Farewells are often difficult (especially from one’s own homeland).
Our Sister M. Bernadette, from America, was able to participate in a year of postgraduate studies in spirituality in Rome in preparation for her new apostolate as Novice Director for our American Province.
She then spent a month in Assisi, where Saint Francis had lived and where he founded his order. After that, she stayed for four-weeks at the Motherhouse in Thuine, from July 26 through August 23, in the place where our Congregation was founded. Even as she first arrived in Thuine, she experienced a homecoming of sorts, a sense of being at home in her calling as a Thuine Franciscan. She greatly enjoyed being able to drink in the spirit of the place where our Congregation began and to encounter our foundress, Mother M. Anselma. In this way, she was able to understand more deeply the spiritual way in which the Lord is leading our Congregation and each sister within it. We wish Sister M. Bernadette God’s blessing and the support of our founders, when, as Novice Director, she introduces the novices to our spirituality.
After returning to the United States, Sister M. Bernadette reflected upon her time in the Motherhouse and explained in an interview what left the deepest impressions on her from her visit.
