What are the Foyers of Charity?
The Foyers of Charity are Catholic communities of men and women who, following the example of the first Christians, place their material, intellectual and spiritual goods in common.
They live their commitment in the same Spirit, in order to build, with Mary as Mother, the Family of God on earth. They do this under the guidance of a priest, the father, in an increasing effort of charity among themselves. By their life of prayer and work in the world, they give witness to Light, Charity and Love according to the great message of Christ, King, Prophet and Priest.
The Foyers of Charity welcome retreatants to their communities to hear again the basic Gospel message of God’s love for mankind. These retreats generally last for six days and are held in silence, as a way of allowing the Word of God to penetrate more deeply into the soul.
Rooted in the Church
Founded in 1936 in France at the initiative of Marthe Robin and Fr. George Finet, the Foyers de Charité were definitively approved, on the 8th of December 1999 by the Pontifical Council for the Laity in Rome as “A Private Association of the Faithful of International Character”. Today there are over 78 Foyers de Charité spread throughout 42 countries worldwide. The “Foyers de Charité” are found in Europe, North and South America, Africa, the Middle and East Asia.
The members of “Foyers de Charité” are lay men and women and priests who are called to live according to the spirit of the beatitudes at the service of evangelization, and work with the whole of the Church to reveal Christ, the light of the world, and his message of salvation.
Foyer de Charité “Vierge des Pauvres” of REMERA-RUHONDO in Musanze-Rwanda is situated in Northern Province of the country, Ruhengeri Diocese, Rwaza Parish not far from Lake Ruhondo. It was founded on 11th February 1968 by Father Guy Claessens upon the request of Marthe Robin. “Yes, the Lord wants a Foyer de Charité in Rwanda. It is necessary to preach there a charity beyond all what divides and separates people. Look, all these differences of races, languages, ethnics, culture… All these differences are a visible sign of the infinite richness of Love”. Marthe Robin to Father Guy Claessens on 17th August 1965
As other Foyers de Charité all over the world the principal mission is the evangelization through the predication of spiritual retreats open to all, which play an important part, as a synthesis of Christian life and faith in fidelity to the Word of God and the magisterium of the Church. A part from the principal mission of spiritual retreats, Foyer de Charité Vierge des Pauvres REMERA-RUHONDO, we welcome people who want to take few days of resting, breathing and finding comfort at the heart. Some of them are tourists who come and pass one or two nights and continue their traveling to discover the beauty of our country of thousand hills especially the region of volcanoes and mountain Gollila. Also, this additional activity was begun under the permission of Marthe Robin. “Let them come and pass them the message of who you are” said Marthe Robin to Father Claessens.
Come and share your positive experiences both staying and resting with us in our house! Come and be refreshed in the region of volcanoes.
Location and Contact Information
Address: FOYER DE CHARITE REMERA-RUHONDO, Rwanda
Location: Africa – Rwanda – Northen Province-Musanze
Phone Number: +250 788 510 659