As Maison Rose Virginie in Roubaix, France, approaches its twentieth anniversary, it continues to accompany women and children facing violence, poverty and family instability. It offers residents a supportive community where sisters, professionals and volunteers help them overcome isolation, rebuild trust and regain confidence in their future. Through interviews conducted by Élodie Comoy, this article explores the relationships and everyday acts of presence that sustain this mission of welcome, dignity and hope.

A Mission Born from a Call from the Local Church

The community in Roubaix was established in 2007 at the request of Archbishop Gérard Defois, then Archbishop of Lille. Following the restoration of the house, its mission, beginning in 2009, was to welcome women with children who were living in unsafe circumstances or experiencing domestic violence.

Since then, the sisters have continued this mission of hospitality and accompaniment among people made vulnerable by life’s hardships. They have chosen to live alongside the families they welcome, maintaining a certain closeness that lies at the heart of the Good Shepherd project.

«Our mission and spirit draw renewed strength from Sacred Scripture and from the teachings of St. John Eudes and St. Mary Euphrasia. » Constitution No. 8

A Discreet but Essential Presence

For the sisters, the mission is not limited to the day-to-day chores of life. Instead, it rests on an attentive and caring presence with the women and children who have found their home there.

As the days go by, the sisters share their daily lives, listen to their concerns, support them during difficult moments, and make themselves available when unexpected needs arise. Their role often consists of offering what people in vulnerable situations lack most: time, a listening ear, and a reassuring presence.

«We adapt our presence each day: handling emergencies, responding to unexpected needs, or simply being present,” explains Sister Ernestine. “More than individual gestures, we share a simple and genuine bond with each person: taking time to listen, laughing together, offering a freely given presence that brings comfort, and building trust that grows naturally. »

Vie communautaire

The important moments in the sisters’ community life include common prayer, participation in the Eucharist, retreats, and regular meetings with their spiritual accompanier, Father Raphaël Buyse. “This encourages fraternity and dialogue. »

Relationships with the community and participation in important events in the families’ lives—birthdays, celebrations, Christmas, and other occasions—also help strengthen the bonds among everyone.

This closeness enables many women to gradually regain their self-esteem. Many arrive with a deep need for emotional and psychological support. Through respectful listening and a peaceful environment, they slowly regain confidence in their abilities, become active participants in their own journey, and rebuild their plans for the future.

A Relationship of Trust

One of the distinctive features of Maison Rose Virginie is communal living. For some mothers, this prospect initially causes apprehension.

«My caseworker had described Maison Rose Virginie as a place where there were many rules to follow,” one of them explains. “In reality, what mattered most to me was that my son had a roof over his head. »

Others feared that religious differences might become an obstacle. “I had been told that it was a Catholic house. We are Muslims, and I was afraid that we would not get along or that we would be required to go to church. In the end, everyone is very respectful. »

Sharing common spaces sometimes requires adjustment. Cooking alongside several other people, waiting for one’s turn to use certain facilities, or adapting to everyone’s habits is not always easy. Nevertheless, the women recognize that communal living encourages encounters and helps break isolation.

«There is a great deal that is positive about communal living,” one mother says. “It allows us to form relationships that we might never have had otherwise. »

In the testimonies gathered, the sisters’ presence comes up repeatedly as a central part of the women’s experience at Maison Rose Virginie.

«I like talking with them. We can speak about anything. They listen to us, and they are there for us. We do not feel alone.” Another resident adds: “They are wonderful—true gems, remarkable people. They help us and give us a place to stay. »

All the women emphasize the sisters’ availability and lack of judgment. This quality of listening creates a climate of trust that is particularly precious for people who may have experienced broken relationships or situations of profound vulnerability.

The children themselves also develop very strong bonds with the sisters. “They adore them,” one mother says. “They are a little like grandmothers to them. It is reassuring. »

Volunteers: A Precious Presence

The mission of Maison Rose Virginie could not be carried out in the same way without the faithful commitment of volunteers.

Bénédicte and Marie-Andrée first speak about the welcome they receive when they walk through the door of the house. “The first thing that touches us is the sisters’ smiles and their joy. We feel welcomed, and it makes us want to come back. »

Through outings, time spent with residents, activities with the children, or occasional support for families, the volunteers provide practical and warm assistance. Their contribution may seem modest, but it plays an important role in the residents’ daily lives.

As Raphaël Buyse said during a meeting with the team, “Even the smallest thing is already something. »

This sentence sums up the spirit of volunteering at Maison Rose Virginie: simply being there, without claiming to solve every problem, but doing one’s part.

Celebrations and Moments Together

The volunteers also take part in the festive moments that shape life at the house: birthdays, Christmas celebrations, outings to the park or the movies, and other shared occasions. Some give toys to the children or gifts to the mothers. Others accompany families during a move when permanent housing is finally found.

For the mothers, their presence is precious. “We would like to see the volunteers more often,” one woman says. “They are wonderful.” Another adds: “They are like grandfathers and grandmothers to our children. »

A Work of Hope

Through this mission, the sisters, professionals, and volunteers of Maison Rose Virginie give concrete expression to the values of justice, solidarity, and respect for human dignity inherited from the founders of the Congregation.

In a context in which access to housing remains difficult, and family situations are often complex, Maison Rose Virginie continues to be a place of hope. Day after day, it enables women and their children to regain a safe environment, rebuild their confidence, and prepare for a better future.

Beyond accommodation, a genuine experience of fraternity is also created—one shaped by listening, respect, patience, and trust, in which everyone contributes so that the people welcomed can get back on their feet and move forward once again.

«What gives us hope today is seeing the residents rebuild their lives and make a new beginning toward a better future,” says Sister Colette.

This article was originally published in Le Mag, the monthly magazine for the Province of Europe-BFMN (accessible ici)