THANK YOU to Anne Clavaud (headmistress), Christophe Da Silva (coordinator) and their team for their extraordinary work in preparing for this festive day. It was in Sancey, during the autumn session of the school network, that this day took shape. Thank you, Holy Spirit and Saint Jeanne Antide, for inspiring this happy initiative in our hearts! Every year, the feast of Saint Jeanne Antide is celebrated in most of the schools in the network. Imagination, creativity and ingenuity are redoubled and multiplied over the years. We, the sisters who accompany these schools, are privileged witnesses and full of gratitude.

On Friday morning, 23 May, the community of Nice and Sr Pascale travelled to Draguignan with emotion and great joy. We knew we had been eagerly awaited for so long!

Upon our arrival, we were amazed. We were welcomed in the magnificent historic part of the building.

As is often the case when a few sisters are present, the morning is dedicated to meeting the pupils, young and old, in their respective classrooms. Although there is a certain apprehension due to the generational and contextual differences, the simplicity and natural candour of the children definitely put our less comfortable sisters at ease.

“Why do we say that Jeanne Antide is a saint? Why does she love the poor so much? Why are you sisters? … Why, why… The children never stop asking questions, and the exchanges could go on for hours. The morning ends with a time of celebration bringing together primary and secondary school pupils in the sun-drenched courtyard. It is a time of prayer, joyful and contemplative, animated by the enthusiasm of these young pupils and their teachers. In the afternoon, workshops where the older children accompany and support the younger ones provide an opportunity to put into practice the life and various missionary aspects of Jeanne Antide.

Treating my injured friend, writing a message that makes someone feel better and lifts up the most fragile, choosing what seems essential or futile to me, reflecting on the life of Jeanne Antide revisited through her key phrases…

A Year 6 pupil, after spending the afternoon with a nursery school child, said to us with relief: ‘This afternoon has made me realise that I’m not ready to be a father yet!’ Thank God! It was a day rich in meaning and fraternity that will remain etched in the memories of the pupils and adults of the institution. It reminds us, Sisters of Charity, how important our presence and witness are in this privileged world of youth and education.

Let us listen to a few lines from the message of Anne Clavaux, headmistress of the 1st grade

“Saint Jeanne Antide is an inspiring figure who embodies the values of compassion, solidarity and commitment to others. Her exemplary journey, marked by unwavering dedication to the most disadvantaged, reminds us of the importance of acting with kindness in our daily lives. By celebrating her feast day, we have the opportunity to remind our students of the importance of these values in our daily lives. It is a good time to encourage everyone to reflect on how we can contribute positively to our community and support those in need. By integrating these reflections into our school practice, we develop a culture of mutual support and respect.‘

’This celebration has allowed us to strengthen our sense of belonging to our institution and to the network, and to consolidate the bonds between students, teachers and families. It has helped us cultivate a spirit of camaraderie and sharing, which is essential to our school environment and so valuable in our educational community.

Thank you, dear Sisters. Your commitment is a source of inspiration for us all. Thanks to your presence, we were able to celebrate together the virtues of charity and solidarity that are so dear to our hearts. We can’t wait to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the beatification of Saint Jeanne-Antide, founder of the Sisters of Charity, on 23 May 2026.”

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