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s Sisters from the United States, Ireland, Great Britain
and the Democratic Republic of the Congo joined
sisters from France for a heritage retreat in Paris.

Reflections on the Heritage Retreat

Sr. Elaine Davia: Sr. Ji Kyung Choi:

Our sisters spent reflective time Climbing the original steps of the
visiting the foundation places of the Motherhouse helped me imagine how
Congregation of Bon Secours. We visited our sisters had climbed them to go to
Bécordel where Mother Josephine Potel, their ministry sites, go back to their beds,
the Congregation’s first Superior go to the dining room and go about their
General, came from and La Harazée daily lives. Imagining their daily lives made
where Mere Angelique Geay, the me reflect on living in the love of God.
Congregation’s second Superior General,
was from. Each of these trips were all-day The Jardin du Luxembourg, which was about
journeys by bus across beautiful fields a ten-minute walk from the Motherhouse,
and small towns. I wondered what was a huge blessing. Our sisters from long
motivated Josephine and Angelique ago must have also walked and enjoyed the
to leave their homes and travel all the gardens that were created by Queen Marie
way to Paris by horseback or carriage? de Medici in 1621. I imagine it was a place
Was it the needs they saw in Paris? where our sisters took breaks, got refreshed,
meditated and prayed as I did.
There are so many things we
I enjoyed the garden almost every day
don’t know about our early
and meditated that God’s creation is such
founders. However, what I
a precious gift, which he made himself and
do know is that the experience of walking in
where his heart must be. We are also a part
their footsteps helped to bring me closer to
of this gift as well as being given the power
them and feel their presence in a special way.
to preserve the gift of other creations.
The garden also connected me to our
While their challenges were different from the ones we face
mission of justice and peace and our efforts
today, our charism of healing, compassion and liberation
to live out Laudato Si’.
is needed just as much today as when Josephine and her
A WEEKLONG INTERNATIONAL HERITAGE RETREAT WAS HELD IN JULY AT THE 11 companions founded the Congregation.
I feel my compassion for
MOTHERHOUSE IN PARIS. AREA LEADER SR. ELAINE DAVIA AND SRS. JI KYUNG CHOI
I thank all the French sisters, Sr. Elvia and Sr. Noelia for their God’s gifts has deepened by
AND PAT DOWLING CAME FROM THE UNITED STATES AND JOINED THREE SISTERS
hospitality and would like to give special thanks to the planning recognizing his love embedded
FROM FRANCE ALONG WITH TWO TRANSFER SISTERS FROM THE DEMOCRATIC
committee and the staff members who did such a good job in all his creations.
REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO AND FIVE SISTERS FROM IRELAND AND GREAT BRITAIN.
preparing for the heritage retreat.
(continued on page 26)

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