Amoin Maxime Kouak, a second-year novice in the Congregation of the Daughters of Jesus, shares her experience of her placement at the Quimper Community, France.

Sent for my community internship, I set out into the unknown in a spirit of welcome, openness and confidence.

Building Community

As a novice in the Congregation, this internship in Quimper was a very enriching experience. This phase allowed me to broaden my horizons by letting myself be guided, so that I could discover a different way of living as a Daughter of Jesus. Building community with older Sisters, rich in wisdom, was a challenge for me as I faced the reality of life within the Congregation today… an experience that was difficult at first but encouraging and a source of motivation on my journey.

Learning to live fraternally

Living with the Sisters, I learned to appreciate the value of community life, the importance of caring for one another, of listening, of support, and of service. As a novice, I believe I brought a youthful energy through my dynamism and by sharing my qualities and talents. I remain deeply moved by the community’s attitude toward the vulnerable people they welcome and take the time to listen to, especially those who have difficulty expressing themselves. “It is seeing everything from the perspective of the poor.”

Serving at the heart of the mission

When I arrived at the community, the sisters shared with me some mission opportunities they wanted to entrust to me:

– Outreach

Joining volunteers on outreach walks allowed me to go out into the streets to meet the people living there and offer them a cup of coffee, some companionship, and a smile.

This experience opened my eyes to poverty in France, something I knew little about. In this work, these people need someone to listen to them, to look at them with love, tenderness, and compassion.

“The man stopped, took care of him, and bandaged his wounds.” It was this passage from the Good Samaritan in the Gospel of St Luke, chapter 10, that stayed with me during every outreach.

– The Nursing Home

My service at the nursing home is one of the missions that has revealed to me the profound meaning of our charism “to honour the Sacred  Humanity of the Son of God” (Rule of Life n^o 3). Living out this mission called on me to:

– be attentive,

– draw close to others,

– open myself up to new discoveries.

The moments spent with these people revealed a sensitivity within me, inviting me to discover the face and Love of God. The various activities, such as “vegetable peeling” (carrots, potatoes, onions, and salsify, etc.), board games, and recreational outings with the residents, were ideal opportunities to help them step out of their own worlds, out of their loneliness, and out of their isolation.

– School

My time at two different schools was also a period rich in learning and discovery. My role involved supporting children who were struggling with problems such as attention issues or disruptive behaviour. This required me to:

– meet them where they were.

– be patient and attentive.

– pay special attention to each of them.

At Sainte-Thérèse School in particular I could feel this spirit of welcome and openness. Is it because of the influence of the Daughters of Jesus that these values are still lived out there today?

“

Strive to see everything in God so that I may grow in humility and love for our Lord and maintain charity and gentleness toward my neighbour—virtues that tend to wane when I focus on myself or on anything other than GOD.”

 (Mother Marie St Charles 11/02/1869)

Amoin Maxime Kouakou

Second-year novice,

Daughters of Jesus of Kermaria