On May 17 2015, we celebrated at Kermaria, Three-Rivers (Canada) the feast of the jubilarians in a special atmosphere of joy and gratitude.

On Sunday, May 17, 2015, with a beautiful Spring day helping, we celebrated a solemn feast of the Ascension. This was also the day chosen to celebrate 60, 70, 75 and 80 years of consecrated life of the 11 jubilarians of the Vice-Province of Three-Rivers. Our beautiful gothic chapel took on an air of feastivity and joy: the bouquets of flowers sent by the different Vice-Provinces assured us of their prayerful souvenir.

Mass was preceded by pieces of music performed by Mrs. Chantal Noury, cellist and Nathalie Rivard, violinist. Their music contributed to creating an atmosphere of prayer and thanksgiving. Monique Brûlé, Vice-Provincial, welcomed the assembly and the celebrant: Father François-Joseph, Carmelite. The latter said he was touched by such a solemn welcome. In his homily, he invited us all to open our hearts to receive the different manifestations of the love of God, which the jubilarians have tried to do, during their long trajectories of consecrated women.

The members of the choir of l’Accueil Notre-Dame joined the choir of Kermaria to enhance the solemnity of this beautiful feast day. At the moment of communion, after the renewal of the vows, the two musicians delighted us with an inspiring rendition of « Jésus mon Bien Suprême ».

Sr. Pâquerette Dessureault, Provincial Superior of Canada Province, delivered a substantial message. She invited the jubilarians to look at the past with gratitude, commemorating the « first love » that seduced their heart and all the « yeses» that marked their spiritual journey. An invitation to live the present with passion, being women of communion and credible witnesses of the spirit. A call to embrace the future with hope, knowing that it is together, Daughters of Jesus and Associates, that we are embarking on the last turning-point of the road.

A word of thanks was addressed to all the Sisters, who like bees, never ceased to gather from the flowers of service and generosity to prepare this beautiful day. At the organ, Suzanne Hubert accompanied us as we left the chapel and found our way to the cafeteria for a festive meal. A vibrant thanks to the kitchen staff who entered fully into the spirit of the celebration.

At the end of the meal, we were invited to the Sacred Heart hall for a fraternal digestive and the offering of our congratulations to our jubilarians. Some Sisters went to the infirmary, ( Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire community) to offer wishes to the jubilarians retired there after a long life of service.

Fortified by this beautiful meeting, « let us go forward and bear witness to the joy that comes from the certitude of being loved, of the confidence of being saved » as we are constantly invited to do so by our good Pope Francis.

Sr. Madeleine Trudel, d.j.