On Sunday, October 2nd, under a beautiful autumn sky, the Picpus communities gathered to celebrate the Eucharist and to mark the beginning of the school year. The day started in the courtyard with a procession during which each of our communities introduced itself to the others: Réseau Picpus (100 young adults), the seven SSCC Brothers (five Fathers and two postulants, Quentin and Henri), the SSCC sisters and the Sisters of the Child Jesus whose Generalate is also located in Picpus, as well as the 24 students and the Saint Augustin House (propaedeutic year of the Paris Seminary, 26 young men and their professors).
We each welcomed our differences, which are a chance and a grace for Picpus. During mass, we also launched Réseau Picpus’s thematic of the year; “conflicts and forgiveness: Let yourselves be reconciled!” (2 Co 9, 20). Each of our communities carried a beautiful white branch, a promise of good things to come, to the altar. During the Eucharist, the officiant, Father Christian Malrieu, invited us to pray for reconciliation; with ourselves, with others and in the world.
The songs, led by a choir and accompanied on the organ and the cello, contributed significantly to the beauty of the celebration. The offertory song “The servant” reminded us that “for God our Father there is nothing greater than a life given to serve our brothers and sisters”.
After communion, Father Serge Gougbèmon gathered all forty leaders of Réseau Picpus in front of the altar. He prayed to the Holy Spirit to guide and help them in their service. Mass ended with the song “ô Jesus Savior”, sung by a large and enthusiastic congregation.
After mass, lunch was served in the courtyard. The students and young adults then joined together for a treasure hunt, to discover the hidden gems tucked away in Picpus, and the people who live there. The highlight of the day was the presentation of the Pierre Coudrin community. The Fathers told the SSCC history with the help of Cahors and Chilian wine bottles with the effigy of the founders! Very promising indeed !
10/05/2016