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| Left to Right: Collette, Br. Jean-Pierre, Br. Allan, and myself |
At the end of each Marist Youth Encounter Christ Retreat, the pendant with what we call the "Marist Cross" is presented to the participants. During our day at the Hermitage, I met someone I was definitely not expecting to. Brother Jean-Pierre Destombes of France walks up to me and asks "Where did you get that cross?" I told him about Encounters in the US and he replies "I drew the cross many years ago, but have never seen it on a pendant like that!"
That moment was pretty incredible. Here I was meeting the person who created a symbol that had so much meaning to me and many others. What made the meeting even better was that I could sense the joy in Br. Jean-Pierre during our conversations. He's got a great sense of humor... for example "So when do I get my royalties from you? 10 Euros!"
I knew that I had an extra Encounter cross in my luggage someplace (I normally do) and gave it to him the following day at dinner. He thanked me and wore it everyday for the remainder of the trip! The genuine gratefulness in him blessed me. Much was unexpected during this pilgrimage, especially that encounter.
