This year, the European Heritage Days took place on 15 and 16 September. The sisters of Bignan, Brittany, in agreement with the Mayor of the commune, opened the community to the public. It was in Bignan in 1834 that the Congregation of the Daughters of Jesus was born.

 

During these days, doors are opened to thousands of monuments and sites, some of which are normally closed to the public. This allows people to enjoy free visits, learn about their shared cultural heritage and become actively involved in the safeguarding of Europe’s heritage for present and future generations. (European Commission – Creative Europe)

 

The local paper announces the event :

 

During the week before the event, the local newspaper, the Ouest France, featured the community in an article where Sister Marie-Thérèse Le Goff spoke of the origins of the Congregation and the importance for the Sisters of a house that “full of memories and beautiful things”.

 

The Sisters’ reactions :

 

(In a community with an average age 81 years and 7 months!)

 

• That was great!

 

• We were “blown away” by the number of visitors (between 150 and 200), and the good atmosphere that reigned in the house.

 

• We were tired, but happy.

 

• For some people it was an opportunity to meet old friends who had attended Bignan primary school with one Sister or another.

 

 

 

Extracts from the guestbook

 

• Thank you for your welcome, I am happy to have visited your house and especially your chapel which invites you to meditate.

 

• A real discovery of the beginnings of the Congregation of the Daughters of Jesus of Kermaria (Bignan). Thank you to all the Sisters.

 

• A wonderful return to the source of the Congregation. In what form will the adventure of these pioneers continue? Pray that new forces of evangelical witness emerge in this disoriented world. Thank you, my Sisters for your welcome!