The name 'Emmaus' and Emmaus International
We use the name ‘Emmaus’ to show we are a community of the worldwide Emmaus movement founded almost 60 years ago and now with 400 Emmaus communities in over 50 countries throughout the world. In order to be part of the Emmaus movement we subscribe to the ‘Universal Manifesto’ of Emmaus. We aim to run a self-supporting residential community helping homeless people to help themselves, ‘the homeless charity that works'. We collect second-hand goods, refurbish them where necessary, and sell them in our shop. We work to help others worse off than ourselves through what we call ‘solidarity’. We offer reduced prices to agencies supporting people who are being rehoused. Agencies who wish to consider a relationship with us should contact our business manager. We donate furniture, goods and money where we can, and we support other local efforts including soup runs.We also pay Emmaus International an annual subscription of 1.5% of our annual shop takings to finance the general operating of the international movement both in terms of its statutory meetings and to enable it to organise, coordinate, develop and communicate the Movement's political and solidarity commitments. It also helps fund the responsibilities in terms of the needs and activities arising from Emmaus International being Abbé Pierre's sole legatee. to support disaster relief and projects for the relief of poverty worldwide.The First Community
The founder of Emmaus gave the name ‘Emmaus’ to the first community he founded, he placed the name above the door of the house. Since then all other communities have used the same name.How is the name pronounced?
We say ‘em–may-us’, although in France, where the founder lived, they say ‘em-mah-oos’.Was the name real or invented?
Ah, you’ve heard of Häagen-Dazs ice-cream? Its Polish inventor lived in America and knew about marketing. How could he get people to buy his ice-cream and pay more for it? He invented the name Häagen-Dazs, thought it sounded Scandinavian, and put a map of Scandinavia on the ice-cream packaging. People flocked to buy the product. But that’s ice-cream. Emmaus is a real place, 7 miles from Jerusalem, and features in a story ‘the road to Emmaus’. The founder chose the name for what it meant for him, what it symbolised.What does the name symbolise?
The name symbolises hope after despair; being broken and becoming whole again; being at ‘rock-bottom’ and finding a purpose in life; being ashamed and moving on; starting out again; finding new energy; working together with others on a great project; changing the world.How can a name symbolise that? – What’s the story?
Two men had been in a group travelling with their leader for about three years. They had great fun. They could do almost anything. They had been part of a great social enterprise. They helped the poor and the sick and those who'd been rejected. They ignored silly rules. They were popular. Then one of the group betrayed their leader to the authorities. The leader was arrested and put on trial. He became a convicted criminal. The death sentence was carried out. The two friends felt their world had fallen apart. They lost their self-esteem. What on earth could they do now? They wanted to run away and hide. They left the city and walked to Emmaus. On the way they had a strange experience. Someone joined them and chatted to them. They started to see things in a new light. Up to now they were feeling sad and stupid. They felt ashamed of their leader and of their own actions, and they hated the world. Slowly they began to see that what had happened had a purpose. It could be turned round. It may even have been intended. They had to start work again to the best of their ability. They would live together, share what they had, and serve others while they spread the good news.
Where can I read the original story & find out about the original place?
The founder of Emmaus was a French Catholic priest, Henri Grouès also known as Abbé Pierre or Father Peter. He was familiar with the story of the road to Emmaus from its appearance in the Bible. The story is found in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 24, verses 13 to 35. Read the story here.
The original place, 7 miles from Jerusalem and within walking distance, has some interesting archaeological remains. You can see pictures of these by clicking here: archaological pictures
Abbé Pierre died on 22nd January 2007 at the age of 94. In an opinion poll shortly before his death Abbé Pierre was voted the most popular person in France. He founded Emmaus in Paris in 1949 when, as a member of parliament he was disturbed by the post-war poverty and homelessness in the city and the inability of officialdom to help. He resolved to take direct action and the Emmaus movement is the result. Various books by or about the Abbé Pierre are available and those interested in finding out more could also type his name into an internet search engine.
The Universal Manifesto of the international Emmaus movement gives in one page a good idea of what is expected of all Companions.
Pictured above is Abbé Pierre
You can find out how to join our community here.
Some of our residents tell their stories here.
To find out about the other Emmaus communities in the UK, France and worldwide click here.
Emmaus Brighton & Hove, Drove Road, Portslade, East Sussex, BN41 2PA
Tel: 01273 426470
Email: contact@emmausbrighton.co.uk
Emmaus Brighton & Hove is a community of Sussex Emmaus
Sussex Emmaus - Charity: 1053354 Registered Company: 3130876
