Revolves Around the Eucharist
VATICAN CITY, 14 MAY 2006 (ZENIT)Here is the description of the
Emmanuel Community which appears in the Directory of International
Associations of the Faithful, published by the Pontifical Council for
the Laity.
* * *
Official name: Emmanuel Community
Established: 1972
History: The Emmanuel Community was founded in Paris by Pierre Goursat
(1914-1991) and Martine Laffitte-Catta based on the experience of a
Charismatic Renewal prayer group. It was originally only for lay people,
both single and married, but today its membership includes priests and
consecrated lay people who have matured their vocation through their
experience within the community.
In 1975, the establishment of the community at Paray-Ie-Monial, where
the apparitions of the Sacred Heart took place, marked a major milestone
in its history and the beginning of its spread worldwide. Since the
1990s an increasing number of bishops have been entrusting parish
missions and parish animation to the community, turning them into real
centers of fraternal life and evangelization.
The association is a member of the Catholic Fraternity of Charismatic
Covenant Communities and Fellowships. In December 1992 the Pontifical
Council for the Laity issued a decree recognizing the Communauté de
l'Emmanuel as an international association of the faithful of pontifical
right.
Identity: The Emmanuel Community is named after the passage from
Scripture, "Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and
shall call his name Emmanuel" (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23), and its
members are people who are called by God to live together to serve and
proclaim Jesus Christ.
The core of the community is the Jesus Fraternity, which is made up of
members who give themselves to the Lord in consecration and total
devotion to the mission. The life of the community and its members, who
are worshippers living in the heart of the world, revolve around the
Eucharist.
This roots all their actions in contemplation and opens them up to the
compassion of Christ and so leads them to place themselves at the
service of the poor, the sick, the lonely and the marginalized; and at
the service of evangelization, to announce the risen Christ to all
people who are suffering because they do not know God and do not know
that they are loved by God.
The preparation offered to the members of the community who are called
to be missionaries, primarily in their own environment, gives priority
to the spiritual dimension and formation for community life and
evangelization.
Organization: The Emmanuel Community is governed by a moderator,
assisted by an international council whose members are elected for a
three-year term, which may be renewed for a maximum of two consecutive
terms, from among the members of the community and the consecrated
members of the Jesus Fraternity.
Before a person enters the community there is a probationary period (postulancy
and novitiate) for about two years. Once these stages have been
completed the members renew their commitment every year. The members of
the Jesus Fraternity are consecrated for life. People supporting the
community with their prayers, cooperation and financial assistance are
members of the Emmanuel family.
Membership: The Emmanuel Community has about 6,000 members, including
130 priests, 180 consecrated sisters and 15 consecrated brothers, in 50
countries around the world. About 200,000 people regularly take part in
its work.
Works: The community also established the following: Emmanuel Youth, for
the apostolate among young people; Love and Truth, for the apostolate
among families, engaged couples and single parents; Presence and
Witness, for the apostolate among people committed in various spheres of
social life; Fidesco, for the mission "ad gentes" and to support
development projects; Magnificat, for the apostolate in the world of
culture and the arts; 50S Prayer, a 24-hour telephone listening and
prayer service; Tiberiade, to care for AIDS sufferers and their
families; schools of evangelization in France, Germany and Italy; the
Emmanuel and Merciful Jesus Centers in Rwanda, with is involved with
retreats, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, reconciliation and peace
education; hostels for students; hostels in France, Germany and
Portugal; prayer groups worldwide; the publisher, Les Editions de
I'Emmanuel.
The community also runs pilgrimages to Paray-Ie-Monial and summer
religious education sessions attended by 20,000 people every year.
Publications: "He is Alive!"
— a
monthly magazine
Web site: www.emmanuel-info.com
Headquarters:
Communauté de l'Emmanuel
Péniche Mont Thabor
BP 104 —
92203 Neuilly-sur-Seine
—
France
Tel: (33) 1-47459630
—
Fax 1-47459631
E-mail: infor@emmanuel-info.com
© Copyright 2006
—
Libreria Editrice Vaticana [adapted]
ZE06051428 |
