We spent a very enjoyable week in Paray-le-Monial in France from February 22nd -29th. The weather was somewhat cooler than the warm spring temperatures of Rome but we were more than happy to exchange the busy city life for the beauty and peacefulness of the traditional French pilgrimage town for a week. While there we participated in a three day retreat with the students from ESM Paray le Monial and ESM Altotting, along with the students from Saint Joseph’s House – a house of discernment for the priesthood in Namur, Belgium. We arrived in Paray-le-Monial on the eve of Ash Wednesday and began Lent together in silence. Throughout the retreat we had times for adoration and quiet prayer, silence, reconciliation, music, reflection and discussion. There was Mass at the Apparitions Chapel where the relics of Saint Margaret-Mary lie and the Colombiere Chapel which contains the relics of Saint-Claude and we listened to great talks on the lives of both saints. We also visited the tomb of Pierre Goursat, founder of the Emmanuel Community and heard about his life and how he began the Emmanuel Community. With young people from all over the world present there was great music, drama and cultural immersion when we joined together in the various groups to present ourselves. A personal highlight for me was the great sense of community as we shared meals and accomodation, served, worked, played sport and of course prayed together. It was great to join with so many other young people who are also currently living this experience of spending a year for God. There was also social time to get to know the others and visit the town before the International Winter Youth Forum which took place on the weekend of February 27th-28th. It was great to witness so many young people come from all over Europe to attend this event. Upwards of 1500 youth were present for the two day programme which included adoration, great music, praise, talks, testimonies, liturgies, workshops and reconciliation. After the young people departed the ESM schools shared a meal together before going their separate ways and the tidy up in earnest began! In the evening I spent some quiet time of reflection on a great week in the beautiful Basilica where the Taize Community were hosting evening prayer led by Brother Alois. Paray le Monial is indeed a very special place of pilgrimage – the place of pilgrimage to the Sacred Heart of Jesus where Jesus showed His heart burning with love to Saint Margaret Mary – authenticated by St. Claude la Colombière her Jesuit Spiritual Director. Learning more about the message of Paray and reflecting on how these two great saints lived true friendship with themselves and with others gave a real boost to my own faith – I do hope to return!
