On April 24, 2026, sisters and partners-in-mission across our global mission marked the feast day of our foundress, Saint Mary Euphrasia, in a way that reflected both our geographic span and spiritual unity. From the first light of dawn in the East to the close of day in the West, we formed an unbroken rhythm of prayer, celebration, and renewed commitment, weaving a tapestry of stories both global and personal.<\/p>\n
The East Awakens<\/strong><\/p>\n The day began in the Province of Australia and Aotearoa\/New Zealand<\/strong>, where the feast coincided with a remarkable milestone: the 60th anniversary of profession of Sr. Jan Ryan and Sr. Johanna Mathysen.<\/p>\n Their voices brimmed with gratitude as they reflected, \u201cWe feel privileged to have been invited into the lives of so many people. To have been trusted at a particular time in their life which has been difficult, or frightening, or special, or fun! The everyday mix of what life serves up for us!<\/em>\u201d Their words captured the essence of the Good Shepherd charism\u2014walking alongside others, even briefly, in the complexity of life\u2019s journey.<\/p>\n Further north in the Philippines<\/strong>, Dr. Juliet Colingey, who recently passed her medical board exam and once worked as a student-volunteer in a Good Shepherd community in Baguio shared her journey of perseverance: \u201cAs a way of paying it forward, I have committed to serve as a village doctor for three years before pursuing my specialization<\/em>.\u201d In Quezon City, Sisters Mary Patricia Perez, Myra Atian and Maria Teresa Mahinay celebrated jubilees, while children at the Heart of Mary Villa engaged actively in learning about the foundress through quizzes and programs that brought her legacy to life.<\/p>\n At Marymount Convent School in \u00e0 Singapour<\/strong>, week-long celebrations included activities such as \u201cFishing for Values<\/em>\u201d, award ceremonies, and storytelling sessions to connect students to the spirit of Saint Mary Euphrasia. \u201cKnowing our Mother Foundress and learning to live and love as she did undergird the heart of these experiences, shaping how we grow in compassion, courage and joyful service to others<\/em>,\u201d shared a staff member Ms. Geraldine Roberts. A rainbow appearing on the morning of the feast became a powerful symbol for participants\u2014an affirmation of hope and divine presence guiding our shared mission.<\/p>\n Despite ongoing political challenges, Good Shepherd communities in Myanmar <\/strong>gathered to recall the early missionary expansion of the congregation to their country in the 19e<\/sup> century. Sr. Assumpta Shwe shared the life story and missionary spirit of Mary Euphrasia with nineteen young women participating in the \u201cVenez et voyez<\/em>\u201d week, encouraging potential vocations to reflect on their own call and openness to serve.<\/p>\n Communities in Central East India and Nepal<\/strong> (CEIN) gathered around the theme \u201cCalled to Care<\/em>\u201d blending online and offline events. Stories, contests, and special meals brought children, teachers, and mission partners together. In Sri Lanka<\/strong> -the \u2018Pearl of the Indian Ocean\u2019 \u2013 the entire country connected through multilingual prayers and hymns, united by the message that \u201cour zeal must embrace the whole world.<\/em>\u00bb<\/p>\n Across Africa and the Middle East: Celebrating Spirit and Service<\/strong><\/p>\n Moving westward to Africa and the Indian Ocean, the celebrations took on distinct local expressions while maintaining a shared spiritual core. In l'\u00eele Maurice<\/strong>, Partner-in-Mission Marie-Fran\u00e7oise Audibert gave a presentation on the life of Saint Mary Euphrasia to the girls residing at Pelletier House whilst on Reunion<\/strong> sisters met virtually with others from the French-speaking region with whom they are journeying as part of the regionalization process and took a virtual \u2018journey<\/em>\u2019 to Egypt through various presentations on the houses, missions and apostolate, as well as some testimonies.<\/p>\n \u00c0 Mozambique<\/strong>, amid military conflict and insurgency, sisters and partners-in-mission focused on providing support to displaced families: \u201cWe provide food supplies and clothing donated by people of goodwill,\u201d <\/em>said Sr. Luzia Chilombo. Further vocational training for women in sewing and tailoring illustrate how the legacy of Saint Mary Euphrasia continues to respond to contemporary challenges. One women who received a sewing machine which had been donated by the First Lady spoke of how \u201cthe machines we received allow us to start our own small business and provide for our children<\/em>. \u00bb<\/p>\n \u00c0 Liban<\/strong>, amid ongoing uncertainty and hardship, Sister Giselle\u2019s annual tradition of taking a flower to Sister Isabelle\u2014a gesture that has lasted 69 years\u2014reminded everyone of enduring love, fidelity, shared vocation, and echoed Saint Mary Euphrasia\u2019s words: \u201cIn love, we share all we have and are, for all is gift.<\/em>\u00bb<\/p>\n Across the Province pour l'Afrique du Centre-Ouest<\/strong>, festivities included prayers and reunions with partners-in-mission, program participants, visiting GSIF staff, and protentional vocations. Reflecting together, one partner noted, \u201cThe day stood as a powerful reminder of the collective effort to uphold human dignity and transform lives, even in the most challenging circumstances<\/em>. \u00bb<\/p>\n Egypt<\/strong>\u2019s communities gathered for adoration and school celebrations, while in Angola<\/strong> the feast was preceded by a period of spiritual preparation and events for women to explore their vocation to the mission. In Afrique Du Sud<\/strong>, novenas, masses, and community outreach activities brought everyone together. Celebrations at the Akhanani Good Shepherd Mission included drama and dance by the children and the inauguration of a newly revamped staff room.<\/p>\n Europe and West Africa: A Chorus of Unity<\/strong><\/p>\n Europe offered both a historical anchor and a vibrant expression of international unity. In Malta<\/strong>, the feast extended over several days, combining liturgical celebration with the renewal of vows and commitments by sisters and partners-in-mission. In his homily, Auxiliary Bishop Joe Galea Curmi underscored the Good Shepherd\u2019s calling: \u201cNobody is excluded\u2026 all are called individually by name<\/em>. \u00bb<\/p>\n Meanwhile in France<\/strong>, the pulse of the congregation in Angers beat strong as over 150 sisters \u2013 including Congregational Leader Sr. Joan Marie Lopez and five Congregational Councilors \u2013 and partners from more than 60 countries filled the Maison-M\u00e8re<\/strong> with praise, poetry, and song. Parallel virtual gatherings extended this sense of unity beyond physical boundaries, connecting communities across regions \u201cand reminded us<\/em>\u201d as one sister shared, \u201cthat Saint Mary Euphrasia continues to inspire and bring together people from all over the world<\/em>. \u00bb<\/p>\n \u00c0 Burkina Faso<\/strong>, the community celebrated the feast \u201caround the Eucharist with our Eudist fathers and partners-in-mission<\/em>,\u201d followed by a meal, cultural dances, and even a humorous dramatic sketch, illustrating the warmth and creativity that animate the mission.<\/p>\n Sunset in the Americas: Renewing Hope and Commitment<\/strong><\/p>\n As twilight fell in the Americas, the spirit of Saint Mary Euphrasia continued to shine. au Br\u00e9sil <\/strong>celebrated the 54e<\/sup> anniversary of Colegio Buen Pastor in Salvador. In the light of the witness of Saint Mary Euphrasia, the community was invited to renew its commitment to an education that humanizes, welcomes, and transforms\u2014grounded in Gospel values such as mercy, compassion, solidarity, justice, and peace.<\/p>\n \u00c0 Argentina<\/strong>, the focus was on education and rehabilitation, particularly among imprisoned women. \u201cThe work produced in the different workshops is displayed at fairs open to the public. It gives women the opportunity to showcase their talents and sell their products<\/em>,\u201d shared Sister Marcela Arriola<\/p>\n Colombie<\/strong> et Venezuela<\/strong>\u2019s communities joined in shared prayer, formation activities, and moments of fraternity. The active participation of sisters, partners, volunteers, and program participants, especially the women engaged in empowerment programs, reflected a renewed commitment to human dignity and service. Celebrations concluded with a symbolic toast with water, proclaiming together: \u201cFor the life that overcomes death, for our mission, and for the legacy of Santa Mar\u00eda Eufrasia that lives on in us.<\/em>\u00bb<\/p>\n \u00c9quateur<\/strong>\u2019s celebrations took place across communities, apostolates, and schools, culminating in a gathering in Cumbay\u00e1, which featured a visit to the Good Shepherd Museum. \u201cWe could \u2018touch\u2019 our history through her letters, annals, and relics\u2014feeling her presence more alive than ever among us<\/em>,\u201d recalled one participant.<\/p>\n A Mission Without Borders<\/strong><\/p>\n From sunrise in the East to sunset in the West, the global Good Shepherd family came together as one. Across languages, continents, and cultures, the celebrations wove together stories of courage, faith, gratitude, and unwavering commitment.<\/p>\n As Saint Mary Euphrasia\u2019s vision echoes into the future, the words \u201cune personne vaut mieux qu'un monde<\/em>\u201d remain at the heart of this living mission.<\/p>\n United in gratitude and zeal, the congregation looks ahead\u2014to a mission without borders, where hope, mercy, and compassion continue to rise anew with every dawn.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Caption: In South Africa, a vibrant community day honored both beneficiaries and children, including drama and cultural dances.<\/p>\n Caption: In Argentina and Uruguay, the festivities highlighted creative education and vocational training for women impacted by incarceration.<\/p>\n Caption: \u201cWe are truly carried with purpose\u2014guided by Jesus our Good Shepherd, inspired by our Foundress, and strengthened by one another.\u201d<\/p>\n Caption: The Saint Mary Euphrasia Award was presented to students who embody holistic excellence in both character and achievement.<\/p>\n Caption:<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" On April 24, 2026, sisters and partners-in-mission across our global mission marked the feast day of our foundress, Saint Mary Euphrasia, in a way that reflected both our geographic span and spiritual unity. From the first light of dawn in the East to the close of day in the West, we formed an unbroken rhythm […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":14584,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35,42,51,37,32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14571","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-asia-pacific","category-europe","category-north-america","category-real","category-rimoa"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.olcgs.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/p5_main-scaled.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.olcgs.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14571","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.olcgs.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.olcgs.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.olcgs.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.olcgs.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14571"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.olcgs.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14571\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14572,"href":"https:\/\/www.olcgs.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14571\/revisions\/14572"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.olcgs.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14584"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.olcgs.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14571"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.olcgs.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14571"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.olcgs.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14571"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}