Pilgrims came from all over France. Jean Paul II ascended the steps of the podium to celebrate Mass with the entire crowd singing in the background. His strong and gravely voice filled the entire esplanade which listened in total silence :

“Today we meet in Paray-le-Monial before the open Heart of Christ. We seek to draw from Him the true Love which is so needed by our families”.

By his presence in the midst of the great crowd gathered together, this small town experienced some of the most intense and universal moments of its history. Who would have imagined, ten years before during the fist summer sessions organised by the Emmanuel Community that such a pilgrimage would so quickly become a source of such renewal.