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In February 1936, the arrival of the "Popular Front" in the Spanish government triggered the civil war and a violent persecution against the Church. A few months later, it was France's turn to be governed by a "Popular Front". The Congregation then feared that religious establishments would be closed and the sisters dispersed. Mother Christine lived through the expulsion from the house of Royan in 1903. She wrote to Mother Amédée, the 31 August 1936 :

I continue to reflect on our last conversation and to pray about it. I have started getting some old clothes together, suitable for the photographs (of identification), and if necessary for later on. But before we get to that, may I take a moment to ask you if it might not be worth advancing by a few years our departure for the Holy Land, which is decided in principle? If not to Ecce Homo, at least to St John. You would name those who were to go, the young and beautiful, and I could remain at the Solitude if you like with Sr Dionysius and Sr Désirée certainly, which would mean there would be 9 going.

Besides the advantage of our being able to go as religious, and quietly taking what we need with us, at least what is the most precious, there is also the benefit of our being just as well off in Asia as in Europe, for our kind of life; and much better off in the Holy Land than elsewhere; and I have always been told that there is room at St John: it would be making a foundation, rather than deciding on a foundation. […]

If I offer to stay, it is for no other reason than to keep the Solitude as you had thought; it would remain the house for recrutement; but if it is better to do otherwise, for financial or other reasons, I would be happy anywhere… and in the Holy Land, what a dream! On the one hand martyrdom, and on the other, the Holy Land, it is too wonderful (no doubt I will have neither of them). It is the photographs which have made me speak to you about all that; for if you decide that we should travel in the religious habit, that is how we should be photographed and not in our rags. .

All I ask of God is that he should keep my dear little sisters from evil. If it's only a question of being killed, it doesn't matter, but having to endure other things, that is what we must avoid. If it happens that Mr Renner decides to go to the Switzerland, then we could go too… but it would be double the cost, whereas Jerusalem is something that would be lasting.

May God help us with his grace, I ask him to enlighten you.

Mother Christine's dream came true in 1969, first at Nazareth, then, in 1971, at Ein Karem.

" There is no need
for us to have this or that form of life,
or more or less success,
that our efforts be more or less rewarded,
or that we should be more or less happy.
BUT WHAT IS NECESSARY,
"THE ONE THING NECESSARY",
IS THAT GOD'S WILL BE DONE. "