Congregation of St Joseph Makes Annual Pilgrimage

The Congregation of St Joseph pilgrimage group led by Sr Carol Crepeau came to the International Centre on Wednesday, October 2-8. There were 15 pilgrims.

They arrived after 12 hours of flying over the ocean (with 90 minutes of delay before departure and two hours of turbulence), running to their connection in Paris, and being picked up by bus in Lyon en route to the Centre. Then 50 yards from the Centre, a huge semi-truck delivering goods to the Super U warehouse blocked their passage for 10 minutes. This truly made their arrival all the more sweet.
 

Eluiza greets Carol Crepeau

After settling in, the group came to the dining room for a meal of roast beef and then they all were in bed sound asleep by 8:30. The next day they started out with breakfast at 7:30 and then hit the streets by 9 a.m. for a walking tour of the city. No softies in this group of Midwesterners (and one Californian)!

The Joseph Table
One of the highlights of the pilgrimage was the Joseph Table. In times of old, people would bring food to share with the poor and dedicate it to St. Joseph. The pilgrims went shopping at the Saturday market in Le Puy and brought home some delicious vitals to share with one another. (Oh yes, staff had the time off during preparation, service, and clean-up of the meal!)

Prep work was only a bit chaotic this year as 16 people scurried among each other in a small kitchen and the dining room. It took intense concentration to the task--and a bit of fun--to prepare each dish, which were all delicious!

It amazingly only took an hour to prepare the meal and each person or team presented their dish with great pride and excitement.

The group prayed over the meal and dug into it with great enjoyment. And like Jesus who fed a crowd of 5,000 with two small fish and some bread, there was enough for seconds--and leftovers, too.

The Kitchen

Carol explained the features of the Kitchen and ways in which the early sisters lived in the mid-17th century.

She demonstrated how the sisters made lace at night by candlelight to help support themselves and their ministries by day.





 The pilgrims prayed for the early sisters and their legacy. They then gathered around--and inside--the fireplace for a group photo.

On Tuesday, October 8, the group headed onward toward Lyon to visit the Living History Centre of the Lyon Congregation, Mother St. John Fontbonne's gravesite, and Fourvière.

The pilgrims enjoyed their time in Le Puy, and they were inspired to have walked the steps of our founders. Here are some of their reflections.

Six women and a thread woven
Across the cobblestones
Up and down the hills
Across the crooked bridge
To the hearth of the fireplace
Around the Tree of Martyrs
To catch 15 of us
And weave us into the story of 
Six women and a thread.
                       Linda, CSJ Associate

Le Puy, a journey of a life time
We traveled through centuries to once again
Be One.
With a grateful heart, 
I am once again blessed.
                       Diane

"I'm delighted to experience the wonderful hospitality of the International Centre and also the positive interactions we've had from the people of France, especially when I got lost and my 'new friend,' Marie, drove me back to the Centre.
                        Joannie K 

Our feet on the same cobblestones
Our prayer in the same church
Our hearts full of the same love
Our past laced together with the present
"We are all one."
                       Frankie

Standing at the tree where our sisters were martyred--and praying for my own courage to stand up for injustice.
                       Mary