80, 90, 100 years and more? Never mind, let’s go on holiday! But beware… a spiritual holiday!
A few years ago, in order to allow elderly sisters or those who live in nursing homes and can no longer go out without help, to meet other sisters in a more open environment, to experience a moment of renewal, the Provincial Council gave birth to the Spiritual Holiday at Sancey. All in complete safety: help with washing, moving around, distributing medicines, remembering times and places….
There were 23 sisters on holiday and we were accompanied and guided by no fewer than 6 sisters and then by Angélique, Christiane, Claudine, Nelly, Sylviane: our guardian angels, paid or voluntary, used to looking after us in our homes.
The days were planned… but not too much!
The morning is reserved for prayer: Lauds celebrated together, or one day, body prayer led by sister Thérèse, instruction by a priest, time of silence and personal prayer, and the Eucharist. Meals are not silent, we change places, which allows us to talk to new sisters at each meal.
In the afternoon, we are offered a wide variety of activities: board games, games to stimulate the joints, gentle gymnastics, swaps, bingo. Nothing is imposed: we can choose or simply watch and listen. We were even able to follow in Jeanne Antide’s footsteps and play Mölkky outdoors.
At the end of the afternoon, again a time of community prayer: vespers, sharing the Gospel….
Yes, there is one activity where you have to commit yourself for the three days, and the volunteers don’t hesitate.
Under the direction of sister Francine and Claudine, a theatre workshop: with actresses aged between 80 and 95, our 2 directors succeed in transforming our sisters into actresses perfectly inhabited by their characters.
We prayed one evening with a play about the work of St Vincent de Paul for foundlings.
The holiday gave a lot of joy to both the holidaymakers and the leaders. A special bravo to Sr Francine who stops at nothing to energise the group.
Here are some of the comments made at the end of the days:
“The welcome in the house was perfect, the atmosphere was warm and the staff very attentive“.
“We felt recognised as normal people, not as sick“.
“A lot of fraternity, various activities where everyone felt at ease“.
“Thanks for the kindness of the assistants, who care so much about our well-being“.
A participant
