CSJ Pilgrimage 2022

 

The Congregation of St Joseph pilgrimage group led by Sr Carol Crepeau came to the International Centre on October 5-11. Of the 10 pilgrims, eight had been in Le Puy before. Consequently, this year's pilgrimage was more of a retreat that allowed the group time to focus on the history and spirituality on their own. In the evening the members shared their experiences, insights, and state of the heart.

Pilgrimage to La Chaise Dieu

 One of the highlights of the pilgrimage this year was a trek to La Chaise Dieu, an 11th century Benedictine abbey that was later expanded into its present form during the 14th century. Group members spent time looking around the abbey, visiting the medieval tapestries, and witnessing the Dance of the Macabre, a popular motif during the Black Death (1347-51). Click here and then scroll down for more info on the Dance of the Macabre.

 

La Chaise Dieu was founded by Robert of Turlande, a hermit who attracted a large following of young people, in 1043 according to the Rule of St. Benedict. He named it Casa Dei (House of God) or in French it is called La Chaise-Dieu (the Seat of God). By the time of his death in 1067 the abbey had grown to over 300 monks with 50 outlying churches and priories. It would later expand to 300 abbeys in France and other countries. As a result, Robert was canonized in 1095 as St. Robert of Turlande.

Pope Clement VI became a monk at Chaise Dieu in 1301 at the age of 10 and pope in 1342. He expanded the present-day abbey church between 1344-1350) and was entombed there in 1352. He was the fourth Avignon pope (1342-52).

For more information about La Chaise Dieu, click here.

The group sat in these 14th century monks stalls for Mass--and took on a humorous pose before it started.

This 17th century organ was put in mothballs until 1966 when the famous Hungarian pianist, Georges Cziffra (1921-1994) discovered it while he was visiting friends in La Chaise Dieu. In 1966, he and his son, György Cziffra (1942–1981), a conductor, began offering recitals and concerts of sacred music to raise funds for restoring the organ. These efforts evolved into the Chaise Dieu Music Festival in 1976, which has been held every year since at the end of August.

 

After Mass, the group had lunch at Au Four A Bois, a local French-Italian restaurant, which was a treat and a different food experience from Le Puy and the Centre.

Driss, the bus driver during the pilgrimage to La Chaise Dieu and Lyon joined the group for lunch at the restaurant. He later drove the group to Taizé on the last day before returning home to the USA. 

Merci beaucoup, Driss !!!

 

 

 

 

 

  

These group members saw the medieval tapestries, which included a tour of the entire abbey. In this photo, they are in the abbey's courtyard.

 

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 CSJ pilgrims went shopping at the Saturday market in Le Puy and brought home some delicious vittles to share with one another. 

         

  

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A good time and a spiritual experience was had by all!!

Mission Effectiveness -- 2022

 

Nineteen participants took part in the 2022 Mission Effectiveness program, which provides leaders in institutions sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph with an understanding of the SSJ charism, history, and spirituality. In this photo, the group is on a bus for a day trip to Lyon to learn more about Mother St. John Fontbonne and the development of the Sisters of St. Joseph after the French Revolution.

 

 The group posed with the statue of Mother St. John Fontbonne at the Origin and Evolution Centre. It also visited Mother St. John's gravesite (below).

 

The program was a hybrid presentation with Sister Dolores Clerico on zoom from Philadelphia and Sister Phyllis DiFuccia (foreground) presiding over the group's presentations, prayers, and tours. Sister Marlena Roeger (with the microphone) provided translation to the Brazilians.

Each participant gave a presentation of his/her institution that is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph. Participants learned how to adapt their work there to the charism and spirituality of the Congregation. Group members represented the following countries: Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, USA, and Wales.

 

 Prayer was a daily practice, which took place in the Community Room.

 

As Jayne awaited the birth of her first grandchild, participants joined her in a three-day vigil. Finally, during the group’s trip to Lyon, Jayne received word that a healthy baby girl, Ida Jayne, was born. Everyone celebrated the event with tears, smiles, and dancing. Click here to see the dancing video. They also toasted Jayne at dinner with sparkling French wine.

 

 

Participants visited various historical and SSJ pilgrimage sites in Le Puy. The Brazilians (left) climbed the 132-meter high volcanic spur called the Rocher Corneille to visit the Virgin. They--and many others--also climbed St. Michel.

 

Jean Bonnassieux sculpted the statue in 1860. It was cast with the bronze recovered from the Russian cannons captured at the Battle of Sebastopol during the Crimean War, a gift from Napoleon III.

 

All participants visited the Kitchen only they did it in two groups according to language. While the English speakers were at the Kitchen, the Brazilians visited Martine's lace shop. Then they switched places.

 

Dinner at La Table du Plot

                      

                                   

The group bonded together almost from the start of the program. Many friendships were made as members told stories about their lives, their work, and their desire to be connected to the mission and ministries of the Sisters of St. Joseph.

 

The Lace Is Not Yet Finished -- 2022

 

 

 

 

 

Monistrol

 

 

 

Many thanks to Sister Bernie Inocencio, 

a novice from Orange (USA), for the photos

Sisters from Orange Make a Heritage Pilgrimage

 

 The sisters from Orange, California re-started their CSJ Heritage Pilgrimage since the Covid pandemic. Four sisters from Formation and their director, Sr. Kit Gray participated in the pilgrimage, which was led by Sr. Mary Beth Ingham and Sr. Jane Delisle.

During the two-week pilgrimage, the sisters visited several sites that are particular to the Sisters of St. Joseph: Annecy, Bas-en-Basset, Monistrol, Carcacassonne. They spent June 8-13 in Le Puy.

 

 

The sisters gathered around a small altar for prayer, input, and state of the heart with a different theme each day.

Église du Collège

The sisters had special permission to visit the room of St. Francis Régis at the Église du Collège. St. Francis lived and ministered in Le Puy and influenced the spirituality of the Sisters of St. Joseph to serve "the dear neighbor". He had started one of the first known soup kitchens near the Église du Collège where he was also a teacher.

In this video below, Sr. Jane Delisle talks to Sr. Trish about St. Francis and the Église du Collège. Fr. Medaille visited Le Puy from time to time and also preached in the Jesuit-sponsored church.

Cathedral de Notre Dame

The sisters climbed the 134 steps to the Cathedral de Notre Dame and learned about its significance as a starting point of the Chemin de Compostelle pilgrimage (the Camino). Henri de Maupas served as bishop here when he encouraged Fr. Medaille to gather local women to serve the poor.

St. Michel

                               

Walking, Climbing, and Meeting Local People

         

In 5 days of their stay in Le Puy, the sisters calculated that they had walked about 27 miles.

 

                                                                

On the way to St. Michel, the sisters met Sr. Hannah of the Sisters of St. John. She recently arrived in Le Puy from her native country, the Philippines, to assume her new ministry at the Cathedral.

Before their stop at the Kitchen and the Scenography (Living History Centre), the sisters met some Le Puy sisters who live on the campus.

 

St. Joseph Mount

The sisters had time to take a look at the St. Joseph Basilica, which is the third puy mount in Le Puy. The basilica features the life of Joseph on the back wall of the sanctuary. Formation director Sr. Kit accompanied Sr. Trish, Sr. Grace, and Sr. Flo.

 

 

The sisters climbed the stairs of the mount to get closer to the giant statue of St. Joseph and to visit the incredible grotto chapel (below) that was formed out of the rock.

 

Evening Activities

The cool evenings allowed the sisters to take walks, talk with each other--and pick cherries. The trees behind the Centre International are abundant with cherries waiting to be picked. However, the sisters couldn't resist eating some along the way.

                                                                            

   

 

 

Sisters Mary Beth Ingham, Kit Gray, and Jane Delisle enjoy an evening chat.

 

Carcassonne

The sisters visited Carcassonne, the home town of Fr. Medaille. They visited the church where he was baptised. The walled city makes for a spectacular background. was born in Carcassonne, France on Oct. 6, 1610 and was educated at the Jesuit College there

Annecy

                             

 The sisters took planes, buses, and trains during their 2-week pilgrimage. Everything was an adventure as well as a spiritual journey to the heritage of the Sisters of St. Joseph.

                            

Many of these photos were taken by Trish.