Риамон: История и современность французского центра для детей и религиозной общины.

Hill in Pas de Calais, France
Riaumont (literally meaning "royal mountain") is located on the hill of Riaumont, in the commune of Liévin, in the Pas de Calais département in northern France, in the former province of Artois. It refers to a Benedictine monastic community, a children's residential village, and a Scout group.

The village and religious community was first directed since its formation in the 1960s by Father Revet, until his death in 1986. Built for young people at the request of the DDASS (the French social services) and the judges of Pas de Calais, this centre and independent school accepts children with disabilities like autism. The establishment was a main centre for children placed under the supervision of the DDASS. The French State financed the construction and the maintenance of the buildings as well as the teachers' salaries. The children have worked on the various building sites (receptions, farm, chapel, scout building, monastery, etc. ), sometimes as a practical placement of vocational teaching courses, helping to transform the initial reception into a Catholic monastic centre. In parallel, Father Revet determined to set up a religious scouting movement. In 1979, the DDASS found serious problems (poor hygiene, food safety conditions and maltreatment), and decided to close the centre in April 1982. The establishment now accommodates children removed by their families, in particular children originating from South east Asia.

The religious community of Sainte Croix (Holy Cross of Riaumont) celebrates the liturgy according to the 1962 form of the Roman Rite, under the provisions of the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum. Its states an attribute of a twofold origin: Benedictine (the monks are Benedictine Oblates) and the scout movement. The frieze and the dress of ceremony refer to religious military orders. The main symbol is the potent, distinguished cross of the scouts of France and originating from the cross of kingdom of Jerusalem.

People can see the works of the painter Gerard Ambroselli like the fresco in the canopy but also of the drawings and paintings originally from draughtsman and illustrator Pierre Joubert. Scouting is ubiquitous and the three principal buildings do the activities: "Godefroy de Bouillon", "Beaumanoir" and "Cedars".

The children from sixth to ninth grade are accommodated with the boarding school Holy Jean Bosco, located in the building "Beaumanoir". The pupils need to be prepared for more than ten years for the official examination of Brevet des collèges which is the first French diploma, obtained after 4 years of junior high school in general and technical areas. The children have to do the "Hattemer course" (mail given / correspondence course) and the courses are given by the brothers of Riaumont as well as by external supply teachers. The classes are often small between five and about fifteen pupils and they are all the "boys of Riaumont" but the courses of catechism are also open to other children of different surroundings. The extracurricular activities are extensive: do it yourself, froissartage, penmanship and printing works, film club, games, dealing with the farm and the animals, singing, brass band and music, reading in the library, heraldic workshop, sports activities, etc.