Friends and Associates of the St Augustine Congregation Make a Pilgrimage

Fifteen pilgrims from the St. Augustine Congregation arrived in Le Puy on Monday, June 17. They visited all of the sacred historical sites relevant to the foundation of the Sisters of St. Joseph and learned more about the spirituality of the sisters. They also visited Lourdes and Toulouse in southwestern France as well as Lyon and Annecy.

Several members of the group are associates. Others are either friends of the sisters or former professionals in the sisters' ministries.

Sr. Kathleen and Sr. Rita

Sisters Rita Baum and Kathleen Power led the group. Sister Rita served as a staff member of the International Centre for three years (2009-12). This photo was taken in the Living History Centre, which tells the story of how the St. Augustine Congregation, a direct off-shoot of the Le Puy Congregation, was founded.

In 1866, shortly after the conclusion of America's Civil War, eight “strong sisters, with a good head and solid virtue” were invited by Florida's first Bishop, Augustin Verot, for the purpose of educating and evangelizing the children of newly-freed slaves and the Lincolnville community. Those early days in Florida were not easy, but the sisters managed.

"They faced prejudice, financial hardships, and many nights spent miserably scratching bed bug and mosquito bites. They even survived – and nursed others through – two Yellow Fever epidemics. Blessed with spiritual spunk, they met each challenge with love and strength, paving the way for the Sisters actively serving today....[However], the first Sisters showed godly grit in their controversial ministry, while adapting to a new country, climate and language. " The St. Augustine Social, November 11, 2016

The pilgrims also visited the Kitchen and were truly inspired.


The group spent time in Le Puy at Martine's lace shop and other local restaurants and café. Some members climbed St. Michel. Several went to the 7 a.m. pilgrim Mass at the Cathedral. Every evening, they met as a group to pray and share their experiences of the day.



 

The sheep in the Centre's "backyard" were a favorite of several members of the group. They would faithfully check on them each day.
Meanwhile, the sheep discovered a couple of "sheep whisperers."

The group relied on the service of local taxis to take them around Le Puy. One of the Centre's favorite cab drivers was always reliably ready to serve the pilgrims' need for a ride.

Bonnie and David hitch a ride for dinner at Bambou and Basilic

Vincent (right) and Sr. Rita talk about the remainder of the pilgrimage. Vincent served as the group's guide to Lyon and Annecy. He then followed them all the way to the airport in Paris where they left for home.


The pilgrims traveled by bus during their journeys through France. This 59-seater was the biggest that ever landed at the Centre. The bus was so big, it had to park on the street because it couldn't get through the Centre's gate.

Francis de Sales Scholar Visits the Centre

Occasionally, people come to the Centre either seeking us out deliberately or by chance. Thomas Donlan had come to Le Puy in order to make a five-day pilgrimage on the Camino. He had heard the Sisters of St. Joseph had connections with St. Francis de Sales and he wanted to know how. Eluiza and Olga talked with him for two mutually-enriching hours about the Salesian influence of "gentleness, peace, and joy," which was a stark contrast to 17th century France in which the Church played a militant role in its policies.

Thomas had recently completed doctoral studies in history at the University of Arizona and written his thesis on Francis de Sales who was one of the leaders of the Church calling for a different approach to this militancy. He subsequently published a book titled: Reform of Zeal: François de Sales and Militant Catholicism, published by St. Andrews University Press as an e-book. To download it, click here.

As the précis of his book says, The Reform of Zeal explores the origins, nature, and impact of François de Sales’s vision of Catholic douceur (gentleness) in the era of the French Wars of Religion. Since Natalie Zemon Davis’s pioneering work on the "rites of violence," scholarship has focused on the militant Catholic cultures of early modern France. Taking a fresh approach to de Sales’s work as a missionary, spiritual director, and founder of the Order of Visitation, this volume documents the evolution of de Sales’s spirituality and his championing of religious cultures of nonviolence within French Catholicism. The Reform of Zeal argues that Salesian douceur not only constituted one of the most effective critiques of French Catholic militancy in the period, but also a unique source of religious renewal in the seventeenth century, independent of Leaguer and early dévot fervour.

Thomas is originally from Highland Falls, NY, about 100 miles north of Manhattan. He completed his undergraduate degree at Notre Dame University and a master's degree in religious studies at Yale. He teaches at Brophy College Preparatory, a Jesuit school that serves young men in 6th-12th grades in Phoenix, AZ.  His courses include the history of the Catholic Church as well as "Jesus, Catholicism and Violence" He previously taught high school in New York. In addition to teaching, Thomas moderates the Middle Eastern Club and leads the Appalachia immersion trip.

Philadelphia Sisters Make Annual Pilgrimage

Ten smiling faces from the Philadelphia congregation made their way up the drive to the International Centre on Wednesday, May 22. Led by Dolores Clerico and Regina (Jean) Laurich, the sisters made a week-long pilgrimage to see and experience sacred sites related to the foundations of the Sisters of St. Joseph. 

The aperitif is a mix of moscador (sparkling white wine) and cassis.

The sisters arrived just in time for an aperitif of moscador and cassis with accompanying hors d'oeuvres before a dinner of steak haché (chopped sirloin in tomato sauce), buttered butterfly noodles, haricot verte, cheese, bread, wine, and dessert.  

The sisters make a toast to their pilgrimage along with thanks for a safe journey.

The sisters had morning and afternoon prayer and briefings. They learned more about the 17th century France, which gave them an historical context for what the founding sisters faced in Le Puy in 1650.

The sisters visited the Kitchen and were quite moved by it as they imagined the founding sisters living there in such a small space.

 Pat tried out a footwarmer that the founding sisters likely used in the Kitchen.














The sisters visited the Living History Centre where they learned about 16th and 17th century France that led to the foundation of the six founding sisters. On the day before, they visited the Église du Collège where Father Medaille preached and the Tree of Martyrs where three sisters were guillotined during the French Revolution.

Jean Laurich and Dolores Clerico and confer on the 100 years before the founding of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Jean, coordinator of the Philadelphia sisters' Mission Integration, will lead next year's pilgrimage.

The sisters visited several other sites in Le Puy.

Cathedral of Notre Dame of Le Puy

 The sisters attended Mass at Des Carmes parish, a 14th century church built by the Carmelites. Father Chamaly, pastor, recognized the sisters at Mass and thanked them for coming to Le Puy and Des Carmes. The people in the pews smiled and waved at the sisters in kind.

Chapel of St. Clair (St. Michel is on the left)

Église du Collége, a Baroque-style church, one of the first of its kind in France. Father Medaille preached here and the early sisters worshipped here.

Place du Plot is a central gathering place in the old city.

Although it looks formidable, several sisters climbed St. Michel and were glad they did. 

Lunches at the Centre were light despite the sisters' vigorous activity in the city. Lunches included salad, cheese, jambon paté (ham paté) and everyone enjoyed it.

After having spent numerous days in the city and in group conferences, the highlight of one evening was a visit to the French restaurant, L'Écu d'Or on Pannessac Street. The food and service were outstanding, the atmosphere was pleasant, and everything was oh, so very French.

The meal included a salad and a main dish of trout, chicken in a curry sauce, or beef in a wine sauce. All topped off with fancy French desserts. Delicious!!  The sisters learned how to read a French menu where diners have a choice of three courses or four courses with various combinations of appetizers, main dish, cheese, dessert.

 

 









 



The French in Le Puy don't typically serve butter with the meal. You must ask for it. Our server graciously supplied it, but the butter was only about 2 square inches. M.E. and Pat and shared it with a couple other sisters with still some left over.

On Monday, the last day of the pilgrimage in Le Puy, the sisters had a quiet retreat-like day of reflection and processing. They shared brief statements about the impact of their pilgrimage experience.

Inspired by the sacred spaces and stories of our founding sisters (and brothers) as well as my pilgrim companions. Challenged to live the gifts of grace of love.

Literally standing and walking in the footsteps of our first Sisters has been a very sacred experience.   Joan

The fire of the Spirt went through the entire time in Le Puy.  Mary Esther

My experience at the International Centre was a journey with companions into the heart of God—a changing awareness and deepening of my vocation.  Maryanne

The Pilgrimage Experience has been an opportunity for deepening my SSJ identity allowing the time to become more aware of the gift of PRESENCE and ministry of PRESENCE.  Rosanne

The pilgrimage has been a profound experience of heritage and hope. The bonds and memories created in these ten days will surely continue to bless us.   Merilyn

SSJ Hospitality at its finest.   Pat

A blessing.   Sheila

Powerful and Inspiring Experience.  “M.E.”

We said good-bye to the sisters on Tuesday morning after breakfast. They posed for a few last photos. It's always sad to see the new friends we have made say good-bye. However, we are glad to have the opportunity to provide them with hospitality in the sacred spaces of the Sisters of St. Joseph.

 

Bernard, from Schmitt Voyages, served as the driver. He took good care of the sisters on the ground to and from Lyon to Le Puy.

After the sisters left Le Puy, they went on to Lyon to visit the Living History Centre of the Lyon Congregation. They saw Mother St. John Fontbonne's bedroom and gravesite. The visited Old Town Lyon and Fourvière, which hosts La Basilique Notre Dame and the small chapel next to it, where Mother St. John Fontbonne prayed every day for the sisters she sent to the United States. The sisters left for Philadelphia on Thursday on a flight starting from Lyon and connecting to Frankfurt, Germany.

Italian Sisters of Cuneo Make France Pilgrimage

Sister Gemma Dalmasso (right) of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cuneo, Italy, brought three young Congolese sisters from her community and two Italian sisters from Pinerolo, Italy, for a pilgrimage to Le Puy on May 19-20. They stayed at the Centre for one night and visited the Kitchen and the Living History Centre before they headed out for Annecy, France, the next morning on their way back to Italy.  

The sisters' pilgrimage in France included a visit to Lourdes and Carcasonne, birthplace of Father Medaille.

The sisters were accompanied by Giampiero Martini, their driver, who made sure the sisters were comfortable and safe at all times.