For the second time, the Ongoing Formation Commission proposed a time of spiritual retreat for our elder brothers at Sarzeau from the evening of October 10 to Friday 14 morning.
The superior of the community Father Roger Tanguy sscc asked Sr. Michèle PAUL,( sister of the late Joseph PAUL, died in Peru) to lead the retreat. She is a member of the Congregation of the Daughters of Jesus of Kermaria (Brittany).
The theme was “On the way to the promised Land.”
Starting out from known strong biblical images, she aided us to see how persons of faith have lived shifts in their lives to respond to the call of God.
From Abraham to Jesus inclusive of Moses, each accepted leaving their territory, exile, deprivations, to live out a true “pilgrimage.” One can make the connection with the theme of the next General Chapter, 2018: “Taste God on the journey of life.” At the end of life, of sickness for some, we have been invited to reread our lives. To us to remember the shifts that we have made and we are still making is to recognize that through them, the Lord has helped us grow.
We had twenty who followed faithfully the morning and afternoon conference. In addition to the Sarzeau community, eight other brothers from different communities across France came here. Conference, chanting the office, Eucharist, silence, or a stroll on the promenade: all peppered this excellent time of fraternity together.
Some other uplifting events awaiting the brothers in France: session of the lay commission at Paray-le-Monial, canonical visit next January, the bicentennial of the approbation of the Constitutions of our Congregation and the celebration of the Provincial Chapter in April 2017.
If you would like the text of the retreat, it is available by e-mail from Christian Malrieu : christianmalrieu@yahoo.fr
10/15/2016