In the eyes of French Catholics, one probably has to go back almost thirty years, to World Youth Day in 1997, to find an Event of such Importance. Pope Leo XIV was visiting France from September 25 to 28, as part of an Apostolic Journey that aroused the Enthusiasm of the Faithful and required enormous logistical Organization on the part of Church Leaders and Authorities.
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At the Stade de France
in LourdesWhat strikes you first are the images of Crowds. More than 800,000 people attended Mass on Saturday in the Place de la Concorde and on the Champs-Élysées; more than a Million welcomed him along his Route to Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, and 150,000 in Lourdes… But there were also Encounters that left a lasting Impression: from the Oldest to the Youngest! How many Babies were blessed along his Journey! Encounters with the most Vulnerable and the most Fragile: the Sick, the Disabled, Migrants… those who have suffered the Hardships of Life…
 The young People from St Julien College in Malestroit who sang at the Place de la Concorde |
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 Brother James Hayes was with other Bretons in the choir at Place de la Concorde |
…the same ones at the Foot of the Altar in the Place de la ConcordeThese are also Powerful and Courageous Words for the Church and the World! Pope Leo XIV also had strong Words for the 80,000 young people gathered at the Stade de France: “You are the Saints of France!”, “This, then, is the Source of true Freedom: a living Relationship with Jesus,” “Our only Weapon is that of self-giving Love,” dear friends, do not be afraid of this Call! Be bold! Have faith in Jesus!”… enough to set an entire stadium ablaze!
 Group from CL Assomption of Rennes in front of the Stade de France |
 Group of Singers from the Diocese of Quimper with Bro James Hayes |
 At UNESCO, Mr. Denis Chevrel (2nd from the left), Assistant to the Provincial for Mennaisian Trusteeship |
Lourdes was also another Highlight of this Visit… the Crowd again and again… and so many Encounters in one day: meeting with the Bishops of France, Mass on the Sanctuary Meadow, Meetings with Victims of sexual Violence in the Church and with Nuns, Prayer of the Rosary, Torchlight Procession… but above all, an exceptional Visit placed under the sign of Pilgrimage and Contemplation.
Today, Pope Leo XIV arrives in Metz, the final stop on his Visit: a choice explained by the symbolic significance of the Moselle capital, a cradle of European Integration and of historical Importance in the Christianization of France. The Program includes an interfaith Meeting and Speech at the Metz Congress Center – Robert Schuman, a Procession in the Popemobile through the city streets, Mass at Saint-Étienne Cathedral, and a farewell Ceremony at the Airport, marking the end of the Papal Visit to France.
 Young people from Mennais are here at the Stadium, with Corentin Ogier on the left, APS in Vitré… |
 Vincent Olivon, President of Estival, and Corentin Ogier in Paris |
 The Bag of the Mennaisians… |
Millions traveled to be in Communion with the Pope in Paris, Lourdes… Several Brothers were among them, some with front-row seats! Those in Paris and Lourdes! But other Mennaisians, Young and Old, also mobilized… The Photos on this page are some living Testimonies… perhaps others will reach us!