CELEBRATION OF THE JUBILARIANS IN THE SENEGAMBIA/CONGO REGION

The year 2025-2026 will remain in our memories as a time of special celebration, marked by the Silver Jubilee of our dear sisters, Marie Pierre, Marie Céline, Jacqueline and Anne Ruter. The celebration of their silver jubilee was a moment of profound gratitude in which we were united with the local church.We were honoured by the presence of sister Tessy, the Assistant General, the sisters from the English Province, represented by sister Suzanne, the Provincial, sister Marianne, and sister Anne Ruther, who along with our jubilarians celebrated her jubilee, having made her novitiate in Senegal. We had been honoured by the presence of our sisters from the French delegation, sister Dominic and sister Anila.

The jubilee celebration began with a prayer vigil, during which the jubilarians shared about their vocation. Sister Marie Céline, testified to a vocation marked by patience, fulfilling her mother's dream and finding strength in the total gift of Christ.Sister Jacqueline recounted her spiritual experience which began during morning prayer, which led her to a journey of transformations. She also thanked all the sisters who have journeyed with her in the various communities.Sister Marie Pierre was touched by the lives of our valiant missionary sisters. She said, mission begins in the humility of daily life, where love is lived without witnesses.

Inspired by these stories, we enjoyed a beautiful Eucharistic celebration presided over by Bishop Paul Abel, surrounded by twenty priests and many religious. The festive atmosphere embraced the entire heritage of our Congregation: we celebrated our 375th anniversary, received the final vows of sister Sophie and sister Marie-Pitié, and paid a vibrant tribute to sister Ailbe for her 60 years of presence in the region.
The joy of the Mass was then extended by a festive meal, a true reflection of our regional identity. The variety of dishes served illustrated the richness of our interculturality and the beauty of our religious life. We emerge from these festivities with a renewed sense of belonginess, and strengthened in our joy of serving together.
Fortified by these years of fidelity, we now move forward with hope, carried by the grace of a shared mission in the service of all.