The diocese of Besançon, birthplace of Mother Thouret, has issued a press release with the dates and events that will take place in Sancey on 29, 30 and 31 May 2026!

“You are all invited to celebrate the bicentenary of the death of Saint Jeanne-Antide, in the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio, the Sister of Charity who still follow in her footsteps today and all the friends of the congregation”.

Here is the detailed programme of all the highlights to experience this year, starting in January 2026.

Thursday 28 and Friday 29 May in Sancey:

Sale of homemade cakes and spring rolls.

Friday 29 May, 8pm:

Theatrical performance by the pupils of the Ste-Jeanne-Antide secondary school.

‘I am a daughter of the Church, be one with me’

Saturday 30 May:

11 a.m., Patronage > Tribute by the municipality: Jeanne-Antide, honorary citizen of the commune, with the municipality presenting Jeanne-Antide’s baptism certificate to the Superior General and Provincial of the European Province of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity

Discovery Day > for children from the catechism class of the parish of Ste-Jeanne-Antide – Plateaux de Valdahon.

8 p.m., Saint-Martin Church > Concert by the vocal ensemble Contraste: ‘Admirable Jeanne-Antide’

Sunday 31 May 2026:

10.30 a.m., in front of the basilica > Pontifical Mass in the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio, Monsignor Celestino Migliore, the Pope’s representative in France, and Monsignor Jean-Luc Bouilleret, Archbishop of Besançon

Aperitif offered by the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity

Lunch > Meal under a marquee, fast food (food truck) and picnic area

3 p.m., from Saint-Martin Church to the Basilica > Procession of the relics of Saint Jeanne-Antide

4 p.m., Basilica > Solemn Vespers