Arrival and Orientation : 29th and 30th June 2025
Sr. Rosalba
On Sunday 29 June, the 12 participants in the pilgrimage group all arrived in Chambéry to celebrate the 375th anniversary of the foundation of the Sisters of St Joseph. The core group had encouraged and supported the initiative proposed by group n°4 which, among the various groups created to increase knowledge between the sisters of the Europe/USA network, had the mission of organising trips and/or retreats in common. Coming from Norway, the United States, Italy and of course France, the ‘pilgrims of hope’, led by Sister Barbara Bozak and Sister Ann Kane, will cover several stages until the end of the journey on 10 July, with the departures. The itinerary includes transfers and overnight stays at the International Centres in Le Puy, Lyon and Chambéry.
1st July 2025
Sr. Sujatha
We are the pilgrim group from different countries, gathered together at chambery .Our day started by Holy mass and at 9:30 am we left bellcomebette to le Puy. The joy of entering in the heart of le Puy was very exacting. The first visit was, our first Kitchen.We all experienced the presence of our first six sisters and moved with emotions as we listening to the guide.
After that we walked the streets of Le Puy, where our sisters have worked by proclaiming and bearing witness in words and deeds their fidelity to the God's call. The history of our Congregation, most of us touched by 3 key words which our first sisters lived it out and ask us to continue thoser are: Hospitality, simplicity and mission. We have hope to keep alive our Congregation.
We have ended our day with prayer and by asking these questions:
1. In this sometimes dark and complex world, to whom are we faithful?
2. What do we bear witness in our daily life as a sisters of St.Joseph?
3.what grace are we asking for today?
2nd July 2025
Sr. Barbara
Wednesday, July 2, the Europe-USA pilgrimage group visited important sites in Le Puy with S. Eluiza, a sister of the Chambéry congregation as guide. She explained in detail the Cathedral where our first sisters certainly prayed, the Church of the College where Father Medaille and St. Francis Regis ministered and the Place du Martouret where two Sisters of St. Joseph met their death at the guillotine during the French Revolution because they were caring for a sick priest. All thirteen members of the group enjoyed their time together despite the very hot weather.
3rd July
Sr. Mai Teresa
I would like to share my feelings and experiences after visiting places related to Mother St. John Fontbonne. We went to Saint Didier, where the prison once held Mother St. John and some of the sisters during the French Revolution. After the Revolution, this place became a convent for the Sisters of St. Joseph.
While I was in the chapel where the sisters used to pray, I listened to the story of Mother St. John. My heart was deeply moved. I felt the presence of the sisters, and I was filled with courage and strength. I began to wonder where Mother St. John's strength came from—how she remained so brave and faithful. It became clear that her strength came from her deep relationship with God. She trusted Him fully. That’s why even their prison cell became a place of prayer and retreat.
I pray that Mother St. John to intercede for me, so that I too may have a strong relationship with God and follow His will as she did.
We also visited the house where Mother St. John grew up and lived with her family during the Revolution, before her arrest and imprisonment. Sharing lunch together in that home, I felt like we were one big family, blessed by Mother St. John's spirit. Though we come from different countries and cultures, our faith and our spirituality connect us as Sisters of St. Joseph. We are truly of diversity in unity.
After our lunch, Olga, one of the associate members, shared more about Mother St. John’s life. Through her sharing, I felt that we not only learned more about her but also grew closer to one another. The day ended beautifully as we prayed and shared our experiences together.
Merci beaucoup, Grazie mille, og tusen hjertelig takk.
4th July
Sr. Ann Kane
Today we scaled the heights via the funicular as we headed to Fourviere, the "holy city that prays."
It received its name because of the many churches, cathedrals and basilicas in that area.
Here we toured the Church of the Virgin which is in the crypt of this magnificent basilica.
Later that morning, still in Fourviere, we visited the cemetery where Mother St. John was buried.
Here they felt moved by her willingness to move forward amidst the violence and turmoil of the world around her.
July 4th (Independce Day) did not go unnoticed by the three sisters from the United States. We are Pilgrims of Hope!
Then we had a well deserved free afternoon, during which some walked around the neighborhood and others of us went on a boat ride down the river. All relaxed and recouped our energies, ready to continue our pilgrimage.
What an amazing grace it is for us 14 pilgrims to inspire, challenge and have fun with one another. Our Sharing is truly a gift from God.
5th July
Sr. Santhi
Today 5th day of our pilgrimage journey began in the old down of Lyon where mother Saint Jean Marcoux was sent to do the “charity project” around the Cathedral by serving meals to the poor. The sisters served almost 1200 meals par day.
In recalling all her good work, she has done over there we stood infront of the Cathedral we began our prayer and then by singing “Ubi caritas…. “We entered the Cathedral and then we read the Gospel of St Mk; 16,15-20 “Were Jesus sends the disciples to proclaim the good news to all creations” After which each one was took time to visit the Church by reflecting the mission of mother Saint Jean Marcoux and the Gospel we just heard.
In the afternoon we have visited the Sanit John font Bonne’s room where she lived and carried out all her mission in rebuilding the congregation, and giving life to us.
We concluded the today’s pilgrimage back in the Chambery in the evening by prayer and by sharing the state of the heart.
6th July
Sr. Dominga
In the morning we attended Mass at St John XXIII parish, to which we belong.
Enlightened by the Gospel of the day: ‘Jesus calls the 72 and sends them out...’ (Lk 10) we remembered the hundreds and hundreds of Sisters of St Joseph and priests from Savoie who were SENT to the five continents... A century later, the entrance procession of this Sunday's celebration is made up of sisters and priests who have also come from the five continents carrying the photo of Mother Maria Theodora Voiron, chamberlain, on this centenary of her death! The seed sown has borne fruit.
In the afternoon the whole group went to Annecy. The Sisters of St Joseph of Annecy gave us a warm welcome. Maria Luiza reminded us with wisdom and dedication of the founding of the Visitation Sisters by Francis de Sales and Jeanne de Chantal.
After a snack with the Sisters of the Community and the General Council, we went for a walk along the shores of the lake.
We thank Sister Jona who accompanied us on this journey.
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