Two US Sisters’ Bicentenary Pilgrimage to Douai

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Two US Sisters’ Pilgrimage to Douai
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June, 2026

The following is a bird’s eye view until a more complete sharing in the experience of the two Sisters from the US Area will be shared on our upcoming podcast episode.

In June of 2026, during the Bicentenary Celebration of our congregation, Holy Union Sisters from around the world set off on a pilgrimage to Douai, France and Froyennes, Belgium, where our congregation began. Sisters Alice Michael and Alice Arsenault represented Holy Union’s US Area. Over a period of several days. they visited the birthplace of our founder, Father Jean Baptiste Debrabant, as well as St. Jacques Church, the location where the original group of young seamstresses gathered for religious, forming the seed from which our congregation grew. Sister Alice Michael said the trip reminded her of Jesus’ instructions to His disciples after His resurrection, to travel to Galilee and He would be waiting for them there. It was from there that Jesus entrusted the apostles, sent them out, to continue His mission of making God’s love and mercy known. We Holy Union Sisters through our charism have also been entrusted to go spread God’s love.

There were many other sites of historic significance visited by the group. These included the graves of our founder, Father Jean Baptiste Debrabant, as well as those of many of our early Sisters. In addition, they attended Mass along with living members of our founder’s family, during which the presider, Don Emmauel Rousselin, wore the chasuble of Father Debrabant. His youthful appearance reminded those present of just how young our founder was when he discerned God’s will for Holy Union.

Sister Alice Arsenault commented, “The entire experience was deeply moving, and brought to mind the reality that each of our lives is a pilgrimage, taking in and building upon experiences as we all journey closer to God.”

Here are a selection of photos from their pilgrimage. Click photos to see a full-size image.

Pilgrimage Group Photo

The French Countryside near Douai

The focal point during prayer

Sr. Alice and Sr. Therese Louise

Visiting Holy Union burial sites

Fr. Don Emmauel Rousselin celebrated Mass wearing the Chasuble of our Founder, Fr. Jean Baptiste Debrabant

Sr. Alice M. with. our Tanzanian Sisters

Photo of our Founder

We often traveled by bus

Liturgy was celebrated by the local Bishop

St. Aubert Church, where our Founder said Mass frequently