They transform a forgotten play by Jean-Paul II in a collective adventure

What can still make young hearts vibrate in search of meaning? Where to draw the momentum capable of gathering around love, faith, hope? For Maëlys, Marie and their friends, the answer took the unexpected form of a play written by a young Polish bishop who became Pope.

With their association Le Reflet, they plan to go up The goldsmith’s storea rapid play-a theatrical style in vogue in communist Poland in the 1960s-signed Karol Wojtyła, future Saint John Paul II.

And it all starts during the 20th wedding anniversary of Maëlys’ parents. In the form of a tribute, she decides, with her two brothers, to present an improvised staging of the work. “Mounted very quickly” is a successful bet. “The guests were moved,” recalls Maëlys. Faced with congratulations from the public for a day, she founded, with her friend Marie, the reflection.

From family party to shared hope

Many “bottles at sea” later, the troop goes from seven to fifty members. Having become a 1901 law association, the reflection brings together artists and technicians to support The goldsmith’s store And transmit a strong message on marital love.

For Maëlys and Marie, it was an obvious choice: “We believe in the beauty forces present in this room”. At a time when sustainable love is questioned, they show love “to death”. Their goal: “to give back hope, because love is great, beautiful”. For what ? “Because love with a great A is God”. For Marie, vice-president, the work seeks to “challenge spectators”, provoke “a thrill”, a “thirst”, and transmit a message on God and the theology of the body of John Paul II.

A consumer spectacle, without proselytism

However, evangelizing is not their primary intention. “God, explains Mary, is cited only two or three occurrences in the room”. The show, presented this summer, wants to be the general public. Although a life of faith animates the troop, the subject aims to awaken curiosity without being proselytically.

The two students, 21 and 22 years old, are supported by scene pros: a volunteer composer, a ex-dancer-a devoted secular formed to the theology of the body-who ensures staging and teaching times. Other volunteers manage communication, sounds, lights, etc.

A major challenge, carried by faith

Despite the many hours devoted to repeating, singing and dancing or learning the text, Maëlys and Marie do not plan to professionalize the troop. Yet in a desire to grow together and to get a challenge, the reflection decided to make its great first in Rome, during the biggest event for young Catholics of the year: the young people, from July 28 to August 3, 2025!

A real challenge for these amateur actors, but tackled with enthusiasm. “It’s a big challenge. This motivates the troop. We are going to do it for the glory of God, ”enthuses the president. Four performances are planned in Rome in early August, in a room rented specially for the occasion. To cover the costs, the reflection opened an online kitty.

After Rome, a tour is planned in the four corners of France, at the end of 2025 and in 2026: Paris, Toulouse, Saint-Etienne, … “We do not regret this adventure for a moment”, conclude Maëlys and Marie. “It’s a passion. There is such a big sense. We live it with brothers and sisters in Christ ”.