January 10 is the date chosen by the Church for the feast of Saint Leonie Frances de Sales Aviat. Around this date, celebrations take place to honor her in many locations. This year, we celebrated the 110 th anniversary of our Foundress’ return to Heaven. Here is an overview of the celebrations.
In Soyhières
The first celebration took place in Soyhières (Switzerland) on January 6. There, the feast of Saint Leonie is a must. This year, Monsignor Joly, Bishop of Troyes, was invited to celebrate Mass. St. Leonie’s words, inscribed before the altar, “May my love unceasingly offer something to my divine Jesus”, led the congregation to a gesture of offering. The words of Monsignor’s homily illustrated this, as he pointed out that in a world where the lure of gain seems to have become a symbol of power, St. Leonie invites us to detach ourselves from material goods and to draw closer to the richness of our hearts by asking ourselves: “What am I going to offer the Lord today?
As is the custom, an aperitif was served in the gymnasium. It was followed by a video montage explaining the links between our Founders and Mother Chappuis, a native of Soyhières.
The Jura Pastoral website published an article about the event:
That same evening, it was a great joy when a priest from the parish came to celebrate Mass in our chapel so that we could all be together. With ardor, fervor and missionary spirit, we sang: “Living in confidence and joy, St. Leonie Frances de Sales, you wanted to strengthen the faith, your heart is his cathedral! … “
Voiron Community and School of Saint Marie
Sr. Marie Judith writes: “At the end of the preparatory novena for the Feast of St. Leonie Frances de Sales, we installed an image of our dear, holy Mother in the chapel. This decoration remained in place until January 18. For us, the Sisters, spending time with the Lord alongside her was a sweet joy. But St. Leonie Frances de Sales must also have been a sign to our teachers and groups of students as they passed through the chapel on their way to the library. Smiles, winks? Who knows? As January 10 was a Wednesday, the community took the opportunity to share a festive meal with our elderly sister!
In Morangis
Sr. Odile Espérance, Superior of the Community, enthusiastically explains: “As our parish priest was absent during the month of January, we asked the priest in charge of the area to celebrate Mass in honor of our holy Mother in Longjumeau, which made it possible to introduce our Foundress to other parishioners.“
At Mount Aviat Academy
Sr. Anne Elizabeth recounts: “We began Mother Aviat’s feast day with a time of prayer with all our students aged 3 to 14. Our prayer included Scripture readings, songs and a slideshow about her life. We also attended a presentation on sculpture and on the creation of the statue of Mother Aviat. Everyone was encouraged to perform an act of charity in her honor.”
In Pella
Our Sisters from South Africa met in Pella on January 10 for a time of fraternal encounters. Sr. Anne Dorothy writes: “Monsignor Risi came from Port Nolloth to Pella (293.5 km) to celebrate the feast of our Blessed Mother with us, and returned the same day to Port Nolloth “to continue his meeting with the priests of the Diocese. ” A meal followed by a quiz on the life of our Blessed Mother provided a fun time for all, while introducing the friends present to our Foundress. Some of the sisters had to leave quickly, as they had a long way to go. Sr. Anne Dorothy concluded the news with: “It was so good to celebrate together.”
In Grasse
Sr. Thérèse Lucie writes: “Here in Grasse, we had a very simple celebration in honor of our Blessed Mother.” The Mass was solemnized. Outside guests attended, demonstrating their attachment to the community. In the afternoon, the sisters enjoyed a fraternal time together.
Cours Saint-François de Sales
This year, the school’s pastoral council decided that, during the month of January, thoughts from our founders would be posted on the windows of the courtyard. Every week, a few students cut out letters to form these sentences and glue them in place. In religious culture classes, students explore the meaning of these phrases and seek to live by them in their daily lives. The spiritual renewal day for 6th graders at the end of the month will also enable them to discover our founders through activities at the Motherhouse.
In Troyes – Motherhouse
As in previous years, the Marguerite Bourgeoys Committee is organizing a joint celebration with the Oblate Sisters to honor the two Trojan saints. On January 12, the feast of Saint Marguerite, Mass was celebrated at the Motherhouse in our Chapel of Our Lady of Light, presided over by our bishop. He asked the congregation: “Who will be the Leonie and Marguerite of our diocese today?” Here, too, a meal was shared after the celebration.
In Perugia
On Sunday January 13, the Cathedral of Perugia was decked out in the colors of our Blessed Mother. For the first time, the Feast of our Foundress was held there.
Young people visited the room where she spent her last years and where she died 110 years ago.
In Ecuador
It was not possible to celebrate the feast of our Foundress due to the high level of insecurity in the country. Our Sisters hope to be able to celebrate St. Francis de Sales on January 24 with their students. Will they be back in person?
In Manizales
We had the Eucharist in our oratory, celebrated by a priest friend. A few associates and friends of the house accompanied us. After the celebration, we shared a friendly drink.
In Sabaneta
On the 10th we celebrated our Blessed Mother with a beautiful Mass in our chapel, attended by many associates and friends of the house. After Mass we served a glass of friendship, accompanied by a picture with a thought of our Blessed Mother.
