The Beatitudes Community was founded in France in 1973,
by Ephraim Croissant and his wife Jo and another couple. It is one of the new
communities expressing new forms of 'consecrated' life, in response to the
challenges of our times. Following the Second Vatican Council's call for a
powerful awakening of the People of God, particularly the laity, the
Community’s members seek to answer God's call by consecrating their lives to
God and committing themselves in a community life, both contemplative and apostolic.
The Community is - according to Canon Law - an Association of the Faithful,
established in the archdiocese of Albi (France) in 1985 and officially
recognized by Vatican
in 2003.
NAME
'Beatitudes' is a part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount in the
Gospels according to Matthew and Luke:
"When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the
mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth
and began to teach them, saying, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs
is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall
be comforted. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit
the earth. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall
receive mercy. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they
shall see God. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall
be called sons of God. "Blessed are those who have been persecuted
for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people insult you and
persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in
heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were
before you." (Mt 5, 1-12).`
VOCATION
The community - as people of God - gathers in a
spirit of chastity people of all states of life: married couples, brothers and
sisters, celibates, deacons and priests living according to the principles of
the first Christian community. There are about 1500 members in the Community:
120 families; 550 consecrated sisters and brothers (of whom 100 are
seminarians); 50 priests; 550 celibates. 70 houses of the Community in the five
continents include 28 in France,
17 in Europe (excluding France),
12 in Africa, 5 in America,
3 in the Middle East and 5 in Asia and Oceania. The brothers and sisters of the Community of the
Beatitudes make commitments of prayer, obedience and poverty. All members
strive to live the Beatitudes in a spirit of contemplative prayer and
solicitude for the poor, donating themselves with joy and enthusiasm in their
apostolate in the service of the Church. In the liturgy we seek to participate already in
the beauty of the Kingdom. Our life is centered on the Eucharist and adoration
of the Blessed Sacrament, which is the heart and summit of each day. We live a
total consecration to Mary according to the spirit of St Louis Grignon de
Montfort. All members of the Beatitudes, whether lay men and women, married or
single, religious or priests, are called to a common vocation of prayer and
holiness, inspired by the Carmelite tradition and in particular, the
spirituality of St. Therese of Lisieux: "In the heart of the Church, my
Mother, I will be love." This experience of God's love in prayer and a life
of fraternal communion are shared with those who come and make us sensitive to
all forms of poverty and suffering.
APOSTOLATES
In response to local needs and at the service of
the Church, apostolates and evangelization of various kinds are undertaken. For
example: retreat centres, evangelization with youth, a Christian radio station
and production of audio and video cassettes, publication of books, fabrication
of icons and hosts, care of the terminally ill, pilgrimages and conferences,
artistic creation for the glory of God.
HOW WE LIVE
We live by the work of our hands, our apostolates, hospitality
and the daily experience of God's presence and care through Providence. For more important projects we
rely on donations and the generosity of our benefactors.
THE COMMUNITY IN ISRAEL
The Community is
present inIsraelsince 1975. We come here to pray for the
full Redemption of Israel and to work for the mutual understanding and
reconciliation between Jews and Christians. Since 1993 we take care of theHoly
Placeof Emmaus, receiving here pilgrims and
visitors.
The beauty of the site and its distance from the
cities creates a peaceful haven of quiet and solitude, and the possibility of
living a powerful experience of God with others. We receive here also the
seminarians of the Community who come for a program of Jewish studies.
Visitors & volunteers are welcome. Please,
contact us: Community of the Beatitudes, P.O.B. 638,
72100 Ramle, Israel
