CSJ Pilgrimage

 

 

One day after their arrival, the 15 pilgrims from the Congregation of St. Joseph "hit the streets" of Le Puy to walk in the footsteps of the six founding sisters. They took a break on the Twisted Bridge that spans the Borne River for a group photo. Their unique stance only portends a unique experience that lies ahead for them.

 

On the first morning since their arrival, Sr. Carol conducts a "chalk talk" on the map of Le Puy. She gives an overview of the tour of the city with all the main points of interest. Participants with open and perked ears took copious notes as they prepared for their individual and group pilgrimages.

    

 

 

 

 

 

 Walking to Le Puy

 

 

Click here for the video of the CSJ Dancers' rendition of "Walking like an Egyptian" at the top of the old volcano.

The Sator Square

The early Christians were a persecuted lot, so they had to recognize each other by code to protect themselves. One of their codes was the five-word Latin palindrome (a word, phrase, verse, or sentence that reads the same backward or forward). The words refer to The Lord's Prayer. The earliest squares were found at Roman-era sites dating from the sixth century. Le Puy has a Sator Square located near St. Clair Chapel, once a pagan temple to Diana, the moon goddess.

The group is looking at the mission cross planted by the Jesuits in the 16th or 17th century. The French countryside is dotted with these crosses that take on various shapes and sizes. They signify some ministry the Jesuits had conducted in that area.

 

This building served as the original orphans' home for the six founding sisters. It is located next to St. Clair Chapel. Today it serves as the library for the town of Aiguilhe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Kitchen

 

 

The group prays for the Founders in the Kitchen

 

Médaille -- Louisiana

 

        La Grange

 

 

            Cleveland

 

 

    Nazareth

 

 

CSJ Sisters with Sr. Simone who provided a presentation about the Kitchen to the group

 

 

 

    Wheeling

 

 

 

 

 

 

The group's official portrait is on the Pont Tordu that spans the Borne River.

Two Trinities and Our Wounded World -- Sept 29 - Oct 5

 

Sisters from Brazil and Denmark participated in the Two Trinities program directed by Sr. Linda Buck (Orange). Although the sisters had decades of experience in community, they deepened their understanding of the new movements of the Spirit for today's wounded world. Sr. Joana Mendes (Rochester-Brazil) served as the Portuguese-English translator. This photo was taken in front of Mother St. John Fontbonne's birthplace in Bas-en-Basset.

A little coffee break in Place du Plot, a café in the old city of Le Puy. It included a round of trying on Olga's lavender hat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Day in Lyon included a visit to the Origin and Evolution Centre of the Lyon Congregation. Sr. Judy Donovan, the newly-elected general superior of the Congregation arranged for a picnic under the big tree on an Indian summer day.

 

 

 

 

Sunday, Sunday!

Sunday was a busy day with an early walk to Mass at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Le Puy, a visit to the Blessed Mother statue, and a stop at the annual Honey Festival.

St. Joseph Shrine