Outing to Mont St. Michel

For about two years I have been a social worker with the organization, “Freedom for the Captives”.  (French website) I joined the group working in the 16th arrondissement (in Paris), along with 10 paid workers and about 50 volunteers. This work nourishes my faith, always pushes me toward conversion, and allows me to live fully my vocation as a Religious of the Sacred Heart: “We are sent… to communicate the love of the Heart of Jesus” (Const. #10), love that is tender and strong.

This organization was founded in 1981 by Father Patrick Giros and is approved by the state. Its aim is to reach people who live on the streets or who are street people (persons who engage in prostitution). Specific activities of workers and volunteers include walking the streets, creating space for welcoming and listening to these people, follow up on their social and health needs, providing activities for them such as vacations stays, cultural visits, etc.

I am sent out to “walk the streets” at least twice a week. On Monday evenings and on Friday afternoons I go in a camper with Eric, an accountant, head of household and volunteer, and we walk down the avenues of the Bois de Boulogne¹ (a large wooded area on the outskirts of the city). Sometimes I also take morning walks in the metro or in makeshift shelters in the underground thruways or near sidewalk vents.

In these moments it is the face of the Good Shepherd that stays with us and guides our steps. It is a question of “going towards” the other, empty handed, with a heart rejoicing at the thought of the encounters about to take place: weaving a new link in this mantle of humanity torn by its woundedness, sullied by its members, sometimes stained by drug abuse, needing to be loved, needing faithfulness and total acceptance in order to be healed little by little. I know that in time the Lord will reweave its wholeness and make good use of the frayed seams.

The street is like a river that washes over so much suffering, but at each turn we marvel at the warmth of the welcome we receive and the thirst for genuine relationships. This same authenticity can be found in our encounters at the “office”.

Three times a week we open the doors to welcome those seeking individual guidance and we give them help in several areas: health, legal, housing, wherever life seems to open up some new pathways. Life stories are exchanged like treasures with great trust.  During these encounters we give our total attention, we try to walk at their pace, to respect their freedom, and especially to hope against hope with these people.

The human heart beats wildly when it looks beyond the immediate.  Behind the smell of alcohol, foundation or mascara, there is a unique beauty. At that point we no longer look for quantifiable results. If we are truly able to establish relationships with these people, accompanying them becomes a work of patience and time. 

Those who pursue this journey with Christ are numerous.  We also often propose “street prayers” in the parishes or making pilgrimages.  There is great spiritual thirst and we often can perceive the slight silhouette of Mary standing, in silence, at the foot of a street lamp. “She leads us to God whom we do not always dare approach.”

Despite all this, the light often flickers in this work. There are also times of disbelief and even of violence. But is it not when our powerlessness seems to shout into the distance and awaken our nights that we can hear the echo of God’s voice? Bending our ear toward God, the heart turns back and the embers of hope are once again lit: from his pierced Heart flow streams of living water.  The trees of justice send down their roots and the little ones of the earth see the flowering of their assurance that they are the chosen ones of his Heart.  

1. Approximately 15,000 people are prostitutes in France, half of which live in Ile de France and in the street. 30% are male.

 
Rachel Guillen rscj
Province of France