More than 2,600 young Catholic pros gathered at the Sacred Heart of Montmartre

This year you welcomed more than 2,600 young people at the Santos festival. What do you remember from this third edition?

Constantin Thierry: Santos has made it possible to live great spiritual and festive moments, with artists, musical times, conferences and workshops. The crowd was such that the basilica had to be closed to tourists during the Sunday mass! This participation confirms that Santos meets a real need and encourages us to continue in 2026. We have also seen great initiatives materialize, such as the presence of The Celestial City Or a conference on homosexuality in the church, which have affected many young people.

Marie de Noblet: On the eve of the start of the school year, Santos helps young people give meaning to their year. A village of initiatives presented pastoral projects from all over France. The festival-goers shared highlights with the Taizé community, the young people in the suburbs of Fidei, the choirs … all at the Sacred Heart, as part of the 2025 Jubilee of Hope and the 140 years of perpetual worship. Many have had trouble going back down this little cloud!

Why did you want to organize such a festival?

Constantin Thierry: Santos is carried by the “Young Pros” team (25-35 years) of the Conference of Bishops of France. It is an annual opportunity to go beyond diocesan borders and to discover the diversity of the Church of France. The festival is based on three pillars: a training component (conferences, workshops, round tables), a spiritual component (prayer, sacraments, praise), and a fraternal component (Guinguette, Music, Meetings). About fifty initiatives were present this year to guide young people to places of commitment.

Explain the genesis of the festival to us.

Constantin Thierry: After the WYD 2023 in Lisbon, welcomed in the parish Santos-O-Velhowe wanted to offer a regular event for young pros. The pandemic had slowed down this dynamic, but the demand was strong. In 2024, Santos gathered 2,000 participants; This year, we were 2600. Growth is manifest.

Marie de Noblet :: The choice of Montmartre has imposed itself: a central, symbolic and open place. It is a joy to see young people from all regions, including less represented areas.

What are the specifics of 25-35 year olds in the church today?

Constantin Thierry: They live a pivotal stage: passage from the student world to professional life, taking responsibility and decisions. They seek to give meaning to their work, their relationships, their daily life, and want to grow in faith. Conferences on discernment and life choices are always a great success.

Marie de Noblet: Their requirement is strong: they want to understand why and how to engage. This quest for meaning is even more marked among catechumens and neophytes, who need support after their baptism.