Holy See Recognizes Community of Beatitudes

Founded in France in 1974

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VATICAN CITY, JAN. 6, 2003 (Zenit.org).- The Community of the Beatitudes, a relatively new ecclesial reality founded in France, has been recognized officially by the Holy See.

The Pontifical Council for the Laity recognized the community on Dec. 8 as a «private association of faithful of pontifical right with juridical personality.» The decree of recognition will be given officially on Jan. 31 during a ceremony at the council’s headquarters in Rome.

The Community of the Beatitudes was founded in 1974 by Ephraim Croissant, a former Protestant pastor who converted to Catholicism, by his wife, Josette, and by another couple. It follows in the line of the Catholic charismatic renewal.

It is a community with contemplative and missionary residential life that lives the charism of St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

The community comprises lay people, consecrated individuals and priests, celibates and families. It has spread to all the continents, including 32 countries with 46 houses in Europe, 11 in Africa, seven in Asia, three in Latin America, three in North America, two in Oceania, and three in the Middle East. A total of 1,500 brothers and sisters live in a residential community. They have the support of an allied community known as the «Family of the Beatitudes.»

The community highlights the life of prayer inspired by Carmelite spirituality and the desire for continuous prayer.

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