Persons with intellectual disabilities

Give peace to all
During Mass, right after we gave each other the sign of Peace, Annie exchanged this discussion with Mark, a friend of the community:
Annie: I regret not being able to be teleported...
Mark: I think not being able to teleport ourself helps us to live well and enjoy where we are at the moment.
Annie: Yes, but if I could teleport myself, I would go fast and give peace to all my friends from the community!

The treasure of peace, day by day
During the meal, Jérôme's parents quarrel and the tone rises. "You Dad, you Mum, stop. Now, peace". The same Jérôme himself sets an example. He fell off his bike. His forehead is bloody. Taken to the emergencies, the doctor on duty turns out to be a terrible man. This little child with disabilities annoys him enormously. Jérôme tries to tame him. "Do you have a wife? Any children? Did you go to mass this morning? Nothing happened. However, on the doorstep, Jerome rushes towards him and says: "You know, I love you, Jesus loves you". The story went round the service bringing in its wake a ray of light. For the light spreads by itself as does the darkness.

Souvenir
You see, for me, the 1971 pilgrimage was my foot on the ground, yes, my foot on the ground!

A prayer to Jesus
Everyone is invited to tell Jesus what they hold most dear. Vincent, with a severe disability, says:
- Jesus, you love me.
- You mean: Jesus, I love you?
Vincent repeats:
- Jesus, you love me.

The most wonderful thing?
It happens during a time of sharing. The leader asks:
- What is wonderful for you?
- It's loving and praying (Daniele).
- It's having friends in Faith and Light (François).
- I took communion at Easter and Jesus melted in my heart (Jean-Michel).

Immediately!
Marie-Agnès is asked if she wants to participate in the community's summer camp next year. It is March.
- Mum, we have to start packing right away!

I will never leave Faith and Light
I will never leave Faith and Light, until I am 100 years old until I die. Because in Faith and Light, we visit each other, we celebrate birthdays, enjoy picnics, go to summer camps in August, pray together, meet and often phone each other. And it's very rare be part of a group and make friends who contact each other. Those who are outside of Faith and Light, they never contact me. I do not know why!
Philippe, Lebanon

A question
Sometimes, I wonder how we used to manage before Faith and Light!
Anne, France

The friends of God
When we have a disability, we cannot find friends by ourselves: we need to get together in the community and help each other, pray. I like meeting my friends: Faith and Light creates a family close to God, with God's friends. We do not feel our handicap. We are like everyone else because there is no difference.
Peter, USA

Before...
Before Faith and Light, I just felt like I wanted to die.
Denis, France

I want to vote for...
The elections are over. Paul raises his hand.
- It's over, Paul, finally we have a new leader!
- Okay. But I want to vote for having a meeting every day...
Paul, Switzerland