Since July 12th, 23 Young Brothers have continued with the Team of Formators their Session of Preparation for the Final Commitment in the Congregation which ended on August 12th,2026.
Over the past 14 days, the Times of Formation, Sharing, and Exchanges in Small Groups have been focused on the Vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience, but also on Ongoing Formation, the Protection of Children and Vulnerable People (Intervention by Brother Yannick Houssay), as well as the Mennaisian Family.
Pilgrimages continued to the Sites associated with La Mennais:
1) Dinan – La Chesnaie:
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It is always a special moment to follow in the Footsteps of Jean-Marie de la Mennais, in the Woods and around the Chesnaie pond, and to find Ourselves on the Very Site of the Chesnaie Manor House, where the Founder and his Brother Féli laid the Foundations for all their Projects. Two Daughters of Mr. Aubert, the Owner who passed away two years ago, welcomed us with great Simplicity and Fraternal Warmth.
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2) Malestroit :
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Another moving Place is the Augustinian Monastery of Malestroit, which housed the Novitiate of the Congregation of St. Peter, founded by Jean-Marie de la Mennais and Féli. This place was a trying Experience for the Founder when the Congregation of St. Peter was banned: a Place of Gethsemane for Jean-Marie, a Place also to offer Our Own “Gethsemane” and those of Our Brothers, Families, and Friends…
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3) Guingamp and Saint-Brieuc :
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It was a Very Moving Moment to pay respects at the Grave of the First Brother to die in the Congregation, Brother Yves Le Fichan.
Eucharist in the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Help: where Father Jean-Marie de la Mennais suffered his First Major Stroke on December 16th, 1847. That Health Incident left him partially paralyzed and severely restricted his movements and activities for the rest of his life.
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4) The last Sunday afternoon is always dedicated to a Short Hike to the Mission Cross. Even though the location is no longer suitable for a Celebration (due to its proximity to the Highway), it provides an Opportunity, during a Small Service, to remember the Departure of the First Missionaries and to pray for all the Brothers still being sent to the Four Corners of the World today.
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The Highlights of the last two days remain the Pilgrimage to the “Sacred Places” of the Mother House: The Cemetery, Chapel, Museum and the Clock, the Father’s Room…
Time for Our Final Celebrations together: The Final Eucharist, during which Three Young Brothers (Brother William from Congo and Brothers Junior and Junior Cols from Haiti) Renewed their Vows; the Final Celebration during which we were able to give thanks for all that we had experienced together during that Month and to offer the Path to each Person’s Perpetual Vows… Intense Prayer for one another…
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The Session is not an End of a Stage, but a Departure towards New Horizons …a Journey that would remain marked by a few Words that resonated strongly during the Session: HUMILITY, TRUST, FRATERN CHARITY, TOTAL GIFT and FREEDOM….
Brother Hervé ASSE