The sun broke through the clouds and in our hearts and on our lips along the corridors of the Notre-Dame de Plestin-les-Grèves nursing home in France, the good news was shared: today, 2 July, we are celebrating the 100th birthday of Marguerite GUENOLE -Sister Xavier des Anges, her name of profession.
Introduction to the successive phases of the celebration
At the opening. Here we are gathered around our sister, with her community, her family, her friends, in joyful thanksgiving to the Lord for all that He has given her to experience in these 100 years filled with joy, wisdom and love, light and memories, but also sometimes suffering. Yes, with you, Marguerite, ‘Let us keep the memory of the Lord alive, let us keep the memory of His wonders in our hearts.’ And we sang this opening hymn with enthusiasm.
Preceding the Gospel texts. “The Word of God guided Margaret throughout her life. She kept these words from the Book of Genesis, Chapter 12, close to her heart: ‘Yahweh said to Abram: Leave your country, your family and your father’s house for the land that I will show you… I will bless you and you will be a source of blessing. So Abram left as Yahweh had commanded him.”
In prayer of thanksgiving. We unite our hearts and our prayers to give thanks to the Lord for the long life of our sister Marguerite: ‘Magnificat, Magnificat, anima mea Dominus.’
To conclude, Sister Suzanne presented Marguerite with a magnificent necklace made from 100 leaves collected in autumn at the foot of the Ginkgo Biloba tree in our park, and Sister Yvonne read her a beautiful poem she had written to celebrate her long and wonderful life.
Afterwards, we all gathered in the dining room to enjoy a slice of homemade birthday cake.
The final word could only be ‘Deo Gratias’ for this beautiful day of sisterhood!
By Gwenaëlle LEROY, coordinator of the community of senior sisters
EHPAD Notre-Dame in Plestin-les-Grèves. Published on 25 July 2025
