François, soon to be baptized: ‘Faith is not lived alone’

“I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” These are the words that thousands of catechumens around the world are preparing to hear on Easter night when they are baptized. Throughout Lent, Aleteia is sharing with you the stories of some of these men and women, who are happy to become children of God. Read all of the testimonies here.

François, 30, is an emergency room doctor in Vannes (France). He and his wife Jeanne have been married for a few months. During his medical studies, François, who is passionate about history, became interested in the place of Christ in our civilization. One day, he walked through the door of a church…

Now, he’s preparing to be baptized at Easter, at his parish in Rennes. From now on, a Bible verse will guide him in his professional and spiritual life: “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40)

Born into a family with a Catholic tradition, to a Breton father and an Italian mother, François has fond memories of his grandparents' faith. His parents, for their part, chose not to have their children baptized.

During his studies, François decided to explore the influence of the birth of Christ on history. In early 2023, François and a friend walked through the door of Rennes Cathedral. From that moment on, he returned to church regularly. He met priests and religious, and read the Bible and simplified catechisms. He was a seeker! During Holy Week, he received the call to be baptized. He began a catechumenate journey while continuing to explore his Breton origins.

He heard about the Troménie de Sainte-Anne (a procession/pilgrimage) at the end of a Mass at the shrine of Sainte-Anne d'Auray, during the announcements. 

He then contacted the section leader to offer his services. Since then, François has participated in several stages of the pilgrimage, including two close to home. “It was an overwhelming moment. The evangelizing dimension of the meetings is really intense. You get to know the organizing team that has been working hard for two years, as well as the section leaders who organize the Troménie on a daily basis. They’re dedicated people, imbued with a faith that seems unshakeable,” he says.

His involvement in the Troménie unites him to a Church initiative and allows him to prepare for his baptism by living his faith “in community.” Several aspects of this pilgrimage touch him. In particular the rediscovery of the religious heritage highlighted by the volunteers impresses him. They’re very proud to present their chapels, which were built several centuries ago and are carefully maintained.

There’s also the horse-drawn carriage, drawn by a Breton draft horse, which attracts attention. It carries the statue of Saint Anne from parish to parish, whatever the weather conditions. As another participant says, “The morning rain doesn’t frighten a pilgrim!”

Finally, the evangelization mission he carries out every day with children in schools or residents in retirement homes has a huge impact on him. “When we sing Breton hymns, the older people sing without sheet music and with great fervor: it's a magnificent sight.”

On the road, François is stopped by people at their windows who are watching for the carriage to pass. A glance, a smile, a hello are exchanged throughout the journey. “The Troménie de Sainte Anne is an event that deserves our attention, that we should go and see, because it has an exceptional spiritual dynamism. Saint Anne comes to the Bretons, but then they make the effort to go and see her!”