On May 1st, the Jesuit community of Toulouse gathered to celebrate a significant milestone: 50 years of Jesuit presence in the Bagatelle neighborhood. The day was filled with joy, meaningful encounters, and a festive meal that brought together religious communities and local residents in a spirit of shared gratitude and friendship.

May 1st is not only the liturgical feast of Saint Joseph the Worker, but also a secular holiday honoring the struggles for workers’ rights. It was the perfect moment to celebrate the arrival of the Jesuits in Bagatelle—originally part of a workers' mission—and to honor the broader Christian presence in the Grand Mirail area. This includes the many religious communities that have followed one another in the neighborhood, beginning with the Sisters of Saint Joseph, who arrived shortly before the Jesuits. Their charism—to “live with the people” and work for reconciliation, both among individuals and between humanity and God—continues to inspire.

During his homily, Father Thierry Lamboley reflected on the quiet strength of Saint Joseph: a discreet and devoted man whose every gesture, no matter how small, contributes to the building of God’s Kingdom “without noise, fanfare, or trumpet.” Saint Joseph stands as a model not only for those who commit their lives to God through religious vows, but also for countless Christians who, often silently, live out their mission in the margins of society and of the Church—just like many in Bagatelle.

After the festive meal in the parish hall—lovingly prepared by and for the community—Father Vincent de Marcillac, a member of the first Jesuit team to arrive in Bagatelle, opened the floor for shared memories: “In 1975, it was in the spirit of the 32nd General Congregation of the Society of Jesus—which helped us better understand the connection between faith and justice—that we came to settle here, to share in the lives and struggles of those we met through our work.”

Bagatelle: A Place That Smells of the Kingdom of God

Later in the afternoon, the celebrations moved to the Maison de Quartier, where friends and neighbors—atheists, Christians, Muslims; immigrants and French natives alike—came together to share their experiences. They spoke of long-standing friendships with the Jesuits and the value of their presence in the neighborhood.

One unforgettable image remains from this day of celebration: Father Vincent de Marcillac embracing his old friend Hafid El-Alaoui, an immigrant rights activist who welcomed him to Bagatelle half a century ago. The two spent the evening side by side, joyfully reimagining the world with the same passion and hope that brought them together 50 years earlier.

Truly, Bagatelle is a place that smells of the Kingdom of God.