A new project at the heart of universal apostolic preferences.

For the good of individuals, for the good of society and of the Church, families deserve special care; Pope Francis dedicated the exhortation Amoris Laetitia to them and he has just announced a "Year of the Family". A major issue for our society and for the future of the Church, families are also a challenge for the Society of Jesus and a vocational challenge.

Many Jesuits could testify that Ignatian spirituality offers treasures for families, especially in a world where generations change quickly, where the paths are sometimes confusing, where culture does not encourage interiority and long fidelity. And the same Jesuits would perhaps add that frequenting families can be beneficial and humanizing for both.

As for apostolic preferences: the family as a school of spiritual life; the family as the primary place for the education and accompaniment of young people; as the place of so many wounds and "peripheral" models; the family, finally, as the privileged place for ecological conversion...

This is why, on the proposal of Fr. François Boëdec SJ, Provincial EOF, a "pastoral care of families" was launched in EOF, supported by a small team and a steering committee. The mission given to this pastoral care is to "encourage proposals that are both spiritual and human, at the service of families, on the initiative of the Society of Jesus". In addition to making existing proposals better known and supporting initiatives carried out by Jesuits or families, the team works concretely to build new proposals to take care of family life.

Proposals for liturgical highlights

After "En Avent les familles! " which was a great success in December, a "Family Lenten Retreat" was held in collaboration with "Prie en Chemin". Six weeks in the spirit of Laudato Si'. More than 2000 families have already registered for the course.  To access the Lenten retreat for families.

Spiritual holiday

To the beautiful existing proposals (Jonas Montagne, Pied-Barret, Vivre Laudato Si' in Penboc'h, etc.), will be added "small format" sessions for three or four families and a Jesuit, for a time of spiritual holiday, in a simple and affordable place (large gîte or family home), with the support of a light kit.

And of course, the Ignatian gathering "with Ignatius" in Marseille

On All Saints' Day, 8,000 people are expected to attend the Ignatian Year gathering in Marseille. All families are also invited. From now on, the Jesuits of the EOF Province have been encouraged to invite their former "newlyweds" and their family friends for this feast of the Ignatian family.

The pastoral care of families in EOF is a workcamp full of life and hope. All good ideas, good will and prayers are very welcome.

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A team at the service of families

Responsibility for the pastoral care of families was entrusted to Véronique Gresset, assisted by Louis Tonneau SJ and a small steering group composed of two couples, a Jesuit and a collaborator from the Province.

Véronique GRESSET (Head of Family Pastoral Care) & Louis TONNEAU sj (Paris-Blomet)