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 calling at the age of seven. It was a calling to 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.
At the age of 24, this calling having become obvious, I left everything to answer it : family, country, culture, friends and girlfriend, work. I joined the Community of the Beatitudes in… Côte d’Ivoire, in a Catholic mission. It was here 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 the aspects of the Community I like the most : its international dimension. The Community has given me the opportunity to meet the People of God in their universality and to meet them in truth and in depth. As brothers and priests, we share the most intimate part of people’s lives: their joys, their distress, etc. We are present at the happiest moments of their lives (marriage, births, etc.) as well as at the hardest moments (death, etc.). What grace, and what wealth !
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 of. After eleven years in Denver, Colorado, I came back to France this year, for a new service : that of our Parisian house and parish at Maisons Alfort. After so many years abroad, I return to serve “my” people who need it so much.
Do you discern a calling ? Then let me tell you: if you are baptized, listen to your heart, not your fears. Come out into the deep, He will be faithful.
Brother Nathanaël
