On July 7th we began the day with the inaugural Mass of the Poitiers 2026 Session, in the Chapel of Saint Michael of Picpus, presided over by Jean Blaise Mwanda sscc. Patricia Villarroel sscc, Superior General, welcomed us.
Consecration to the Sacred Hearts is the foundation of our Institute; these words, recorded in our Constitutions, come from the heart and lips of our founder, Fr. Pierre Coudrin. This phrase will accompany us throughout all the days of this edition. In the celebration we asked the Lord for the grace to place ourselves close to his breast and listen attentively to his Word, to live an intimacy that strengthens us in our choices and in our concrete way of living consecrated forever, as men and women.
In his homily, Jean Blaise reminded us that "only Jesus is the sure foundation; appearances are of no use. We cannot build our life on ephemeral things, on appearances, pretending that all is well. Let us go to the rock, where our salvation is found. And there, we will all be happy."
He also reminded us that "our Founders lived this experience in their own lives. In the turbulent context of the French Revolution, they accepted being set apart for God and for the service of their brothers and sisters. To be witnesses of God's love in the world, following the example of the Heart of Jesus and Mary. They were witnesses of that love to the end. In the formula of our religious profession, we say:
” I, …, vow chastity, poverty and obedience as a brother of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, in whose service I wish to live and die."
After the Eucharist, those who currently live in Picpus explained to us the present day of this emblematic place. Bernard Couronne sscc told us that Picpus is a living place. The religious communities that live here (SSCC sisters and brothers, Sisters of the Holy Childhood of Jesus, and the seminary) celebrate the Eucharist together in the morning.
Evelyne Royer sscc spoke about the community of the SSCC sisters, made up of four religious who live the SSCC charism through hospitality with different services and studies. Michel Cerles sscc presented the international Pierre Coudrin community, made up of five brothers dedicated to hospitality, pastoral activities, and studies. The Superior General of the Sisters of the Holy Childhood of Jesus was also introduced. They are seven religious who have their General House at the back of the Picpus garden. They noted that Picpus is a place of martyrs, which leads them to live their consecrated life with radicality. Father François, diocesan priest and rector of the Picpus chapel, was also introduced. He also spoke to us about the propaedeutic year that candidates for the Paris Seminary spend in this place. Charles, director of the Lustiger diocesan Foyer for university students, was introduced. Antonie Menneciersscc spoke to us about the Réseau Picpus, a work for students and young professionals that offers various proposals for human and spiritual growth. The secular branch of Paris also meets at Picpus.
Following this, a workshop was held on what it means to be consecrated SSCC: habits of care, desires, and challenges.
In the afternoon, Fr. Bernard Couronne sscc spoke about the historical context of the founding, along with the whole societal change generated by the French Revolution. Afterward, Bernard guided the participants on a pilgrimage through Picpus.
The route covered the most significant places of this site: the centuries-old well next to the entrance, a sign of the thirst for life that Christ comes to satisfy; the chapel, where the missionary history of the Congregation was recalled before the statue of Our Lady of Peace; and the cemetery, where the Holy Carmelites of Compiègne rest in a mass grave, guillotined in 1794 for their fidelity to religious life.
The pilgrimage also included a moment of prayer at the tomb of the Founders, Fr. Pierre Coudrin (1768–1837) and Mother Henriette Aymer de la Chevalerie (1767–1834), who, amid the darkness of the French Revolution, felt driven by the love of Christ and Mary to give life to the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts. With this gesture, the participants of the Poitiers 2026 Session renew their commitment to be, like the Founders, "artisans of reconciliation and servants of peace."
The day culminated with a time of adoration in the Picpus Chapel and a cultural evening, in which brothers and sisters expressed how, in their countries, culture influences them and how they enrich it from the charism of the Congregation.
07/08/2026