St. Augustine (Florida) Pilgrimage -- September 16-20

A group of sisters, associates, and friends of the St. Augustine Congregation (Florida--USA) held a two-week pilgrimage in France. Before coming to Le Puy they visited Lourdes, Paris, Toulouse, and Lisieux.

The 20-member group was led by Sr. Rita Baum, who has been the coordinator of the St. Augustine associates. Sr. Rita is a former staff member of the International Centre.

The pilgrims visited the Kitchen and other historical sites of the Sisters of St. Joseph. They not only got to know the city of Le Puy, but to witness and participate in the annual King of the Birds Renaissance Festival. 

The St. Augustine Congregation is the only congregation in the United States whose roots are directly from Le Puy-en-Velay. 

Life at the Centre

Eleven members of the group stayed overnight at the Centre while nine others stayed at the Ibis Hotel. Each day the group met for Mass and dinner.

                                                       

 Mary Ann visited the Centre 13 years ago. She painted these two pictures and gave them to the Centre where they still hang on the top floor. She and her artist-friend, Carolyn, spent much time sketching scenes of the pilgrimage.

                                

                   
                                                   

 

 

Visiting Le Puy

 

One of the first stops in Le Puy was a visit to the Kitchen. After a prayer there, the group gathered for a blessing.

   

  

 

    

                                     

 

Deacon Lou assisted Fr. Tim at Mass.

 

 

 

The group visited the Sisters' Chapel near the Kitchen where they also had Mass. The chapel has a close tie to the St. Augustine Congregation because the sisters who went to Florida to educate the newly-freed American slaves took their vows in this chapel. They were also sent on mission from this chapel. It was a meaningful moment of history and legacy.

 

 

 

 

 The group visited the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. One of the pilgrims tried out the Healing Stone.

 

 

Some lovely ladies strike a dramatic pose.

The Lace Is Not Yet Finished -- September 8-14

 

“The Lace Is Not Yet Finished” program) attracted a diversity of sisters and lay people from different countries (Denmark, India, Japan, USA). Here they are at the gravesite of Mother St. John Fontbonne as part of their day-long visit to Lyon. They also visited historical sites in Le Puy, sometimes climbing the hill to the old city two or three times a day. They certainly were a hearty group!

Sr. Jane Delisle, CSJ, director of “The Lace” since 2010, is from Orange, California (USA). She has also come to Le Puy to conduct pilgrimages for sisters and Family of Joseph members of the Orange Congregation as well as staff from the Providence St. Joseph Health Systems (associated with Orange).

Three Japanese women from the Carondelet Congregation came to the program:   Sr. Therese, Sr. Lucia, and Marie (the translator). This was the first time we hosted Japanese pilgrims. We hope more Japanese sisters and lay people will come to the Centre.

 

 

Notre Dame de Fourvière Basilica in Lyon

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Visit from a Legend

One afternoon Sr. Simone Saugues of the Institute St. Joseph came to the Centre. She spoke to the group about the history of the sisters in Le Puy and captivated the participants for three hours! They much appreciated her stories, insights, and explanations as well as her wit. They knew they were in the presence of a legend.