Fourteen members of the Congregation of St. Joseph came to Le Puy for a pilgrimage. Here is their story in their own words.
Arrival
After 25 hours of planes and buses, 13 representatives of the Congregation of St. Joseph, led by Sr. Carol Crepeau, arrived safely on Thursday, October 11 at the Centre for a pilgrimage to our foundations. Eluiza greeted them with bisous and bonjours as Olga snapped photos. Although a bit fatigued, their spirits were high and ready for one of the greatest spiritual journeys of their lives.
After a little unpacking an a brief rest, participants gathered for appetizers and "champagne" in the Community Room.
City Walk
"From the Centre we walked a crooked bridge, made so as to keep evil spirits away. We crossed the yellow road (ring road around the old city) and began the uphill trek past the 'living wall' at the base of St. Michel d'Aiguille. The walk was alive with escargot, small lizards, and small plants. We entered the court of the 'Temple of Diana' now called the Chapel of St. Clare. There we saw a fountain and a 'magic square' in the pavement--a place where early Christians gathered secretly sharing faith.
Up the street we saw the city below--St. Laurent, where St. Dominic once preached. We walked past the high school, which is supported by the Sisters of St. Joseph, and turned to go to Place des Tables. Madame Martine showed us how she makes bobbin lace., which the first sisters also made to support themselves. Martine's husband, Raphael, let us taste verveine, a drink made from a local herb that helps with digestion. At this point we were at the foot of the hill leading to Notre Dame Cathedral, the base of the largest puy (solidified lava mount). We would climb to the Cathedral on another day.
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| Place du Plot
From Place des Tables we continued down Rue de Raphael to Place du Plot. Here we ate lunch: country fare with green lentil salad, paninis with French ham and cheese, quiches, and many other delights.
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After lunch, we walked down Rue Courrerie to Place Martouret (Place of Martyrs). Across from the Hôtel de Ville (city hall) is a large tree which grows on the spot where one of two guillotines were erected during the French Revolution and where some of our sisters gave their lives. Little did we know the many other treasures that awaited us in this sacred place in the days ahead." Denise
"Our first full day in Le Puy was spent walking the cobblestone streets and alleys of our early Sisters. We marveled at sites that are important to our St. Joseph history such as the orphanage that was our first ministry. We ran our hands through the same cold spring water of those first Sisters. We noticed locals, tourists, and other pilgrims like ourselves on our journey. As we strolled along the cobblestones and climbed up and down the hills, we tried to imagine our sisters doing the same all those many years ago and felt grateful for our opportunity to follow them." Karen
The Kitchen
On Saturday, the group visited the Kitchen, which turned out to be perfect timing: it was two days before Founders' Day, and here they were in the place where the first sisters lived.
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| Simone explains the bedwarmer. |
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| Janet demonstrates the foot warmer. |
So how did the sisters make lace when the Kitchen was so dark?
They lit a candle and had it reflect off a glass globe filled with water. This lighting was used in rural France until after 1945 before electricity was installed. 
"The long-awaited trip to the Kitchen finally came, and it did not disappoint. Sr. Simone, our French guide, filled with love and zeal, brought the holy ground of the Kitchen alive with the spirit of our first sisters. We felt bonded to them in love of God and love of neighbor. Simone's hospitality warmed our hearts as she 'warmed our feet with the fire's glowing embers. We witnessed how one small candle magnified by water, lit the weaving of lace in the windowless room, just as God continues to be magnified throughout the world by the presence and work of our sisters, associates, and colleagues in mission. We ended our trip to the Kitchen by renewing our commitments and rededicating ourselves to the mission of unity."Mary Catherine, CSJ
After a 90-minute talk with Simone, the group concluded their visit with a prayer.
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| Ann, Wanda, and Mary Catherine |
The three sisters of the group posed for a photo with Simone.
The Cobblestones of Le PuyThe road on which the first six walked
... to market
... to worship
... to meet the dear neighbor.
I walked that same road,
The cobblestones of Le Puy
... to market
... to worship
... to meet the dear neighbor.
I felt the first six come alive.
We walked together in joy.
We prayed together as if we were of one time.
1650 or 2018
The year does not matter.
We are of one heart. Ann, CSJ
Another irresistible photo op of the entire group.
Living History Centre
One of the experiences the Centre has been able to offer its guests as a complement to the Kitchen is the Living History Centre (a.k.a. Scenography). Now in its second year, the Scenography documents the origins of the Sisters of St. Joseph from 1650. It starts, however, in 1550, the time of the Protestant Reformation, which provides an historical context for the emergence of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Le Puy. The Living History Centre was made possible by a grant from the Anna-Maria Moggio Foundation.
Olga, International Centre staff member, discusses one of the sisters' first family trees commissioned in 1950 in commemoration of the 300th anniversary.
Saturday Market
"On Saturday morning, we walked back into the old city to go to the Saturday market. I, for one, love my local farmers markets at home, but y experiences at home were nothing like the market in Le Puy. The whole square was bustling with people selling their merchandise along with throngs of people doing their shopping for the week! Stands of vegetables and breads shared space with cheese sellers, olives of all kinds, butchers and more! It was incredible to feel so part of the hustle and bustle of weekly life in such an historic city. To experience such life moving forward in a place where our sisters lived and shopped hundreds of years ago was amazing." Elizabeth
"The vendors gather at the square to display their goods to the multitude passing by and enjoying the experience with friends and family. This experience is not new--Eon's and the Gathering has occurred every Saturday. A delightful experience as I walked, listened, and soaked in the market experience in Le Puy, France. One I will treasure forever." Ben
The Joseph Table
Saturday night the group had the Joseph Table where participants each contributed something for the evening meal. The results were stunningly delicious and beautiful.
"We were invited to go to the market and choose a food item to share at the St. Joseph Table. Upon return for the day, we prepared the food we chose and shared it with the group. What an amazing feast we had. Bon Appetit!" Janet
Each person described their dish, noted its ingredients and explained how they made it.
Sunday Mass and Coffee Afterward
"I grew up with the Latin Mass. This liturgy, in French, was fairly incomprehensible to me also. I couldn't help but sympathize with he 5-year-old little one behind me who had a difficult time 'holding it together' for the hour. I realize now how hard liturgy is for little one--for them it is akin to a foreign language.
That being said, how lively that the parish priest welcomed us, the CSJ pilgrims from the États Unis (USA)! Watching the attentiveness of the people during the homily told me it was a good one indeed.
What a beautiful church and a beautiful experience realizing we were together as one people of faith, despite the language barrier." Barbara
"On Mission Sunday we men and women of the Congregation of St. Joseph were welcomed by the pastor of Des Carmes, a church that was founded in the 14th century, as pilgrims and missionaries from the United States to Le Puy in France. Internationality permeated in this Sunday Mass. The Portuguese community was thanked for donating the statue of Our Lady of Fatima, and we were invited to celebrate during the coming week with Christians from Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco. Des Carmes is the parish church of the Centre and truly lives with 'the dear neighbor.'" Carol
On Being Here in Le Puy
"In preparation for this trip I began reflecting on my own French heritage. However, I was not prepared for the deep soulful connection. There was the connection with food and its preparation. For instance, the peas were cooked with a roux and the Le Puy lentils had similar seasonings to my own red beans. That as the start of the connections.
As I walked the streets and viewed the colors of the buildings, I realized where the choices for my own home originated. The windows on the buildings were like the windows of my home, and in the windows you see lace curtains--which I have also.
It was when we visited the Kitchen that it all came together. Meeting Sr. Simone was like meeting my grandmother, who was born a Belanger. So Simone's facial features were so similar that it was as if my grandmother was standing in front of me.
As I reflect on my visit to this French countryside, I realize the real connection with the Congregation--the culture, the familial characteristics--but most important, the unconditional love--the connection with my Soul." Kate
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