SISTER NICOLE BECQUE, 50 YEARS OF RELIGIOUS LIFE

A history of life marked by encounters to go forward more and more... 

"On 9 September 2023, I celebrated my 50th anniversary of my vows in Bouchain. On the 7th, I fell while leaving the presbytery, breaking my temper bone... I was able to have an operation and to be there to celebrate a joyful jubilee, celebrated by Father Bernard Descarpentries, in the presence of many friends from the parish, of the hospital, the Hospitality of Lourdes and my family. A few souvenir photos bear witness to this wonderful moment...

And this is what I said in my welcome address after that of Jean Michel d'Halluin, President of our Association "St Martin Partage de Vie":

Thank you Jean-Michel for your words of welcome on behalf of the parish, but also on behalf of the faithful friendship with the Servants of Mary, through the missionary commitment with the association "St Martin Partage de Vie", a link with our sisters in the Ivory Coast. Thank you to everyone for being here to celebrate 50 years of religious life. Thank you to Father Bernard...

Father Cestac heard the words "Ask only for my spirit" in his heart of Mary at Buglose (in the Landes) when he needed help... He went forward without knowing where it would lead him... To remain faithful to the call received, is to live through a thousand encounters... Faithfulness is lived day after day...

I couldn't tell you WHY I am a religious but HOW I have tried to respond to the calls received and welcomed, here in this church of Bouchain, at the age of 12, but also elsewhere through encounters with people... I wasn't born a religious, I become a religious day by day with the grace of God... That's why I love this image of Christ with a thousand faces... A history of life marked by encounters to go forward more and more...

The Word of God is also nourishment for me, as men and women over the centuries have incarnated it. Father Louis Fleury recognised this when he gave me this Bible before leaving Hordain. Thank you to all the saints who live in our history and have passed on to us the Word, the source of our life and our commitment.

Let us give thanks to the Lord through this Eucharist, through the Life offered and shared... for all these encounters experienced on a daily basis."

Sister Nicolette, in prayerful communion