European Meeting 2011

Meeting in Europe
from July 23 to 31, 2011

A European meeting was offered this year to young people and Ursuline Sisters from different countries in Europe. 12 young people and Sisters came together from Hungary, Rumania, Croatia, Italy, Switzerland, Slovenia, Poland, and 25 young people and Sisters from France participated in part of the meetings or the whole of them… without forgetting all the Sisters who were committed in the organization of the project, the meetings in different communities or who collaborated through prayer or material and financial support.

Three important moments during this meeting.

2 days for starting up in Paris with a welcome for all in the Foyer Serviam, then a tourist visit through Paris (with a spectacular rain shower!) and a pilgrimage to the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal in the Rue du Bac, where we had a beautiful Eucharistic celebration. This strong moment gave us the opportunity of beginning our project, forming a group, and being sent on mission, for SEM’Jeunes gave each one of us a scarf with the emblems of the project and a notebook. We were particularly fond of this symbolic place full of history.

3 days of insertion in French communities : we were divided into two groups, one for the Sisters in Beaugency and Tours, and another one for meeting the two communities in Paris, Serviam and Péreire.
During these days, we shared the life of the Sisters and their liturgy, we discovered their mission. We also were able to accomplish different forms of service (painting, putting this in order, doing house work…) and sharing on our different countries.
We also had the opportunity of discovering cultural and religious values: for the group in Tours-Beaugency, the “petite Bourdaisière” and the places where lived Mary of the Incarnation, and for the group in Paris, the Sacred Heart Basilica and Notre Dame Cathedral.

A five day pilgrimage to Lourdes
in which all the members came together again. Most of us discovered Lourdes, the city of Mary, for the first time! During these days, we spent some time all together, discussed in small groups and had moments in which each one could live personally some devotion within the sanctuaries. Each day was coloured by a theme related to the spiritual message of Lourdes: a rock, service, light, water, thanksgiving.
Together, we made a pilgrimage to the places where Bernadette lived, thus having an opportunity for a better understanding of the Lourdes message. As the days went on, we participated individually and as a group in the different opportunities given us in the Sanctuaries : prayer at the Grotto, Mass in different Basilicas, a torchlight procession, Stations of the Cross, prayer at the pool…
We were able to experience some service in the sanctuaries and among the sick: taking part in the Offertory Procession during the international Mass and singing in the choir during the Mass for the young, leading the meditation of the Rosary next to the pools, serving the sick from the Montauban diocese, leading a group of American scouts in their discovery of Lourdes…

Our life within the group was also marked by strong moments : In the morning and in the evening, a time for prayer to begin the day or evaluate it, a pilgrimage to Bartrès, where, during the day consecrated to the theme of service, we experienced a celebration of washing the feet; an afternoon for an inter-generation meeting with our Sisters in Pau Merici and Pau Sainte Ursule; a celebration to entrust our intentions to the Lord, with a huge candle which we carried together to burn near the Grotto… without forgetting constant exchanges in different languages on the realities we live as members of the Church, whether in community or during our studies in Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, France, Switzerland, Italy, Rumania and Poland !

A great and beautiful experience
we are not ready to forget !

Let us listen to a few echoes from the young people and Sisters who took part in the project…

It is difficult to express in only a few words the many experiences we had during this European meeting. We exchanged so many smiles, performed different services, met challenges, had lively meals, did a beautiful sharing, and had strong moments of prayer together, singing, visiting.. and also experiencing a good number of unexpected adventures!

Prière aux piscines

The moment which struck me most was perhaps the day when we led a time of prayer at the pools. Our group said the Rosary, and between ten “Hail Mary’s”, we sang and played instruments, we read a few accounts on Mary appearing to Bernadette. It was simple and beautiful as well. Because of the diversity in our group, we were able to pray the “Hail Mary” in French, Slovenian, Italian, Polish, Rumanian, Hungarian, Croatian, Japanese, English, Spanish, German, Ukrainian, and Wolof… During these moments of prayer, it seemed to me that we formed basically a single Body, thanks to our diversity, and that it was only together that we could really « go around the world in spirit », and « not forget anyone ». Sister Stéphanie B., France

Au service des malades

A wonderful experience for me… These 2 weeks in France were full of new experiences . I had the occasion to meet a lot of new people and to make friends. I also enjoyed the programe and the time of prayers. What I loved was that an harmony filled us all the time and everybody was careful with the others. I learned many new interesting things and I saw only beautifull places. I tried to envolve myself in as much as possible activities, like this I met better the group. I would like to have more time for helping sick people in Lourdes because it was so nice to see what joy and happiness was on those people faces when they met us. Everything was well organized and we had the wonderful time together. Thank you everybody ! Jessica – Roumanie

Notre Père...

My first pilgrimage to Lourdes was a time of rest for my soul, a place where you could find peace. There were times for sharing between us all. I experienced this by following the footsteps of Bernadette; she represents for me an example of trust in God and of Strength. Furthermore, Angela Merici’s message “Insieme”, motivates me for facing my own life. I am grateful to all the Sisters and young people who have given me the possibility of living this experience, of quenching my thirst at the spring of Massabielle.Valeria - Italy

Lavement des pieds

When I’m looking back to our european meeting, my heart is filled with joy and gratitude. I think we had a good opportunity to meet each other, to share our experiences, our lives. I can say, that this sharing was a good inspiration for me, opening me for new, for chalenges, for life. At the second point I would like to say I am very thankful for serving, especially at Lourdes, when we were serving the sick people. It was special for me when I was looking them washing their hands, faces, feet with such a strong faith. The third thing is being a pilgrim in Lourdes and around on the path of Bernadette and at the same time being the pilgrim on the path of my faith. I could feel my heart opening and preparing for God coming. I lost a little bit of my fear for life. Very good feeling.Thank you for your openness, thanks to the sisters in France-Belgium-Spain province for their inclusion in this project. I was very happy seeing sisters being so involved in the project of European meeting. Sr Blazenka - Slovenia

Rencontre Européenne 2011