The national gathering of the Secular Branch of the Sacred Hearts took place from October 10th to 12th, 2025, at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Pontmain, a blessed site where the Virgin Mary appeared on January 17th, 1871. This fraternal meeting brought together members from various communities in Paris, Montgeron, Rennes, Nantes, Poitiers, and Meaux. Some members, unfortunately, were unable to attend for various reasons—particularly health or age—but remained united in prayer throughout the weekend.
Several brothers and sisters were present: Sr. Marie-Gabrielle Renou, delegate for the sisters’ fraternity; Sr. Angela O’Toole, companion of the Montgeron community; Maxime Menga, companion of the Notre-Dame-de-Paix community (Paris); and Valent Ritan, national companion.
The program was marked by powerful moments of prayer, listening, sharing, and communion: the community roundtable, Fr. Valent’s teaching on the theme “Walking in the footsteps of Christ: a path of conversion,” night adoration (from 9:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.), and the first commitments and renewals of several members. The gathering was also an opportunity to warmly thank Bernard Couronne, who has long journeyed with the Fraternity. From this year onward, Valent Ritan takes over Bernard’s role in national accompaniment. Bernard, however, continues his service within Halte du Cœur, whose program for the coming year will revolve around three key words: Meet, Go Forth, and Sow, in connection with the bicentennial of the departure of the first SSCC missionaries to the Hawaiian Islands in 1826.
The gathering concluded with Sunday Mass, presided over by Valent Ritan, during which two new members made their first commitment: Marie-Anne Varenne, from the Berceau des Sacrés-Cœurs community (Poitiers), and Jocelyne Caussade, from the Paul Juliotte community (Montgeron).
The celebration was also an occasion for the renewal of commitment by André Cordenod, Marie-Agnès Roussiale, Julien Berthoud, Laure Delarbre, Gabrielle Lui, Betty Law, and Jocelyne Tientaraboum.
Everyone departed after lunch, filled with joy and peace, renewed in their faith and in their commitment to live, contemplate, and proclaim God’s love in the world.
10/14/2025