Celebrating Life and Vocation

On the feast day of Our Lady of Good Counsel, 26 April 2026, the Marist Sisters in Belley came together for a triple celebration.

On this day, 70 years ago, Sr Françoise Merlet pronounced her first vows. Françoise prepared a beautiful liturgy for the renewal of her vows and, to add to the joy of the celebration, treated the community to a mini-concert on her zither.

Lord, from the beginning of my life, you have never ceased to fill me with your love.
Today I say to you again, as I said 70 years ago and many times since, that my whole life belongs to you, both the good and the difficult moments, for you know my weakness but also my deepest desire.

And so, with all my heart, I renew my vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience in the Congregation of the Marist Sisters.

Today, my thoughts also turn to the Sisters who pronounced their vows on the same day as I did and whom you have already welcomed into your joy and peace: Gerarda, Giuseppina, and Renée.

Mary, beloved Mother, I entrust this commitment to you. Take me by the hand, day after day, so that I may bear witness around me to the presence of the Risen Christ, especially here in the nursing home, and that my life may show others that you love them.

The dining room was decorated with photos of memorable moments in the lives of the sisters.

Around the table, two others celebrated their birthdays with energy and enthusiasm: Sisters Marie Emmanuel (Manu), aged 102, and Innocence, at just a little more than half of Manu’s age!