Sisters of the Holy Union of the Sacred Hearts from across the globe will gather in France and Belgium from 19 to 26 June 2026 for an international pilgrimage marking the 200th anniversary of their Congregation.
This landmark event celebrates the origins of the Congregation, founded in 1826 by Fr Jean-Baptiste Debrabant alongside the first women who shared his vision. Together, they laid a foundation for a mission that today extends across three continents, focusing on education, social outreach, and the charism of Union.
The highlight of the pilgrimage will be the celebration on 24 June, concelebrated by Mgr Vincent Dollmann, Archbishop of Cambrai, and Mgr Frédéric Rossignol, Bishop of Tournai, and broadcast live by Notelé.
A Living Legacy
The Holy Union was born from a bold vision in northern France: providing education for children from poor families while offering young women the skills to build a future. Rooted in a deep union with God and a simple communal life, the Sisters developed a mission that combined faith with practical service.
“Marking this bicentenary is more than an act of remembrance; it is a recognition of a living legacy,” says Sr Caroline Njah, Superior General of the Holy Union. “The courage and vision of our founder, and the quiet strength of the first women, continue to echo in every life touched by their mission. Today, their spirit calls us not only to honour the past, but to carry forward their work with the same generosity, resilience, and hope for the future.”
The Pilgrimage Highlights
The pilgrimage invites Sisters, Associates, friends, and alumni to reflect on how the founding charism continues to inspire service in the modern world. Key events include:
- 21 June (Saint-Amand-les-Eaux, France): Participants gather for an Orientation Session near the birthplace of the congregation’s early mission.
- 22 June (Froyennes, Belgium): The ‘Sending Forth’ ceremony will take place at a historic house that now serves as a retirement community for Sisters who served in Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. Following a liturgy, the pilgrims will travel to Kain to visit a historic school guided by M. Philippe and his team.
- 23 June (Historical Circuit): A journey through sites connected to Fr Debrabant’s history, including his birthplace in Lecelles, as well as Vred, Marchiennes, and Wandignies-Hamage.
- 24 June (Central Celebration): On the Feast of St John the Baptist, a Solemn Eucharist will be held in Froyennes, presided over by Vincent Dollmann, Archbishop of Cambrai, and Frédéric Rossignol, Bishop of Tournai. During this Mass, Sisters from Cameroon and Tanzania will renew their vows.
Faith in Action: The Holy Union Today
Two centuries later, the Sisters of the Holy Union are present in ten countries across Europe (France, Belgium, Ireland, England, Wales), Africa (Cameroon, Tanzania), and the Americas (Argentina, United States), with their Generalate in Rome.
At a time when the Church reflects on the role of consecrated life and social justice, the bicentenary offers an opportunity to deepen a charism that has long combined learning with service to the most vulnerable.
Today, in collaboration with lay partners, their ministries have expanded to include:
- Education and Catechesis
- Healthcare
- Justice and Peace initiatives
- Integral Ecology (Care for our Common Home)
- Anti-trafficking efforts and outreach to migrants and refugees
This pilgrimage symbolizes a Congregation not only looking back with gratitude but walking toward the future, responding prophetically to the challenges of today’s world.
By Maria Chiara De Lorenzo