Vie Montante Mauritius turns 40

40 years, a beautiful anniversary, a great opportunity to remember the path traveled by Vie Montante in Mauritius and to introduce the movement to the younger generations who arrive and will take over.

Coming from Reunion, arrived on the island in 1980 Sister Lucille, belonging to the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary and who had largely contributed to the launch of Vie Montante in her country.

When she arrives, she creates relief funds to save the elderly from the clutches of crooks but also dreams of helping them spiritually. With the help of Caritas, she created a first group of VM in Sainte Croix; events then marked the life of the movement: a great gathering at Sainte Croix, a trip to Rome and participation in the movement's great international pilgrimage. Following the gathering, the groups multiplied, and Sister Lucille consolidated the foundations of the movement by training animators to assume responsibility for each group.

In 1984, the bishop approved the appointment of Paul Bruneau as diocesan leader and Father Jean-Paul Alleaume as national chaplain; Sister Lucille remained as spiritual advisor; the same year a large gathering was held in Beau Bassin: there were then 31 groups and about 800 members.

1985 and 1986 saw the birth of two twinnings, one with Lille (a city in the north of France) and the other with Reunion Island. The twinning with Lille was the subject of official documents, one signed by the members of the Mauritian national body of VM in the presence of the Vicar General of Mauritius, the other signed in Lille by the diocesan leaders of VM Lille and VM Mauritius, in the presence of the Chancellor representing Mgr Vilnet, Bishop of the diocese.

Sister Lucille was called to Reunion by her Superiors, but the movement was already solidly structured.

In 1987 there were 60 groups and nearly 1500 members and a large fraternal meeting was organized in Rose-Hill.

As it is nicely said, Vie Montante is now spinning with all sails cast.

In the 2000s the situation is unfortunately quite different. The first members have aged and disappeared, the pioneers remain firm, but the succession proves difficult: grandparents take responsibility for their grandchildren, it is difficult to have spiritual advisers, many transfers of leaders have occurred and groups, accustomed to being taken care of are slowly crumbling.

In 2007 the movement has 500 members divided into 7 diocesan sectors and it worked quite well.

In 2016, at the suggestion of Cardinal Maurice Pialat, the movement is dedicated to Saint Anne, patroness of grandparents and the elderly during a pilgrimage to the Sainte Anne chapel in Chamarel. During the Eucharist celebrated by Bishop Pialat, he became an honorary member of Vie Montante.

Covid-19 came to play spoilers, impossible to gather and meetings with officials did not resume until 2022. The observation is made with sadness that the movement has only 200 members.

How to invite and give the people around us the desire to join us? How can we share with them all that we have received? How to convey the idea that seniors must keep a space for their spiritual life and the mutual aid that takes place through friendship and sharing under the gaze of God? This assessment should ignite us to do everything possible to continue our mission.

On the eve of his departure, Marie-Noëlle, leader of the movement for ten years, is about to pass the torch to Solange and Josiane who have agreed to succeed him.

In her message, she invites all members to give as much friendship and support to the new leaders as they have done for her over the years.

Excerpt from the history of Vie Montante Ile Maurice

By Marie-Noëlle Linneman, leader of the movement