“Faced with those who dream of extinguishing the light, history remains a lamp.” Author unknown
How do we experience the educational mission of the Sisters of Saint Gildas today ?
Is this truly a relevant question for the Mother House today ?
Last September, the article “Saint-Gildas-des-Bois, on the road to the millennium of its abbey” reported on the planned festivities taking place throughout 2026, and particularly in July. The article specifically mentioned the significant involvement, in various capacities, of the Gabriel Deshayes school group. But are the sisters themselves involved?
While the entire Mother House is involved, let’s not forget that the majority live in the ‘Abbey’ section – the welcoming community is at the forefront of communications and interactions that facilitate the project’s implementation. The educational work, though experienced behind the scenes, is therefore no less real.
- People who come to the reception desk or receive phone calls request permissions: these are then forwarded to the relevant authorities, allowing visits, use of the premises, loans of equipment, etc.
- The History Committee begins its meetings with a visit to the cloisters, which are unfamiliar to some members. It will continue all its working meetings within the community.
The stage installation team comes to take measurements of the space for the tiered seating orders and to estimate the positions of the sound and lighting - The head of the props committee arrives with her list, seeking out antique objects such as tables and benches, reading boards, etc.
- The impromptu seamstresses gather information on the old costumes, using photographs as evidence.
- Students in 5th grade, sent and guided by their teachers, come with old photos in hand to locate the place depicted and trace its evolution to the present day.
- Marie, a French teacher at the Gabriel Deshayes school and author of the show “The Abbey’s 1000 Years,” constantly requests a visit to the abbey, a chance to write a beautiful piece, and an opportunity to speak at a public meeting and share her experience of the sisters’ involvement in the event !
- Finally, it should be noted that making the venue available before, during, and after the show will inevitably cause some disruption to the sisters’ daily routine. And here, it is not only the welcoming spirit that will be involved. It is all the sisters of the Mother House who will contribute to an educational endeavor.
Let us be encouraged in this endeavor by the CORREF (Conference of Religious in France). In a recent brochure, it writes: “Looking back at history allows us to be enlightened by past developments, to take into account changes in context, and to recognize the strengths that enabled us to weather crises.” (Passage and Promise, CORREF Theological Commission, 2025)
Father Pierre Bielher, parish priest of Saint-Gildas-des-Sources, is no less encouraging in his January newsletter. Addressing all parishioners, he writes: “We are links in a long and rich history initiated by builder monks. Today, we are called to build a fraternal future. This year of festivities will contribute to this, for this anniversary will bring us together, unite us, and strengthen our bonds.” (The Source, Parish Newsletter. January 2026)
« An ongoing commitment to education » was the title of one of the panels in our bicentennial exhibition. The year 2026 is only just beginning. Let’s seize the opportunities it offers us, both in the spotlight and behind the scenes.