In France, different groups were born from this intuition carried by the religious disciples of Louis-Marie Baudouin: the spirituality of the Incarnation that animates them can also be a way of life for the laity.
The "Mustard Grain" groups
The expression "mustard seed" is from Father Baudouin about reading the Scriptures that we must learn to taste by "chewing" it.
“Swallow a grain of mustard without grinding it under your teeth, you won't find any taste in it. These are the ones who believe broadly, lightly, without thinking. But if you grind the mustard grain well and chew it well, then it stings the palate. He has taste and a lot. Like those who reflect and meditate on the word of the one who sowed the mustard seed.” P. Baudouin, letter 23-6-1827
Since April 1990, "Mustard Grain" Weekends have been offered to lay people who wish to "drink from the source" of this spirituality. They take place in Chavagnes-en-Paillers, at the Mother House of the Ursulines of Jesus. Once a year, these lay people meet to:
- Better understand the spirituality of Father Baudouin to strive to live by it: "Practical... practical"
- Share what makes them live, in the light of this or that aspect of this spirituality.
- To welcome a teaching based on the Word of God reread in the light of what Louis-Marie Baudouin lived, practiced and said.
- Take time for personal internalization and celebrate together
It is a training time for all groups in France. Then, "decentralized" meetings take place in the regions. They are organized with the support of the Ursuline and/or IMF communities and lay people on the spot, according to the rhythm that suits them (day, evening ...), they resume and deepen the theme of the year. These regional groups are also called: "Mustard Grain".
The Group of Associated Laity
Associated with the Ursuline congregations of Jesus and Son of Mary Immaculate, lay people have recognized a call to live according to the Spirit of Jesus the Incarnate Word.
It is a daily life path for:
- Respond to their vocation as baptized in the light of the spirituality of the Incarnation, listening to the Word of God.
- Give full place to the dignity of the human person "Since God became man, every human face has become a place of encounter".
- Engage in their different places of social, family, professional life and participate in the life of the Church.
They desire the mutual support of a group of Sisters and/or Brothers to share with them according to the spirit of "the interview of the brothers". They are sent to a local community (IMF or UJ) for times of sharing, conviviality, prayer, in a place of mission or for even one-off or material services.
In order to put themselves "in the school of the Incarnate Word", they participate in the training times proposed in particular the "Grain of Mustard" WE in Chavagnes and/ or the regional meetings.
The Brotherhood "Word of Life"
The fraternity brings together lay people, who are committed to and recognize in the spirituality of the Incarnation, a path of life, according to the intuitions of Louis-Marie Baudouin. She was born in 1989.
In France, we are a fraternity that has welcomed the name "Word of Life"
"Our path together is woven by our exchanges. The words and experiences shared become the Word, the Word nourished by the breath of the One who makes us live, the Word who gives birth and grows love and trust in our humble daily lives. "
The fraternity meets at the Mother House of the Ursulines of Jesus at the rate of one day every two months. She is currently accompanied by an IMF Father.
Sharing during meetings starts from the reality of life, from the daily commitments of everyone. It is open to life and to the expression of diversity. This sharing is a path, a school following Jesus.
Fraternity meetings are a springboard for living the gospel on a daily basis.
The mission of the fraternity is, above all, the commitment of each of its members in their place of life; daily commitment: true meeting of the person and in particular, presence to the most disadvantaged. (…) The main thing is to be fully available to the person who walks through the door. This service is at the heart of the mystery of the Incarnation..."
The "On the way" group
Drinking at the source of the spirituality of the Incarnation based on the writings of Louis-Marie Baudouin, this is the path chosen by the group "En chemin", the latest born of the secular reality of France. The members are accompanied by two FMI fathers and meet at the Mother House of these religious: St. Mary.