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Sainville (Francia), 10/01/2025, Sisters Rose Mary Kadampattuparambil y Lisa Kadamattuparampil.- With hearts full of excitement and expectation, we continued our pilgrimage to our Mother House in Tours, lovingly called Maison de Tous. The bus journey from Sainville to Tours was filled with joy as we grew closer to one another, sharing laughter and companionship along the way. For many of us, it was our very first visit to the Mother House—a place we had heard and read about over the years. The anticipation of finally seeing it, and above all, kneeling in prayer at the tomb of our beloved Foundress, Blessed Marie Poussepin, was reflected in the eager faces of everyone.

We were warmly welcomed by the sisters of the Mother House community and the International community, who received us with joy and hospitality. One of the most touching moments was our visit to the EHPAD, where we reunited with many dear sisters we had known and lived with in years past. Speaking with them filled our hearts with deep gratitude, as we recognized their faithful lives wholly given to God and to the Congregation. Their witness reminded us of all our sisters throughout the world, who have selflessly carried forward the Charism of Marie Poussepin, entrusting it to us so that we too might hand it on to future generations.

Over the course of two days, we were blessed with inspiring input: Sr. Dominique du Christ shared insights on the history and life of Marie Poussepin, while Sr. Maria Escayola guided us in reflecting on the origins of St. Dominic. We also had the privilege of visiting the cemetery in Tours, where we prayed with gratitude at the tombs of our sisters—especially those of the Superior Generals who faithfully guided the Congregation over the past two centuries.

Our exploration continued with a visit to the Archives, Documentation Rooms, and Museum of the Congregation, where Sr. Dominique du Christ enriched our understanding of the past and present life of the community. It was a powerful reminder of how the Charism of Marie Poussepin has been lived out through the centuries, always attuned to the signs of the times and responsive to the needs of the people.

Sr. Ruth Esperanza then led us on a guided tour of Tours, including a special stop at the hospital where our sisters first established their mission in the city. We also received a warm welcome from the communities of Rue de la Barre, Foyer St. Thomas, and La Grande Bretèche, giving us the chance to learn more about their current mission and service.

Pilgrimage to Lourdes…

The pilgrimage to Lourdes was a profound encounter with our Mother Mary. After a brief stop in Montauban, where Mother St. Pierre lived and served for many years, we arrived in Lourdes on the evening of September 9th. The two days we spent there were truly memorable. Every moment was devoted to prayer at the Grotto, attending Mass, praying the Rosary, and participating in Eucharistic adoration and the evening Rosary procession. These sacred moments were opportunities to pray for our communities, sisters, the entire Congregation, our families, and new vocations, presenting all intentions at the feet of Mother Mary.

Dominic Who Made a Difference in the World…

St. Dominic, in his time, made a profound difference in the world. The secret of this impact lay in his contemplative gaze—fixed both on God and on the world around him. He spoke only to God, and spoke only about God.

For us pilgrims, it was a priceless gift to walk in his footsteps. We arrived in Prouilhe by early afternoon, filled with energy as we stood on that holy ground where St. Dominic established his first convent for nuns. From then until now, the fragrance of their prayers has continued to fill the place. Joining our voices with theirs was a memorable moment, a chance to share in the mission of making the world more holy and a better place to live. The clear blue sky and the cool weather added their own gentle blessing to the experience.

The prioress of the convent entered our classroom with gentle steps, sharing with us in simple words the heroic story of the Basilica of Our Lady of Prouilhe. She echoed the painful trials the building had endured, especially during the French Revolution. We came to understand that this sacred place is truly the womb of St. Dominic’s family, the birthplace of his spiritual mission. It was here that Dominic drew spiritual nourishment throughout his life, sustained by the constant prayers of the nuns. Even today, that same stream of prayer flows unbroken.

In a world where silence feels foreign, this convent carries a lesson for us: it is in the silence of our hearts that we meet God. And it is this encounter with Him that fills religious life with joy. No wonder St. Dominic chose the quiet hilltop of Fanjeaux to spend his formative years before beginning his mission of preaching. I was reminded of Yahweh calling Moses—His friend and a man after His own heart—up the mountain to converse with Him. So it was with Dominic: a friend of God, who spoke with Him in that heavenly atmosphere. The view of the valley from the hilltop was breathtaking—a true meeting place with God.

It was there that God revealed to Dominic what He desired to accomplish through him: a place of discernment, where his mission was born out of silence before the Creator. In that intimacy with God, Dominic saw a vision, a ball of fire falling upon Prouilhe, the place God had chosen for the first house of prayer for women converted from Catharism. Standing there, we seemed to breathe in the fragrance of his contemplative spirit. We inhaled deeply until that very spirit seemed to permeate our whole being.

Janville… Reconstitution…

The visit to Janville, where sixteen sisters once came together to reconstitute the Congregation after the French Revolution, was profoundly moving. The chapel that hosted the General Chapter of election, the Hôtel-Dieu where wounded soldiers were tenderly cared for, the historic photograph of Sr. Henri with the soldiers, the cherished Maison Rosa, and the church of Janville with its stained-glass window depicting the Reconstitution—all these sacred places spoke to us of the unwavering commitment, deep dedication, and selfless service of our sisters in the 18th century.

Our visit to the Cathedral of Chartres was truly awe-inspiring, a house dedicated to our Blessed Mother. In my imagination, the cathedral itself seemed to be her immaculate body, where the mysteries of both the Old and New Testaments are unveiled through its stained-glass windows, sculptures, and paintings. Before her humble majesty, our knees bent almost instinctively. My prayer was that my pride might dissolve in her radiant presence, just as sunlight passes through stained glass to reveal the beauty intended by the artist.

The labyrinth within the cathedral was another mystery waiting to unfold, a symbol of life’s journey toward eternal glory. There is only one way in, and one way to the goal. The path seemed confusing at times, as if to say that only a focused heart can remain steadfast on the pilgrimage of life: falling and rising, again and again. Persistence and perseverance are the keys that guide us to glory.

The shell of my ignorance was gently broken open through the inspirational teachings of Sisters Mariamma, Dominic, Maria Escayola, Anula, and Martha. They helped me grow in love for my congregation—more dearly, more tenderly—and to walk the synodal path with my sisters, embracing both their strengths and vulnerabilities.

And so, from the depths of my heart, I can say:

I love my congregation with all of my heart.
I love my congregation with all of my mind.
I love my congregation with all of my strength.
For you have lifted me—lifted me with a rich spirituality,
one that is Christ-centered.