As they do every year, the associates of the Daughters of Jesus of Kermaria gathered for their General Assembly on April 25, 2026, under the theme “Let Us Reawaken Hope.” To lead the day’s proceedings, the planning committee had invited Father Yann Lamouroux, Vicar General of the Diocese of Vannes.

Start of the Day

Anne Thirion opens our day by emphasizing that our Hope is nourished by the portraits of those who have gone before us—those faces that live within us. We must embrace their Hope as a treasure to be passed on.

Michel Duquesne, a member from the Southwest (Agen), then takes the floor to guide us throughout the day. He will be our “guiding thread.”

Prière communautaire

L’équipe d’Arcueil nous fait entrer dans la prière qu’elle a préparée en nous proposant :

–         Une prière qui nous invite à réveiller l’Espérance malgré ce monde fracturé par la violence ;

–         Un chant : Envoyés retrouver tous nos frères ;

–         L’Evangile selon Saint Luc (7, 1-10) : La guérison de l’esclave du Centurion ;

–         Le Psaume 70 ;

–         Le Notre Père ;

–         Un chant : Mille raisons d’espérer.

Remarks by Father Yann Lamouroux

With great simplicity and humor, Father Lamouroux spoke on the chosen theme: “Let Us Awaken Hope.” Here are some highlights from his remarks:

–    Many of our contemporaries live in despair, are deprived of hope, and have adopted the ideal of living “day by day!”

–    And what about us, as associates of the Daughters of Jesus? Our Hope is not human… it is a virtue that comes from God. It cannot therefore die, even if our human hope is at its lowest.

–    We are, however, entitled to hope when we see the unexpected arrival of catechumens.

–    Our Hope is not dead; it is sleeping. Father Lamouroux gives us the example of Jairus’s daughter (St. Mark, chap. 5), where we can find the theological virtues: Faith represented by Jairus, Hope by the young girl, and Charity by the mother who provides food.

Faith leads to Hope, and we nourish it through Charity.

Following his talk, we were asked to form groups of six to brainstorm a question to ask the speaker and a statement to note down. After we shared our questions, Father Lamouroux offered his answers.

The Meal

special opportunity to get to know each other better, especially since, before gathering around the buffet, we were each given half of a seating chart to help us find our partner.

It was sometimes difficult to spot your partner, but this initiative created a really friendly atmosphere.

Afternoon Workshops

Associates were offered a choice of 2 workshops from among 6, such as:

–    The Kermaria Farm,           

–    Good Housewives

–    Health Care               

–    Personalized Education

–    Pastoral Care                   

–    Welcoming the Lost.

In each workshop, a sister shared the life story of a deceased nun who had dared to pioneer something new—a true portrait whose legacy is a source of hope.

Eucharistic Celebration

To conclude the day, Father Lamouroux will celebrate the Eucharist, accompanied by the Sisters of Kermaria. The Gospel reading will be “The Good Shepherd.”

And as a keepsake, each participant was given a beautiful card shaped like an open door, featuring the words:

“You are my Lord, my shepherd;

I shall not want:

Such is my hope. ”

Ps 22

And as always at Kermaria, for those who wish, we gather for a drink before everyone heads back “home.”

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make this day a “Beautiful Day !”

Colette, Lorient, and Nicole, Chateaulin

Lay Associates, France