Whether we are "old ones", those who have been there from the beginning or almost "newcomers", those who have joined the Providence Family recently, it is with the same pleasure that we come to this meeting. to spend time in friendship, prayer, meditation and reflection, in this place where we are so warmly welcomed.
The theme was taken from the post-synodal apostolic exhortation of Pope Francis on love in the family "Amoris laetitia"

For the second year, Claude COSNARD, a permanent deacon of the diocese of Le Mans, was welcomed as a speaker.

His experience of proximity to the people of the ‘Fourth World’ allowed us to explore the text of the letter of St. Paul (Co 13) on love, in a relaxed and collective way, in the way they do it with them as a team. This approach was enriching because it allowed us to have a global approach of this text, whether we are couples, single or religious.

We also saw some episodes from a film "The most precious stone" by KTO, on the "Siloé" approach of the meeting of the Pope with 300 people in precarity. (Video below). The meeting of the Pope with 300 people from France who live precariously.

Two things impressed us most:

• the depth of the exchanges before and after the trip
• the beauty, the simplicity of this meeting and exchanges with Pope Francis.

We do not want to be assisted because we believe that "no one is too poor to have nothing to give." In our groups we experience the joy of being together, sharing the gospel and prayer. Now we ask you not to be served but to be able to serve in our turn. Do not hesitate to solicit workers like us. We believe we can help you in your mission. We would like to ask you: Do not forget to give us a mission. Even poor, we can receive a mission and become servants of the Gospel.

Reply of Pope Francis

Beloved brothers and sisters, I ask you above all to keep courage and, in the midst of your anxieties, to keep alive the joy of hope. May this flame of hope which dwells in you not be extinguished. You asked me to remind the Church of France that Jesus is suffering at the door of our churches if the poor are not present among us. "The poor are the treasure of the Church," said the Roman Deacon Saint Lawrence. ...

And finally, I would like to ask you a favour, more than a favour in giving you a mission, a mission that you alone, in your poverty, will be able to accomplish.  Let me explain: Jesus was sometimes very harsh and He strongly reprimanded those who did not receive the message of the Father. Just as he said this beautiful word “Blessed” to the poor, to those who are hungry, to those who mourn, to those who are hated and persecuted, He said another word which, coming from Him, is scary “Woe to you…”.  He said this to the rich, to those who now laugh, to those who love to be praised (cf. Lk 6: 24-26), to the hypocrites (cf Mt 23: 15). I give you the mission of praying for them, so that the Lord may change their hearts. I ask you also to pray for those responsible for your poverty, so that they may take the way of conversion.

To all these people, and certainly to others, who are negatively related to your poverty and sorrows, smile with your hearts, wish them all that is good and ask Jesus that they may repent. And I assure you that, if you do so, there will be great joy in the Church, in your hearts and in France, this beloved country. 

Rereading all this, I think of this prayer of Jesus: “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.” (Mt 11,25) This is also an invitation for us to give thanks and to open our hearts to a greater simplicity.