Delphine Elisabeth, a second-year novice with the Daughters of Jesus of Kermaria, shares with us her experience of a placement during the autumn of 2024. It turned out to be a real experience of discovery and of surpassing oneself.
Integrating two associations
From the 7th of October to the 6th of November 2024, I had the privilege of working in two associations in Essonne, a French department to the south of Paris.
The first was the Espace Marcel Olivier, which aims to improve the health of people in very precarious situations who have problems related to the consummation of alcohol. Based on the principle of harm reduction, the staff work to :
– make them aware of the harmful consequences for their health.
– support them in controlling their consumption.
The second centre I joined was Secours Catholique in Grigny, which welcomes people in all sorts of precarious situations.
They provide :
– referrals to appropriate organisations.
– administrative and financial assistance.
– French lessons.
– individual support.
Overcoming fear for a genuine encounter
The experience of working with people in precarious situations has been like mental and physical healing for me: healing my fear, my anxiety, and my ideas about people living on the street. It enabled me to discover my own vulnerability so that I can reach out to others and love them as they are. By being close to the poor, I understood that every person, whatever their social rank, is equal in dignity, respect, grace, and human potential. I understood what it means to ‘love’.
Living in a simple relationship, with mutual respect, enables us to encounter the other person in depth. The vulnerable person is no longer a person ‘to be assist and served’ but a person ‘equal to me in every way’.
I experienced Jesus as poor, close to people as human beings with hands outstretched towards us, ready to welcome us without judging us.expérience auprès des personnes en situation de précarité a été pour moi comme une guérison mentale et physique : guérison de ma peur, de mon angoisse et de mes conceptions sur la personne de la rue.
Looking at everything from the perspective of the poor
Looking with love at a person excluded from society in the way Jesus did, leads to a transformation of their whole being. This was the case with a man at the Espace Michel Olivier, who had gone more than six months without showering. One of the people in charge asked me to accompany him to take his shower, more than 15 minutes’ walk away. Thanks to the loving way the Lord looked at him through me, everything went smoothly and peacefully.
This was also the case for another Secours Catholique refugee who had difficulty learning French. I took the time to observe him to try and identify his blockages. By putting him at ease, that day he was able to write his name and number and was surprised and happy with what he had achieved. I think that Jesus makes us his instruments to lift people up.
A new regard
The Bible verse that inhabited me and accompanied me during my course was the following :
“I give you a new commandment: love one another; you must love one another just as I have loved you. It is by your love for one another, that everyone will recognise you as my disciples.” (Gospel of saint John, 13, 34 – 35)
During my first year as a novice, I was unaware of the reality of poverty in France. My internship experience made me aware of the kind of poverty that exists in this country. I realised that poverty is not only material, but also emotional, psychological, mental and social. Thank you to the Lord for helping me to live this experience.
Animated by the flame of the charism
During my placement, I was able to look at people, make a gesture, say a word, meet them, and listen to them in order to :
- help them to grow.
- give them self-confidence.
- make them feel valued and loved.
In fact, all this time spent on ‘giving and receiving’ during my placement has enabled me to discover that I am inspired by the charism of the Daughters of Jesus. I’m happy to have discovered the richness I received from the person of the poor.
‘The aim of the Congregation is to honour the Sacred Humanity of the Son of God, striving to imitate his virtues, especially his love, by fostering poor children instructing the young and caring for the sick.’ (Rule of Life N°3)
Delphine Elisabeth Tawassa,
Second year novice,
Daughters of Jesus
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