Madonna - March / April 2006

Patricia Nichols OP

Life Ascending group at their Galong retreat in 2005.

In the years after the Second World War, in Paris, some friends of mature age used to gather to yarn and discuss the events of the day. After a time they felt that they could be doing something more constructive with their time together. At the suggestion of the parish priest they began to share their reflections with each other on a topic in which they were all interested—their Christian faith. The Scriptures formed the basis of the reflections and this developed into deep prayer.

Others joined them and soon there were groups being formed all over Paris. André d'Humières was the moving force in the early days and permission was sought and obtained from the archbishop to establish a Christian movement for retired and senior people. This movement was given the name La Vie Montante or Life Ascending.

Three basic values are at the core of this movement: spirituality, loving service and friendship.

Spirituality: the call to prayer both personal and communal based on shared reflection on the Word of God. It fosters spirituality for older people as they move into another phase of life's journey as mature Christians.

Loving Service: the fruit of genuine Christian Fellowship in service and outreach to those in need, whether those needs be material or spiritual.

Friendship: the fruit of spirituality and service. As seniors come together and share together at the deepest level of their being, there cannot but be a development of deep friendship and love for each other.

La Vie Montante spread rapidly throughout France and then to other countries as diverse as Rwanda, Argentina, Poland, Brazil, USA, Canada, England, Malaysia and Taiwan. The movement in England, where it is known as Ascent, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this July and indeed it was from this section of the movement that knowledge of it came to Australia.

In 1998, after a time spent in the Holy Land doing a biblical course, I stayed with a friend who was caught up in the movement and I attended a couple of meetings. Being very impressed I found out more about La Vie Montante and felt the movement would fill a need among Australian Catholics.

Towards the end of 1999 a group, with the blessing of Cardinal Pell and the parish priest, was established in Regina Coeli Parish in Beverly Hills, NSW. Let Noel and Pat Smith, two of the original group, speak for themselves:

'Our group continues to meet on the second and fourth Friday of each month at 10.00 am.' says Pat. 'We are almost the same members who have been together since the forming of LAI (Life Ascending International) so our friendship, sharing and confidence in each other have really grown. LAI has provided us the opportunity to deepen our understanding of the scriptures and our deep love of God which flows from our discussions.' Noel adds: 'It I sharing life's experiences − traveling together'.

June, a member from another group, says that the meetings are a highlight of the month and that her family knows when it is Life Ascending day! She has come to a deeper knowledge not only of her faith but of the life of those around her. Following the original meetings and as a result of attending the international conference in Bangkok in 2002, we in Australia have now been affiliated with Life Ascending International

Since 2000, groups have been established in other parishes. One is in Barham in the Willcannia Forbes diocese, certainly an outreach. At least two days of reflection are held each year and these are well attended though there is always room for more attendees! During 2004 and 2005 a three-day retreat was held at the Redemptorist Conference Centre at Galong, just south of Canberra, and there amid the trees and wide acres we have come even closer to our God and each other.

As the coordinator, I have visited parishes and written many letters to bishops and priests telling them of the deep spiritual benefits for our senior members to be derived from having such a movement in the parishes.

It is a movement for and by the laity who use their wonderful baptismal gifts to help their fellow Christians come closer to the Lord. Paula Conrad who began the Movement in England writes, 'At the very heart of Life Ascending is the Word of God, but it ought not be seen as another bible study, prayer or social action group, although it does embody all of these. It is through our love of God and his church that we come together; his Holy Spirit is at the heart of our hopes and struggles and day to day encounters leading us to prayer and guiding our thoughts'.

If you are interested in commencing a group in your parish − there is now a Handbook especially for Australia. Sr Patricia Nichols can be contacted on (02) 9554 3227 or email: pnichols@opeast.org.au. See also the website www.lifeascendingaustralia.catholicau.com