Emmaus International

Straight to the source

The origins of Emmaus (1975)

During a speech he gave at Emmaus Laterina in Italy on 26 October 1975, Abbé Pierre reminded us of the importance of the communities in the foundation of Emmaus: the wealth brought by the diversity of companions and their opinions, the political impact that communities can have on issues such as housing and the importance of being vigilant in order to maintain balance within the communities. Being careful not to strive to perfect community life and its way of working, so that the least skilled and the least stable can always find their place. Being careful not to transform the communities into businesses and to make sure the work is adapted to the people, and not the other way round.

Read more ...

Straight to the source

Poetry: Abbé Pierre’s hidden talent

Today as we celebrate World Poetry Day, it is the perfect time to discover some of Abbé Pierre’s writings that not everybody knows about. From adolescence to adulthood, Abbé Pierre never ceased to write poetry to express his outrage at injustice and his wonder at the beauty of nature.

Read more ...

Straight to the source

Speech by Lucie Coutaz for young people - Faims & Soifs des hommes, April-May 1970

On this day dedicated to women, Emmaus International would like to pay homage to Lucie Coutaz, the woman who worked for over 37 years with Abbé Pierre and who did so much for the Emmaus movement. The speech that she wrote for young people in Faims & Soifs des hommes, no. 6-7, April-May 1970, pages 10-11 is one of the few texts that allows us to discover a little more about who she was.

Read more ...

Straight to the source

Abbé Pierre’s editorial - Faim & Soif 15, October 1956

During a Christmas special edition of the review Faim & Soif, Abbé Pierre reminds us in strong terms, one year after his resounding appeal in Winter 1954, of the importance of fighting against poverty and helping the most vulnerable, with special emphasis on not losing the energy of our initial ‘uprising’. He also talks about consolidating the Emmaus movement and the emerging links with organisations in other countries, such as Canada, Argentina, Peru, Japan, Denmark, India and a number of countries in Africa, at a time when the struggles led by the Emmaus movement started to resound internationally.

Read more ...