30 September 2026

On 25 and 26 September 2026, the FMM Sisters of the North-West Europe Region joyfully experienced the visit of Pope Leo XIV to Paris and Saint-Denis.

Sisters from Paris, Clichy-sous-Bois and La Madeleine attended Vespers at Notre-Dame Cathedral. That evening, Sister Nancy, a chaplain at Lille Catholic University, accompanied young people to the vigil at the Stade de France, where Sisters Andréa and Caroline were also present. They were all deeply moved by the beauty of the evening and its atmosphere of prayer and contemplation.

On Saturday, many Sisters from the communities of Paris, La Madeleine, Oullins and Clichy-sous-Bois took part in the large Mass celebrated at Place de la Concorde and on the Champs-Élysées. Sister Cleeve, from La Madeleine, accompanied young people from the Lille-Hellemmes chaplaincy; Sister Bénédicte represented the Oullins community; and Sister Fanny accompanied young people involved in the pastoral ministry of the OFM Franciscans.

Some of the Sisters helped with the distribution of Holy Communion, while Sister Marie-Claire volunteered with the welcome team at the Étoile. Sister Ana, meanwhile, led pastoral activities for children from the parish of Notre-Dame-des-Foyers.

These days were experienced as a true blessing and an encouragement to continue our mission, to pray and to work for peace, while always giving particular attention to those who are most vulnerable.