Sixteen students from the nine colleges in the Association of Colleges of the Sisters of St. Joseph (ACSSJ) visited Le Puy June 17-21 to learn more about the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
The colleges represented include:
- Avila University -- Kansas City, MO
- Chestnut Hill College -- Philadelphia, PA
- The College of St. Rose -- Albany, NY
- Elms College -- Chicopee, MA
- Fontbonne University -- St. Louis, MO
- Mt. St. Mary's University -- Los Angeles, CA
- Regis College -- Weston, MA
- St. Catherine University -- St. Paul, MN
- St. Joseph College -- Brooklyn, NY
Arrival
After traveling for 20 hours from New York, some even longer, the students arrived happy and excited about what for most was their first trip to France and travel outside the USA. Students regarded this trip as the highlight of their lives.
The students were led by Sisters Kitty Hanley and Joan Lescinski together with Dan Leahy (Director of Campus Ministry and Service, St. Regis), Lori Helfrich (Director of Campus Ministry, Fontbonne University), and Martha Malinski (Executive Director, Association of Colleges of Sisters of St. Joseph).
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| Sisters Kitty and Joan outside the Cathedral of Notre Dame. |
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| Dan, Lori, and Martha on a climb to St. Michel. |
Day 1
On Monday morning, after going to bed early the night before, the students had their petit déjeuner (breakfast) and left at the Centre at 9 a.m. to climb St. Michel.
The sisters then took them on a walking tour of the city. They
stopped for a lunch
of lentils (a local product of Le Puy) at a local restaurant.Later the group visited the Cathedral of Notre Dame. Some students climbed inside the statue of the Blessed Mother.
The students were really hyped for a French experience. They tried unfamiliar foods, talked with French people even though they didn't know the language, and even wore berets. C'est très chic!
Day 2
On Tuesday morning, the group visited St. Joseph School, which is sponsored by the Institute of the Sisters of St. Joseph of France. They were very impressed with the knowledge and sophistication of middle and high school students they met who spoke to them in English.
After a lunch of crêpes in the restaurants of the Old City, the students visited the Kitchen of the first Sisters of St. Joseph (1650) with Sister Simone. They also witnessed the 350+ years of the Congregation's evolution at the Centre of Living History.
Never showing any signs of fatigue, the students walked back to the Old City at 10 p.m. to see the Luminaries of Le Puy, which are projected light shows on civic buildings. The Luminaries are played on a continuous loop every night from May through September.
Day 3
The students went to 7 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral, which featured a send-off to pilgrims beginning their trek on the Camino de Santiago Compostella. Although The Way is 500 miles long, the students got a taste of it by following the first 8 miles of the Camino. Click on to this blog post for a full account of their experience.
They had the afternoon free and many went shopping for their last minute lace, post cards, lentils, souvenirs, and gifts.
Reflections
Every evening after dinner, the students shared their thoughts, feelings, and reflections of the day. The group leaders were both impressed and pleased with the students.
"They are really getting it," said Sister Kitty. "They are understanding what the sisters are all about."
For a more detailed report on the students' impressions of Le Puy, see Tatiania's blog. She is a journalism and religious studies major from St. Joseph College.
The group left the Centre on Thursday morning to spend two days in Lyon where they will learn more about Mother St. John Fontbonne and visit the Motherhouse and Living History Centre.
They will also visit the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, Old Lyon, the Cathedral of St. Jean-Baptiste, Place Bellecour, the Ancient Palais de Justice, and the Gallo-Roman Amphitheater.
On Saturday morning they will head back to the USA satisfied with a cadre of new memories and new friends.
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