A donation of one million euros to restore the church of Saint-Omer
At 6 p.m. this Friday, November 15, 2024, the mystery surrounding the identity of a generous donor will be lifted : An anonymous patron offered one million euros for the restoration of the Immaculate Conception church in Saint-Omer, devastated by an arson. This gesture, beyond its financial value, resonates deeply in the hearts of parishioners and residents. For Father Sébastien Roussel, parish priest, this donation is above all meaningful: it is an act of faith and humility, which reminds him of the words of the Gospel of Sunday November 10, 2024 where a widow, by giving her last coins, expressed her attachment to God more than her material wealth.
This gesture particularly touches me, confides Father Roussel. It is not the monetary value that takes precedence, but rather the generosity of the gesture. A large gift or a small gift ultimately has just as much value in the eyes of God, provided it is given with humility and a desire to support.
A generosity revealing the attachment to the religious heritage of Saint-Omer
Since the arson which ravaged the church, a solidarity movement has begun to rebuild this monument dear to the inhabitants. An online prize pool, opened from the first days, has already collected more than 135,000 euros. With the million euros recently donated, the restoration work will now be able to take on a whole new scale. Interior renovation will be one of the first priorities: this will include reinstalling the altar, the ambo, and all the liturgical furniture essential to the religious life of the parish.
Father Roussel, in his message, also highlights the deep attachment that the French feel for their religious heritage.
A church is not just a building, but a place of memory and communion, a space where families experience essential moments of their existence, such as baptisms, weddings, and departures. It is also a place that questions our relationship to God and spirituality.
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