This year, Camp ‘Festi’jeunes’ in Morbihan, France, took place at Timadeuc Abbey, in Morbihan, France where I work. I went to meet the young people and their leaders.

Sixty-eight young people and nine adults camped close to the Cistercian abbey of Timadeuc.

An organisation

Babeth, a lay employee of the diocese, on a Church  mission in the parishes of Saint-Avé – Macon and head of Festi’jeunes told us about the camp:

“Festi’jeunes is a diocesan gathering in Morbihan for young people of secondary school age. This year, we have chosen three themes :

– Pierre Le Gouvello de Keriolet

– Mary, model of faith. Mary across the continents.

– The Olympic Games.

Every day, the young people participate in community service: washing up, preparing meals, cleaning up. They pray together, play together and work together.

We also take part in the work of the monks, as we’re going to bag up the fruit pâté that they produce.”

Spiritual times

Father Hervé Le Ber, the camp’s chaplain, talked to me about the spiritual life at the camp: “We’re in a spiritual environment. The young people will go and pray with the monks. We also have times of prayer together as a group, and Mass in the open air. There are themes for reflection, and we’ll have the opportunity to experience the sacrament of reconciliation.”

Happy to be here

Two of the young participants told me what they experience at this camp: “I found out about this camp through the youth ministry. I’d already gone to Lourdes when I was at secondary school, and that’s when they suggested this camp.”

“Since our arrival, we’ve been setting up camp and putting up the tents.  Our first evening was about a character who had got lost in the forest. Each team had to find this character.

This morning, we discovered the life of Saint Pierre Le Gouvello de Keriolet. We took part in a service with the monks, and we’re going to go and work on making fruit paste.”

“We’re happy to be here.”

Sr Agnès, fj

Pontivy, France