Presentation

Founding and first steps

The Community of the Beatitudes was founded on May 25, 1973, at Montpelier in Southern France and community life began on September 9 of the same year, first at Soyons then at Valence At that time, the community consisted of the founder, Ephraim, his wife Jo and another couple, Jean-Marc and Mireille. On May 31, 1975, the community settled in the Convent of Notre Dame at Cordes, now the Mother House. Since then two to three new houses have opened each year, and to date 86 houses in countries throughout the world.

On January 13, 1978, Bishop Coffy of Albi, (later the cardinal archbishop of Marseilles), granted the Beatitudes canonical recognition as an Association of the Faithful. We maintained a close and privileged relationship with him throughout the remainder of his life. In all the dioceses where a presence of the community exists, we are recognized by the local bishop with whom we seek to have a close relationship. We are currently preparing our Statutes to be presented for recognition by the Holy See. Our houses have an open door to all those who wish to get to know us and to come and pray with the community.

Vocation : prayer and apostolic works

The fundamental vocation of the community is one of contemplation inspired by the Carmelite tradition. Our daily life consists of the celebration of the Eucharist (the central point of our day), liturgy of the hours (morning prayer, vespers, compline), silent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and the recitation of the Rosary in honor of Mary our Mother. Furthermore, we attempt to rediscover the Jewish roots of our Christian faith through prayer and study. This life of contemplative prayer renders us sensitive to every form of poverty and suffering, opening the eyes of the soul to the various needs of the Church and of the world to which we try to respond in a concrete manner.

Our apostolates include:

  “Mother of Mercy,” a work which helps women who are confronted with the problem of abortion.

  “Alliance of Charity,” a work which assists our houses in Africa, particularly the one in Zaire where, on request of the local bishop, we run a hospital and health centers.

  Additionally, all our houses (although some more specifically than others) are open to welcome the poor, the outcast, and those suffering from AIDS and the dying.

  Proclaiming the Word of God is an important part of our ministry. This is done through missions of evangelization in the parishes, our monthly magazine, “Feu & Lumière” (Fire & Light), teaching tapes and testimonies (Diakonia Service), video tapes (Video Light), spiritual books (Editions des Beatitudes), a Christian radio station, catechetical sessions and retreats for adults, young people and adolescents etc.

  Finally, the Apostolate of Saint Thérèse helps Christians of Eastern Europe.

States of life

All states of life are represented in the community: single brothers and sisters of whom some will choose the consecrated life (sanctioned by the pronouncing of religious vows at the hands of the bishop), others the priesthood, and still others will choose to marry.

Married couples and their families live fully the grace of the Sacrament of Matrimony and, at the same time, lead a life totally consecrated to God and His Kingdom. Particular attention is given to the children (who are not formally engaged members of the community). From the moment they are old enough, a competent member of the community takes care of the children during the hours dedicated to work and prayer. They go to school outside the community (like any other child). Of course, parents remain primarily responsible for the education of their children. As a community, however, we watch over their growth, both on the human and spiritual level, and the community structure we have chosen helps us in this greatly.

Government of the community

A Moderator General is elected for four years, and is charged with the task of ensuring that unity among the various houses is preserved. Each individual house is under the responsibility of a superior, called “shepherd”, elected for four years. Fernand is helped in his work by counselors and by each of the shepherds. Due to the international dimension of the community, provinces have been created. The shepherds, as a whole, come together at least once a year and take unanimously those decisions which are important.

How does one enter the community ?

One starts with a time of discernment or pre-postulancy for a year, followed by one to two years of postulancy and three years of novitiate prior to a permanent commitment expressed through promises pronounced in the presence of the superior of the community.

Members of the community are dressed in brown and white. Those who are consecrated wear a white religious habit during their novitiate and receive a brown scapular when they pronounce their final vows. Furthermore, during the liturgical offices and the Mass a white cape or cowl is worn.

Means of support

When we are permanently committed to the community we put all our goods in common renouncing any type of personal property or savings. A great deal of our work covers our current expenses; for anything else like restoration of the houses, acquisition of important material for our apostolate etc., we trust in God¹s providence through individual persons whom the Lord prompts into helping us.