Les Pères Vivants
Les Peres Vivants (Fathers Alive) is a vibrant movement of men seeking to support each other, share experiences and grow in our role and mission as fathers. We regularly meet in small groups (6-10 fathers), called fraternities, throughout the year. During these gatherings, we exchange inspiring texts and thoughts around a specific theme. A fraternity of Peres Vivants is a unique space for open and honest discussion in a spirit of truth, kindness and conviviality.
Our movement is based on the conviction that fathers are critically important to families and society. We need fathers who are fully alive, present, actively involved in their roles as loving spouses and parents, as well as actors in their communities. Beyond our own couple and family, fathers can play an important role supporting other fathers, sharing experiences and questions; we need connections with other fathers so as to be supported and strengthened in our own fatherhood, commitments, but also to face the difficulties and challenges of life. Les Peres Vivants is a movement that seeks to welcome and support all fathers in their personal role and mission, whatever their stage in life, their faith, questions, or their particular family circumstances.
Our vision
Our origin
It all started around a fire. At the end of a day-long walk for fathers, during which we had spent time in small groups, sharing our struggles and questions, meals and prayers. We all gathered around a camp fire, tired from the walk, but warmed up by the joy of walking together and exchanging experiences. It was around a fire that started in us the desire to keep walking together, in our daily lives, in our homes, in our cities, in the world.
It is that same inner fire that keeps the Peres Vivants alive today and shapes our identity. Our goal? Helping each other:
-keep the flame of love alive within our homes, and pass it on to our children and families;
-become a light of hope in the world;
-maintain the fire of Faith and make it grow in our hearts whatever the struggles of our daily lives.
Our activities
Here are examples of the various actions organised by Les Peres Vivants throughout the year: periodic fraternity meetings, community service, conferences, sports events, festivals and our annual st Joseph pilgrimage walk on May 1st. All actions are meant to strengthen our fraternal ties as fathers from the same geographical area, and to reinforce our shared commitment to be dedicated fathers.
Where to find us
The Les Pères Vivants movement was born in 2022 in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France, but the fire rapidly spread throughout the country. Today, fraternities of fathers can be found in several cities in France.