“We Are All Interdependent…”

It was under the theme “Rooted in Hope” that the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) and SNJM affiliates gathered for their provincial meeting on October 4, at Maison Jésus-Marie (MJM).

It is a traditional moment of reflection and a time to take stock of the year in communion with all the members of the SNJM family in Quebec. It is also another opportunity to gather together and celebrate under one roof.

Deep Roots

In her presentation, Sr. Denise Riel, provincial animator, began by recalling the deep roots of the Congregation, which this October celebrates 181 years of existence. Referring to the spirituality of the Names of Jesus and Mary, Sr. Denise emphasized how the SNJM values and charism “have taken root and unfolded while adapting to contemporary culture.”

While the Congregation founded by Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher has gone through great transformations both in the Church and society throughout the years and eras without losing hope, she said, “All these changes have upset us. But we have adapted, we have stood firm in hope. We have asserted our faith, our identity, our culture, as guarantors of the future.”

She also pointed out how the mission of education had been transformed to take on other forms, such as “education for justice, environmental sustainability and compassion for the most vulnerable,” without ever losing sight of the full development of the person.

An enduring educational heritage

She drew attention to the fact that the educational heritage in the former SNJM schools is very much alive and well. “It is impressive to see how the management and staff of our schools remain true to our values and even our traditions, while adapting to the youth culture of the 21st century.” These words, coupled with many examples that multiply through contact with current and former students, confirm that “memories are very much alive wherever we have been.”  

Sr. Denise spoke of the current context, which sometimes calls for difficult decisions to be made as we “consider our reality and seek the best for our community.” Among other things, she alluded to the sale of the SNJM heritage site which will then be used to serve the broader community; and the need to let go, while welcoming the collaboration of many lay people in order to maintain efficient management and to ensure a quality of life for our Sisters.

With the words “The SNJM heritage handed down continues and will continue to inspire, thanks to the life drawn from our roots”, she invited the participants to share, in small groups, the roots of hope in personal and congregational history.

“… our quality of being…”

After this initial moment of sharing, Sr. Denise continued her talk, focusing on “our lives bear fruit”.

“Today, the most precious heritage to share is not so much the SNJM’s works, but our quality of being, our way of being with others, in the community, in our milieu, in the family, in groups. It is also the way we adapt and use creativity to stay on mission to the end. We have a unique contribution to make in order to ensure that God’s plan continues to unfold. Our lives bear fruit.”

The process of community transformation, undertaken since the 2021 General Chapter, is leading us to unity in a Congregation of “One Heart, One Spirit.”  Sr. Denise affirmed, “This is profoundly evangelical,” inviting everyone to remember the desire expressed by Jesus at the end of his life: “That all may be one, as you Father are in me, and I am in you… (John17:21)

Signs of Hope

In preparation for the 2026 Chapter, “In the spirit of the Gospel, the members of the Congregation are moving towards greater inclusivity, sharing and collaboration—to become ONE. This is a time of discernment. It is a good time to revisit our centers of life (our local communities), our governance structures, our mission in the world. And to realize that we are all interdependent, interrelated, called to interact with others, with the whole earth.”

Sr. Denise then invited the participants to share their thoughts about the strength of unity, on the signs of hope that help us to live through change and participate in the creation of the new entity, and to identify the fruits and promises for the future. The exercise led to everyone writing a word of hope on the branches of a three-hundred year old tree (visual provided).

The meeting ended with a plenary session followed by refreshments, where everyone had the opportunity of sharing in a very convivial atmosphere.

Photos credit: Sr. Suzanne Brault