Celebration of Father Jean Gailhac’s Bicentenary

PORTUGAL: Fatima, 27 October, 2002

It is with deep joy and thanksgiving that we, RSHM, celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of our founder, Father Jean Gailhac.

His vision of faith, his spirit and charism, fruit of the particular gift that was given him by the Holy Spirit, turns today into a spring of energy for us as well as for those who share our mission to ”know and love God, make Him known and loved, that all may have life”.

This is the deep reason of this celebration. We would like it to be an opportunity of meeting and of participation of all those people that in different ways are linked to our life and mission.

Ir.Maria Emília Peliz,rscm
Provincial Superior

“I’m very confident in the love of God for the Institute. We have many signs of this love, if we reflect on the origins of the Institute and on the development God gave to it.”

Remark: The round table on “Jean Gailhac-person and life” is led by Sister Mary Milligan, rshm (WAP), Sister Luisa Maria Almendra, rshm (PP), three teachers from our schools and a former student.

Residence of Our Lady of Livramento – Oporto

This residence is an Institution of Particular Social Solidarity, in Oporto, and it receives children who are victims of social exclusion…deprived at all levels…This Institution with about 80 residents, both children and young girls, is under the responsibility of 6 RSHM Sisters and a group of lay people. Its main objective is to provide each child and young person with an integrated formation, until they have their own autonomy.

The 7th.September was a different day… The Archbishop of Braga, D.Jorge Ortiga, wanted to know the Institution…In a very simple but celebrative environment we gathered our children and youth, staff, friends and some families from the diocese of Braga who used to receive some children in weekends and holidays.

The meeting started with the Eucharist of thanks giving for the bicentenary of Father Gailhac’s birth and for the concrete life lived and developed in this house.

We specially emphasised the journey of Sónia, who has finished her degree this year.

Here are her words:
On looking back, I see where the support of my life is…The residence of Our Lady of Livramento was the “architect” that outlined the building of the person I am and that I want to be… Through the RSHM Sisters’ hands, I grew up… learnt…and was enriched inside..They taught me how to know what I want and how to be aware of what I shouldn’t want…Very often they swam against the tide and against the rebelliousness of the wild waves of my childish and adolescent ontradictions…of my doubts and of my dejection… Through your hands and through your persistence I was able to steer my boat and to know how to dominate the storms… Today I thank all the Sisters and people that in this House have collaborated in my growth… Thank you for the person who I am today… Thank you for the stones you have thrown…foundations of the building of my being… Thank you for making me feel that you are always with me…my “shelter” when life will be more difficult and I need someone who gave me and goes on giving life so that ALL MAY HAVE LIFE!…HAPPY BIRTHDAY FATHER GAILHAC!!!

BRAZIL

The presentation of the “Project Child Gailhac” in the School of Vitória, was one of the activities to commemorate the bicentenary. This same project happened in all our schools.

During September and October our schools presented the Project of Child Gailhac to their little children.

http://www.scmarie-es.com.br/2002/acontece/setembro/garoto_gailhac.htm

On the 7th September there was a celebration and meeting in Belo Horizonte for the former students. Rosinha spoke on the bi-centenary, emphasising important aspects of Father Gailhac’s life. This week the school of Brasília will celebrate its 40th anniversary. The celebrations will also emphasise the bicentenary.