La Mennais Advent Calendar 2023
Philippe Blot
Created on November 30, 2023
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Transcript
La Mennais ADVENT Calendar 2023
December 6
December 3
Be watchful!
December 7
Everyone who listens
December 4
Lord, I am not worthy
December 8
The Holy Spirit will come
December 9
The harvest is abundant
December 10
John the Baptist appeared
December 11
...pick up your stretcher
December 12
If a man has a hundred sheep
December 13
Come to me, all you who labor
December 14
There has been none greater
December 15
To what shal I compare...
Why do the scribes say...
December 24
I am the handmaid of the Lord
25 Desember
Lorem ipsum dolor sit
December 17
Who are you ?
December 18
Joseph, do not be afraid...
December 19
Do not be afraid, Zechariah
December 20
In the sixth month,
December 21
Most blessed are you
23 Desember
December 16
My soul proclaim...
John is his name
December 22
December 5
My heart is moved with...
I give you praise Father,
"Be watchful! Be alert!" Mk. 13,33
60' forYOU
60' forGOD
60' withYMLM
60' forWATCH
60' to contemplate the photo and let yourself be inspired!
La Mennais ADVENT Calendar 2023
60' forNOTE
60' to write down a word, an idea, a thought... a star for your life today... by Christmas, your sky will be studded with these stars!
December 03
Feast of St Francis Xavier
BonusFamily
60' forYOU
60' forGOD
60' withYMLM
December 04
"Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof." Mt. 8,8
La Mennais ADVENT Calendar 2023
60' forWATCH
60' to contemplate the photo and let yourself be inspired!
60' forNOTE
60' to write down a word, an idea, a thought... a star for your life today... by Christmas, your sky will be studded with these stars!
60' forYOU
60' forGOD
60' withYMLM
Desember 05
"I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth..." Lk. 10:21
La Mennais ADVENT Calendar 2023
60' forWATCH
60' to contemplate the photo and let yourself be inspired!
60' forNOTE
60' to write down a word, an idea, a thought... a star for your life today... by Christmas, your sky will be studded with these stars!
60' forYOU
60' forGOD
60' withYMLM
Desember 06
"My heart is moved with pity for the crowd." Mt. 15:32
La Mennais ADVENT Calendar 2023
60' forWATCH
60' to contemplate the photo and let yourself be inspired!
60' forNOTE
60' to write down a word, an idea, a thought... a star for your life today... by Christmas, your sky will be studded with these stars!
60' forYOU
60' forGOD
60' withYMLM
Desember 07
"Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them..." Mt. 7:24
La Mennais ADVENT Calendar 2023
60' forWATCH
60' to contemplate the photo and let yourself be inspired!
60' forNOTE
60' to write down a word, an idea, a thought... a star for your life today... by Christmas, your sky will be studded with these stars!
60' forYOU
60' forGOD
60' withYMLM
Desember 08
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you..." Lk. 1:35
La Mennais ADVENT Calendar 2023
60' forWATCH
60' to contemplate the photo and let yourself be inspired!
60' forNOTE
60' to write down a word, an idea, a thought... a star for your life today... by Christmas, your sky will be studded with these stars!
60' forYOU
60' forGOD
60' withYMLM
December 09
"The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few..." Mt. 9:37
La Mennais ADVENT Calendar 2023
60' forWATCH
60' to contemplate the photo and let yourself be inspired!
60' forNOTE
60' to write down a word, an idea, a thought... a star for your life today... by Christmas, your sky will be studded with these stars!
60' forYOU
60' forGOD
60' withYMLM
December 10
"John the Baptist appeared in the desert..." Mk. 1:4
La Mennais ADVENT Calendar 2023
60' forWATCH
60' to contemplate the photo and let yourself be inspired!
60' forNOTE
60' to write down a word, an idea, a thought... a star for your life today... by Christmas, your sky will be studded with these stars!
BonusFamily
60' forYOU
60' forGOD
60' withYMLM
December 11
"...pick up your stretcher,and go home..." Lk. 5:24
La Mennais ADVENT Calendar 2023
60' forWATCH
60' to contemplate the photo and let yourself be inspired!
60' forNOTE
60' to write down a word, an idea, a thought... a star for your life today... by Christmas, your sky will be studded with these stars!
60' forYOU
60' forGOD
60' withYMLM
December 12
"If a man has a hundred sheepand one of them goes astray..." Mk. 18:12
La Mennais ADVENT Calendar 2023
60' forWATCH
60' to contemplate the photo and let yourself be inspired!
60' forNOTE
60' to write down a word, an idea, a thought... a star for your life today... by Christmas, your sky will be studded with these stars!
60' forYOU
60' forGOD
60' withYMLM
December 13
"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened..." Mt. 11:28
La Mennais ADVENT Calendar 2023
60' forWATCH
60' to contemplate the photo and let yourself be inspired!
60' forNOTE
60' to write down a word, an idea, a thought... a star for your life today... by Christmas, your sky will be studded with these stars!
60' forYOU
60' forGOD
60' withYMLM
December 14
"There has been none greater than John the Baptist..." Mt. 11:11
La Mennais ADVENT Calendar 2023
60' forWATCH
60' to contemplate the photo and let yourself be inspired!
60' forNOTE
60' to write down a word, an idea, a thought... a star for your life today... by Christmas, your sky will be studded with these stars!
60' forYOU
60' forGOD
60' withYMLM
December 15
"To what shal I compare this generation?" Mt. 11:16
La Mennais ADVENT Calendar 2023
60' forWATCH
60' to contemplate the photo and let yourself be inspired!
60' forNOTE
60' to write down a word, an idea, a thought... a star for your life today... by Christmas, your sky will be studded with these stars!
60' forYOU
60' forGOD
60' withYMLM
December 16
"Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" Mt. 17:10
La Mennais ADVENT Calendar 2023
60' forWATCH
60' to contemplate the photo and let yourself be inspired!
60' forNOTE
60' to write down a word, an idea, a thought... a star for your life today... by Christmas, your sky will be studded with these stars!
60' forYOU
60' forGOD
60' withYMLM
December 17
"Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us?" Jn. 1:22
La Mennais ADVENT Calendar 2023
60' forWATCH
60' to contemplate the photo and let yourself be inspired!
60' forNOTE
60' to write down a word, an idea, a thought... a star for your life today... by Christmas, your sky will be studded with these stars!
BonusFamily
60' forYOU
60' forGOD
60' withYMLM
December 18
"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary into your home." Mt. 1:29
La Mennais ADVENT Calendar 2023
60' forWATCH
60' to contemplate the photo and let yourself be inspired!
60' forNOTE
60' to write down a word, an idea, a thought... a star for your life today... by Christmas, your sky will be studded with these stars!
60' forYOU
60' forGOD
60' withYMLM
December 19
"Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard." Lk. 1:13
La Mennais ADVENT Calendar 2023
60' forWATCH
60' to contemplate the photo and let yourself be inspired!
60' forNOTE
60' to write down a word, an idea, a thought... a star for your life today... by Christmas, your sky will be studded with these stars!
60' forYOU
60' forGOD
60' withYMLM
December 20
"In the sixth month, the angel was sent from God..." Lk. 1:26
La Mennais ADVENT Calendar 2023
60' forWATCH
60' to contemplate the photo and let yourself be inspired!
60' forNOTE
60' to write down a word, an idea, a thought... a star for your life today... by Christmas, your sky will be studded with these stars!
60' forYOU
60' forGOD
60' withYMLM
December 21
"Most blessed are you among women..." Lk. 1:42
La Mennais ADVENT Calendar 2023
60' forWATCH
60' to contemplate the photo and let yourself be inspired!
60' forNOTE
60' to write down a word, an idea, a thought... a star for your life today... by Christmas, your sky will be studded with these stars!
60' forYOU
60' forGOD
60' withYMLM
December 22
"My soul proclaim the greatness of the Lord..." Lk. 1:46
La Mennais ADVENT Calendar 2023
60' forWATCH
60' to contemplate the photo and let yourself be inspired!
60' forNOTE
60' to write down a word, an idea, a thought... a star for your life today... by Christmas, your sky will be studded with these stars!
60' forYOU
60' forGOD
60' withYMLM
December 23
"John is his name..." Lk. 1:63
La Mennais ADVENT Calendar 2023
60' forWATCH
60' to contemplate the photo and let yourself be inspired!
60' forNOTE
60' to write down a word, an idea, a thought... a star for your life today... by Christmas, your sky will be studded with these stars!
60' forYOU
60' forGOD
60' withYMLM
December 24
"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord..." Lk. 1:38
La Mennais ADVENT Calendar 2023
60' forWATCH
60' to contemplate the photo and let yourself be inspired!
60' forNOTE
60' to write down a word, an idea, a thought... a star for your life today... by Christmas, your sky will be studded with these stars!
WILLEducating the will means gradually enabling it to make choices. Everyone has the capacity to know, love and act. Education consists in adjusting these capacities to each other. Then, this intelligence illuminated by love will be able to show the heart where the sources of true life, happiness and peace lie, and so the will will come to be capable of choosing freely and acting accordingly. "Man is born in ignorance; he undoubtedly brings with him an intelligence capable of knowing God himself, a heart made to love the infinite good, a body to which he will be able to command the most sublime actions; but this intelligence will remain for him like the closed book of the seven seals, unless education comes to open it." Brother Thierry Beauplet
How can we not want to be like Jesus? Moved by pity! And put ourselves at His service, like the disciples who gave the bread... And like the heirs of John-Maria La Mennais and Gabriel Deshayes, giving the bread of education.I entrust to God, in prayer, my availability to serve Him, to serve children and young people with hope.
If you would remind yourself at every moment that God sees you, and that you must seek only his glory in all your deeds, none of them would be unworthy of a religious. Father Jean-Marie de La Mennais to Br André
VISION & PRAGMATISMJean-Marie de La Mennais asked his teachers and educators to be craftsmen and not doctors, but excellent craftsmen, always in training and able to re-examine their practice. His schools were seen more as "workshops", places of apprenticeship through friendship, or even as "hospitals", places of healing, than as universities, places where knowledge was transmitted. Brother Thierry Beauplet
If we judge the future with our fears, it is certain that our troubles are not over. Wouldn’t it be better to sleep more peacefully by putting our faith, love and confidence in Divine Providence? Father Jean-Marie de La Mennais to Mr. Querret
KINDNESSFar from utopia, far from relational methods, far from blissful optimism, benevolence is an active inclination of the heart and one that can be easily expressed. No one forces me to be benevolent, as it seems to go hand in hand with simplicity and everyday life, as possibilities open up freely. Brother Olivier Migot
I take the time to welcome in prayer the figure of John the Baptist... a sign announcing the Kingdom... I ask John the Baptist to help me welcome Jesus... to discover the signs of his presence in my life... to read the signs of the times for our Religious Family in view of the General Chapter of 2024.
This Saturday's Gospel evokes the figure of John the Baptist through the testimony Jesus gives him. John, the prophet of fiery zeal, like Elijah before him.What about me? What's the fire in me? How zealous am I to bear witness to God to those closest to me? to my students? to my colleagues?In order to live, the fire must be constantly fed... I take time out in silence to regenerate the fire that burns within me.
I ask you to be punctual in rising at the appointed time. If you are not able to make such a small sacrifice, what are you really capable of doing? Father Jean-Marie de La Mennais to Br Jérôme
The Advent wreath with candles was invented by a pastor in Hamburg, Germany in the 19th century. Every morning, he lit an extra small candle, and every Sunday, a large one. Only the larger candles were retained. These candles symbolize the great stages of salvation before the coming of the Messiah:
- The third is a symbol of David's joy in celebrating the covenant with God..
Families around the Advent wreath
A family movement. Gather around the Advent wreath. Listen to the song "Prince of Peace" recorded by the Community from Yogyakarta.
A superior ought to remain always calm and never to break the reed that is bending, nor to extinguish the wick which is still smoldering (Mt 12:20). Father Jean-Marie de La Mennais to Br Ambroise
INSTRUCTIONThe expression "to be educated" has not totally lost its nobility. What a formidable challenge it is for today's teacher to be the one who prepares a professional future for his or her pupils, who awakens intelligence and conscience, and opens up access to beauty and responsibility (when it's so comfortable for a teenager to "do like everyone else", to fall into line in order to be recognized by his or her peers)! In short, to be the one who instructs and builds, slowly but surely, the Man of tomorrow. Mrs Martine Tondowski
Broaden your heart and avoid giving way deliberately to feelings of excessive fear, which would only contract it and prevent it enjoying God’s favor. Father Jean-Marie de La Mennais to Sisters
By accepting the Angel Gabriel's words, Mary becomes God's temple... and we, too, are called to become God's temples... and our homes, our schools, our places of life can become God's temples if we let the fragrance of the Gospel enter them.In prayer, with all my senses, I welcome this Gospel fragrance that renews me...
To be watchful is also to be aware of the hand that is upon me... to guide me without restraining me, to give me strength in difficult situations...In the silence of prayer, I am aware of God's presence in my life... and I give thanks...
O come EmmanuelO come, Emmanuel, take shape in our lives.O come, Jesus, transform our winters into spring.O come, Lord of lords, light our way.O come, Savior of the world, free us from our illusions.O come, Lord of wonders, open us to your presence.O come, Son of the living God, call us to your glory.O come, King of kings, guide us along the paths of life.O come, Master of time and history, direct our actions towards good.O come, Emmanuel, save us from a life without God.
Listening to the Word and putting it into practice... isn't this a way of renewing our spirit of faith... in meditation and prayer, as Jean-Marie de La Mennais suggests. But not one without the other: listening to the word but not putting it into practice... wanting to act without listening to the word...What's happening in my day-to-day life with regard to this double advice from Jesus: Listen/Act?
John the Baptist... perhaps the first of the utopians who believed that a path could be traced in the desert... a path towards God... a path of Hope for servants of Hope...I present to God my utopias, my dreams... as a brother in a mission not yet 25 years old... as a teacher in a school not yet 10 years old... as the parent of a child still in school... And I tell God my hope...
ZEALZeal then appears as a vibrant and urgent call to respond to needs. And it becomes even more fervent when it finds its source in faith and conviction. Beyond serving others, it becomes a source of holiness and salvation. In this way, the zealous man demonstrates judicious discernment, the fruit of a perceptive intelligence. His work is no longer a matter of words, but of communicative action and a commitment that unfolds in lasting continuity. It is from this state of mind that what has become the Mennaisian Family was born. Mrs. Maha Richard
God’s work does not depend on this or that person; it entirely depends on God, and our whole trust must rest in Him. Father Jean-Marie de La Mennais to Br. Ambroise
GUARDIAN ANGELIn order to become like her, "servants of hope", Mary invites us to take the path of benevolent and considerate compassion. The first step is to look at our reality as a person, as a community and as a Congregation, with the eyes of faith and the ears of the heart. By doing this assessment with the help of the Marian pedagogy, we will identify the weaknessesthat darken our personal life, that tarnish the joy of fraternal life in community and that block the vitality and fruitfulness of our Institute. Happy are we if we manage to present them to the Lord through Mary! A new life is already springing forth! Hope is reborn! Circular 319, Brother Hervé Zamor, SG FICP
ATTENTIONThere is no specific place or time to get attention. All it takes is an adult who is sufficiently anchored in this mental attitude to make it happen. Perhaps, in today's world, such adults are more necessary than ever? Brother Michel Guyomarc'h
EXEMPLARITYKeep in mind that the term educate comes from the Latin: educere, "to lead out of". The responsibility of the teacher is to enhance the humanity of the student, so that he can find the points of support that will enable him to appropriate the content of living culture or science in a critical way, courageously discard and sort through it, and thus become a doer in his own life. Mr. Jean-Paul Giard
What links can I establish between this Gospel page and Jean-Marie de La Mennais' words about the superior? In the description of the man searching for the lost sheep, there are some features of the superior who cares for those in his charge. And what about me? What do I know about those entrusted to my care? Their joys and sorrows? Their wounds? Am I ready to seek them out when they stray?In my prayer, I name them and entrust them to the Good Shepherd.
Be humble. Have the simplicity of little children, for they are the ones that the Lord blessed and to whom he promised His Kingdom. Father Jean-Marie de La Mennais to Priests of St Méen
BROTHERHOOD - FRATERNITYIt seems very difficult for the Mennaisian educator to promote an "integral education of the person" without seeking for himself a certain form of unity and integrity that goes far beyond professional conscience. It even goes as far as a form of brotherhood with oneself: the first "brother" of whom I am the guardian is myself. This "inner brotherhood" is an experience to be lived and proposed, not just as another method, but as an educational path to growth and to helping others grow. Brother Régis Lefrère
UTOPIAThis also applies to the unceasing call to create and nurture a fraternal educational community; it also applies to the invitation to believe, when everything seems to be going in the opposite direction, that a young person is educable, that a path is possible, a future conceivable for him and his family; it applies even more to the invitation frequently repeated by Jean-Marie de la Mennais to his brothers: "Be saints in order to make saints". Utopia to be received as a horizon towards which to constantly strive, and which, perhaps, has no better name than hope, if hope is what we do not yet see, but which is already there in the background? Mrs Laurence Bienassis and Brother Michel Guyomarc'h
CHARITYBut beyond the feeling of injustice, of belief, or of a given appeal situation, beyond the simple exercise of helping, isn't there a content to charity that goes beyond these social notions? A feeling not provoked by man's own necessities alone, but a reality that exists, disinterested and paired with love: this "caritas", which everyone carries within themselves. A notion that links people to a universal entity, to God, for "God is love" (Deus caritas est), to a common vocation that each individual shares with all. Charity thus takes on a social, personal and, above all, spiritual dimension. Mrs Maha Richard
The Advent wreath with candles was invented by a pastor in Hamburg, Germany in the 19th century. Every morning, he lit an extra small candle, and every Sunday, a large one. Only the larger candles were retained. These candles symbolize the great stages of salvation before the coming of the Messiah:
- The first candel is the symbol of forgiveness granted to Adam and Eve
Families around the Advent wreath
A family gesture. Gather near the wreath... be silent... hold hands and pray the Our Father together... and a Hail Mary for each family member.
Cast from you all disquieting thoughts; always rekindle within yourself the spirit of faith through meditation and prayer. Father Jean-Marie de La Mennais to br Ambroise
Zechariah certainly wanted to do God's will. And for him, that meant serving in the Temple. And that's where God met him.And for me, are my places of service - in the family, in the community, in the church, at work - places where I discover God's will, or do I reserve that for prayer?I take time to review the places where I live, to re-read how God calls me there, and I reiterate my availability to Him for His service...
I realize that your situation is a delicate one and that it demands vigilance and prudence, but I can see at the same time the hand of God over you defending and sustaining you. Father Jean-Marie de La Mennais to Br Ambroise
TEMPLEBut isn't the school as a temple a wager made together that, despite our differences, we can achieve a common work that transcends us and enables us to relate to knowledge and ultimate questions, and to live together in a way that has the accents of the Gospel. Without erasing the rough edges. Brother Michel Guyomarc'h
Come to Jesus... and rest beside him... to continue the journey, the mission. Imitating Jesus and reaching out to others... allowing them to rest close to me... A way of living fraternity...It's the end of the semester and maybe I'm tired... May I listen to the Lord's voice in my heart, inviting me to recharge my batteries close to Him... by listening to His Word... by joining the community of fraternal believers...
God will bless your abandonment to Him and you will be delighted later on to have put all your trust in Divine Providence. Father Jean-Marie de La Mennais to Br. Ambroise
I prefer to suffer much than become involved in a struggle which would consist in defending myself against unjust accusations. Father Jean-Marie de La Mennais to Bruté de Rémur
The best way you can show your attachment to me and make me happy is to give me the consolation that you edify all those you have dealings with, and that you are living as a convinced religious. Father Gabriel Deshayes
MASTERSo, that's what a Master is: one who, in the patience of the day, does what he has to do, in deep coherence with who he is and what he has to say, giving encouragement, opening up, bringing awareness to that which keeps him on the right track, and who seeks to do all this with determined encouragement and humility. BrothervMichel Guyomarc'h
The Advent wreath with candles was invented by a pastor in Hamburg, Germany in the 19th century. Every morning, he lit an extra small candle, and every Sunday, a large one. Only the larger candles were retained. These candles symbolize the great stages of salvation before the coming of the Messiah:
- The second candle is a symbol of the patriarchs' faith in the promised land.
Families around the Advent wreath
A family gestureGather around the Advent wreath. Listen to one of the family members recite the Credo slowly. End with the Our Father, holding hands.
If you really want to make progress in perfection, humble yourself at the thought of your sinfulness, but don’t get upset and don’t imagine that inconstancy is the remedy. Father Jean-Marie de La Mennais to Br Ambroise
Rereading this scene of the paralytic's healing, we can't help but think of the boldness shown by his companions. What an experience this healing was for him... but what an experience for them too! What an experience of God!In the silence of prayer, I give thanks for these experiences of God that are given to me...
PEACELet's enter Jean-Marie's secret garden, where only his true friends have access? Provided we find the front door. It's a surprising and rather hidden: it's that of prayer which nourishes faith. "Be a man of faith, and all the thoughts that agitate you so painfully will dissipate; you will enjoy peace... above all, pray a lot." Peace, the fruit of prayer... A strange idea. Rest assured, Jean-Marie wasn't recommending saying prayers all day long. He understood what Saint Paul meant when he wrote to the Thessalonians: "Pray without ceasing". Brother Yvon Deniaud
This day, I take time to contemplate Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth. I imagine the scene. Two pregnant women... one old, the other very young... The younger one coming to do the older one a favor, and perhaps also to pour out her heart at the news she has just heard and her new situation.In the silence, I think of the people I like to visit, either to be of service to them or because they know how to listen to me... I entrust them to the Lord.
All the little daily sacrifices that require me to make an effort... and make me unworthy in the eyes of my Lord, God... and yet, this Lord deigns to enter under my roof to heal me...May I open my heart to him... the door of my heart... and let him make it his home to save me!
From I to WECertainly, the Mennaisian tradition, like so many others, is not timeless and must adapt to times and places. Cultures change, and practices and methods must follow. But there remains an anthropolo-gical invariant, a vision of man, which does not change. Jean-Marie de La Mennais had a vision: it guided his personal choices and was embodied in a common project... from I to WE! In "The Way", Edgar Mroin invites us to urgently reawaken "the software of the WE, which inscribes the I in a relationship of love or community within its family, its homeland, its religious affiliation, its party." It's not a question of an undifferentiated, uniform WE, but of a conscious and united WE, capable of facing up to an increasingly complex reality. Brother Régis Lefrère
If you are not completely detached from yourself, every word of contradiction will be a very painful wound for your soul. Father Jean-Marie de La Mennais in Memorial
COMMUNIONToday, the word "communion" presents itself to us as a challenge: as members of the Mennaisian Network, we are called to become ever more beings of communion at the very heart of our educational mission. We have to give "flesh" to the reality that this word designates, in various ways, each according to his or her own situation, helping young people to move towards their full humanization, to become themselves beings of communion, not only in their family and social life, but also in their future professional life. This is the aim of the network's Educational Project. Utopia? Of course, the ambition of this project is high, but working to achieve it is part of our educational mission. Brother Jean Pétillon
SIGNThis underlines the irreplaceable role of the adult in charge of instructing and teaching. The founders of the order agree on this point. While professional excellence and singular competence are a non-negotiable prerequisite, what must prevail in the teacher, they say in substance, is his or her human dimension and strength of conviction. That's how they make their mark. And this is what Professor Jeammet recently reminded us: "For young people, what counts most in a teacher is the human being, his behavior, his way of being." Brother Michel Guyomarc'h
Today, the liturgy gives us to meditate on the prayer of Mary and Elizabeth... a prayer of praise... often called "Magnificat", the first word of the Latin version...What are the reasons that make me want to sing the Lord's praises? What would my Magnificat be?In prayer, I let words of praise for my God rise up within me.
The Lord is near. I have the quiet confidence that, amenable to the voice of my paternal care which, perhaps you will hear for the last time, you will stand and walk with a new strength on the blessed paths of fervor and regularity… Pray and console the Church with the good fragrance of your virtues. Stimulate one another to use the days that are left to sow generously in order to harvest abundantly in heaven. Last circular from Jean-Marie de La Mennais to the brothers
EXPERIENCEThe first aspect of experience is the spice of life: hope. The same hope that drew God-loving young people to the banks of the Jordan two thousand years ago, and led to the encounter of a lifetime. "Come and see", in other words: "Experience". This experience is made up of risk, the unexpected, the spontaneous, let's say "madness", as much as of simplicity and banality: "So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day". Mrs Laurence Bienassis and Brother Michel Guyomarc'h
HOSPITALIn fact, Jean-Marie de La Mennais reminds us that a school's capacity to heal stems from a fundamental conviction derived from Christian antrophology: the person is a whole, and each of his or her dimensions must be taken into account within a global education. If one of these dimensions (affective, intellectual, psychic, physical, spiritual...) is not considered in its realtion to the others by all educators within a concerted action, not only do we fail to heal, but we run the risk of wounding. Brother Thierry Beauplet
Do try to have but one heart and one soul. Let all of you be motivated by the purest charity. Father Jean-Marie de La Mennais to Br. Arthur
This third Sunday of Advent is the Sunday of joy... What are the reasons that bring me joy after these two weeks in Advent? Does knowing Jesus give me joy? Do I sow joy around me? In prayer, I take the time to give thanks for all these sources of joy in my life! In my family or my community ! At work! With friends!
I take the time to welcome in prayer the figure of John the Baptist... a sign announcing the Kingdom... I ask John the Baptist to help me welcome Jesus... to discover the signs of his presence in my life... to read the signs of the times for our Religious Family in view of the General Chapter of 2024.
LINKSAgreeing to forge links means recognizing the other person's place in my life. From the moment they enter my life, if only by sharing the same space as me, I can no longer pretend they've never been there. Interactions are established, new "synapses" are created that open up other possibilities.These links with the outside world, because they are open, supportive and mutually supportive, help to undo the inner knots that imprison us, sometimes for a long time. A true relationship, free from the will to power, allows us to decentralize ourselves and find our true selves. The school, because it is a place of group living, enables us to have this experience. Brother Thierry Beauplet
If you continue making efforts to correct yourself of your defects and asking God’s help in this holy warfare, I have no doubt whatever that you will succeed in securing a complete victory. Father Jean-Marie de La Mennais to Br André
This Gospel page resonates as a call to pray for vocations, which we have just done with the Triduum... The second part of the text recounts the disciples' missionary journey... For the Mennaisian Family, this mission is education... To go out and give the bread of instruction... What part do I play in this mission? How is this mission a source of thanksgiving in my life? What need for this mission do I want to entrust to the Lord?
The real dangers are not those that we fear but those we close our eyes to and defy. Father Jean-Marie de La Mennais to Br Ambroise
Joseph, Jean-Marie de La Mennais... men of peace... men of prayer... Men of peace because men of prayer...Do I sometimes feel this peace as a gift received in prayer? Am I a peacemaker? How can I be a peacemaker today, in concrete terms?
RISKINGJean-Marie de La Mennais observes reality, knows the situation and acts. But above all, he knew man, his desires and his obstacles: all his letters accompa-nying people bear witness to this great respect for man and this closeness to him. It's a question of taking the risk of weaving a social bond as a priority axis for opening up to the world. Taking the risk of the other, the different. Risking the necessary and happy humility of the educator, enabling us to come closer together. In the midst of complex systems and all-consuming objects, to risk the simplicity of the educator that allows us to meet. Brother Olivier Migot
We must be resigned to continue fighting against pride within us, but it certainly would not be reasonable to avoid doing good for fear of getting some vanity out of it. Father Jean-Marie de La Mennais to Bruté de Rémur
Not turning a blind eye to the dangers around us... but knowing how to recognize a clod of earth before it becomes a mountain... Place ourselves in the school of Jesus, cultivate an open heart, virtue and thanksgiving.
God has His own views which are different from ours; let us do all that depends upon us, and then remain at peace. Father Jean-Marie de La Mennais to Br. Gérard
GUARDIAN ANGELThe qualities traditionally attributed to the guardian angel can still serve as a spur to the educators we are, whatever our task within the establishment. The guardian angel is faithful, and so his action is long-lasting. He doesn't question the merit of the person entrusted to him. He fights with his protégé against sadness and discouragement. He remembers what has gone well, what has been achieved. He carries the heart's desires, supports intentions, helps sort things out.And last but not least, he acts in secret, not seeking to profit from his actions. Perhaps his ambition is even to be forgotten: if the young person is to grow fully, he must also free himself from the person who helped him. Brother Thierry Beauplet
My children, do you want to avoid falling in the snares of the devil? Ask the protections of the Holy Virgin, our patroness and our mother. Father Jean-Marie de La Mennais to Brothers
Prayer to Saint John the BaptistO blessed John,you who baptized the Son of God,you were filled with the Holy Spiriteven before you were born.And you knew Godbefore the world knew him.You recognized the Mother of your Godbefore your mother had greeted her.Friend of God, intercede for us. Amen.Saint Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109)
Weaving links. This is Mary's experience on the day we read the Gospel of the Annunciation. What greater otherness could there be than that which Saint Luke reveals to us? Mary, a humble young girl from Galilee, will weave, by God's will, the strongest bond of all: the bond of motherhood.In prayer, I give thanks to God for having given me my mother... If I'm already a mother, I give thanks for this experience of motherhood... And I ask Mary to preserve this bond in my heart.
There is another real sacrifice that should be renewed every day, and that we do not achieve without a series of heartbreaks. I am referring to that poverty of mind and heart that Our Lord gave as the first of the Beatitudes and which is the first characteristic of the religious life. Father Jean-Marie de La Mennais to Sisters