The main characters. Francois Economie, Dubosq: “We are called to act”.
Coming to Assisi, focusing on some key issues of his commitment, cultivating a conviction in his heart: “We do not go astray when we agree to depend on each other.” This is how 34-year-old Clémence Dubosq experienced the “Francois economy”, which she hopes to put to good use as head of training at Ceras (Center for Social Research and Action). A Jesuit establishment north of Paris: “My professional journey has been guided by the fact that I am a believer. But I think that in the past, economic issues were a bit taboo in the church. This is also why I find the Pope’s appeal fascinating. He asks us to think about the kind of economy we might aspire to as Christians. First of all, this is aimed at the youth.”
For him, placing a model of St. Francis of Assisi at the center of the event is a powerful catalyst for reflection: “Franciscan works continue to prophesy. I think, for example, of closeness to the poor and the sick. Francois had a freedom of thought that we can draw inspiration from in our daily lives. For us young people, words such as creation, praise, and death sound special today both in our concerns and in our dreams. We see this with the ecological crisis, in which we realize the fragility that is not the negation of beauty, as well as with the convergence between the dimensions of life and death. Therefore, we can find in St. Francis an example that allows us to deepen each new path.”
From these days in Assisi, Clémence also maintains an international dimension: “I was happy to find myself among many young people from other continents, like many Latin Americans or Africans. The same questions to be shared, the same pitfalls to be overcome, combined with this and more. Many encounters really made me think about the biblical page of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, which means I could discover other faces of the Church. In particular, certain very bold ways of engaging in concrete social and professional life. For example, I liked listening to the voices of young Brazilians who are ready to listen to the poorest and use them to change the economy. I, for example, felt an unusual freedom and energy during discussions with the Cubans.
In the message of Pope Francis, Clemens found the keys to proceed more decisively: “Simply put, he did not hide the dysfunctions of the capitalist system we have built, but above all, he called us to action. to retreat. His words had a great impact on me.”
As for the style he would adopt in his professional commitment, Clémence was greatly influenced by a symbol: “At Assisi, the figure of the watchman, which also participates in the artistic key, is also valuable for inspiring everyday actions. To be a watchman is to learn to bear witness and therefore to communicate what is happening in each country. Even as professionals in an emerging economy, how is it possible to hope without widening our eyes to those around us? It allows us to learn to welcome the other, for example, to be aware of the damage our current economy can do in many corners of the world. In short, to open our eyes to darkness and night, and to every budding little pearl to accompany its opening.’
On his return, Clémence realized that the momentum of Assis continued to cross borders: “Even in France, among those who participate these days, I see a movement of young people who are driven by the desire to build something new. by creating events such as festivals or other opportunities to meet. In Assisi, many of us found or recognized the things that keep us alive.”
