On February 8th, 2026, delight and joy filled the air in the FCJ Heritage Centre in Paris when more that thirty members of the extended de Bonnault d’Houët family came together to honour and celebrate their great… grandmother, Marie Madeleine Victoire de Bonnault d’Houët, who founded the Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ). This special family reunion began with Sunday Mass at the Parish Church of St. Dominique after which there were group photos at Marie Madeleine’s tomb.
A very tasty lunch, offered by the family, gave an opportunity to renew old friendships and get to know members of the next generation, who are the seventh generation after Marie Madeleine. They were present in 2012 when the human remains of our Foundress were enshrined at the Church of St. Dominique, Paris 14ème (read more here) and they were fascinated to see photos of that occasion when they were 14 years younger.
After lunch, the family came to the newly established Heritage Centre, a 10-minute walk from the Church. It was wonderful to accompany the family as they moved through the different areas of the Heritage Centre where Marie Madeleine’s life is presented as daughter, wife, widow, mother, grandmother and Foundress.
They savoured the story, pondered and reflected on their rich heritage and celebrated their faith-filled grandmother.
Then came the exploration of the development and expansion of the FCJ congregation following the death of Marie Madeleine in 1858. They were amazed at how Marie Madeleine’s vision, ‘to be a companion of Jesus’ and ‘to do God’s will’, bore such rich fruits over the years.
We parted with one desire: to meet again.
