Teachings

The Emmanuel Community (Communauté de l’Emmanuel), which began in France in the 1970s, is a Catholic charismatic community that has grown into an international movement. It is known for its deep roots in Eucharistic adoration, compassionate service, and evangelization, with a strong emphasis on living the presence of God in daily life.

The community’s teachings are based on the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, Sacred Scripture, and the experience of the Holy Spirit through charismatic renewal. Below are some distinct teachings and spiritual emphases which the community is known for:

Core Spiritual Teachings of the Emmanuel Community:

  1. Adoration – Central to Emmanuel spirituality is Eucharistic Adoration. Members are encouraged to spend time daily or regularly before the Blessed Sacrament, drawing strength and discernment from Jesus’ real presence.
  2. Compassion – Following Jesus’ example, the community emphasizes living with a heart of compassion, especially toward the suffering, poor, lonely, or spiritually lost.
  3. Evangelization – The Emmanuel Community strongly promotes evangelization in everyday life. Members are encouraged to witness to the Gospel through joy, service, and personal testimony.
  4. Life in the Spirit – The community grew out of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and encourages openness to the gifts (charisms) of the Holy Spirit (such as healing, prophecy, tongues, etc.) and the fruits of the Spirit in daily life.
  5. Community Life – Though not monastic, members commit to a form of communal spiritual life (prayer groups, retreats, missions) while living in the world (families, parishes, jobs).
  6. Unity of States of Life – The Emmanuel Community uniquely brings together people from all states of life—lay single people, married couples, consecrated brothers and sisters, and priests—in one community, promoting unity in diversity.
  7. Formation – Regular formation is provided through retreats, teachings, and workshops. Topics often include theology, spiritual growth, discernment, and missionary training.

Recommended Resources:

  • Books by Pierre Goursat (Founder of the Emmanuel Community) – These include reflections and teachings on holiness, mission, and prayer life.
  • Teachings from International Emmanuel Conferences – Often available on YouTube or through their official site.
  • Official Website: https://emmanuel.info – Offers news, testimonies, and spiritual resources in various languages.
  • Formation Tracks: The community often runs schools of evangelization, such as the Emmanuel School of Mission (ESM), with teachings available online or on request.

Pierre Goursat, the founder of the Emmanuel Community, had a deep devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and that devotion is a foundational element of the community’s spirituality.

While he did not publish formal theological treatises, his writings, talks, and personal witness consistently reflected a profound reverence for the Sacred Heart, emphasizing themes of:

  • Jesus’ burning love for humanity
  • Reparation for sin
  • Merciful love flowing from the pierced Heart of Christ
  • Union with Jesus in the Eucharist

Key Themes in Pierre Goursat’s Understanding of the Sacred Heart:

  1. The Heart of Jesus as the Source of Evangelization
    Goursat believed that evangelization was only fruitful if it flowed from a deep intimacy with the Sacred Heart. He often said that we are called to console the Heart of Jesus and draw others to Him by being instruments of His love.
  2. Reparation and Compassion
    He often referred to the wounded Heart of Jesus, urging members to live lives of reparation and compassion, especially through prayer, fasting, and acts of love toward those who suffer or are far from God.
  3. Adoration as a Response to the Sacred Heart
    The Emmanuel Community’s strong emphasis on Eucharistic adoration is closely linked to devotion to the Sacred Heart. Goursat taught that adoration is the response of love to the Heart that loves us first, echoing Jesus’ request to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.
  4. The Sacred Heart as a Call to Mission
    For Pierre, the Heart of Jesus was not only a place of intimacy but a fire that sends us on mission. The love received from the Sacred Heart compels us to go out and share Christ with a world in need.

Quote from Pierre Goursat:

“We must console the Heart of Jesus, which is so little loved. Let us adore, let us love, let us give ourselves completely, and let His love overflow into the world through us.”
— Pierre Goursat

Where to Find More:

  • The book “Pierre Goursat: A Life for the Emmanuel Community” (available in English) includes excerpts of his reflections on the Sacred Heart.
  • Some of his retreat talks and testimonies, often referencing the Sacred Heart, can be found in French and sometimes subtitled on YouTube.
  • The Emmanuel Community’s formation materials frequently include devotions and meditations on the Sacred Heart, especially around the Feast of the Sacred Heart (Friday after Corpus Christi).