Associates from our three Anglophone groups: “Marylose”, “In Her Footsteps” and “Richelieu Rose”, renewed their annual commitment during the Eucharistic celebration in the chapel of our Congregational House in Longueuil on November 6th.  Msgr. Michel Parent, P.H., V.É. (episcopal vicar) was the presider and homilist. You can read his homily in the PDF file at the bottom of this text.

This year we highlighted the 200th anniversary of the birth of our beloved foundress, Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher and we invited Msgr. Parent to preside especially since he had been an integral part of the rituals for the transfer of her remains from the Motherhouse to the Co-cathedral of Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue in Longueuil in 2004.

Prior to the renewal of promises, the story of the ‘Quetzal Bird’ from the 33rd General Chapter Acts was read and we shared our reflections in small groups.  Following the renewal of promises by the Associates and the renewal of vows by the Sisters, we were each invited to go forward and pour water from a pitcher into a vase near the sanctuary as a gesture of renewed commitment. Then to our surprise, Msgr. Parent blessed each person present in the chapel.  This was an intimate as well as sacred moment for each of us.  We were blessed by a man who grew up knowing Mother Rose and loving her.

The celebration continued during a reception held on the 5th floor. In a spirit of joy, we chatted with old friends, renewed relationsips and connected with Sr. Bathilda from Lesotho.