Friends and Associates of the St Augustine Congregation Make a Pilgrimage

Fifteen pilgrims from the St. Augustine Congregation arrived in Le Puy on Monday, June 17. They visited all of the sacred historical sites relevant to the foundation of the Sisters of St. Joseph and learned more about the spirituality of the sisters. They also visited Lourdes and Toulouse in southwestern France as well as Lyon and Annecy.

Several members of the group are associates. Others are either friends of the sisters or former professionals in the sisters' ministries.

Sr. Kathleen and Sr. Rita

Sisters Rita Baum and Kathleen Power led the group. Sister Rita served as a staff member of the International Centre for three years (2009-12). This photo was taken in the Living History Centre, which tells the story of how the St. Augustine Congregation, a direct off-shoot of the Le Puy Congregation, was founded.

In 1866, shortly after the conclusion of America's Civil War, eight “strong sisters, with a good head and solid virtue” were invited by Florida's first Bishop, Augustin Verot, for the purpose of educating and evangelizing the children of newly-freed slaves and the Lincolnville community. Those early days in Florida were not easy, but the sisters managed.

"They faced prejudice, financial hardships, and many nights spent miserably scratching bed bug and mosquito bites. They even survived – and nursed others through – two Yellow Fever epidemics. Blessed with spiritual spunk, they met each challenge with love and strength, paving the way for the Sisters actively serving today....[However], the first Sisters showed godly grit in their controversial ministry, while adapting to a new country, climate and language. " The St. Augustine Social, November 11, 2016

The pilgrims also visited the Kitchen and were truly inspired.


The group spent time in Le Puy at Martine's lace shop and other local restaurants and café. Some members climbed St. Michel. Several went to the 7 a.m. pilgrim Mass at the Cathedral. Every evening, they met as a group to pray and share their experiences of the day.



 

The sheep in the Centre's "backyard" were a favorite of several members of the group. They would faithfully check on them each day.
Meanwhile, the sheep discovered a couple of "sheep whisperers."

The group relied on the service of local taxis to take them around Le Puy. One of the Centre's favorite cab drivers was always reliably ready to serve the pilgrims' need for a ride.

Bonnie and David hitch a ride for dinner at Bambou and Basilic

Vincent (right) and Sr. Rita talk about the remainder of the pilgrimage. Vincent served as the group's guide to Lyon and Annecy. He then followed them all the way to the airport in Paris where they left for home.


The pilgrims traveled by bus during their journeys through France. This 59-seater was the biggest that ever landed at the Centre. The bus was so big, it had to park on the street because it couldn't get through the Centre's gate.