French priest: 'Many are deeply searching; we must serve this faith'

Young people in France are looking for something greater, and many are discovering in God and the search for Christ an answer to that longing, suggested Fr. Emanuele Ecker.

The French priest is responsible for the formation of seminarians and also serves as a priest for students and the wider community at the Parish of Notre Dame of the Assumption in central Metz.

After Mass on the eve of Pope Leo XIV's arrival in the eastern French city, he spoke to Vatican News about the spiritual searching he sees among young people in France and about their desire to seek Christ and discover the joy of faith.

This is a parish that is very popular with young people because it serves students and young professionals. It is a very young and dynamic parish, and many of these young people are truly rooted in the love of God and in the search for Christ.

It is a beautiful example of the movement that is taking place in France at the moment. Just look around us at all these young people who are here, so dynamic and full of life. We give thanks to God for this work, because it is His work, the work of the Holy Spirit. It is not our work; it is God's work. We are workers in the Lord's vineyard, and we try to work with the Lord in order to serve these young people.

I like to say that, as a priest, I am happy to be a servant of the joy of believing. "The joy of believing" is an expression from St. Paul. I am truly happy to serve the joy of these young people's faith.