A Pilgrimage of the Heart

With Mary, walking together in the footsteps of our first Marists re-kindling their fire within us

June 10 - 28

Here in the Hermitage we were amazed to see the rock from which Marcellin carved the first buildings, and the river which runs through the Hermitage, passing between the new dining hall and Champagnat house. How impressed we were by Champagnat’s room, still in renovation, the stone wall and the wooden floor as well as the ceiling still well preserved…As we sat there to pray and reflect we could hear the musical sound of the water of the River Gier flowing below…everyone was deeply touched. No wonder Marcellin loved this room where he could be reminded of the beauty of nature.

In Le Puy we gathered there in front of the altar of the Black Madonna where we prayed and reflected as each one lit a candle and solemnly placed it in the stand. A little later we celebrated Eucharist in the Blessed Sacrament chapel. In this mass of Thanksgiving for the inspiration given here, Fr. David challenged us to embrace the shadow of our early beginnings in the person of Courveille and also to be thankful that he who received the inspiration shared it with his fellow seminarians

It was also here in Le Puy that Jeanne-Marie Chavoin came to pray and to seek a place to begin the Society.

Fourviere

This is one of the most significant places in the history of the Marist Family where the young seminarians (among whom were Colin, Champagnat, Declas …) consecrated themselves in front of the Black Madonna, and where our Founders and Pioneers come to pray and ask the guidance of our Blessed Mother. During the Eucharistic celebration, very significant for each one of us, we renewed our vows.

After a quiet day of integration, we set out for Coutouvre, arriving just on time for Mass. Some parishioners joined us in this celebration and we were touched by their warm welcome.  Their lovely smiles showed us how proud they are that Jeanne Marie is one of their own.

	We visited the home of Jeanne Marie Chavoin now owned by a parishioner who willingly showed us the cellar where the Chavoin family hid a priest during the Revolution.

At Jarnosse we gathered inside the church behind the altar to sing a song in honor of Jeanne-Marie Chavoin whose first burial place is marked by a cross on the floor. Outside we saw the sisters’ former convent which was built by Jeanne Marie after she resigned as Superior General and where she died in 1858.

The day closed with a visit to St Bonnet-le-Troncy, home place of Fr. Jean Claude Colin where we visited the museum and prayed in the church. We were struck by the very different environments we found in these parts of the country and which must have marked these founders.

La Neylière

The dream of Fr. Colin that La Neylière would become a place of rest and prayer for Marists came true as we enjoyed its peace and quiet, and the long-awaited sunshine, visiting the museums and praying at his grave during our two-day stay.

In Belley we saw the school where the first Marist Fathers lodged and later worked, visited La Capucinière, their first house where they elected Father Colin as Superior General and took their vows.

We were welcomed at Bon Repos by the Marist Sisters, visiting their museum and celebrating Eucharist in the chapel built by Jeanne-Marie Chavoin.

From here we went to Cerdon for another moving celebration and visited La Balme, site of the first mission. Coming back to Belley through the Bugey mountains gave us an impression of the significance of those first missions in difficult terrain and the courage and faith which drove them out in wintry weather to preach the Good News to an impoverished people.

We headed back to Manziana with many memories,our hearts stirred by all that we had seen, heard and felt, living memories of people come and gone who left us a legacy and a task to fulfill – Mary’s work done in her way for the glory of her Son. 

We are deeply grateful to our different Marist Congregations for gifting us with this enriching inter-branch renewal time  and to our Team for their dedication, listening ear and support. The Renewal Group in Manziana July 2010

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