Saturday, June 22, 2024 - The idea of gathering people in consecrated life from our archdiocese in a public park for a picnic was not only to bring us together in a relaxed and fraternal atmosphere, but also to be visible in the middle of the city. But the weather forecast by Environment Canada for our June 22 event changed our plans!

"Turning an obstacle into an opportunity": This was the slogan that Sr. Jacqueline Tchamgbade, sndt, and Donatella Fiorani, co-responsible for the Office of Consecrated Life, gave themselves when they saw that the weather forecast was likely to spoil the picnic planned for June 22 in Parc Jarry.

The opportunity to meet in the large parish hall of Notre-Dame-des-Hungrois was generously offered by Father Michael (Mihaly) Orban, Jesuit and parish priest, who gave us a warm welcome.

The 50 or so people who came to the meeting were sheltered from the rain, in a beautiful, comfortable room, equipped with chairs, tables, a sound system and free parking: not an easy task in our town!

A game of getting to know each other, a quiz designed to help us get to know each other better as a team, a game of "discernment," songs of praise led by Lucile Chiron and Justine Orounla, members of the Secular Institute of the Daughters of Our Lady of Inculturation, a delicious meal with colours and flavours from around the world, the presence of our archbishop, Archbishop Christian Lépine and Bishop Alain Faubert... all contributed to making the meeting a success.

We ended the day with the Franciscan prayer "Make me an instrument of your peace" (led by Focolare member Lucas Magnus) addressed to God in our different languages, and a blessing from our archbishop, who once again underlined the precious character of consecrated life in our archdiocese.

According to Sr. Fidélia Dotsey, Superior General of the Sisters of Notre-Dame de la Trinité, who was visiting Montreal, "this event was a great success...Sharing, fraternity, simplicity, humility, solidarity and unity, well organized upstream and downstream!" These are the words chosen to define the day. "The strong presence of religious people touched me so much," she added.

Some other testimonials collected after the event:

H. H. (a nun): "A wonderful initiative to be in the heart of the city. Thanks to the people in charge of the office for consecrated life. Too bad there wasn't enough time. I'm counting on you to make it happen early this fall or next summer."

M. A. R. (a nun): "Thank you very much for your initiative, your creativity and for organizing this beautiful day of picnics together. It's a good testimony to the existence of consecrated life in the diocese... Thank you for everything that went into making this event a success."

J. L. (a nun): "It's always a joy to see that, despite our ageing, the dynamism of youth revitalizes us and gives us hope for the future of consecrated life in Montreal. Thank you to the team of thunder, srs Jacqueline and Donatella!"

L. M. (a religious): "Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the organization and animation. It unites us even more and enriches us with everyone's charisms. The presence of the bishops is much appreciated. To be repeated many times!"

A lay volunteer: "My faith was still weak, but with what I've experienced today, I think it's been reawakened. What a wonderful opportunity to rub shoulders with people of consecrated life! It's my first time and I've enjoyed it immensely."

A layman: "I saw the announcement on the diocesan website and came. I must say I don't regret it. I liked the very active participation of our bishops."

Montreal, June 25, 2024
Coordinators of the Office for Consecrated Life