In recent years I felt a need for something more in my life and prayed for guidance. Then, one morning after Mass it all happened for me. It was as though a door had been thrown open! I shall always remember the feeling I experienced when a Holy Family Sister gave me a copy of ‘A Good Man Passed This Way’, the life story of the founder of the Holy Family of Bordeaux, Pierre Bienvenu Noailles. I realised instantly that Jesus was calling me. The rest, as they say, is history.

Soon after this encounter, I joined a formation group of Lay Associates of the Holy Family and eventually made my commitment as a Lay Associate on 5 December 2002 . Without any doubt, from then on my life as a Catholic has become more fulfilled and meaningful, and amidst trials and temptations I have found peace, strength and joy in serving God Alone. As time moves on, each day is special because I feel a living part of a welcoming Family—the Holy Family of Bordeaux . We are all one Family, irrespective of whichever branch we belong to —Lay Associates, Religious, Consecrated Seculars or Priest Associates.

‘Faithful to the charism of our founder

we strive to live our specific vocation

within the Family of Pierre Bienvenu Noailles.’

( Statutes of the Lay Associates )

Our group of about thirty is a happy one and meets monthly and also at social gatherings, celebrations, feast days, and at the National Assembly which takes place each year. I am grateful for the privilege of being a part of this loving Family and for the opportunity to have made many wonderful friends from all walks of life. There are also opportunities to meet members of the other groups of the Family from many parts of the world when they visit Britain or when we visit Martillac in Bordeaux . We pray, but we are not a prayer group. In simple terms, our prayer is a Way of Life and living out the charism handed down by our dear founder, the Venerable Pierre Bienvenu Noailles.

As a Lay Associates I also participate in our parish activities and I can strongly recommend membership of the Holy Family of Bordeaux Lay Associates to all age groups.

“We go forward together to serve the human family in TODAY’S world, and towards the overall aim of Fr. Noailles, “to gather into one family the scattered children of God.”