A jubilee Celebration Filled With Gratitude

It was a day of celebration on September 15 in the chapel of Maison Jésus-Marie (MJM), where the jubilees of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) and their Associates were celebrated. Under the theme “God Eternally Faithful”, the celebration, presided over by Father Gilles Fontaine, who was delighted to take part, took place in an atmosphere of joy and gratitude.

Following a word of welcome by Sr. Denise Riel, provincial animator, and a greeting from the celebrant; Sr. Lisette Boulé, head of the organizing committee for this event, referred to the words of Robert Lebel to highlight the SNJM jubilees. “God has placed the whole of time in each woman’s heart. And each in her own time fulfills her own destiny.”

Sr. Lisette then added, “It is this reality that has marked the lives and commitments of the SNJM jubilarians and Associates we celebrate today.”

She then presented the jubilarians beginning with the oldest, recalling that 80 years ago, the SNJM Congregation marked its centenary (1943). That was the year Sisters Jacqueline Desaulniers and Yolande Laberge took their temporary vows.

After paying tribute to them, the audience sang the refrain “God faithful to your promises”. This refrain was repeated after the presentation of each of the groups of jubilarians celebrating 75, 70 and 60 years of religious profession, and the 25 years of commitment of the Associates.

The ceremony brought together a good number of Sisters and some Associates in the chapel, while many others followed on the closed circuit tv’s in their rooms. Everyone was then invited to the cafeteria for festive refreshments. Those present took the opportunity to chat with the jubilarians and residents in a warm atmosphere. There was a real sense of pleasure in being together at such a joyous occasion.

See the list of SNJM 2023 jubilarians here.

Some of the SNJM 2023 jubilarians.

The 2023 Jubilees celebration is the fruit of the work of a committee made up of Sisters Jacqueline Aubry, Lise Gendron, Jeanne Dagenais, Simone Perras and Lisette Boulé.

Photo credits: Sr. Suzanne Brault and Ms Julie Tétreault, SNJM affiliate