Sharing more than just prayer time

Little by little, around Pierre Goursat and Martine Laffitte, the founders, a small group of people was formed, who wanted more than just a prayer group. In 1974, a small residential household of three men, including Pierre Goursat, was set up near Paris. This was the beginning of the “Fraternity of Jesus”.

The group started to grow little by little with people coming from the Paris prayer groups and beyond.

In September 1976, during a three-week retreat (held in the evenings and at weekends) about forty people came together. Almost all were going to join the community, which was just beginning. The first commitments in the Emmanuel Community took place in 1977. Community life (with households, weekends and companioning ) with the fundamental graces of Community (Adoration, Compassion, Evangelization), was built up little by little in a climate of praise and love for the Church.

At the same time, the Emmanuel Community discovered Paray-le-Monial. Sessions started to be held there every summer. Pierre wanted to make Paray accessible again to all people: a simple and close love overflowing from the open heart of Jesus on the Cross. This message combines the tradition of Paray, with the Charismatic Renewal and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Praise, Eucharistic Adoration, and a joyful and participative liturgy once again attracted crowds to Paray, and contributed to the revival of evangelization.

Finding a name for the community

In December 1972, the place in which Pierre Goursat and Martine Catta where leading the prayer group became too small. They thought it was an opportunity to split into two groups. One group would be a place to deepen faith and the other would be a place to welcome new people. This division would be made, keeping the same spirit and the same unity. For this reason they decided "it would be necessary to find a name”.

In early March 1973, Françou and Geneviève, two girls from the prayer group, were talking and Geneviève cited a passage from the prophet Isaiah, which she had read earlier that day : "The Lord himself will give you this sign. Behold, the virgin will be with child, and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel. " (Isaiah 7 : 14)

Françou suddenly understood that the name of the Community had to be "Emmanuel". A little while later she met a religious sister, who used to come to the prayer group, and she said to her happily: “Well I have found the name. It’s …” – “Emmanuel” said the sister even before Françou had time to finish.

As for Martine, she reacted, saying : "Ah ! I understand now why by opening various Bibles, I always had the following text : "The Virgin will conceive and bear a son and they shall name him Emmanuel". It was the quotation taken from the book of Isaiah and used again at the beginning of St. Matthew’s Gospel (Mt 1, 23).  Pierre was deeply touched by the words “they shall call Him Emmanuel, which is translated as GOD-with-us.” He said “Emmanuel : this is God who is always with us, God who fights with us and who goes ahead of us in this fight.”

When the name was announced, it was unanimously welcomed and recognized with joy. A whole grace and a whole destiny were inscribed in it. Moreover, since that day, the protection of Mary has never left Emmanuel.