How to pass on an ancient patrimony without losing its secular nature

Since 1734 the Sisters of Charity have been carrying out their mission in Alsace of helping the sick in the spiritual tradition of Saint Vincent de Paul. At the end of the 20th century under the supervision of Sister Denise Baumann, they took important steps on how best to pass on their spirituality and patrimony (including hospitals, retirement homes and shelters for young people in trouble) to Christian laymen whose mission is to help them to survive in today's extremely secularised culture. The laymen decided to create a foundation. After a trial period of about ten years, the presidency of the board of directors has just been handed over to an experienced laywoman, Marie-Hélène Gillig. She is well aware of the law-making capacity of public authorities in the medical and social sectors, and diffidently questions a specifically Christian contribution in today's world which can be resumed by more attention given to people and a greater capacity for innovation.