Living Stones (Pietre Vive) is a network of young adults inspired by Ignatian spirituality who seek to share the Gospel through art, beauty and encounter. Through guided visits to churches, cathedrals and places of cultural heritage, Living Stones volunteers invite people to discover the Christian meaning behind works of art and architecture, creating spaces for dialogue, prayer and spiritual reflection. Present in many cities across Europe and the Americas, the network sees beauty as a path that can lead people towards God and as an opportunity for evangelisation in contemporary society.

This year, Paris hosted the international gathering of the network. Each year, around the beginning of May, Living Stones communities meet in a different city for several days of prayer, formation, friendship and shared mission. The 2026 gathering followed the annual theme "Behold, I Make All Things New" (Revelation 21:5).

The theme came to life through visits to some of Paris' most symbolic sites, including the Basilica of Saint-Denis, the birthplace of Gothic architecture, and Notre-Dame Cathedral, whose restoration after the devastating 2019 fire has become a powerful symbol of renewal and hope.

The programme also included workshops and moments of reflection, taking participants in the footsteps of St Ignatius of Loyola during his years in Paris, exploring the stained-glass windows of Sainte-Chapelle and the masterpieces of the Louvre Museum, engaging in dialogue with LGBTQ+ Christians, and taking part in a musical composition workshop.

More than a cultural exchange, the gathering reflected Living Stones' conviction that art, beauty and encounter can become paths towards God. It also showed how the Church itself can be renewed through young people who bring creativity, faith and openness to the mission of sharing the Gospel today.