IN THE INTERNATIONAL DHS FAMILY 
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Birth of the Secular Branch in the EIW Province
The International Council of the Secular Branch of the DHS Family was held at the Provincial House, Northampton, from 15 – 20 May 2012. Present were the General Moderator, the Regional Moderator of Europe, and the Regional Moderator of the Americas. This is a wide geographical sweep of the world, a fact which is reflected in the current American flyer advertising the Secular Branch, which reads: “Living in the Spirit at the heart of the world,” and “Setting the world on fire.”
On Saturday 19 May, two former Associates of the EIW Province, Anne Busby and Ann Marsland, who had made the request to join the Secular Branch, were present. A service was held in the chapel of Provincial House, during which Christiane Rannou, who has responsibility for the formation of the members of the Secular Branch in France, and from now on in the Province of EIW, assisted by a Province resource group. She presented them with the statutes of the Secular Branch, as they begin the “Integration” stage of their formation, leading up to their initial commitment. Christiane welcomed the two candidates in the name of the Consecrated Seculars in France, as an immense grace and a source of great joy. “The statutes are for us,” she said, “a guiding light calling us every day to offer our whole life to God, following Jesus Christ in the footsteps of Marie Balavenne. The statutes situate us in the church and in the world. Let us praise God for the love that burned in the heart of Marie Balavenne.” The ceremony was followed by a celebratory gathering for the two candidates accompanied by the members of the International Council and by the Provincial House community. It was also a special moment for the EIW Province as we can now look forward to the presence of all three branches of the DHS Family in the Province.
When asked to speak of their experience of the day, here are a few of their thoughts. “One highlight was during our session with Christiane, when we discussed life in Brittany comparing it with life in Wales. Both have Celtic backgrounds. We are both English, and feel that God led us to retire to Wales to experience a different way of living. Neither of us can speak French, but as we spent time with Christiane, this ceased to be a problem. To us this was the work of the Holy Spirit. We both feel Jesus’ constant presence walking with us as we journey, and we feel an inner excitement and anticipation for the future.” The words of Joyce Rupp taken from the prayer service can help us all: “For all of us in transition, who have bridges to cross, bless us, God of the journey, gift us with the desire to go ahead.”
We are very appreciative of the work which the two candidates have done and continue to do for the group of Associates in their native Aberaeron, Wales, and we assure them of our prayers and support on their journey to the Secular Branch.
Josephine Egan DHS – EIW Province.
