Lille: Where the Story of Father Planque Comes Alive
Lille, France – 25 July 2026 — The Triple Jubilee pilgrimage took the OLA Sisters and SMA Fathers to Lille, where history and mission came together in a particularly meaningful way. At the heart of the day was the celebration of the Eucharist at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de la Treille, a place closely connected with the early life of Father Augustin Planque.
The Mass was presided over by Fr. Romuald Carton, Vicar General of the Diocese of Lille. For the pilgrims, celebrating the Eucharist in this historic setting was an opportunity to pause and reflect on the missionary journey that began with the founders of the Society of African Missions and the Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles.
Father Planque’s connection with Lille gave the celebration a personal dimension. As a young man, he taught in the area around the cathedral. Walking through a place where he had once lived and worked allowed the pilgrims to encounter a part of his story in a very tangible way.
During his homily, Father Carton reflected on the parable of the sower from the Gospel of Matthew. He invited the congregation to consider the place given to God’s Word in their own lives. The Word, he reminded the pilgrims, is continually sown; what matters is whether we allow it to take root and bear fruit.
His reflection also touched on the spiritual search taking place in the Church in France today, particularly among young people. Many are asking questions about the meaning of life and searching for something deeper. Their questions, he said, challenge the Church to be a welcoming community that listens, accompanies and offers the joy of the Gospel.
For the OLA Sisters present, this message resonated strongly with their own missionary experience, particularly in education and the accompaniment of young people.
Sr. Faustina Annan, OLA, a teacher from Ghana, was especially moved by discovering Father Planque’s connection with education. Knowing that he had once taught in Lille encouraged her to see her own work with renewed purpose.
“It makes me want to become a better educator and to give more to the children I work with.”
For Sr. Victoria Ogbu, OLA, from Nigeria, the story of Father Planque also brought a deeper appreciation of teaching as a missionary service. She reflected on the importance of sharing with others what one has received and accompanying young people in their human and spiritual development.
She also highlighted two qualities that continue to speak to her in Father Planque’s legacy: prayer and perseverance. For her, these remain essential for anyone seeking to live the missionary vocation faithfully.
The celebration was also a moment of memory for Sr. Odile Hermann, OLA, who has spent many years serving in Chad, Côte d’Ivoire and France. Having visited Notre-Dame de la Treille several times, she was pleased to see the OLA and SMA family return together to a place connected with Father Planque.
She was particularly touched by seeing different generations of missionaries celebrating together.
For the pilgrims, the day in Lille was therefore more than a historical visit. It was an opportunity to reconnect with the beginnings of their missionary heritage and to ask what that heritage means for mission today.
Standing in places where Father Planque once taught and served also brought a simple reminder: missionary life is built not only through great moments, but through daily acts of faithfulness—teaching, praying, accompanying, listening and helping others discover the Gospel.
As the pilgrimage continued, the memory of Lille travelled with the pilgrims. The places connected with Father Planque became a bridge between the past and the present, reminding today’s missionaries that the mission they have received is also a mission they are called to carry forward.
OLA COMMUNICATIONS@2026