During the first months of confinement, five of our Sisters in Canada were called back to the Father. Their funeral could not be celebrated at that time given the standards of the Department of Health. That was difficult to accept. However, on July 28th we participated in a community celebration that restored our hope and peace. Some of the Sisters tell us what they experienced during this special event.

A farewell celebration prepared by Sister Solange Mailloux, superior at our Vice-Provincial House, gave us the occasion to say goodbye to our Sisters Laurette Lévesque, Gabrielle Labrie, Marie- Anna Roy, Yvonne Cyr, and Laurette Rioux.

As we entered the chapel, we were amazed by the decor displayed with simplicity before us: the photo of each Sister was placed near her funeral urn in front of which was a Crucifix, symbol of our religious commitment. This reminded us of the importance of our fraternal life together. It is the fulfillment of «Love one another as I have loved you …» (Jn 13, 34).

During this celebration, the reading of each one’s obituary revealed the secret of their experience in their specific apostolic mission as well as that of their prayer life.

 

Testimonies

 

Having heard the highlights of each Sister’s journey, we took the time to express what stands out for each one of us in particular. For all of them in general, we noted their creativity, their loving service, their discretion, their warm welcome, their total surrender to the will of God, as well as their harmony, their serenity, their joy, the depth of their inner life and their silence. The verses of the hymn «Il restera de toi – What will remain of you» (Jo Akepsimas and Mannick) seemed appropriate to each one of them.

We were moved on hearing these testimonies. Blooming roses placed near each of their photos were the very symbol of the positive accomplishment of their lives.

 

Shared values: a legacy

 

All these evangelical values which marked the life of each one of those Sisters give evidence that they were strong and valiant women. They courageously went through the difficult times of their lives and of those of the people around them. Through their creativity, they enabled the many gifts received from the Lord to bear fruit so as to go further and give their very best.

Either committed to or volunteered in various organizations, they gave their full measure of service thus showing their determination to accomplish «the will of God». Their contagious joy made them sympathetic to the people with whom they worked.

The motto of one of them: «I always serve», reminds us of the importance of article 5 of our Rule of Life, to which we committed ourselves on becoming Daughters of Jesus.

While singing the «Magnificat» we said our goodbyes to our dear Sisters. May they now rest in the peace and joy of God’s love!

The next day, given the circumstances which limit the attendance in the church, a restricted number of Daughters of Jesus accompanied the families who bade farewell to their «dear departed ones». All of us, Daughters of Jesus, lived this moment in deep communion with them.

A group of Filles de Jésus, Rimouski, Canada