Thursday, October 1, 2026, a press conference was held at the Prado Chapel (Lyon 7), to present the next three events that will mark the end of the’Antoine Chevrier Year – «Following the Poor Jesus», organized to mark the bicentennial of his birth. This press conference provided an opportunity to reflect on the history of the Prado, the legacy of Blessed Antoine Chevrier, and how his message continues to reach the most vulnerable people today. The event concluded with a tour of the exhibition
As a reminder, this extraordinary year will come to an end Thursday, December 24, 2026, on Christmas Eve. On this day, which is particularly important for Father Chevrier and the Prado Family, a Mass will be celebrated at 10 p.m. at Saint-André de la Guillotière Church (Lyon 7).
40 Years After the Beatification of Antoine Chevrier
The Father Yves Delavoix, Assistant to the Director of the Institute of Priests and Consecrated Laity for France, gave a tour of the historic Prado site, highlighting in particular the former ballroom, which Father Antoine Chevrier renovated in 1860 to welcome poor children from the neighborhood and provide them with an education.
The Father Dominique Pellet, Director of the Institute of Priests and Consecrated Laity for France, then spoke about the 40th Anniversary of the Beatification of Antoine Chevrier by Pope John Paul II, as well as the life and mission of the Prado Family today.
To learn more, visit the various sections of this site.
Prado Education: Supporting the Most Vulnerable Children
Denis Poinas, deacon at Prado, president of Prado Education, introduced the foundation, which has nearly 800 employees and supports nearly 3,000 children and youth in vulnerable situations or with disabilities.
His remarks were followed by testimonials from employees of the ITEP Chevrier, including Maxime Lunetta, Deputy Director for the Rhône-Saône (69) region at the Prado Éducation association and an educator. Their testimonies helped shed further light on the mission that stemmed from Antoine Chevrier’s vision: to reach out to the most vulnerable—especially young people—and help them find a path to education, dignity, and hope, while also supporting their loved ones.
To learn more, visit the Prado Education Foundation.
World Day of the Poor in Lyon
Bishop Olivier de Germay, Archbishop of Lyon presented the initiatives that will be proposed at the World Day of the Poor, November 15, 2026, at several locations in the Lyon metropolitan area.
As part of this event, a book titled «Words and Prayers», co-published with Le Progrès and RCF, will also be offered.
This initiative is part of the momentum of the’Antoine Chevrier Year: «Following the Poor Jesus», which invites the Diocese of Lyon to rediscover the message and the figure of the Prado’s founder.
To learn more, Click here.
A musical dedicated to Antoine Chevrier
Finally, the Father Armel Bouchacourt, a priest at the parish of Blessed Antoine Chevrier (Lyon 7), presented the musical «Antoine, the Saint of La Guillotière».
This show will be performed December 10–12, 2026, at Saint-Michel Church in Lyon’s 7th arrondissement, and will bring this year—dedicated to the bicentennial of Antoine Chevrier’s birth—to a close in an original and festive way.
To learn more and to reserve your seats, Click here.
Through these three events, the Diocese of Lyon and the Prado Family invite people of all ages to bring Antoine Chevrier’s vision to life today: to follow Jesus in his poverty, to reach out to the most vulnerable, and to proclaim the Gospel in the heart of the world.
Below are a few photos from this event, which concluded with the tour of the’Exhibition dedicated to Blessed Antoine Chevrier and with a toast.
Please feel free to contact the Pilgrimage Team to visit the Prado Chapel, the museum, and Father Chevrier's room.
