Download - Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate Communications

455/10 June 2006FRANCEAix en Provence - « Pause-Midi » celebrates10 yearsOn March 28 and 30, it was party time in the courtyardof the Missionary Oblates of Aix for the 10 thanniversary of “Pause-Midi” (Noontime Break).We must not forget that in 1815, even before foundingthe Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate,Eugene de Mazenod bought part of the formerCarmelite monastery in Aix as a gathering place forthe “Congregation of the Youth of Aix.” If this YouthAssociation counted more than 300 youngsters, fromevery social class—from the son of the imperialprocurator for Aix to the children of the street—itwas because he loved them, he respected them, andhe believed in each one of them.With the passing of the years, other youth apostolatesgathered at the Oblates’ house in Aix: ministries inconjunction with the Society of St. Vincent de Pauland a night school for young workers.In 1990, the spiritual heirs of Eugene de Mazenodreclaimed an area that had been rented to a business.Its location at the end of Cours Mirabeaumade it an ideal setting. They decided to establish anew missionary venture with youth. The ApostolicSisters of Mary Immaculate joined the Oblates inthis project. After consulting the diocese of Aix,they were able to begin planning in 1994. Pause-Midi was born and the work began. In February1996, Pause-Midi officially began operation.Today, “Pause-Midi… opens its doors andwarmly welcomes us right in the heart of Aixen-Provenceon Cours Mirabeau… In this littlecorner surrounded by trees, in this place teemingwith life and with openness to our ideas, eachof us finds a place far from the hassles of thecity…” (Virginie)Pause-Midi is a place for recreation and relaxation.It’s a place for “re-creation,” a place for listeningand for dialogue and for sharing the meaning of life.The anniversary celebrations were prepared by theyouth of the Association. March 28 was especiallyset aside for the hundreds of members and partnersof the Association. The “Pausemidians” and theirpartners gathered around a buffet style meal andeveryone was invited to leave a personal mark onthe 10 th anniversary tree. The presence of the Archbishopof Aix, the Vice-Mayor, and the local Councilorfor Youth showed the interest that the Churchand the city of Aix have in Pause-Midi.During the two days, some students of Tourism,members of the Association, guided visitors throughhistory: from the origin of the Carmelite monastery inAix, through the daring of Eugene de Mazenod, upto the present day Mission. The involvement of theyouth showed us that without the investment of themselves,Pause-Midi would have no reason to exist.Therefore, I close, leaving the last word to the youth:“Once you have experienced Pause-Midi, youcannot forget that it is part of who you are; it’sour warm and beautiful family without which Iwould not be the person I am today.” (Géraldine)“At Pause-Midi, for the past two years, I’ve discoveredChristians who welcome us in the nameof their faith, respecting us for who we are. Here,I have discovered a welcoming Church, one thatshares and that accompanies us as we are, thatrespects our differences, that puts itself at theservice of others by giving us a welcoming placeto meet that doesn’t exist anywhere else. Otherwise,we would be on the street. That heals melittle by little.” (Aurélie)Yves CHALVET, OMIITALY“Looking for you!” A youth mission“At the beginning, I wasn’t very willing to takepart in this mission, maybe because I didn’t believeso much any more, but after these ten days,I have to believe once more. I appreciated theenthusiasm of these missionaries and especiallythe turnout of the youth of Belevedere for themission. Even youth that don’t go to church. Allof that led me to believe in the Mission and bepart of it. I especially like the idea of being ableto approach God through our ordinary hobbiessuch as singing and the computer, and in my case,through workshops. I think a mission such as