At the request of the Bishop of Algiers, in agreement with the Order of Cistercian Monks, the Chemin Neuf community has been living, praying and working at Tibhirine Monastery since 15 August 2016. Father Eugène, who leads the community there, tells us about their daily mission and the enriching encounters they have with visitors and their neighbours in the village.
When Brother Eugène arrived in Algeria, he asked the former Bishop of Algiers, Monsignor Teissier, what he expected of the Chemin Neuf community at the monastery. “To pass on the monks’ message,” he replied.
In Tibhirine, the brothers and sisters share a daily life of prayer, welcoming the many visitors, tending to the orchard and vegetable garden, and maintaining the buildings.
Currently, two brothers and three sisters live at the monastery.
‘Conveying the monks’ message’
Bishop Teissier
Today, welcoming visitors is a central part of their daily lives. There are visitors from abroad, and Algerian visitors. The vast majority are Algerian Muslims. “ What strikes me when talking to them about their visit is that they were deeply moved when they heard of the monks’ deaths, who were murdered in 1996 in Algeria”, says Eugène Lehembre.
Sometimes, when they hear the story of the monks during the tour, “ some have tears in their eyes” explains Eugène, visibly moved. “ Once, a visitor told me he was a teenager when he heard about their deaths and had always wanted to come and see this place.
He didn’t come until 30 years later. He asked us for forgiveness for what we had done to the monks. Yet he wasn’t responsible in any way; he simply stood in solidarity with the Algerians, and he asked us for forgiveness for their murder. That is the kind of relationship that can exist between Christians and Muslims, between Algerians and French people in Tibhirine,” he continues.
Brotherhood at the heart of the gathering
The relationship with the monastery’s neighbours is different from that forged with the Cistercian monks. Times have changed. The monastery is very busy with visitors, but a close bond remains with a few local families.“When we are with them, we feel at peace and in communion ” explains the monastery’s head.
For example, Mohamed is a practising Muslim, a deeply devout believer, as are his wife and children.
For Father Eugène, “ faith does not drive us apart; rather, it brings us closer together. We are happy to be among fellow believers. There is a friendship that comes naturally.”
These two men do not spend their time discussing their differences, but rather living in friendship and the joy of each day.
“He asked us for forgiveness for what we had done to the monks.”
an Algerian visitor
A nun from the convent said that when she meets an Algerian, she does not see him first and foremost as a Muslim, but as a man, an Algerian. Instantly labelling someone distances them from a sense of brotherhood.
In their view, instantly labelling someone distances them from a sense of brotherhood.
“ We do not merely have a relationship between Christians and Muslims, but between brothers and sisters. Therein lies a beautiful foundation for friendship that can be lived out” explains Eugène Lehembre. He adds that “ this is essential for building a relationship. Algerians are looking forward to friendly and fraternal relationships. ”
For the past ten years, the Chemin Neuf community has been practising “seeing every person who comes as a brother”. Such is the mission entrusted to them in this Muslim land.
