FRANCE

The event in Tréguier, French Brittany, was marked by the seal of fraternal and local mutual aid!
Welcomed and accommodated by some fifteen families, the fratelli shared meals made up of donations from the inhabitants and discovered different customs of the region, thanks to Breton dance workshops. The choice of the saint for the event in Tréguier was also part of this local rooting, since the choice naturally fell on Saint Yves, lawyer, defender of the poor, and native of Tréguier, where his relics are kept!

In Ile-de-France, Seine-Saint-Denis hosted the 5th World Day of the Poor in three parishes: Saint Denys de l’Estrée, Sainte Marthe, and Notre Dame des Anges. Vigils of prayer were planned in these three places, with times of adoration at the cross and testimonies. The three groups met on Sunday for Mass in the Basilica of Saint Denis, followed by a fraternal meal prepared by the parishioners. The weekend concluded with a time of global prayer at 3pm. It is quite naturally under the gaze of Saint Denis that these Days were placed.

In Belfort, scouts, young people from the chaplaincy, the MEJ and high school students were called upon to lead these times of fraternity, where 500 people were gathered. Vigils of mercy in the parishes and testimonies of vulnerable people were on the programme. The weekend closed with the installation of the new bishop, Monsignor Denis Jachiet.

In Lyon, 200 fratelli were in the Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière for moments of fraternity, meals shared with parishioners, times of prayer and a mass presided over by Bishop de Germay, Bishop of Lyon. The event took place under the patronage of Saint Therese of Lisieux, whose relics were presented in the basilica.

For the second time, the first having taken place in 2019, Lourdes hosted a World Day of the Poor for 300 people at the shrine. On the programme:

• a rosary led by the fratelli, shared meals,
• a festive vigil with adoration and testimonies,
• Sunday Mass and a time of global prayer.

Once again, Saint Bernadette of Lourdes oversaw the event through her patronage.

In Toulon, the Diaconie du Var was expecting around 200 people on Saturday, for:

• an afternoon with coffee, a time for talking and listening, a hairdressing salon, board games…

• a troupe of clowns from the Diaconie for a show on the Gospel at 6.15 pm

• a fraternal dinner

• a vigil of Mercy, with the Franciscans, at the Saint-Louis church.

On Sunday, mass was held in the cathedral at 10:30 am. It was followed by a meal prepared by the parishioners, then by the World Prayer Time at 3pm.