Two or three times a year, Archbishop Christian Lépine sets aside time to reconnect with, listen to, and accompany the consecrated virgins of the archdiocese, women individually consecrated by the bishop to a life of virginity while remaining in secular life. With autumn often dedicated to planning the year ahead and launching the pastoral season, and December, to the joys of Christmas, this June gathering was a time to look back on the past year and set plans for the one ahead.

The reunion was held in the Red Room (Parlour) of the Archbishop's Residence Saturday, June 13, 2026, joined by Sr. Jacqueline Tchamgbade, sndt, director of the diocesan Office for Consecrated Life.

This year, the day unfolded around three defining moments, each marked by hope and gratitude.

Looking Back, Looking Ahead: Sharing Reflections and Reports

The day opened at 9:30 a.m. with warm greetings, and at 10 a.m. Archbishop Lépine welcomed participants with a prayer.

Ms. Linda Leblanc, head of the Animation Committee, presented the year's annual report. She described 2025-26 as a year marked by a positive balance of spiritual and pastoral activity, crediting much of that momentum to the accompaniment, grounding presence, and wise counsel of Sr. Jacqueline Tchamgbade, the archbishop's delegate to the consecrated virgins, whose steady availability was warmly acknowledged by the group.

Ms. Leblanc also looked back on a pilgrimage of consecrated persons to Rome in October 2025, which she called an extraordinary opportunity to meet consecrated virgins from around the world, and thanked organizers Sr. Jacqueline Tchamgbade and Ms. Donatella Fiorani, former assistant of the Office for Consecrated Life, for making the experience possible.

The morning also paused to remember Rose-Marie Boranian, a pillar of the Ordo Virginum (the Order of Virgins) in Montreal, who died this past December, and to acknowledge the team changes that followed.

Ms. Marie Nancy Roc, a member of the Animation Committee, outlined the main focus areas of the 2026-27 formation program, announcing a full and engaging year ahead. Ms. Louise Marie Laporte, head of formation, closed the morning with an update on the progress made this year by aspirants and candidates, the two stages women pass through in preparation for consecration.

Widening the Circle, Giving Thanks

At 11:30 a.m., aspirants and candidates joined the group for its most moving moment: a tribute to Archbishop Lépine.

Participants recalled, with evident emotion, all that the archbishop has brought to the Order of Virgins since his episcopal ordination, including the steady, pastoral support that sustained the community through the difficult months of the pandemic and continues to bear good fruit today. Members said he has built a "backbone" that has allowed the community to grow in unity, closeness and sisterly solidarity, and presented him with a personalized stole in gratitude.

The tribute carried into a festive lunch at 12:30 p.m., filled with laughter and conversation.

A closer look at the next generation

The day concluded, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., with a more intimate discussion, as Archbishop Lépine, the heads of the Animation Committee and formation team, and the director of the Office for Consecrated Life gathered to review the annual report on the aspirants and candidates: a unique occasion to consider, with discretion and care, the beautiful path of those preparing to give their lives to the Lord.

A blessed day, and for the consecrated virgins of Montreal, one more sign of an archbishop who has never stopped walking this journey with them.

Linda Leblanc
Head of the Animation Committee
Association of Consecrated Virgins of Montreal