Adoration

"Members of the Emmanuel Community commit themselves, as far as possible to a long period of daily adoration (adoration of the Blessed Sacrament when possible)" (Statutes n° 15). It is in prayer that our life has to be founded, because that is the first place of meeting with God, and the vivifying source for our life.

It is the meeting of a personal God who gives his life, and who fulfils the expectations of our heart, by his love and his forgiveness. Through the Eucharist, one is invited to live the Paschal Mystery (death and resurrection of Christ). Prayer in union with God, Eucharistic adoration is first a prayer of Christ, and then of the Church. Thus, the proximity with Jesus leads to intercession and prayer for all men.

Compassion

Adoration lived day after day brings us to share the feelings of Christ himself towards all men : such is the compassion for those "who are dying of hunger, materially and spiritually" (Statutes - Preamble, I). This is expressed very concretely in the conduct of the members of the Community and through the various community activities, in a call to live an authentic charity. In the poor man and the one who suffers, Jesus offers himself to be loved (cf. Mt 25, 40). However it is not only a question of easing poverty and material miseries.

 
Adoration leads the members of Emmanuel to realize that the biggest misery, the deepest suffering, is not to know God or to be separated from him by sin. It unites them in the compassion of Jesus which found its ultimate expression on the Cross : "God so loved the world and he gave his only Son so that the world is saved by him" (Jn 3, 16-17). The true compassion of Jesus is to save the people created by the Father. To become a follower of Him whose name is Emmanuel, is to burn with the desire to take part in his mission with Him so that all people are saved.

Evangelisation

Adoration and Compassion thus lead to evangelisation, which is the ultimate “raison d'être” of the Community. Evangelisation is first and above all, participation in the announcement of the Gospel, following Christ in the Church. It is addressed to every person of good will, in the freedom of his conscience. This evangelisation, for the members of the Emmanuel, comprises various aspects and is directed in a privileged way towards the people who do not know God or who have moved away from Him :

1. Firstly it shows itself by individual actions in the circles of acquaintances of each one: family, friends, work... Each member of the Community is a missionary there where he is.

2. It is expressed by the individual commitment of the members, in the activities of the local or universal Church.

3. It comprises also in the participation of the apostolic activities of the Community in answer to the new situations in social, economic, political and cultural realities: evangelisation of families, persons in the active life, young people, etc.

4. It is incarnated finally in the missions entrusted explicitly by the Church to the Community.