Maison Magis, a Jesuit place for young people in Paris, celebrates its 5th anniversary

On 9 October, Maison Magis joyfully celebrated its fifth anniversary: 70 friends and partners gathered on rue d'Assas in Paris to celebrate the anniversary of this third place opened by the Jesuits to support young adults in their spiritual, professional and social life with a range of proposals combining spirituality, training and solidarity.

The evening began with a time of thanksgiving at the Mass presided over by Fr Thierry Dobbelstein sj. The Provincial recalled the intuition behind Magis House: to create a place of Church for young people, by young people, which, like a crossroads, breaks down barriers and encourages encounters: "Magis House is not an end in itself. Here you dream together, you experiment for the first time, as in a laboratory: the aim is that what is experienced in the laboratory should be experienced and multiplied in life. That you become men and women who live Magis in your professional, political, family and church commitments. Perhaps in the Ile-de-France region, perhaps at the other end of the world. You receive a lot, you give a a lot to one another, and I'd like to remind you: a lot will be asked of you in the creation of a future full of hope".

Fr Thierry Anne sj, director of Maison Magis, was delighted with the co-leadership, without which the Maison would not have been able to see the light of day and continue on its way: "Not without the others. This could become the base line of the Maison Magis logo (...). This is the Magis of this house, the more. And that's just as well, because this house is a third place, in other words, a constant call to meet people other than myself, other than my clan, other than my environment. It is the sign of the face of God, the God of encounters, whose dream for us is to enter into communion without forgetting anyone".

Young people then spoke about what they have experienced, and received, in this house that has become "their" home. Whether they were coworkers, refugees, students or young professionals, they all spoke of the importance of Maison Magis in their lives, of the friendships they had made through the many encounters they had had, and of their faith journey, initiated or deepened in this place.

The anniversary of the Maison Magis will continue in the spring with a big party for all the young people attending the Maison on 26 April 2024.