Srs Denise le Fur and Madeleine Meunier “take the train” to Vaylats, for their retreat. A time of spiritual nourishment and discovery.
Travelling a short day’s train journey from Rennes to Vaylats for a time of retreat, “It is worth it, believe us! After an excellent journey, we were warmly welcomed in Lalbenque by a Daughter of Jesus who drove us to the Couvent de Vaylats. Two days allowed us to discover the place and to get to know the Sisters.
Reunions
On the evening of the 23rd of September, the community came alive. About twenty sisters from Vaylats and the surrounding communities met in the community hall. We joined them for a time of retreat led by Sr Marie Claude Roques of the Sisters of the Company of Mary Our Lady.
A precious time of prayer
A 104-year-old Sister, many nonagenarians, some younger ones, some “hearing impaired”, some “visually impaired”, some able-bodied, all of us entered into the prayer of supplication, praise and thanksgiving through the Psalms. Sr Marie Claude, in a simple language accessible to all, knew how to make the Psalms come alive and be relevant for today. We joined our prayers to those of all who have prayed before us and to those of Christ himself who prayed the Psalms.
A magnificent setting
The rather cool but dry weather allowed us to walk on the gravelled paths of the large park. The house is beautifully renovated. The wide corridors, the spacious and well-lit rooms, the silent chapel, all this favoured an atmosphere of silence and recollection.
But all good things must come to an end. On the morning of the 28th, the retreat came to an end, and we dispersed.
A prolonged stay to discover the region
We extended our stay in Vaylats by several days. Some Sisters made themselves available to help us discover a beautiful region. We got to know the past and present places of insertion of the Daughters of Jesus. The car journeys allowed for exchanges and sharing.
A warm thank you to the Sisters and to the staff of the house who allowed us to live this beautiful experience of fraternity.
Srs Denise Le Fur and Madeleine Menier, fj, Brittany, France
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