Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Eucharist Youth Movement. 

From November 11 to 13, 350 leaders, supervisors and friends of the Eucharistic Youth Movement (EYM) from France, Belgium and Luxembourg gathered in Bordeaux to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Movement.  

Many members of the Ignatian family were present – Magis Network, CLC, MCC, Jesuits, Ignatian nuns, etc.  The event called “Effata” and its theme was “Cheer up! On your feet!". 

Songs with gestures, prayers, reunions and times of sharing filled the 3 days. 

"As soon as we arrived in Bordeaux, my heart was burning. The joy I felt during the Effata gathering gave me a missionary impulse, a desire to share this around me." said Anne-Sophie Bonnel, who is a manager at the EYM. 

On Saturday afternoon, an anniversary mass was celebrated, presided over by Msgr. Luc Ravel, and concelebrated by many Jesuits, including Fr. François Boëdec, Provincial of French-speaking Western Europe. 

There have also been times of reflection on the guiding principles of the EYM; among the issues addressed, were summer camps, pedagogy-training and openness to the world for the mission. This time of exchange was based on co-development, a collective intelligence approach based on trust, listening and kindness. Participants were invited to receive each other’s opinions as gifts. 

Jésuites EOF