(ANS – Rome) – On July 5, at the French Embassy to the Holy See in Rome there was a special ceremony; the Medal of the Knights of the Legion of Honour was awarded to Mother Yvonne Reungoat, Superior General of the FMA.

This Honour was conferred by his Excellency the French Ambassador to the Holy See, Bruno Joubert, in view of the decree of the former-President of the French Republic, Nicolas Sarkozy, and the proposal of the former Minister, Alain Juppè. The decree nominating Mother Yvonne Reungoat Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour was signed on April 6, 2012.

The Minister wrote, “I am happy that the dedication of a life at the service of the education of the poorest young people will be recognised. It is opportune to emphasise as well her eminent role as the guide of the Salesian Sisters’ Congregation and her contribution to the knowledge of our country in the Rome of the Popes.”

The Legion of Honour is the highest honour instituted after the French Revolution. At present, at various levels, it rewards the eminent merits earned in the service of the Nation. 

Present at the ceremony held at Villa Bonaparte seat of the Embassy were some Cardinals and French dignitaries in Rome, the General Council, Mother Yvonne’s personal secretaries, the Superiors of the dependent houses, the Principal of the Auxilium Pontifical Faculty of Science of Education and other personalities.

“We rejoice in this distinction conferred by the French Republic that will have positive repercussions, not only in France, but also in the entire Salesian world committed to transmitting Gospel values to the young aware of the benefit of these values,” reports the site of the FMA.

Published 09/07/2012