On October 11, 2014, the Daughters of Jesus and the Associates of the Vice-province of Rimouski answered the invitation of Sister Pierrette Côté, Vice-provincial, to participate together in the LAUNCHING OF THE YEAR.

We were invited to ‘plunge’ once again into the JOY OF THE GOSPEL, apostolic exhortation EVANGELI GAUDIUM OF POPE FRANCIS, precious volume that Sister Pierrette had graciously given to us at the rereading of May 2014. She invited us to read it for the present gathering.

Our prayer was inspired by the song ‘The Joy of the Gospel’ by Richard Vidal. Then we viewed a Power Point entitled reading and reflection by Sister Marielle Hébert.

During the reflection, we pondered especially on what struck us the most:

• Our gifts differ according to the grace given us.
• It is by walking different paths that we are called to live the charism, in developing the talents received and on being open to those of others.
  

• Life grows in being given away, and it weakens in isolation and comfort.

• Traveling the path of humanity and humanization, like Jesus, who was concerned for the outcasts of his day, we wish to be attentive to the cry of those most in need. We take up the cause of those who have no voice or who are victims of injustice.”

The reflection continues with the song “Soyons ce que nous devons être” (Let us be who we are called to be) by Robert Lebel.

In the second part we deepened:“Together we share the concern of making our charism known” with St. Benedict whose icon expresses the importance of listening to our brother in order to listen to God.

In small groups we highlighted the joy which we experienced more deeply after reading The Joy of the Gospel.

The plenary session led by Réjean Lévesque, Associate, showed the interest awakened by ‘The Joy of the Gospel”.

#120 “Every Christian is a missionary to the extent that he or she has encountered the love of God in Jesus Christ. ”

#121 “Each of us should find ways to communicate Jesus wherever we are.”

#272 “… … love is, in the end, the only light which can always illuminate a world grown dim and give us the courage needed to keep living and working.”

#273 “I am a mission on this earth; that is the reason why I am here in this world. … mission… to raise up, to heal and to free. All around us we begin to see persons with the soul of a nurse, of a teacher, of a politician … The Associates noted that we have often identified the charism of the Daughters of Jesus within the approach of evangelization.”

Sister Pierrette situated the theme of the year in the Actes of the Chapter and in the mission statement p.12-13. “Together we share the concern of making our charism known”. We believe in the relevance of our charism in a world looking for meaning, for greater humanity.

… At the heart of our charism,

Jesus, in his humanity,

reveals to us

the love and tenderness of the Father.

Today, we dare to set out anew

on the road to humanity and humanization

following in his footsteps

and living and acting in the way he would.

We are invited to deepen this theme by using these two questions:

• What are the calls which have particular meaning to us and why?
• What mutual support do you need in order to respond to these calls?

After we shared a delicious dinner in a fraternal atmosphere, we went our way in confidence, hope and with gratitude to the Daughters of Jesus who joyfully welcomed us. They enrich our spirituality and our life as witness through the deepening of their charism. Alleluia!

Jacqueline Paquet, AFJ
Sayabec, Québec