TESTIMONIES

Three Servants of Mary testify... 

• Sister Marie-Thérèse Zago

I felt the call when I watched a film showing nuns taking care of orphans. In my childish mind, I thought that I had to be a nun to work in the world of children

I was drawn to the Congregation of the Servants of Mary after reading the documents (the comic strip and a vicar goes down the street) I was struck by Father Cestac's attitude towards the different situations that presented to him. His desire to restore women in society

The event that marked me the most was the first vows... I was entering into a new history with God and I said that I have a challenge: never to back down but to go all the way

I bear witness to God through the small and simple things I do, making myself close to everyone, sharing the daily life where I am, giving back the taste for life like Father Cestac In my mission with the little ones, I make myself small

The message to young people: today's society needs consecrated people, saying yes to the Lord does not mean that I have failed in the business world! There is no need to hesitate, it is a favor that God does us by calling us to his service to witness to his love.

• Sister Marie-Agnès Corroyer

The question of God has always been an important question for me. I loved catechism and the call of the Lord became clear to me around the age of 10-12.

In France, in the Pas de Calais, in Harnes, there was a community of five Sisters Servants of Mary. What attracted me to them was their closeness to the modest families of the workers and their creativity with the children through the sponsorship, the summer camps... their concern for the growth of people through their joy of living.

There have been many moments of grace in my life. I will give three of them.

The first, at the age of 40, during a session on discernment, God spoke to me not at the level of understanding but at the level of the heart. This changed my way of praying and loving others.

The second is accompanying adults in the catechumenate.

The third, at the age of 64, my departure on mission for the Ivory Coast: the opening and my integration into a new culture.

Celebrating my 50 years of religious life, the Word of God that dwells in me: "How can I repay the Lord for all the good he has done me?"

A message for each of us and in every circumstance, God says to you: "Do not fear, I am with you" and with Father Cestac, the Founder of our congregation: "Do and walk and never be discouraged. Take Mary with you." 

• Sister Sylvie Atchadé

I felt the call of the Lord during an evangelization in the parish of Saint Charles Borrome, my home parish, that day, the father present asked that the young people who heard the call of the Lord go forward to receive the blessing, I went forward and everything began, of course I grew up in a Christian family, but that day was a special day.

What attracted me to the congregation of the Sisters Servants of Mary, I would say that they work in discretion, especially in their mission with great efficiency. That is what attracted me.

 I have several significant events in my religious life, but I remember the meeting with the older sisters of the congregation, the visit to the source of the congregation. During my stay in France for the session in Spain.

I live the mission that has been entrusted to us, looking at the Virgin Mary our mother as a model, and try to instill in the young girls the values of a good woman for the future by trying to put the gospel into practice every day.

What I can say to the young people today, is that, life with Christ is joy and peace, also the field of the Lord is vast and there is work for all. As our good father lived by giving back the taste of life, I invite them to come and give back the taste of their lives by answering the call of Christ, in order to give in their turn, the taste of life to their brothers and sisters.