At the Lokia Residence in Trois-Rivières, the Daughters of Jesus received a visit from their General Council of France.

The welcom

Upon their arrival on October 13, familiar and unfamiliar faces quickly bonded with the 42 Sisters present. Emotions, hugs, and laughter created an atmosphere of joy and warm fellowship from the very first moments.  Throughout the visit, we maintained this close communion with the members of the General Council, mainly during meals, which were golden opportunities for informal exchanges.

We also benefited from a personal meeting where we could ask questions and share our hopes for the future.

Opening of the canonical visit

On October 14, we gathered in the multipurpose room. The General Council presented the theme of the Canonical Visit: Towards new situations, today, in the future.

The era of “doing” is over; we are now moving toward a path of fulfillment. We must take into account aging and fragile health. Are we considering collaboration with lay people?

New forms of encounter are available to us. How can we live out our mission today?

Then we welcome the Word of God in Saint John 21: 

“Do you love me?”  “Follow me!”

We pray Psalm 137 and praise rises from our hearts:

Magnificat, magnificat, magnificat anima mea Dominum!

Next, we are offered various texts from our spiritual heritage:

“See God in all things and all things in God,” Mother Mie de St-Charles.

“Constant search for God’s will,” R.V. no. 6

“Obedience and trust are our guiding stars,” Mother of St. Elizabeth.

“Let yourself be deeply humanized, move forward into deep waters at the heart of your vulnerability,” Acts of the 2022 Chapter.

After a brief time of sharing among ourselves, we pray to St. Joseph and the Holy Spirit, and the meeting ends with a blessing.

We are invited to set out on our journey, under the benevolent gaze of God, who is counting on us to spread his love in the manner of Jesus in today’s world.

Reflection time

On October 16, we meet in small groups. Using an engraving, each person expresses how she experienced the new situations and different passages. Each testimony is based on the word of God.

Following Mother Marie de Saint-Charles, we live the present moment in faith, with boldness and courage, because the mission continues.

The meeting ended with a song full of hope:

“Choose life.

Open your heart to God’s gift.

Be alive for the Lord.

Let yourself be burned by his fire!

Life is an opportunity, a challenge, a treasure, a struggle, a joy!

Life defends the lives of the little ones…

Life is in the Father, in the Son, and in the Spirit!”

Family news

On October 20, the visit continues with news from our Mother House Kermaria in France and plans for the future.

Everything is based on our charism: “Honoring the Sacred humanity of Jesus.”

Then we hear about the international novitiate and initial formation in the Congregation, concerning aspirants and postulants.

To crown this wonderful Canonical Visit, our local Superior, Gisèle, invited us to a buffet in the big hall.  The atmosphere was one of fraternity and gratitude.

Louise Provencher welcomed us with her accordion and Nicole danced a few steps with Dora and Ruthina!

We raised our glasses to the joy of being Daughters of Jesus!

Gisèle invited each of us to express in a few words what had touched us during the visit.  Here are some of the responses.

I was touched by:

–    The simplicity

–    The camaraderie and communion despite our differences

–    The warm attention and interest shown to each of us

–    The genuine listening

–    Their great availability at all times

–    A preparation whose content provokes in-depth sharing.

One Sister said: “Your visit invites me to expand my prayer to the Congregation and to the whole world.”  Another said: “You smell of God.”

Then, the members of the General Council take the floor.

–    I leave with my heart filled with joy! (Patricia)

I am touched by:

–    Your beautiful simplicity

–    Your faith renewed by the Word of God

–    Your attachment and fidelity to the Lord

–    The fraternity among yourselves with the residents and employees

–    Your life in the colors of autumn… The color of listening, welcoming, sharing, joy, trust…

Our Superior General adds the finishing touch by singing:

“You are the garden where I met God, you are the path where I will watch for God, you are the morning where I will taste God, you are a little bread to nourish me with God” (Debruynne/Mutin).

Acknowledgement

Gisèle thanks them for the renewed enthusiasm that this visit has sparked in us and assures them of our prayers.

We express our thanks in a card full of gratitude.  We offer them a book: “The Sea of Uncertainty” by Ahn-Tai Le.

 Sister Thérèse Normand fills our hearts with a piano piece: Suite Bergamasque, “En Bateau” by Claude Debussy.

Then a delicious cake delights our taste buds and the conversations resume with renewed vigor. In turn, our Regional Superior, Micheline, expressed herself:

“To each of you, dear Patricia, Elisabeth, Colette, Dora, and Ruthina, I would like to express, on behalf of the Regional Council and also on behalf of all the sisters and associates of the Region, our deepest gratitude for this very fraternal visit that you have made from the west to the east of our country to meet with us.’’

She then emphasizes the simplicity, attentiveness, and openness to what we are personally experiencing. She thanks the General Council for strengthening our courage and faith and for intensifying our sense of belonging to the entire Body.

“Be assured that throughout the Region, we deeply welcome the mission on which you have sent us. Thank you, have a safe return to Paris, and we are in communion of faith and mission!”

Final blessing

The assembly raises their hands toward the Sisters of the General Council while singing:

“May the Lord bless you and keep you,

May the Lord look upon you,

May He grant you His grace,

May the Lord reveal His face to you,

May He give you, His peace.

Shalom, shalom.”

S. Angèle Lépine, f.j.

Trois-Rivières, Canada