60 years of religious life of Sister Monique - France

Together, let us give thanks to God

The union of former original congregations and their establishment in the world.

It was a favourable time to make the congregation known to the residents of the nursing home. Sister Geneviève RIVOIRE presented the history of the Congregation. Sister Monique MONCEAU was previously part of one of the seven source congregations.

Sister Monique MONCEAU gave her testimony of religious life. The whole assembly was very attentive to her words:

« Dear Parents, Friends and All of You!

The words of this period, on this 60th anniversary of religious life, tell us “It is I who have chosen you so that you may go and bear fruit and that your fruit may last.”

As for me, I was 18 years old, the daughter of shopkeepers, I worked in a shop in a village in the Dordogne. On Saturday evenings, I took part in theatre rehearsals, going to the big city on a moped, with a friend Marc. One evening, when we returned, he said to me: “Didn’t you think we could build our life together?” The question seemed so important to me that it deserved reflection.

The priest to whom I was talking about it told me to go on a retreat. This is how for the first time I took the train to a Jesuit Centre. I was greeted by an old Father with a beautiful white beard. After welcoming me and listening to me, he said to me, “I am not the one who is going to give you the answer, you go to church, you surrender yourself to the Lord and He will answer you.”

As I enter the chapel, I turn to a large Cross with Christ with his arms outstretched, inviting me to love all my brothers and sisters like Him, and not just one of them.

Later, through a comrade, I discovered the Sisters of the Cross, who have now become the Sisters of Christ.

After the 3-year novitiate in the Tarn, I was sent on a mission to the Dordogne in Thiviers and then to Brazil with Sister Claire. I committed myself to the people who lived night and day on the sidewalks. Due to the lack of religious vocations in the Congregation, we had to close the Mission in Brazil and return to France. In Toulouse, I continued this Mission with the Brothers of the Street. Then I was sent to the Dordogne, then to a rest home in Retournac and finally to the nursing home in Sainte-Sigolène.

I thank, among others, my Sisters who have cared for me and sent me among you and with you to this place of the Missions, without forgetting those who are far away (Family and Friends)

We are all together on mission in this vineyard of the Lord under his loving gaze. (Sister Monique MONCEAU)

In addition, the Gospel of the day (Mt 20:1-16) was well suited to the occasion: “All called to the vineyard of the Lord”. What fraternity! At the offertory, surrounded by the community, Sister Monique renewed her vows and received a candle from Father Philippe with her words:

« Be light and a maker of unity where you live. ».

At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, the residents, sensitive to this particular Mass, surrounded Sr. Monique expressing their thanks.

We have experienced a beautiful and joyful celebration.

Sisters of Christ  – France

(Original in French)