Little Vocations
VOCATIONS FOR THE SANCTITY OF ALL LIFE
the Foundation for
Little Vocations
In today's culture, communities that stand in the support and defense of the most vulnerable and innocent of lives deserve our help. The Foundation for Little Vocations is a non-profit formed to aid Catholic organizations and communities that foster vocations, protect the sanctity of all life, and support those who have dedicated their lives to educating our youth about the truth, goodness, and beauty of "The Love that moves the Sun and Other Stars..."
- current project -
Supporting Nuns with Down Syndrome
Deep in the heart of France's Centre-Val de Loire region is a small community of nuns unlike any other in the world - it was established for the specific purpose of accepting women affected with Down Syndrome who felt called to a contemplative life.
Each of the sisters here felt the call to live a religious vocation. They were unable to find a suitable convent until Mother Line started Les Petites Sœurs de L’Agneau, which translates to The Little Sisters, Disciples of the Lamb. In France, more than 77% of children with Down Syndrome are aborted. This convent is a testimony to one of the few remaining places in France that protect and defend the sanctity of life and is a wonderful example of why every soul is precious.
VOCATIONS for LIFE
Vocations for Life
What would daily life look like for women with Down Syndrome living in union within an order of nuns? The Little Sisters Disciples of the Lamb in Leblanc, France are a beautiful example of how a Carmelite community learned to modify their devotional practices without sacrificing the fundamental elements that define the order.
Fontgombault Abbey &
the Little Sisters
Just twelve minutes from the Little Sisters Disciples of the Lamb convent, you'll find the Benedictine Abbey of Notre Dame, Fontgombault. From the convent's early days of formation, the monks of Fontgombault were a pillar of support to the Little Sister's success. The abbot at the time, Dom Antoine Forgeot, appointed Fr. Françios de Feydeau, O.S.B., to help the Little Sisters with their spiritual journey.
In the following excerpt from an interview by Regina Magazine, Mother Prioress Line reveals,
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"Father de Feydeau understood very well the charism of the Institute and was a good teacher for the Prioress. The Community owes much to him, for he knew the Little Sisters and welcomed their child-like spirit...
He then left for the founding of the Clear Creek Abbey in the United States, and we remained in touch with him until his death. When he told us by letter of his serious illness, he had these beautiful words to say, "I will be the little brother of the Little Sisters." Thus were born the links between Fontgombault Abbey and the Little Sisters that remain to this day.
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The Foundation for Little Vocations receives guidance and consideration from Clear Creek Monastery located in Hulbert, Oklahoma, the daughter house of Fontgombault, where Fr. de Feydeau was sent to assist in the foundation until his death on November 15th, 2009.
Jérmône Lejeune
Venerable Servant
of God
"Professor Lejeune said that if intelligence is limited, then those with Down Syndrome can develop their concepts by heart and are not disabled. For him, an adapted religious life would be possible to those with Down Syndrome."
-- Mother Prioress Line,
Little Sisters, Disciples of the Lamb
As a French pediatrician and geneticist, Jérôme Lejeune's discovery of Trisomy 21 elevated his profile among the medical research community, who then honored him with many awards, distinctions, and accolades. In 1969, the American Society of Human Genetics was to present Lejeune with the William Allen Memorial Award, the highest distinction given to a geneticist. Upon arriving in the States to accept his honor, Lejeune realized that during this celebration, the abortion of Down Syndrome-confirmed pregnancies was expected to be condoned. "By my discovery," Lejeune thought, "I have made this shameful calculation possible." He decided he would speak out. He began his speech by saying, "To kill or not to kill, that is the question."
After this, Lejeune became severely criticized for his position, and ostracized by the medical, academic, and political elite of France. Still largely supported by the American and British communities, he began to reassemble his teams with professionals that valued all life, regardless of genetics, leading to the organization of the Jérôme Lejeune Foundation.
"Professor Jérôme Lejeune has been with the Little Sisters from their birth and followed them as they entered the Community. Even today, we can call the Jérôme Lejeune Foundation when needed," Mother Line, Little Sisters, Disciples of the Lamb.