When I arrived in Elven, a French commune in the Morbihan department in the Brittany region, I expressed my desire to do the “Renaitre” course at the Penboc’h Spirituality Centre. What a gift for me, for my life as a religious Daughter of the Holy Spirit!
This spiritual centre in Brittany is made up of 2 Jesuits, 2 nuns and 1 lay person. The aim of the 3 sessions of the “Rebirth Course” is to help everyone to discover more about what Christ is calling them to, to take time out to catch their breath, and to look back over the years and give thanks. Our group is made up of 11 nuns and 2 brothers from Ploërmel, i.e. 10 different Congregations – I’m the only FSE nun. The group is led by 3 other nuns and a brother from Ploërmel.
First session: 13 – 16 November 2023. “Remember”
Arrival in the face of the storm disaster of 1 to 2 November: park unrecognisable with 150 trees uprooted, roof damaged….
We meet regularly in large and small groups. It was a rich session, marked essentially by reflection, to be continued each evening after the prayer time. I discovered that daily reflection enables me to enrich my relationship with God and others. It has led me to marvel at what I have experienced in my religious life. Each session includes a time of personal accompaniment
Second session: 05 – 08 February 2024. “Finding God in all things and therefore choosing life”.
A slightly more difficult session on the subject of spiritual warfare and the Church. But we’re going a little further in the spiritual life and in fraternity. In the small groups, I discovered that spiritual sharing helps us to move forward in fraternity.
Third session: 02 – 05 April 2024. “Follow me”.
The question we were asked was: “How have I chosen life? In events, in relationships; what means did I take? What touched me most: the subject of this session highlighted what I had sensed, namely that fraternal life is built day by day, with its difficulties and its joys.
These sessions have enabled me to rediscover the Source, which allows me to start afresh from Christ, and I feel stronger and more confident as I go about my daily life.
The “journey” continues from 3 to 11 June at Penboc’h, with a retreat and personal accompaniment every day
As I said, what a “gift” for my 1st year in the Elven community!
Thérèse PROVOST, FSE. 15 April 2024
