They came from Burkina Faso, Egypt, France, India, the Ivory Coast, Mexico, Lebanon, the USA, and by zoom from England and Ireland to meet with each other together for the first time since elected to 6-year terms of leadership in April of 2023. The Extended General Council (EGC) of the Congregation met in Le Puy on June 16-22. “It is the place of our ‘source’ and we return to it for a week of Syodal prayer, sharing, listening, and conversations about how best to, ‘allow the unfolding of common directions in accordance with the guidelines of General Chapter, in a spirit of openness to the Church and the needs of each country’ (Const. 158 re the EGC), said Sr. Judy Donovan, Superior General.

Charism in Motion is a new program for young adults (ages 21-49) in the U.S. Federation that started in 2022. It is open to anyone with a relationship to the Sisters of St. Joseph and their Charism. This program gives people a chance to interact with others united under the mission of the sisters during retreats, professional development, spiritual events, and more. Charism in Motion was also a new pilgrimage program at the International Centre this year. Presenters included Sr. Michelle Lesher, SSJ-Philadelphia, professor of theology at Chestnut Hill College, and Kristen Whitney-Daniels, associate director of the US Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph. The 11 young women attended the program came from all walks of professional life.

Mount St. Mary’s University of Los Angeles (USA) held its annual pilgrimage for Board members, faculty, and staff from May 30 to June 2. Twenty-seven men and women from the University participated. MSMU President Ann McElaney-Johnson accompanied the group and Shannon Green, director of the CSJ Institute, presented a history of the Sisters of St. Joseph to orient the group to the various sites they would see. The group also traveled to Bas-en-Basset to see the birthplace of Mother St. John Fontbonne and to have a delicious French picnic lunch there. MSMU was founded by the Sisters of Carondelet (USA) in 1925. It is the only women’s university in Los Angeles and one of the most diverse in the nation. The University is known nationally for its research on gender equity, its innovative health and science programs, and its commitment to community service.

Associates and partners in mission participated in “Called to the More: An Experience of the CSSJ Spiritual Legacy” on May 15-21. Besides visiting the Kitchen and various historical sites of the Sisters of St. Joseph, the group visited Mother St. John Fontbonne’s birthplace in Bas-en-Basset, the Heritage Centre and Fourvière basilica in Lyon, and the basilica and museum of St. Francis Regis in Lalouvesc. The pilgrimage was led by Sr. Mary Beth Ingham, general superior, and Sr. Jane DeLisle, director of the Center for Spiritual Development. This is the first year they have organized a pilgrimage exclusively for lay people.

The cold spring days did not deter the five sisters and three associates from walking to the old city of Le Puy, nor did it dampen their desire to enrich their spiritual lives with visits to the Kitchen, various historical sites, the Cathedral, and their 300-step climbs to Saint Michel and Our Lady of France. The group’s days centered around daily conferences, the sharing of the heart in the evenings, and a full day of reflection over the entire experience. The annual spring pilgrimage was led by Sr. Jean Laurich and Sr. Trudy Ahern.

It was a little cold and breezy for the pilgrims from St. Catherine University, but the group’s spirit and energy never wavered as they visited the Kitchen and other historical sites. Coordinator of the pilgrimage group was Kelly Povo '09 of Alumni Relations. President ReBecca Koenig Roloff ’76 also joined the group. St. Catherine University was founded in St. Paul, Minnesota (USA) in 1905 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. The University is named for St. Catherine of Alexandria, the fourth-century Egyptian lay philosopher who suffered martyrdom for her faith. The university’s mission is to educate women to lead and influence at all degree levels by valuing and integrating the liberal arts and professional education within the Catholic intellectual tradition, emphasizing scholarly inquiry, and by social justice teachings. Its vision is to be respected globally for educating women who transform the world.

Although the weather was cold and overcast, the group of 14 sisters, alumni, and staff from Mary Louis Academy enjoyed their pilgrimage to Le Puy. They climbed the mounts of St. Michel and the Blessed Mother, walked the city’s cobble-stoned streets, and marveled at its centuries-old medieval buildings without a thought of quitting. This bright and hearty group of pilgrims appreciated seeing the historical sites, especially the Kitchen. This was the first time since Covid that pilgrims from the Academy came to Le Puy. The Mary Louis Academy in Jamaica Estates, NY (USA) is a Catholic college preparatory school for young women sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood, NY. It is rooted in the sisters’ charism of unity, reconciliation, and inclusive love that embraces all of creation. The Academy seeks to empower young women to realize and value their own unique gifts – intellectual, social, and spiritual – and to use their gifts as leaders in creating a just society.

Community managers for the Institute of St. Joseph’s nursing homes and retirement centers met at the Centre on March 12 for a day-long workshop. Brigitte Fontaine was the presenter for the day. She is a psycho-pedagogue from Valance in private practice for individuals and groups. The theme for the conference was managing tension and conflict better by addressing a series of questions including: - What is the origin of the conflict? - How do I feel? What do the others feel? - What do we need to do to respond? Brigitte set-up concrete situations for the participants to discuss in order to practice exploring possible solutions. The key to the process, said Brigitte, is to listen to the others.

Twelve students from Mount St. Mary’s University of Los Angeles spent several days in Le Puy. The students were already well-versed in the history and spirituality of the Sisters of St. Joseph, but seeing the places where our founding sisters lived and ministered made a deep impression on them and gave them lasting memories of their time together as a community. Meredith Lynch, assistant director for the CSJ Institute coordinated the pilgrimage with Dr. Ashley Joseph, director of Women’s Leadership and Community Engagement, and Laura Gomez, Assistant Director of Campus Ministry and Director of Music Ministry, as accompanying staff.

The 15 pilgrims of the Congregation of St. Joseph "hit the streets" of Le Puy to walk in the footsteps of the six founding sisters. They took a break on the Twisted Bridge that spans the Borne River for their group photo. One of the buildings they saw was the original orphans' home of the six founding sisters (below left), which is located next to St. Clair Chapel. Today it serves as the library for the town of Aiguilhe.

Sisters from Brazil and Denmark participated in the Two Trinities program directed by Sr. Linda Buck (Orange). Although the sisters had decades of experience in community, they deepened their understanding of the new movements of the Spirit for today's wounded world. Sr. Joana Mendes (Rochester-Brazil) served as the Portuguese-English translator. This photo was taken in front of Mother St. John Fontbonne's birthplace in Bas-en-Basset.

As "The Lace Is Not Yet Finished" program comes to a close, this portrait shows the participants wearing their new silk scarves that were presented as gifts by the Indian sisters. The dramatic setting of Le Puy enhances the colorful beauty of the group. Sr Jane DeLisle (Orange) served as director with Sr Gloria Cruz (Brentwood-Puerto Rico) as Spanish-English translator. The group was truly international with 5 Indian sisters, 2 Argentinian sisters, 1 American sister, and 1 American associate.

The Mission Alive! program offers a pilgrimage for lay partners in mission and provides an immersion experience into the original spirit and global dimension of the charism and spiritual tradition of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. The week-long experience offered a rhythm of presentations, interactive participation, prayer, and visits to historic sites in Le Puy-en-Velay. A day trip to Lyon was also included. The Mission Alive! program at the International Centre featured Sr. Dolores Clerico (Philadelphia) served as the presenter and participants included 8 Brazilians, 1 Argentinian, 1 Uruguayan, 4 Canadians, 1 American. Sr Gloria Cruz (Brentwood-Puerto Rico) and Sr Joana Mendes (Rochester-Brazil) were the Spanish-English and Portuguese-English translators, respectively.

Twenty-two French sisters of the Institute of St Joseph (the original Le Puy congregation) spent Wednesday, June 21 at the International Centre for a community meeting. Like sisters everywhere, they were very disciplined in arriving at the same time, starting their meetings on time, and finishing all business on time. Of course, their loving presence permeated the whole house in their joy of being and working together. There's nothing like the spirit of the Sisters of St Joseph—and it is evident in every congregation throughout the world!

Energy. Enthusiasm. Excitement. Exploration. Just a few words to describe the 17 students from the nine SSJ colleges located across the USA who came to Le Puy June 12-15. Even the long flight from the USA did not dampen their spirit of adventure as they sought a deeper understanding of and connection to the Sisters of St. Joseph charism and spirituality. They were a group on the move through the city of Le Puy with climbs to St. Michel, the Rue des Tables, the Cathedral, and the Blessed Mother statue. They also visited the Kitchen and walked the same streets as the founding sisters did nearly 400 years ago. In the evenings the students took time to share their heart-felt reflections.

A group of 24 sisters, alumni, board members, faculty, and staff celebrated the 100th anniversary of the founding of Fontbonne University in St. Louis (USA) by going on a pilgrimage to Le Puy and Lyon June 4-7. The group also went to Paris and Rome. The group is pictured here at Mother St. John Fontbonne’s birthplace home. Dr. Nancy Blattner, president of Fontbonne, led the group with Sr. Joan Lescinski, SSJ-Carondelet, president emeritus of St. Ambrose University. Fontbonne University is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

Faculty and staff of Mt. St. Mary's University spent June 1-4 in Le Puy as part of their annual pilgrimage to explore and be inspired by the history and spirituality of the Sisters of St. Joseph. MSMU President Ann McElaney-Johnson accompanied the group and Shannon Green, director of the CSJ Institute, presented a history of the Sisters of St. Joseph to orient the group to the various sites they would see. The group also traveled to Bas-en-Basset to see the birthplace of Mother St. John Fontbonne and to have a delicious French picnic lunch.

The Orange Sisters of Los Angeles, California (USA), made their annual pilgrimage along with several lay persons who are associates and partners in mission during their May 17-22 visit to Le Puy. The group also went to Carcassonne, the birthplace of Fr. Medaille, as well as Bas-en-Basset, the birthplace of Mother St. John Fontbonne. Sr. Mary Beth Ingham, president of the Congregation, and Sr. Jane DeLisle, director of the Center for Spiritual Development, led the group.

Several Indian and African sisters from the Annecy Congregation (France) made a whirlwind tour of SSJ historical sites in Le Puy, Bas-en-Basset, and Monistrol on May 12-13. They spent a night at the International Centre. Sr. Viannay Thanniath who is on the Annecy leadership team sponsored the two-day excursion. Sr. Viannay is also vice president of the International Centre Board.

As more and more lay people are interested in coming to Le Puy to deepen their understanding of the history and spirituality of the Sisters of St. Joseph, the International Centre Board decided to offer a second program for lay people with Sr. Mary Rowell (SSJs in Canada) as presenter. “Stepping into the Past, Living in the Present, and Journeying toward the Future” (May 1-7) integrated prayer, reflection, presentations, and sharing with visits to special SSJ sites in Le Puy and Lyon. Questo programma comprendeva preghiera, riflessione, presentazioni e condivisione, con visite a luoghi importanti per le suore di san Giuseppe, a Le Puy e a Lione.