This was a painful period for both sides.

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2 OLC This was a painful period for both sides. OLC OLC OLC The Sisters of Our Lady of Charity remained firmly opposed to the generalate, considering it to be a betrayal of the founding intuition of St. John Eudes for autonomous houses. GS St. Mary Euphrasia also found it a great trial as she never desired to separate from OLC. She had a great love for SJE and cherished his charism and spirituality.

3 It was particularly painful that she was not allowed to keep in contact with Sr.Victoire Hovette who had been her assistant novice mistress and companion at Tours.

4 The Eudists, who were only a small group at the time, joined forces with OLC to oppose the generalate. However, in 1865, Fr. Dore went to visit St. Mary Euphrasia and received a very warm welcome from her. From that time on relations with the Eudists were marked by friendship and mutual regard as

5 they recognized that the Good Shepherds were completely faithful to the primitive vocation and the intentions of the founder. Front Back RGS OLC RGS OLC

6 In May of 1916 the Superior of the convent at Caen, Mother St. Ambrose, and her companion, Sr. M. of St. Francis Xavier, were visiting houses of the Refuge when they had to pass through Angers and decided to pay an unannounced visit to the Motherhouse of the Good Shepherd.. they arrived at 7 AM. Mother Domitilla, Superior General, warmly welcomed them, showed them around the large property at Angers and gathered the community to greet them.

7 OLC: This visit, destined to cement the union of the Refuge and the Good Shepherd, did accomplish what was needed, that is, to become full of deference, religious spirit and frank cordiality toward one another.

8 RGS: Our holy founders must have felt our hearts aflutter... We are certain that the good news of this coming together of our two religious families will find an echo throughout the Good Shepherd world. We truly feel ourselves daughters of the same Father...

9 The Mothers of Caen knelt close to the tomb of our venerable Mother who has always held so sincere and deep an affection for her dear Refuge.

10 Down Through the Years Sadly, the mutual experience of joy and sisterly affection felt that day did not continue to develop and grow stronger and in many cases the relationship has been marked by negativity, misunderstandings and rivalry.

11 In a letter of 1998 to Sr. Liliane Tauvette, Sr. Francoise le Brisaut, Superior General of OLC, stated: For about fifteen years there has been a closer relationship between our two congregations: on our side, a greater freedom when looking at history and a more objective look at Mary Euphrasia and her work, recognizing that she is our sister ; perhaps on your side, a re-discovery of your deep Eudist roots and our common heritage.

12 This closeness is apparent through more frequent sisterly contacts in the provinces and at general level. The numerous visits of Good Shepherd sisters to Caen and the Eudist places, are high points but there are also mutual invitations for different celebrations. It is also felt in the collaboration which has been reborn over the years.

13 The letter is a request to continue and further this collaboration. Sr. Liliane s letter to the Good Shepherd Sisters: The two general councils are in agreement (about collaborating) and our visit to Caen is in the spirit of this dialogue. It is a chance to return to the sources, an opportunity to share and get to know each other better. As general council we certainly wish to collaborate as much as possible with regard to the apostolate, formation or any other way that would help us serve women and young girls better. How can we include Our Lady of Charity in our network?

14 Under Sr. Brigid and her Councils more frequent contact and further collaboration on the levels of community and apostolate continued.

15 With this background you can understand better how we have now come to the stage of making a Journey of Enrichment together. Journey of Enrichment Continues... Union of Our Lady of Charity & Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd