They are mobilizing to save their church. In Poitiers, CE2 students from the Saint-Hilaire nursery and primary school sold their drawings at auction this December 1 during the establishment's Christmas market. The amount collected, 192 euros, will be donated to the Diocese to finance the work of the Saint-Hilaire Church, closed for two months following an arson.
loading
The parishioners have still not been able to find their place of worship, so the idea of an auction germinated in the head of Jasmine, little Julia's grandmother. “My little daughter Julia was shocked, but really, she asked questions. Why? So, I had the idea of having her draw the Saint-Hilaire church” says the grandmother, “especially the children, they got into the game. They really wanted to make this drawing to bring a donation to the church.”
Clement Tricot
“We need to move the work forward because we would like to return there”
The colorful works were sold for 10 euros minimum to the laughter of children, proud to see their works bought, often, by their parents. “I did it”, shouts Chloé, happy to see her mother, her drawing in hand, “I’m happy to help the school, especially since I just arrived!”
An educational approach which fascinated the children, very affected by the damage to their church. Julia, Jasmine's granddaughter, is very touched. “We had to go to another church to do mass, to sing Christmas carols. Plus, I did my communion there,” says the young girl, “We need to move the work forward because we would like to return to the church.”
“It allows children to keep a connection with the church”
For Catherine Guillaume, the head of the establishment, this educational approach also helps the children to maintain a link with a place that they usually visit very regularly. “It allows the children to keep a connection with the Saint-Hilaire church with which we have a real closeness,” specifies Catherine Guillaume, “not only is it the neighborhood church, but also the church in which we normally have our back-to-school celebrations, the blessing of students and school bags by the priest. These are the communions and baptisms of the school that happen there. It’s the family masses twice a year that happen there.”
For the director, the idea is also to convey a message to the children: “The goal is to show them that by being together, a group can do a lot of things. Together, we are stronger and we will be able to rebuild it without problem.”
The human-caused fire has sparked strong emotions in local communities. The altar of this building, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, was reduced to ashes. Four statues were also defaced. The walls were covered in soot. The monument is still closed to the public and the financial assessment of the damage continues.
On November 8, the person responsible for the fire was found guilty, but found not responsible for his actions. Examined by an expert, it was clarified that the individual suffered from a delusional psychosis with a mystical and megalomaniacal tendency. The judges ordered his compulsory hospitalization in a psychiatric establishment.
