As their contribution to the celebration of the 350th birthday of the Founder, 400 young people from all over France invaded the streets of Rheims and the Sacré Coeur Boarding School from April 28th - 30th. The gathering of the young people belonging to the French Lasallian Network was a great success. The theme chosen for the occasion by the young organisers was "Service Gagnant!".

(Editors note: This is a play on words in French. It carries both the notion of being a winner by being of service to others, and, from the game of tennis, having a winning serve.)

The gathering started with an exchange of experiences involving team activities. What had been done was really fantastic! SEMIL journeys to Africa, America and Asia: school tutoring and counselling; visiting sick children; running activities for suburban children in Paris; helping various associations, etc.

Next, a question: how were these examples of service "winners" (a winning serve)? The words of a girl working with Jean Vanier's Arche movement will perhaps explain a little what is meant: Service is "a winner" when it enables you to meet someone...when I am totally disarmed...when a person makes me discover in my heart places I never knew existed."

Evening meetings, singing in artistic creation workshops, celebrations during meditation periods...reflection continued in a party atmosphere.

And when the 12 strokes of midnight rang out and April 30th arrived, 350 candles were lit on a birthday cake, symbolising 350 years of adventure - an adventure which continues for each of the youngsters present, an adventure they want to communicate to others. The Brothers are called upon to blow out these candles. And of course, birthday wishes are accompanied by the clinking of glasses filled with champagne ! It was a special moment!

Finally, April 30th dawns, and all eyes turn to the children. The speech by the Unicef representative described a critical situation. The occasion was also an opportunity to recall the appeal of the Superior General to Lasallian Youth asking them to commit themselves to the service of children and their education, as a Lasallian response to the needs of our times. To demonstrate their willingness, the young people concluded this gathering by building a De La Salle school, a school lasting one day, in the square in front of Rheims cathedral. It was a way of saying to everyone: Lasallians are committed, today as yesterday, to the defence of the right of children to an education.