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New Fraternity

Benin
We are delighted to welcome members from a new country to the Cenacle Fraternity. Here is the story of this new group with two testimonies.

A Short History of the Cenacle Fraternity in Benin

Discovering the Cenacle

In March 2016, Narcisse and Daruce, two electrical engineers from Benin, travelled to Togo for a training course entitled ‘Training professionals in the urban planning, construction and building sectors to meet the challenges of the energy transition.’ The course was organised by the Institut Français Développement Durable (IFDD) at the École Africaine des Métiers de l’Architecture et de l’Urbanisme, based in Lomé, Togo.

Based on the ecological transition, this training course included a field visit to a model ecological building. The supervisors chose the Cenacle in Vogan.

During this visit, the two friends discovered the Cenacle and spoke with a few sisters of the retreat house.

Sharing the discovery

Back in Benin, Narcisse shared the news of his discovery of the spiritual centre with brothers and sisters with whom he used to meet to pray Lectio Divina on Saturdays.

William joined Narcisse for a first retreat experience at the Vogan Cenacle from 23 to 29 August 2016. The experience was very enriching and comforting for the two retreatants, each going through a trial of desolation. Strengthened by the consolation they received, they undertook to make the Cenacle their spiritual home. Back in Cotonou, the two shared their experiences with the Lectio Divina prayer community. So it was that Naéssé joined the duo for the following retreats. This was the beginning of a series of spiritual retreats for three, or at least two. Each, in turn, engaged his family (wife and children) for retreats at certain times of the year, notably the ‘Passage to the New Year’ retreats.

From formation in spiritual accompaniment (FAS 2) to the birth of the Benin Fraternity

In 2018, the three companions (Narcisse, William and Naéssé) received information about a Spiritual Accompaniment training course to which they committed themselves over a two-year period. Among other things, this was a time to deepen their understanding of the mystery and spirituality of the Cenacle. In the course of the retreat at the end of the first year in August 2019, during a time of reflection together, the three companions each shared the inspiration they received to become part of the same community. They discussed this with their spiritual guides. A few months later, they learned from the sisters of the existence of a community of lay people called the Fraternité Notre-Dame du Cénacle. After discernment, in January 2020, they asked the sisters to join the Fraternité Notre-Dame du Cénacle. They received the Book of Life of the Fraternity and then began to live the Fraternity experience by meeting together as families as well as through retreats and spiritual weekends at the Cenacle. The community’s time of discernment led to the birth of the Fraternité Notre-Dame du Cénacle in Benin on 25 July 2021.

The Fraternity begins to expand

A few months later, Michèle, who had just completed the Formation à l’Accompagnement Spirituel (FAS 3), and then Daruce, who had discovered the Cenacle in 2016, and Ilna, his wife, all learned of the existence of the Fraternity and the shared experience it offered, and expressed their desire to join the community. In this way, each of them began their spiritual experience as part of the wider Cenacle family through the activities of the Fraternity and retreats at the Cenacle.

Important meetings and visits

The Fraternity is now associated with significant events in the life of the community. In addition to retreats and meetings, the Fraternity has been invited during visits by Provincial and General leaders.

The Fraternity was represented at the following meetings:

– The visit of Sister Véronique FABRE, then Provincial of Europe-Togo, on Sunday 20 March 2022,

– The visit of Sister Véronique FABRE, Superior General with her Council on 28 January 2024,

– The visit of Sister Kate STOGDON and Sister Alphonsine BE, respectively Provincial of Europe-Togo and Provincial of Madagascar, on 27 April 2024.

Commitment of the members

This process culminated in the members making their commitments on the Feast of Pentecost, 19 May 2024, at the Vogan Cenacle. They are: William, Naéssé, Nadège, Noémie, Berlice, Ilna, Daruce, Michèle and Narcisse.

Thanks be to the Lord for all his blessings.

Testimonies

Michèle
Ilna
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A month with the Toulouse community

Sr. Marie Claudine

It was the three dimensions of our mission lived out with my sisters that really stood out for me. And I really enjoyed the experience.

At each community prayer, those who couldn’t be present because of their ministry commitments or other reasons were not forgotten. I felt a real communion of hearts in our prayer.

I also enjoyed times of prayer with the young “Céna club”, as well as the shared prayer every Wednesday.

I enjoyed visits such as the Basilica of Saint-Sernin and Lourdes.

At each community prayer, those who couldn’t be present because of their ministry commitments or other reasons were not forgotten. I felt a real communion of hearts in our prayer.

I also enjoyed times of prayer with the young “Céna club”, as well as the shared prayer every Wednesday.

I felt that the community is truly a place of shared joy, mutual appreciation, flexibility and availability, relaxation (sometimes with the young professionals) and community atmosphere. Of course, it’s also a place where we share a fraternal meal.

I didn’t come to this community by chance; it’s God’s grace. The community’s help with all the formalities involved in validating my visa and the files for my studies touched me enormously.

During this time, I was able to do some gardening in the community’s garden and also go to a Cenacle friend’s house in the countryside at Saint Frajou. There was a great atmosphere as we gardened together. Everyone was very happy to be gardening. What an enjoyable atmosphere! I also got to take part in cooking.

I also went to “La Casela”, a fraternal space for all women with or without children under 3 years old, where we met people from different countries. It’s a place of conviviality, mutual support, listening, meeting and sharing. It really was like family life.

This place was very interesting for me because there was French language learning and a cooking and pastry workshop.

During this experience, I experienced joy, openness and sharing. I also felt mutual understanding, self-confidence and a willingness to initiate something I don’t yet know. All of which gave me a deep sense of flexibility and availability. Despite my poor French, I was able to live this experience freely and benefited greatly from it.

The next part of my experience was in Lyon where I visited the archives in this historic building. The different visits gave me more knowledge about the history of the congregation. I was given a lot of hope and was confirmed in my vocation.

What really touched me was the moment when I saw the body of Mother Thérèse Couderc in Lalouvesc. I also saw the relics of François Régis and Father Terme.

In fact, everything I experienced helped me grow in Christ and increased my love for the Congregation. I can say that now I understand better the meaning of the passage from internationality to interculturality.

Revisiting the first part of my experience (Rome)

Sr. Alidah
“God is Good, more than good, he is Goodness”

It’s a joy for me to share the experience I had in Rome. To start with, I’ll explain the symbol I received at the end of our time together. At the opening of our experience, the sisters accompanying us asked us to look for a symbol, and I chose a STONE. I see in this symbol endurance, both for the spiritual life and for human life. That’s why I used the same “stone” symbol again at the end of the experience. Because during the experience, my faith became stronger, my vocation to this congregation more confirmed.

I then put the GOSPEL under my “stone” symbol, because the Gospel has accompanied me throughout my experience. In today’s Gospel, for example, I heard Jesus ask Bartimaeus: “What do you want me to do for you?”.

I also placed around the Gospel and my stone the NAMES of all the people who accompanied me, as well as the BOOKS we used during the experience in Rome.

As the sisters who accompanied us gave some guidelines for the final sharing, I was particularly struck by a proposal to give God a NAME: who is He for me? So I named God: GENEROUS GOD. For God has given me everything, He has done great things for me. We visited a lot of places, and when we went to Circus Massimus and Coliseum, I was very touched by the last prayers of the Christian martyrs before the lions devoured them. The blood of the martyrs really did flow everywhere in ancient Rome. The story of the martyrs has made me grow spiritually and humanly.

In brief, for me, all the places we visited are places of martyrdom. I understood Christ’s words: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mt 16:24). This is also what Mother Thérèse Couderc says clearly in “Self-Surrender”: “you must take care… not to shrink from any of the little sacrifices which can help you advance in virtue”. The Cross is a path to HOLINESS.

Many thanks to the Generalate community, for giving us Susay , Hanitra, Helena, who accompanied us to the end, and Beth who joined us along the way. In a word: Thank you very much!

GENEROUS GOD

Lord my God, I thank you with all my heart

Your love is all over the earth

You are always with me

My heart is filled with joy

You never abandon me even when I have sinned

Lord my God! Thank you for all your wonders

I can’t say in detail

Every day you are GENEROUS with your love

You give me everything without return

and so I say to You

Lord I entrust myself to You

Teach me your way to better respond to your call

I believe you don’t leave me alone

You are there! My life is beautiful

I praise you with all my heart

You make me proud

My Lord! I ask you just one thing

A question comes from you

What do you want me to do for you, sister?

And I say to You with an open heart

Give me a heart that can love

For, You are a GENEROUS GOD!!!!

“The Mighty One has done great things for me”

Sr. Rufine

The international experience has opened my heart and mind to experiencing diversity and interculturality. This experience has been a gift from God to me, so that I can deeply taste cultural richness. I was in Rome for 11 days, and the time flew by. I lived this experience with freedom and discovered that Rome is rich in Christian history, such as that of Peter and Paul, the martyrs, Saint Ignatius, as well as the various Roman monuments.

When I entered St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, I saw many altars and on each altar was being celebrated Mass. It reminded me of St. Thérèse Couderc’s “Self-Surrender”: she heard the sound of the bell and saw several altars where the blood of the lamb was flowing down each altar. I also took part in the mass in the chapel, where the throne of Saint Peter was clearly visible. I experienced this with great inner joy and deep faith. All this leads me to praise God.

At Tre Fontane, where Saint Paul was martyred, his head bounced off the ground three times. This Saint suffered greatly but was not afraid, he was ready to die for his faith. I was very touched by Saint Paul’s spirit, and it made me think that there is suffering to be endured in life, and after suffering comes true life. The martyrdom of Saint Paul helped me to cling to Christ and strengthened my faith.

As for Saint Ignatius of Loyola, I visited his room, the place where he wrote the Spiritual Exercises. What really touched me was that his room is very narrow, simple, which means that when I saw it, I said to myself that it’s a sign of his sincerity of life and his total detachment from earthly possessions. For all these discoveries, I never cease to give thanks to God, who has shown me His greatness.

In Versailles, I lived with the community for a month. This is a gift from God. What touched me was that there are many types of spiritual animation in this retreat house. I’m very happy because the community has allowed me to attend a few activities such as “Taste and Share the Word of God”, “Spiritual Matinees”, “Spiritual Weekends” and “Lectio Divina”. In all this, I’ve opened my heart, soul and mind to welcome some fruit.

The community organization that gives space to common prayer has anchored my heart in Christ; the deep sharing with faith and trust of each one during shared prayer all Sunday has allowed me to live the experience of the community of disciples with Jesus. I also took part in everyday life. In Versailles, I received many gifts that help me to live my vocation.

In Lyon, the historic home of our Congregation, I received a great deal of grace. What touched me the most was Saint Thérèse Couderc’s room, which made me understand her humility, her silence, her ” self-surrender “, her simplicity. In her room I saw the objects she used: needle, scissors, linen, a piece of paper with words from God… I’m convinced that it’s in everyday life that we find the true life, the true happiness that gives eternal life.

In Lalouvesc, when I entered the Basilica of Saint Régis, I felt that Mother Thérèse’s body welcomed everyone who came to this basilica. I was touched when I saw the goodness on Saint Thérèse Couderc’s face, her infinite love, her simplicity, her heart as big as the world…

I confirmed the offering of myself with Mother Thérèse at Notre Dame D’Ay.

It was also a gift that I was able to visit Mother Thérèse’s birthplace at Le Mas. I was able to stay there for a few days. It’s a miracle to me that this house is still there. I was able to imagine the qualities of Mother Thérèse’s family: friendly, Christian and supportive.

I thank God for having called and chosen me. I’m also grateful to the whole Congregation for allowing me to live this experience.

During this time of spiritual renewal, I have received many wonders that have marked my life.

My intercultural experience

Sr. Lucie

The first thing that struck me was the warm welcome from the sisters, with all the gestures of love expressed everywhere, even with the preparation of the bedroom. It gave me great joy.

This experience made me feel that I am precious in God’s eyes and that I must always be happy for the grace he gives me every day.

In Rome, my visit to the tombs of the martyrs touched me. I was especially struck by the story of Peter. I felt that Peter was a simple person who didn’t have much intellectual knowledge, but he became a Saint. I’m convinced that I don’t have to wait to become a great expert to be able to do my mission. It’s my ability to use what God gives me that’s most important.

In France, the most memorable moments for me were our days in Lalouvesc, where I saw Mother Thérèse’s body first-hand in the basilica of Saint Jean François Régis. I was also very happy to discover the former place of the shrine in our source house. The many memories left by Mother Thérèse and Father Terme, François Régis are precious to me. The spiritual objects made me understand their way of helping others and their good spirit in loving everyone.

I was touched by the link between St. François Régis and Mother Thérèse. I found good souvenirs of Mother Thérèse in the Museum of Saint François Régis.

In the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome

I have many insights into the life of Mother Thérèse, but I simply want to say that my contact with her rekindles in me the desire to live more fully the simplicity of our foundress and her love of prayer. May this help me to love each of my sisters, whatever their limitations, and to love all people, especially those I meet in the mission entrusted to me by the Congregation.

Ilna

I discovered the Cenacle in January 2023 at Noémie’s invitation.

Indeed, it was a period when I was very depressed and had no taste for parties or anything. So, at my dear husband’s insistence, we went. God is simply wonderful. He gave me back strength, hope and a taste for fraternal life thanks to Sister Lydia’s guidance.

On occasion, my husband and I had discovered the Cenacle Fraternity and we integrated it with joy. This joy never ceases to grow and, above all, with our commitment.

Thanks be to Almighty God.

May it fill the lives of the Cenacle sisters.

Michèle

I met sisters Laurence and Simone in Zinvié (Benin) at the Clarisse sisters house, where I had come for a 3-day retreat in February 2019.

During Sunday mass, the priest publicly thanked them for the work they had done in accompanying the community’s novices. On the way out, I hurried to catch up with them to find out more about accompaniment, and so I received the Vogan Cenacle leaflets.

A few months later I scheduled my 1st retreat at the Cenacle and I loved the accompaniment. Every year, I come to the Cenacle for various retreats and I come away ever more invigorated by the Ignatian spirituality.

I discovered the FAS training program (Formation to spiritual direction) and signed up for it, while following the Theological and Pastoral Initiation program in Cotonou (EITP). There I met Narcisse, who had already been there a year earlier. During an 8-day retreat in Vogan, I bumped into Narcisse again and the idea of doing something in Cotonou began to grow on me. I called Narcisse and told him about my idea. He then informed me that the idea was already underway with friends who had already made the journey and who wanted to see the fruits of that journey continue. And so began a series of meetings, often in Vogan or at the EITP, and afterwards with members of the nascent Fraternity. I was amazed to discover people who shared the same values of sharing, and I decided to commit myself even more to living the values of the Cenacle. This commitment came to fruition at Pentecost 2024. Thank you Lord for your wonders.

Act of Oblation

Lord Jesus, I unite myself to your perpetual, unceasing, universal sacrifice. I offer myself to you every day of my life and every moment of every day according to your most holy and adorable will.

You have been the victim of my salvation; I wish to be the victim of your love.

Accept my desire, take my offering, graciously hear my prayer. Let me live for love of you; let me die for love of you, let my last heartbeat be an act of perfect love.

Amen.

Goodness

I had, a few days ago, an insight which consoled me very much.

It was during my thanksgiving, when I was making a few reflections upon the goodness of God, and how should one not think of this at such a time, of that infinite goodness, uncreated goodness, the source of all goodness! And without this there would be no goodness whatsoever, whether in man or in other creatures. I was extremely touched by these reflections when I saw written as in letters of gold this word Goodness which I repeated for a long time with an indescribable sweetness. I beheld it, I say, written upon all creatures, animate and inanimate, rational or not, all bore this name of goodness, I saw it even upon the chair that served as a prie-dieu. I understood then that all that these creatures have of good and all the services and assistance that we receive from each of them is a benefit which we owe to the goodness of our God who has communicated to them something of His infinite goodness so that we may meet it in everything and everywhere.

Yet all that I am here describing is nothing; if I could but tell you something of what I experienced in that moment, what a joy it would be, but it is impossible to describe it, that which is Divine cannot be described. Only I am no longer surprised that the saints were enraptured at the sight of the goodness of which so many souls know so little; this impression stayed with me for several days during which I could find no pleasure in anything save only in what I had seen and experienced

Letter from Mother Thérèse Couderc to Mother de Larochenégly, Superior General, August 10, 1866 (extract)

Self-Surender

Sunday, June 26 [1864]
“Our Lord has often made me understand how helpful it is for a soul desirous of making progress in the spiritual life to surrender herself – to give herself – unreservedly to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. But this morning it pleased his divine goodness to give me a very special perception of it. l was preparing to begin my meditation, when l heard the pealing of the church bells summoning the faithful to assist at the divine mysteries. At that moment the desire came over me to unite myself with all the Masses that were being said, and to that end l directed my intention so that l might participate in them. Thereupon there came to me a general view of the whole Catholic world and of a vast number of altars upon which at one and the same time the adorable Victim was being immolated. The blood of the Lamb without stain was flowing in abundance over every one of these altars, which seemed to be surrounded by a light cloud of smoke ascending towards heaven. My soul was seized and penetrated with a feeling of love and gratitude on beholding this most abundant satisfaction that Our Lord was offering for us. But l was also greatly astonished that the whole world was not sanctified by it. l asked how it was when the Sacrifice of the Cross offered only once was sufficient to redeem all souls, that now being renewed so many times, it did not avail to sanctify them all. This is the answer I thought I heard: “The sacrifice is undoubtedly sufficient by itself and the blood of Jesus more than sufficient for the sanctification of a thousand worlds, but souls do not correspond; they are not generous enough.” Now the great means whereby one may enter the way of perfection and sanctity is to surrender oneself to our good God.

But what does it mean to surrender oneself? I understand the full extent of the meaning of the word, self-surrender; but l cannot explain it.
I only know it is very vast; that it embraces both the present and the future.

To surrender oneself is something more than to devote oneself, more than to give oneself ; it is even something more than to abandon oneself to God.
To surrender oneself is to die to everything and to self, to be no longer concerned with self except to keep it continually turned towards God.
Self-surrender is no longer to seek self-satisfaction in anything but solely God’s good pleasure.

It should be added that self-surrender is to follow that complete spirit of detachment which holds to nothing; neither to persons nor to things, neither to time nor place. lt means to accept everything, to submit to everything.
But perhaps you will think this is a very difficult thing. Do not let yourself be deceived; there is nothing so easy to do, nothing so sweet to put into practice. The whole thing consists in making a generous act at the very beginning, by saying with all sincerity: “My God, I wish to be entirely thine; deign to accept my offering” – that is all. But you must be careful to keep yourself in this attitude of soul, and do not shrink from any of the little sacrifices which can help you advance in virtue; you must always remember you have surrendered yourself.

I pray our Lord to give an understanding of this word to all souls eager to please him, and to inspire them to take advantage of so easy a means of sanctification. Oh! If beforehand they did but understand the sweetness and peace experienced by those who hold nothing back from the good God. How closely he unites himself to the soul that seeks him sincerely in total self-surrender! Once you have tried this you will see that therein lies the true happiness you are vainly seeking elsewhere.

The self-surrendered soul has found heaven on earth since she enjoys that sweet peace which is part of the happiness of the elect.”