Who are we ?
Our mission
International
Agenda
News



News of the General Assembly



Benedict XVI



Family photos !



From 11 till 18 October



Guidelines 08-09



Year of St Paul



Letter from Jean Vanier



Feast of Pentecost



Easter 2008



Film about Jean Vanier



The Spanish web site !



Feast of the Light 2008



New year 2008



18-25 January 2008



Can you help us?



A Blog on the Africa and Indian Ocean Continent



Our family album



make a secure on-line donation



Receiving the Eucharist



2 February, Feast of Light



35 years, the Faith and Light Story, told by Marie-Hélène Mathieu



A small illustrated history of Faith and Light



Year 2007



Year 2006



Year 2005



Year 2004



Year 2003



Year 2001



Year 2002
Publications
Testimonies
Can you
help us ?
Partners
Links
Contact us
Intranet
Sitemap



Homepage | The person | The family | The friends | Sitemap | Search | Contact
- News - Year 2005
-
Français | English | Español | Print
Marie-Hélène Mathieu decorated by the Holy See

On the 8 March 2005, in Strasbourg, Marie-Hélène Mathieu was honoured by the Holy See when she received from Monsignor Vito Rallo, the Holy See’s special envoy and permanent observer at the Council of Europe, the « Pro Ecclesia and Pontifice » cross. This is a sign of recognition for Marie-Hélène’s work as the Holy See’s expert at the Council of Europe in its reflection on European policy for disabled people for the ten years to come. But the honour extends over and above the level of this work, because Marie-Hélène’s whole life is being honoured today, for her actions, her work, her commitment; through this gesture the Holy See is thus manifesting the Churches fondest love, following Christ, for those parts of His Body that are the smallest, the weakest, the poorest, parts of his Body in their own right.

What a joy it was to have witnessed this special moment.

Marie-Hélène, is celebrated for having consecrated her whole life to honouring the smallest of God’s children, in all ways possible, so that through them, Jesus is recognised and loved within each person with a disability. « The parts of the body that we think are less honourable we treat with special honour » said Saint Paul. By honouring Marie-Hélène, what an encouragement it is for Faith and Light’s mission across the whole world! From Marie-Hélène’s deep faith in Jesus and her profound trust in each of us, light has shone out for so many families over thirty-five years. Faith and Light: « Faith from which light shines out, as Mgr Vito Rallo said, is the secret of Life».

Thank you Marie-Hélène, for taking this path of trust in Jesus, a path which will continue to transform our world and our hearts, if we follow in your footsteps.

Viviane le Polain







Identification