Saturday 3 October 2026, the Prado Chapel hosted a gathering dedicated to those involved in charitable work, centred on the theme: «Love one another». This event was part of the three-day programme organised at the Prado to mark the 40th anniversary of the beatification of Blessed Antoine Chevrier.
From 3.00 pm to 6.30 pm, people committed to working with young children, vulnerable people and those they support came together for an afternoon of prayer, sharing and fellowship. The programme included, in particular, a time of praying the Rosary, discussions in small groups and hearing testimonies from members of the Prado community working in various countries.
«Love one another»
These words of Jesus, inscribed in the Prado Chapel at the entrance to the chancel, near the altar and Father Chevrier’s tomb, gave meaning to the whole gathering.
Whilst reflecting on the Gospel, Antoine Chevrier was deeply moved by the way Jesus behaved towards the people he met along the way: deep compassion for those who suffer, a special welcome for the little ones and the poor, care for the sick and sinners, and a determination to do good in the face of opposition.
The booklet provided to participants also highlighted the extent to which Jesus takes charity: «No one has greater love than this: to lay down one’s life for those one loves.»
It is to this very charity that Jesus calls his disciples: «Love one another as I have loved you.»
A community enriched by the diversity of its commitments
The meeting began with an introduction of the participants, who came from a variety of backgrounds and were involved in various ways. Sisters (from Saint-Martin-en-Haut, Limonest, St Fons, from «14» Rue Père Chevrier…), priests (Permanent Members of the Prado, participants in the API – International Prado Year 2026–2024), lay people, consecrated lay people… This diversity provided an opportunity to get to know people with very different backgrounds and experiences, and to discover a variety of commitments inspired by the Prado charism, both in France and in other countries.
They also emphasised that solidarity is not merely a one-off act: it is lived out through encounter, hospitality, support and closeness to those who find themselves in vulnerable situations.
«Follow me in my charity»
After the Rosary prayer, the participants were invited to gather in small groups to reflect on a proposed approach based on the Gospel.
The booklet began by inviting everyone to listen to and observe what Jesus does: his actions, his words and the reactions of those around him. Everyone was then invited to share the words or actions that had particularly caught their attention.
This way of echoing the Gospel Studies The reflections at the Prado enabled us to take the life and actions of Jesus as our starting point in order to discern how to put them into practice today.
The question posed at the end of the exercise was very practical: after listening to the others, What new insight or discovery can each of us gain for our own lives? And above all: «Do it yourselves.»
Experiences from here and elsewhere
The various testimonies have shown just how the call to love and serve can take many different forms, depending on the place and the circumstances encountered.
From India to Kinshasa, from the commitment of nuns to that of priests, laypeople and consecrated persons, everyone was able to share an experience of closeness and service.
These accounts have, in very different contexts, echoed the same intuition: to be inspired by the way Jesus looks at and reaches out to people, particularly the most vulnerable, and to strive to do the same.
An encounter in the spirit of the Prado
By bringing together people with a wide variety of commitments, this afternoon provided a real-life example of the fraternal spirit of the Prado Family.
In the centre of the chapel where Antoine Chevrier is laid to rest, those present were able to take the time to to pray, to listen, to share their experiences and to encourage one another.
The gathering concluded with a time of prayer and worship, in keeping with Christ’s call to make charity the heart of the disciple’s life.
For those taking part, this gathering will therefore have provided an opportunity to leave with a simple yet challenging question, drawn directly from the Gospel: How can we love and serve in the way of Jesus today?
A question that is deeply in keeping with the path proposed by Antoine Chevrier: to look to Jesus in the Gospel, to allow ourselves to be transformed by him, and to seek to live out his love amongst the least of these.
