FR
EN
On Saturday, 27 September 2025, the parish of Saint John XXIII in Gatineau became the beating heart of the Ottawa/Gatineau zone (Canada). The members of the Word of God Groups gathered there to celebrate with fervour the 29th anniversary of the Movement of the Incarnation.
A celebration under the sign of the “Word of Life”
Carried by the inspiring theme: “You shine like stars in the world, holding fast to the word of life” (Phil 2:15b-16a), this day of retreat brought the faithful together from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Between prayers, moments of fraternal communion and vibrant praise, the atmosphere was marked by a deep spirituality.
Serving the most destitute: a concrete call to sharing
One of the high points of the morning was the teaching devoted to love of neighbour. The zonal leader invited each participant to a necessary introspection: love of God is inseparable from love for the poor. This call to make support for the most destitute part of daily life resonated as a true missionary mandate for the members.
Thanksgiving and testimonies: the vitality of a committed community
The Eucharistic celebration, presided over by Father Édouard Dagavounansou, was the culmination of the thanksgiving. In a striking homily, he exhorted the faithful to become “authentic witnesses” through their concrete actions. The fervour rose a notch during the evangelisation sessions and the moving testimonies, notably those of Adèle Happi and Rostand Dongmo. Their accounts illustrated the vitality and the real impact of the movement in the region.
29 years of spiritual fruits and a look toward the future
To close this memorable day, the traditional birthday cake was shared in joy and hope. After nearly three decades of existence, the Movement of the Incarnation shows a rich record: multiplied conversions, flourishing vocations and a renewed thirst to live according to the Gospel.
Today, the groups of Ottawa and Gatineau reaffirm their commitment: to keep shining like stars of light for their generation.
