Lenten campaign 2026
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It took three months of closure and seven years of ambitious work, carried out by a team of committed volunteers and donors. But on September 12, the Church of St.-Dominique in Saint-Jean-de-la-Ruelle (Loiret, France) reopened its doors to the faithful.
“This construction site has been a place of evangelization,” says Father Stefano Cimolino. He adds, “This was achieved through welcoming and interacting with the contractors, but also through the curiosity of the workers — for example, about what a tabernacle is — which often led to discussions during coffee breaks.”
This is how Fr. Cimolino became friends with Carlos, a tile craftsman whose 22-year-old daughter had just encountered Christ.
Putting off baptism
Although she grew up in a Christian family, Audrey was not baptized by her parents. “My family is Christian, but like many, they rarely practice their faith,” she explains to Aleteia. It was during her studies that something clicked inside her.
“I felt lost. Being anxious by nature, I often had negative thoughts that made me worried. Reading, praying, and going to church helped me find inner peace,” Audrey recalls.
Although she admits to having practiced her faith for about two years, she was not yet a catechumen. “I had wanted to ask for baptism for a while. But events in my life, such as my studies and my work, kept putting it off.”
The moment came thanks to her father's work on the Church of St.-Dominique. One day, he shared with her photos of this church. Its unique silhouette, reminiscent of the Tent of Meeting in the Bible, invites reflection and openness. And that's when she realized that here, and nowhere else, was where she wanted to be baptized.
A providential moment
“When I start something new, I need to create a bond, to feel a connection. That was the case with this church,” notes the communications student from the Paris region, who often visits her parents in Bray-Saint-Aignan. It was during one such visit that her father suggested she meet Father Stefano. A visit to the construction site and a warm discussion were enough for Audrey to finally decide to take the plunge.
“Her approach touched me,” notes Father Stefano. “She was very determined. She had read many books to learn how to pray and bought a Bible. She had a rich library that allowed her to nurture her faith on her own.”
As for Audrey, she sees all this as a sign from God: “My dad had a construction project in a church, which he never does, at a time when I was wondering about baptism and starting to go to church. It's a sign of Providence.”
Today, the young woman's parents are proud of her and her decision. Her faith is inspiring them to reconnect with the Church. “My mother often accompanies me to Mass,” says Audrey, who is eager to be baptized.
In the meantime, she is discovering the work of her father and so many other contractors who have made Saint-Dominique Church even more beautiful than it was before.
