire for happiness but, growing up, I no longer sought it in God ! I put my heart into my studies and the goals I had concerning my artistic career.  The influence of individualistic thought had cooled the impulse of gratuity in me. My relationship with others was becoming self-interested. My paintings were turning dark with selfishness. Sometimes I felt like I was forgetting “something” essential.

        At the age of 24 I had a very strong experience during which I was made aware of the greatness of God’s Love. I knew that I had found the precious pearl of my life and without doubting the value of His call, I began to listen. In my heart there was a very strong desire to consecrate myself to the Lord and to become a priest.

        I met the Community of the Beatitudes during an evening prayer meeting organized by the Charismatic Renewal in Palermo. The “supernatural beauty” expressed through the songs, the liturgy, the prayers and fraternal joy overwhelmed me. After a few months, the Community came to my village on an evangelization mission. For a week, great was my joy to find myself among those brothers and sisters, their happiness, their light. After visiting them on several occasions, I decided to take the plunge and went to the Community House in Erice, Sicily.

        In May 2017 I was ordained a priest and am at the service of the Foyer of Noto near the shrine of Our Lady « Ladder to Paradise ».

        I always have this calling at heart: the service of building up the Kingdom of God through a continuous search for union with Christ and fraternal communion. God wants salvation and happiness for all. So if you have a great desire for happiness and wish to live your life to the full as a very beautiful “adventure of love”, follow Christ and let yourself be led by the Holy Spirit on the path of the beatitudes. Do not be afraid !

        “The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it” (1 Thes 5 : 24).

        Brother Giuseppe Maria

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        Julie

        testimony of

        Julie

        A Lebanese national, I have been living in the Community house of Gharzouz, in Lebanon, for two years. I am an interior designer since 2012.

        I felt a strong calling from God several years ago, and after a long discernment, I realized that this calling rested on several points : a life of intense prayer and a desire for union with God, a fraternal life (that is to say, in a community) with the communion of all states of life (mixed), a missionary outreach and a total gift of myself while remaining in touch with the world. But in which community ?

        One day, a friend suggested that I help the brothers and sisters of the Gharzouz house in one of their missions (the organization of spiritual days for schools during Lent). This is when I really got to meet the Community up close. Little by little I realized that it corresponded to what I wanted and I decided to join the Community.

        I live my calling in everything I do :

        • in a life of prayer with daily Eucharist and adoration, with the various Divine Services (as well as the Easter Triduum) that strengthen my relationship with God, deepening more and more my trust in Him.
        • finally, in evangelization missions, which teach me to become a true disciple : the joy of making others taste the Kingdom of Heaven and interceding for the world that needs much prayer.

        Oh I don‘t forget the little struggles of every day that root me in my calling to open the doors of holiness to me.

        “A soul united to Jesus is a living smile that radiates Him and gives Him” (St Elizabeth of the Trinity).

        Julie

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        témoignage de

        Sr Klara Misericordia

         

        Je suis née au Kazaskhstan… Eh oui, ce n’est pas fréquent de lire en français quelqu’un qui vient de si loin.

        Ma famille n’était pas pratiquante. Avec une maman orthodoxe et un papa musulman, c’était difficile ! A sept ans pourtant, j’ai reçu le baptême orthodoxe. Mais à la maison, on ne parlait jamais de Dieu. C’est le drame du décès de mon frère (j’avais alors 16 ans), qui a commencé à faire cheminer ma famille. La perspective de la vie éternelle était une consolation pour nous.

        Mon parrain, catholique, nous a tous entraînés à l’église. Les prêtres avaient formé une équipe de jeunes à qui ils confiaient de petites missions. Très vite, je passais presque tout mon temps libre à l’église, tout en continuant des études de comptabilité. Je ressentais une grande joie en participant à toutes ces activités (animation de messes, catéchisme, évangélisation, etc.).

        C’est en 1999 que la Communauté des Béatitudes a lancé son premier Festival des Jeunes au Kazakhstan. Au cours d’une veillée de prière, alors que j’avais en tête le projet de me marier, j’ai senti que Jésus m’appelait à la vie consacrée ! La sœur qui a prié pour moi, a dit dans sa prière, exactement ce que je portais dans mon cœur ! Cependant, je lui ai dit : « Juste pour aujourd’hui » ! J’ai demandé à faire un séjour avec d’autres amies dans la maison qui venait de s’ouvrir à Kokchetav. Je me sentais chez moi ! C’est pendant l’adoration, à la chapelle de la Communauté, que j’ai fait LA RENCONTRE avec Jésus et que j’ai éprouvé le grand amour qu’Il avait pour moi.

        Aujourd’hui, après dix-sept ans de vie communautaire, je rends grâce au Seigneur de m’avoir appelée et, chaque jour, je découvre la beauté de la vie consacrée à la Communauté des Béatitudes. La vie avec Jésus est une aventure quotidienne, pleine d’imprévus, de surprises, de bonheur et je rends grâce pour tout ce que le Seigneur ne cesse de faire dans ma vie.

        Si le doute demeure en ton cœur, n’hésite pas, n’aie pas peur, Jésus comblera ton attente et te donnera au centuple !

        Sœur Klara Misericordia

        POUR ALLEZ PLUS LOIN

        testimony of

        Br. Isaïe

        I am originally from the Paris area (Meaux), where I lived until I was 15 years old. My family was Catholic and practicing. Although ‘turbulent’ during my adolescence, I entered the minor seminary, run by the Holy Ghost Fathers until the baccalaureate, in the south. Those years were a grace for me, with an extraordinary awareness of the missions, and attending a nearby monastery gave me an insight of the contemplative life. In short, it provided an occasion for a ‘new conversion and confirmation of a calling. In the end, however, I hesitated between joining a monastery or one of those ‘new communities’ that were taking their first steps. After two years of philosophy at the Catholic Institute of Paris, followed by two years as a cooperator in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, I found myself staying for a week at the brand new house of the Community in Pont-Saint-Esprit, thanks to friends. God « relates » with us and speaks through various and formidable mediations !

        After the inner storm of the decision I had to make, and the strongly inspired advice of an old monk, I wrote to Pont and three months later I disembarked. It was in 1979, this year 40 years ago (already) ! Following my one-week stay in July, I entered in October. What touched me from the outset, in this community, is the love of the brothers and sisters for the Lord and the mutual charity experienced, as in a family.

        The Jewish dimension or the Eastern Christian liturgy, were well attuned to my poles of interest. As for a « mixed » life together, it suited me well. Seven months after my entry, I went to Jerusalem for a year’s  study, then went down to Rome for three years to pursue theological studies. After that, there followed a litany of various destinations from Lebanon (during the war) to Morocco, a few years in France, then Gabon, Rwanda, Sicily…

        Ordained to the priesthood 33 years ago, I was first a vicar, then a parish priest, in the diocese of Albi, and a pastor in various countries.  I have been living now for seven years in the south of Reunion Island (Indian Ocean) as parish priest in Terre Sainte (St Pierre). I feel very much at home. I share, with my brothers and sisters, in our spiritual home of the Beatitudes, called « Living Water », prayer times, welcoming activities, and spiritual highlights. Fraternal life is a precious gift.

        Everything of a universal nature attracts me, and Reunion Island embodies it in an extraordinary human, cultural and religious microcosm: I have been a member of the Interreligious Dialogue Group (Hindus, Muslims, Baha’is… Chinese religions) since the beginning of my arrival, and am a diocesan delegate for the work of « l’œuvre d’Orient » (a French Association which supports Christians from the Eastern churches).

        God is truly faithful. The Church opens us to all things universal and the Community allows me to live this dimension which is both apostolic and contemplative. I thank God for this 40 year long beautiful adventure !

        Br. Isaïe

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        Sr Thérèse de la Sainte Face

        testimony of

        Sr. Therese of the Holy Face

        My name is Sr, Thérèse of the Holy Face (a reference to the face of Christ for the uninitiated). I am a French national from Guadeloupe (West Indies). I have been a member of the Community for 20 years. Jesus came and plucked me from university in Paris where I was studying mathematics.

        From early childhood I received a basic religious education. When I left my island for mainland France I entered, at every level, into a phase of autonomy to which my faith was not imune: what sort of a Christian was I? Who was Christ for me? What importance did the Eucharist have in my life? Was it simply a tradition I had to carry on with?

        With all these questions going through my mind, I came across a prayer group which became the channel of a significant spiritual experience. I discovered a living God not at all distant from my life. I can share two elements of that experience: in front of Jesus exposed in the Blessed Sacrament I tasted God’s infinite love for me, I had met Someone who loved me in a unique way. Furthermore, when a few members of the prayer group prayed for me, I saw my whole life in an instant and was made aware of God’s faithfulness at various moments of my life. I had touched something of God, something great and beautiful that nothing and nobody could rob me of. Not only was I convinced of God’s existence but I knew from within that He was in me and with me.

        Faced with such Love a calling to religious life (first experienced at about 12 years of age) resurfaced in my heart: a desire to give my whole life to God in order to love Him and make His Love known.

        During the time of discernment that followed I providentially met a person at the Faculty who was going on a retreat with the Community. I decided to go on that same retreat as well to find out God’s will for me. I have not been disappointed!

        I was struck by the liturgy, the fervent praise expressed in this community, the quality of fraternal life, the beauty of God emanating from the very simple quality of life, as well as its evangelization outreach. I, therefore, chose the Community because it was apparent to me that my great desire to give myself to God could find its full expression in a life where contemplation and mission intermingled so strongly.

        Religious life for me is a means to love to the full. It is a way that shows that God exists and that it is worthwhile to consecrate one’s whole life to Him. Every day I learn to surrender and let myself be enlightened by God and to become ever more available and ready to make Him known and loved. “The wind blows where it will. You hear the sound it makes but you do not know where it comes from, or where it goes. So it is with everyone begotten of the Spirit (Jn 3,8) . To follow Christ is an adventure: letting God constantly surprise us and remaining open to renewal in the Spirit…

         Sr. Therese of the Holy Face

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        testimony of

        Br. Jean-Marie

        I come from French-speaking Switzerland. Before joining the Community, I was a young car mechanic in a garage that prepared vehicles for the Paris-Dakar.

        It was during a pilgrimage for vocations in 1983 that I heard very clearly in my heart Jesus calling me to become a priest. I was about to turn twenty. The word of Jesus burned my soul. During that day of prayer we were meditating on a text by Pope John Paul II, which read as follows: « Dear young people, I would like to address a very special appeal to you : reflect, understand that I am talking to you about very important things. It is about dedicating one’s entire life to the service of God and the Church… Open your hearts to a joyful encounter with the Risen Christ ! Allow the power of the Holy Spirit to work in you and inspire you with the right choices for your life… Perhaps the Lord is calling you…”. With these words of the pope, my vocation germinated. For more than four and a half years I put up a resistance. I liked my profession very much and I could not make up my mind. It was after a pilgrimage to Medjugorje that I was able to surrender to the Lord’s calling. I was passing through Ars, without knowing that the Community of the Beatitudes was organizing a conference there. What a shock! A sister invited me to take my turn at Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the middle of the night ! This request honored me. When I found myself facing Jesus in the Eucharist, I felt that I was really at the right place. “A community that gives space to ‘adoration’ this is what I need.” After this love at first sight experience, I deepened this “encounter” by visiting the house of Pont-Saint-Esprit. As simple as that…

        Today, having been a priest for 22 years, I fulfil my priestly ministry in the parish at the service of the new evangelization, surrounded and helped by my brothers and sisters of the Beatitudes. I dedicate a large amount of my time to the service of youth. Our parish house in Lausanne runs a small student home. With them, we do scouting and all kinds of activities: mountain camping, ski camping, pilgrimages, WYD, humanitarian trips…

        Jesus calls us to great challenges. He also counts on you. Leave your mark on this world. He needs the freshness of your young years. « Come follow me ». Together we will build a civilization of Love.

        Brother Jean-Marie

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        testimony of

        Br. Johannes Maria

        I was born and grew up in Berlin (Germany).

        It has been 25 years since I joined the Community of the Beatitudes. Yet I hadn’t planned anything in that direction. Before this new life, I had embarked on teaching studies, with clear priorities: sport and physical activities.

        At the age of 12, I started bicross. It gives one pure adrenaline! For me it was more than just a simple hobby. It was my life. I spent all my time on the bike, investing all my money and all my energy on it. Competition had become a source of recognition for me. I had to shine.

        All this, just to win a small metal trophy and be acclaimed after the competition ! Yet, how fleeting are such moments.

        Much later, I realized that I was constantly striving after performances. I despised everything that did not serve this ideal. Gradually and without being really aware of the situation, I lost the meaning of life and became more and more lonely. Internally, I had even lost my family.

        But God is good ! Through miraculous circumstances, the Lord led me to Medjugorje in Bosnia-Herzegovina. It is a Marian shrine visited by millions of pilgrims from all over the world. I experienced a strong encounter with the living God.

        It is very difficult to write about it in a few words, but I can only say that I was aware of my selfishness and the coldness of my heart, nevertheless discovering at the same time God’s ineffable love for me. This experience completely changed me !

        I began praying regularly. It allowed me to approach ecclesial life. I then joined the Community of the Beatitudes because there was a deep desire in me to give my whole life to the Lord. I found my family there. I met brothers and sisters who had experienced similar things with God. I could walk with them to serve the Lord and the Church.

        And time passes quickly… since then I have been ordained to the priesthood, I try to look for lost sheep. As in my experience, I want to tell them about this deep source of happiness that every man seeks after.

        So do not hesitate to get in touch with Him, to talk to Him, to share your questions, your worries, your problems, your wounds. And above all, pray to Him to manifest himself and show you His great mercy towards you.

        Br. Johannes Maria

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        TESTIMONY OF

        Brother Olivier-Marie

        Originally from St Germain-en-Laye, I am the fourth of five children.

        From a practising Catholic family, I lived my childhood and youth in a close and loving family. I was particularly interested in scouting and sport, especially sailing in Brittany. I grew up peacefully, without any big worries or questions, supported by some good guardians: family, friends and scouting. My faith was however superficial, received as one element of my education, among others.

        At 21, I went abroad for three years to finish my studies and work. This stay, far from my family, was an uprooting, and proved to be difficult, and therefore a forced stage of maturation on a personal and spiritual level. And God used it well as a springboard.

        Back in France, an inspired word, a providential meeting with a priest, a charitable commitment to handicapped children… were all milestones in my return to God. Until the decisive step: my participation in a retreat at the Community of the Beatitudes.

        During those few days, I experienced a reversal, an inner upheaval, what we call a conversion. What had seemed neither possible nor desirable until then became for me a path of life and happiness. I clearly received the call to become a priest. This call had resounded in the Community of the Beatitudes with astonishing clarity. I left Paris to live one, then two years in the Community. For me it was clear: it was there, because God had found me and called me there. I have been there for sixteen years and a priest for six years now.

        Since the day when this serene certainty dwelt in me, I have been aware that my happiness depends on my total abandonment to God. The intuition I received during that short retreat, a long time ago, is confirmed at every moment: God is faithful and a source of deep joy.

        When God calls, it is for Life!

        Brother Olivier-Marie

        TO GO FURTHER

        TESTIMONY OF

        Brother Pierre-Marie

        Born at the end of the Second World War into a Christian family, I always wanted to be a missionary. In the minor seminary, I met a white Father (missionary from Africa). What attracted me to them was that “they prayed and ate together”, as the martyrs of Uganda said: the mission in community life, to witness to “see how they love each other”. I was ordained a priest in 1974 and sent on mission to the Sahara desert. At a time when the mission was being challenged, I experienced the Holy Spirit. Then, with other White Fathers, we founded a small fraternity of missionary monks. This was the beginning of an exciting experience: new converts from Islam met Christ, while some Muslims met around Br. Christian de Chergé and one of us at Tibhirine, in the bond of peace. This experience could not continue in Algeria, not even as a White Father. The bishop who welcomed us, Bishop Pierre Claverie, accompanied us to the Lion of Judah and the Immolated Lamb.

        We stayed there because we found prayer, liturgical life, a community life in simplicity and abandonment. And we were the first two priests to join the Community who already had real missionary experience.

        In 1983, the Community sent me to found in Lebanon, in the midst of the war, and then to many other countries and continents. My ministry is above all marked by preaching through retreats and great evangelisations, meeting the Muslim world and accompanying converts.

        Strive to grasp Him who has grasped you (cf. Phil 3:12-14). “Do not slow down, remain in the fervour of the Spirit, serve the Lord” (cf. Rom 12:11).

        Brother Pierre-Marie

        TO GO FURTHER

        TESTIMONY OF

        Fr. Jean-Paul du Christ Rédempteur

        Brother Jean-Paul was ordained a priest on 26 June 2021 in Libreville (Gabon). A doctor by training, Brother Jean-Paul felt the call of Christ to become a doctor of souls… Currently on mission in our house in Zug, German-speaking Switzerland, he gives us the testimony of his vocation on video.

        to go further

        Zeugnis von

        Sr Maya-Lys de Jésus

        Mein Name ist Maya und ich bin Libanesin. Jesus hat mich während meines Studiums im Alter von 25 Jahren abgeholt…

        WEITER GEHEN

        Je souhaite recevoir vos mails de nouvelles

        *Vous pouvez vous désabonner à tout moment en bas de chaque email (lire la politique de confidentialité).

          votre intention a été envoyée !

          Elle sera très vite confiée à des frères et sœurs de la Communauté des Béatitudes qui prieront pour vous, spécialement lors de l'office d'intercession du jeudi soir.

          Merci de votre confiance

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