With Jeanne Antide, the adventure continues…!
From 26 to 30 May 2026, young people will gather in Sancey for a week of events organised to mark the bicentenary of Jeanne Antide’s death.
On 24 August 2025, Sr Marie Rosa, Superior General, opened the year dedicated to the bicentenary of the birth into Heaven of Saint Jeanne Antide, saying: “May this be a time when we all feel united, sisters and lay people alike, called to deepen and make known the witness of faith of Saint Jeanne-Antide Thouret, described by Pius XI as: ‘Tireless Servant of Charity’.
The legacy of Saint Jeanne-Antide—our foundress—remains fully alive throughout the world, sustained by the dedication and prayers of our sisters within communities, schools, parishes and amongst the most vulnerable. It was within this dynamic of the Bicentenary in Sancey that the ‘Lay People and Sisters’ organising team was formed. It now offers workshops that are fun, creative and spiritual, designed to welcome young people from all schools under the care of the Sisters of Charity, as well as young people from the parish of St Jeanne Antide – Valdahon plateau.
The aim of this time in Sancey: to discover Jeanne-Antide’s charism through her life and legacy.
Each morning begins with a welcome session, followed by a film about Jeanne-Antide’s life and the song “With the boldness of love”. We then continue the day with various workshops:
The Lamp of Charity: making a small lantern, but also realising that we can be a light for others, just as Jeanne-Antide was when she visited the sick.
– Calligraphy workshop: Writing requires coordination. Several of us guide the pencil or discover a few words that were important to Jeanne-Antide
– Testimony workshop: testimonies from the sisters who have followed in Jeanne Antide’s footsteps
– Kitchen of the Heart workshop: preparing small packets of biscuits to give to the poor in partnership with the Jeanne Antide Shop in Besançon.
– Puzzle workshop: piecing together the icon of Jeanne Antide’s Bicentenary and discussing the resulting image.
– Flash mob: to change the pace and inject some energy.
– Drama workshop: putting on a short play based on the mission cards.
– Banner of Fraternity: everyone will leave their mark (handprints, words, etc.)
– World Discovery Workshops: exploring the global reach of the Sisters of Charity.
– Treasure hunt: to find three fundamental keys in the life and work of Jeanne-Antide Thouret.
– Escape game in the basilica: find the congregation’s seal, which was hidden during the Revolution
– Option of a walk towards the caves
And to conclude the day, or half-day, a time of thanksgiving and praise in the basilica.
So, the sun was shining, ready and waiting on Tuesday 26 May 2026 to welcome us – 60 young people from Morteau. Full of joy and hope, we enjoyed a wonderful day. This is just the beginning; we are fired up for the days ahead.
Enriched by all the discoveries and exchanges, everyone left taking with them what is essential for them to follow in the footsteps of Jeanne-Antide, as witnesses of hope and servants of Charity.
Sr Son
