Visit to Beauly by Mouvement Eucharistique des Jeunes, August 2012
On Thursday 9 August 2012, led by Fr. Francoise Xavier, a group of 50 French teenagers (ages 15-18) descended on Beauly. They had elected to visit Scotland in order to meet ‘real Scottish people’, plus explore our wonderful countryside on their bikes. This group were just some of the many young Catholics in Europe who have joined the Eucharistic Youth Movement, which is a branch of the Jesuit organisation The Apostleship of Prayer.
Yours truly, (the ed.), was called upon to talk to them about Scotland. So off I went to meet them wearing the kilt and equipped with a set of bagpipes. Fr. Xavier got them sitting in a circle at the east side of the church. Silence! I struck up the bagpipe and played the French national anthem ‘Le Marsellaise’, which was a real surprise and instantly brought big smiles to their faces. They sang along and finished with a loud cheer.
I gave them an extremely knowledgeable talk, played a few simple Strathspeys & Reels then gave a demonstration of marching to the time of the music, which prompted some to ask what I wore under my kilt, (obviously their minds were not on the music.) Some also wanted to master the bagpipe. Those who managed a few squeaks and squawks were given loud cheers! Many were left dumbfounded by the seemingly impossible task of blowing, squeezing and playing at the same time! We finished off yet again with ‘Le Marsellaise’, yet more singing and cheers, and finally ‘Flower of Scotland’ which they listened too very carefully and seemed to appreciate.
Then it was into St Mary’s where Fr. Xavier offered Mass and spoke to them at length. The team were overseen during the mass by three young ‘educators’ who led the lovely singing and made sure that everyone kept quiet appropriately. These young people were a joy to behold.
After Mass they adjourned to ‘The Friary’ for some ‘Scottish food’, Fish and Chips. They ate in the sunshine and danced happily to the music of the accordion player, prior to being entertained by the Beauly pipe band playing in the square. The owner of ‘The Friary’ was so impressed by these youngsters that he offered them all a free ice cream. They cheered and took him up on his offer and insisted that he and his staff leave the shop and pass through a guard of honour!
Yours truly, (the ed.), was called upon to talk to them about Scotland. So off I went to meet them wearing the kilt and equipped with a set of bagpipes. Fr. Xavier got them sitting in a circle at the east side of the church. Silence! I struck up the bagpipe and played the French national anthem ‘Le Marsellaise’, which was a real surprise and instantly brought big smiles to their faces. They sang along and finished with a loud cheer.
I gave them an extremely knowledgeable talk, played a few simple Strathspeys & Reels then gave a demonstration of marching to the time of the music, which prompted some to ask what I wore under my kilt, (obviously their minds were not on the music.) Some also wanted to master the bagpipe. Those who managed a few squeaks and squawks were given loud cheers! Many were left dumbfounded by the seemingly impossible task of blowing, squeezing and playing at the same time! We finished off yet again with ‘Le Marsellaise’, yet more singing and cheers, and finally ‘Flower of Scotland’ which they listened too very carefully and seemed to appreciate.
Then it was into St Mary’s where Fr. Xavier offered Mass and spoke to them at length. The team were overseen during the mass by three young ‘educators’ who led the lovely singing and made sure that everyone kept quiet appropriately. These young people were a joy to behold.
After Mass they adjourned to ‘The Friary’ for some ‘Scottish food’, Fish and Chips. They ate in the sunshine and danced happily to the music of the accordion player, prior to being entertained by the Beauly pipe band playing in the square. The owner of ‘The Friary’ was so impressed by these youngsters that he offered them all a free ice cream. They cheered and took him up on his offer and insisted that he and his staff leave the shop and pass through a guard of honour!
Learn more about The Apostleship of Prayer and The Eucharistic Youth Movement by following this link >>>
Visit Mouvement Eucharistique des Jeunes website here >>>
Visit Mouvement Eucharistique des Jeunes website here >>>
