A Day of Joy and Celebration

Rome (Italy). On 18 May 2025 in the Generalate in Rome, the 60th anniversary of profession of Mother Emerita of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians Institute, Sister Yvonne Reungoat, was celebrated.

The Mother Ersilia Canta Community of the Visitatory Mary Mother of the Church (RMC), to which Mother Yvonne belongs, relates the day as follows:

May 18th remains forever etched in the memory of our hearts, as from dawn to dusk we praised and thanked God for His presence in the history of the Church and in the life of every person. At dawn, the community departed for the Vatican to attend the Eucharistic Celebration marking the beginning of the Petrine Ministry of the Bishop of Rome, Leo XIV.

The day proceeded with a celebration together with Mother Yvonne Reungoat for God’s faithfulness on her 60 years as Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.

From the previous evening, the community spaces had been lovingly prepared with colors, words, and gestures of affection and gratitude – both to the Lord for His faithfulness and to Mother Yvonne for her 60 years of perseverance so generously given to the Institute. We celebrated this momentous feast at the Casa Generalizia, where both the chapel and the portico were adorned with artistic elegance by our Sisters, assisted by the Sisters of the Community Mary Help of Christians in Generalate.

Alle ore 18:00, il Vicario generale dei Salesiani di Don Bosco, don Stefano Martoglio, ha presieduto la solenne Eucaristia, con la partecipazione di più di 200 FMA della Visitatoria, di Casa generalizia e da diverse Case delle Ispettorie italiane, alcune suore del Consiglio generale precedente, la Vicaria generale, suor María del Rosario García Ribas, e altre Consigliere generali, le Novizie, la Sottosegretaria del Sinodo, suor Nathalie Becquart e suor Maria Lia Zervino, membro del Dicastero per i Vescovi, alcuni amici e benefattori.

At 6:00 PM, the Vicar General of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Father Stefano Martoglio, celebrated the solemn Eucharist. The celebration was attended by more than 200 FMA, including representatives from the Visitatoria and the Generalate House, as well as Sisters from various houses of the Italian Provinces. Also present were the current Vicar General, Sister María del Rosario García Ribas, and other general Councilors, some Sisters from previous FMA General Councils, the Novices, the Under-Secretary of the Synod Sister Natalie Becquart, and Sister Maria Lia Zervino, member of the Dicastery for Bishops, along with numerous friends and benefactors.

In his homily, the celebrant emphasized the strength that comes from remaining united to Jesus as the source of perseverance in His love. During the offertory, a group of African Sisters beautifully preceded the offering of bread and wine with a sacred dance. Following the renewal of vows, Sister Jessica Salvaña, Superior of the Visitatoria, presented Mother Yvonne with a lit lamp, accompanied by these meaningful words: “May your light always shine, from evening to morning, before the Lord and in your community, in perpetual thanksgiving.”

After the Eucharist, we shared a fraternal dinner filled with joy, featuring expressions of gratitude to Mother Yvonne and a brief artistic presentation. Through the choreographed song “Ha detto Si”  (She Said Yes), the persevering and joyful journey of the celebrant’s 60 years of religious life was beautifully expressed. The African Sisters, through their spirited rendition of the Magnificat in song and dance, manifested their joy and gratitude to the Lord for the gift of Mother Yvonne’s presence in the African mission lands.

The heartfelt words of dear Mother Yvonne encapsulated her feelings for this special day: “If I look back, I see that the Lord has chosen for me situations that I would never have imagined undertaking. I thank Him because He has always accompanied me in these responsibilities.”

Our community, representing the global face of the Institute across 27 nations spanning 5 continents, 26 Provinces, and 3 Visitatorias, joins in profound gratitude to the Lord for the gift of Mother Yvonne. From her initial “Yes – Here I am” to our collective singing of the Magnificat today, we celebrate God’s faithfulness manifested through her dedicated service.

Photos: Flickr FMA