When Rachel Fleurant speaks of the transformative effect of the Missionaries of God’s Love Consecrated Life Weekend, her words come from lived experience.
Twenty-three years ago, Rachel was a self-confessed party girl. “I loved going to night clubs, I loved the world of fashion and loved being the life of the party with my friends.”
Serving in her local parish and dedicated to youth ministry, a religious life was still the last thing on her mind until she attended the Missionaries of God’s Love Consecrated Life retreat. “I was involved in youth ministry at St Agatha’s, Pennant Hills. I’d say I was on a journey, trying to get clarity about what God’s purpose was for me life. I knew that God was stirring something in my heart; I just didn’t know what this meant for my vocation.”
Answering an invitation to attend, Rachel had no idea how three days would change her life, but during the weekend, moments of silence and hearing sisters’ testimonies gave her a joy she didn’t know possible.
“I knew there would be times of silence, and because I was so busy in my ministry role, I really needed time just to listen to God away from everyday distractions. God really draws us to himself in moments of quiet.”
Being exposed to the structure of life for an MGL sister also spoke to Rachel’s prayerful, desire to fall more and more in love with Jesus. “To begin each day with morning prayer, adoration, and Mass — the first and most important part of the day. I could see their mission to evangelise and their prayer life was resonating with my desire to grow closer to God.
The other really great thing was there was a time for Q and A so I could ask all the questions that I wanted to about the MGL’s. And having the opportunity to receive pastoral accompaniment with another sister set me on the right path,” she recalls.
Ten months later she joined the community and two decades on, she invites women aged 18–35 from across the archdiocese to the Consecrated Life Weekend in 2026.
“We have a lot of fun as young missionaries, the first night is really just entering in and fellowship and having a meal together. And then the Saturday is a little bit more structured, so they will get a perspective of the three pillars (prayer, sisterhood and mission and then we’ll have some inspiring and wonderful talks from the sisters. And then we’ll have a Q & A in the afternoon and free time for recreation together,” Rachel said.
Much like her own journey, Rachel is convinced every young woman is growing in her yearning for a more personal relationship with Jesus.
“A discernment weekend will deepen that love – whether it confirms a call to religious life or helps you support others discerning theirs. You’ve got nothing to lose; you come away with more practical tools and insights to help with discernment.”
The transformative bonds formed in the MGL sisterhood are another fruit Rachel highlights: “Be open and courageous in asking God what your vocation is. Give God the best of who you are, and he has an adventurous, amazing life waiting for you to discover.”
The Consecrated Life Weekend Discernment Retreat runs Friday 13 March – Sunday 15 March 2026. To attend or for more information, email mglsisters.sydney@gmail.com.
