Introduced by the Blessed Frédéric Ozanam in Notre-Dame in Paris in 1835, the “Lenten Conferences” have now become a firm tradition that has spread all over France. They begin in March. At Chartres they will be devoted this year (on 8, 17 and 24 March) to the theme of happiness; the first speaker will be Jean Vanier. In the diocese of Evry the meetings (3, 10, 17 and 31 March) are especially aimed at a youthful public called to reflect on how to “gain new strength from the love of the Father”. At Lille the Lenten conferences will be devoted to prayer (5, 12, 19 and 26 March), while in the diocese of Lyon Cardinal Barbarin will invite reflection and dialogue on mission. Five speakers, one from each continent, will speak of aspects of mission (on 5, 12, 19, 26 March and 2 April) and report on the experience of great missionaries like Charles de Foucauld and Archbishop Romero. Nanterre will place Gaudium et Spes at the centre of its Lenten reflections on “God’s journey towards man; man’s journey towards God”. Jean Vanier will be speaking again, this time in Paris (5 March), on “This is the man Ecce homo”. Archbishop Vingt-Trois of Paris has called leading exponents of the world of medicine, science, literature, theology and philosophy to tackle this theme (5, 12, 19, 26 March, 2 and 9 April). Meetings will also be held in the diocese of Strasbourg that will this year complete the cycle begun two years ago on the virtues of the Christian faith. For further info: www.cef.fr
