A beautiful retreat in silence and meditation - Europe Region

The retreat was followed by a prayer vigil where we remembered the founding event of our Congregation Sisters of Christ, born in 1976, marked by the union of 7 source congregations.

As part of the jubilee year of the 50th anniversary of our congregation of the Sisters of Christ, the Europe Region experienced two retreats: A first retreat was experienced by a group of sisters at the Sisters of St. Joseph, in Valencia. It was given by Father Jean Paul Lamy, SJ.

A second group of sisters lived a retreat at the Priory of Saint-Thomas, in Epernon with Monsignor Georges Soubrier, bishop emeritus of Nantes in an exceptional setting that invites the contemplation of nature to find God.

It was a beautiful retreat in silence and recollection, where we were invited to abide in the One who calls us to follow Him more, to look at our history with gratitude. The Lord, who wanted to remain among us, calls us to abide in Him, to respond to His call by abiding in Him so that with Him we may bear fruit. "Abide in me, as I in you" (Jn 15:4-5). And with Him, let us go further in our commitment through an evangelical presence in the congregation, in the Church, in the world of today and tomorrow. « … The human person is invited to communion with God, ... our deepest vocation is to enter into the Trinitarian movement of love received and shared" (M.H. of Pope Leo XIV). Invited to enter ever more deeply into Christ's love for the Father and for men ‘and women’... (Conf C. 56)

The retreat was closed by a prayer vigil where we remembered the founding event of our Congregation of the Sisters of Christ, born in 1976, marked by the union of 7 source congregations. This was a strong, original spiritual experience. We inherit a long spiritual tradition, marked by Ignatius of Loyola, Francis de Sales, Vincent de Paul and John Eudes "By opening us to a diversified approach to Christ, they have illuminated the meaning of our journey towards Union. Even today, they are light on our journey" (C 2).

Unies dans l’action de grâce pour les jubilés des 25, 50, 60, 70, 75 et 80 de vie religieuse de nos sœurs au Cameroun, au Chili, en Europe et à Madagascar. Aujourd’hui quel que soit notre âge, nous nous en remettons au Seigneur :

« Let us sow your Gospel, make us witnesses of unity, make us witnesses of your forgiveness, in the image of your love." »

In one Heart, we said this prayer of Sister Thérèse de Larminat, our first Superior General:

Father, who are so good, I entrust to your tenderness this Congregation which you yourself brought together in the Mystery of your beloved Son under the breath of your Spirit and in the Church’s call. For this I give you thank from the bottom of my heart. Bless and confirm all its members. Give us the grace to discover ever more, the depth of your Love in this Mystery and to draw from there, the source of our love for You and for our brothers and sisters.

May this Congregation grow in holiness, in apostolic fervour and in number by bringing new members whom you will call to join us and to whom you will give the strength to respond to your call.

Sisters of Christ, Europe Region

(Original in French)