As every year, at the end of the Summer Holidays and before the New School Year, that year on Sunday, August 30th, the entire St. John the Baptist Province gathered in Ploërmel to celebrate the Mennaisian Family. The Day will be marked by various Events:
First step: Assembly
Le pape Léon XIV fête ses 70 ans dimanche.
Our Mennaisian Assembly opened with a time of Prayer. It was illustrated by an excerpt from “Magnifica Humanitas” (Pope Leo XIV).
“The power of words is enormous and we experience it in our daily communication, when someone says something to us that changes our mood, either for the better or for the worse. «Peace begins with each of us, with the way we look at others, listen to others, talk about others; and, in this sense, the way we communicate is of fundamental importance; we must say “no” to the war of words and images, we must reject the paradigm of war.». We must all, therefore, make an examination of conscience about the words we use, about the prejudices with which they are impregnated and about the aggression, overt or covert, that motivates them. We have a real possibility of contributing to good every time we speak the truth, give wise advice, support those in need of comfort, denounce injustice or give voice to the voiceless. (no. 214)
The Mennaisian Family clearly identifies with this Text, since their Theme for the Year is “Tell me the WORDS that give Life.”
Brother Yannick then spoke to present the important Priorities for this New Year. He recalled the Decisions made at the Chapter Assembly in October 2025, and in particular the Establishment of the “Mennaisian Family Committee,” composed of the Provincial and his Assistant, and Representatives from each Component of the Mennaisian Family: ESTIVAL, ASSIFIC, COCOFRAM, the TUTELLE team, the IMF, LAM, CAMM.*
*ESTIVAL: Association for Holiday Camps – Assific: NGO – COCOFRAM: Coordinating Committee of the Mennaisian Fraternities – TUTELLE: Body responsible for the Management and Support of the Network’s Schools – IMF: Mennaisian Institute for Formation – LAM: Mennaisian Lay Associates – CAMM: Reception Center of the Mother House
Part 2: Jubilee Celebration
Four Brothers are being honored this year for their 50 years of Religious Life: here from left to right, Brother Thierry BEAUPLET, Brother Jean HERBINIERE, Brother Daniel BRIANT and Brother Omer CHOUAN (who stayed in the Marquesas).
But ten other Brothers were celebrating their 60th Anniversary of Religious Life and four others their 70th anniversary of Religious Life
Here is Fr. André GUERLAIS presenting the life story of Fr. Jean HERBINIERE.
The life of Brother Daniel Briant was presented by Brother Jean-Yves Hamon and that of Brother Thierry Beauplet by Brother Gabriel Douaud
Third part: Eucharistic Celebration
It was chaired by Father Paul HABERT, Vicar General of the diocese of Rennes.
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The “Heroes” of the day accompanied by their Elders who were celebrating their 60th and 70th years of Religious Life.
Another important event in the Province was the Arrival of the four Italian Brothers. Brother Yannick introduced each of them and warmly welcomed them, thanking them profusely and wishing them a Wonderful New Chapter in their Lives within the Province: Brothers Dino de Carlois and Eugenio Manoni in Lourdes, and Brothers Mario Forino and Franco Graziosi at the Mother House in Ploërmel.
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In the morning, the Italian Brothers were presented at the assembly, then, after the Eucharistic Celebration, here, from left to right, around the Founder’s tomb: Bro. Yannick – Bro. Franco – Bro. Mario –– Bro. Dino – Bro. Eugenio
Fourth part: a Friendly Drink and Buffet
The day ends with the sharing of a friendly drink and a buffet which restores the strength to embark on a new year of community, apostolic and missionary life.
News prepared by Brother Bernard BOURIGAULT