22/06/2020 - France

Welcoming Marist Pilgrims

Sr Teri O'Brien writes from the JMC Centre:

"Recently Ray ChapmanSM accompanied a wonderful group of Marists who are on a renewal program at La Neylière.

They arrived in Belley late in the afternoon of June 11^th.  The first stop was the cemetery to pray for the 106 Marists buried there just  opposite the burial site of our Sisters. After settling into the hotel, they explored some historical sites in Belley with Ray.

The next day, after Mass in La Capucinière, we visited  “Le Bugey”:  Innimont and Ruffieu.  The group then walked the 7 kms from Lacoux to Chaley giving them a real experience of the difficulties faced by the first Marist missioners.! 

Saturday we visited Cras, Cuet and the birth place of Pierre Chanel. In Cras, Pierre Chanel prayed to Our Lady of Perseverance  for the courage to continue his studies for the priesthood. 

After stopping at the small church of  La Balme, the first Marist mission, the Fathers celebrated Mass in Cerdon.  We visited  to the sites of the first Marist Sisters’ houses. From there we walked  to “La Coria.” It is here that Jean Claude Colin prayed for strength to continue with the Marist project.

The pilgrimage to Belley and Le Bugey ended with Mass in the first chapel of the Marist Sisters, now the oratory of the  Historical Centre."

Photos:

1. Ray is holding wine from Cerdon which will be shared at the celebration at the closing of the renewal. The bus driver, Pierre has a bottle, too as he was an amazing presence during the entire visit!
2. Mass in the first chapel of the Marist Sisters

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