Overview of the 2025 summer meeting of the young sisters of the CND: week of July 13-19
On July 13, 2025, the summer meeting of the young sisters of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame (CND) began in a warm and joyful atmosphere. The day began with a community prayer fostering spiritual bonds while creating a peaceful and welcoming atmosphere. The evening took a festive turn with a lively dance, and sisters of all ages celebrated the joy of being together.
The following day, under the theme “My first love,” participants had the opportunity to share their vocational stories. These sincere discussions fostered deep bonds of friendship and helped them to get to know each other better, in a climate of mutual respect and listening.
The third day was dedicated to self-discovery. Each sister was invited to recognize that she is a true blessing from God and to reflect on how this manifests itself in her daily actions. These moments of sharing and reflection were a great success, combining spirituality, conviviality and personal discovery, and leaving unforgettable memories engraved in everyone’s heart.
On Wednesday, July 16, this dynamic continued with a day focused on getting to know each other. Starting from an activity, the sisters shared their personal experiences with lots of smiles, confidence and openness. It was beautiful to see life spring forth from these discussions.
On Thursday, the participants embarked on a journey through different cultures: the tea ceremony of the Japanese culture; the traditional marriage of the Etons in Cameroon; the different stages of engagement to marriage of the Podoko; the welcoming of a child born out of wedlock among the Malimba; the Mpoo traditional Bakoko festival, and to conclude this Cameroonian stage, the significance of the tree of peace among the Wimbum. Each culture brings a particular richness to the Congregation, and the discussions were marked by the joy of sharing and learning from each other.
On Friday, the cultural journey continued with a foray into New York life in the USA, a symbol of hope and inspiration for the population. The sisters then discovered the Lenca people of Honduras, renowned for their colorful culture with their traditional dress and deep connection with the land and agriculture. This immersion in different cultures was a wonderful experience for everyone. The journey ended with a visit to the Bon-Secours residence, a moment of joy, sharing and meetings for each of the sisters.