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The Congregation of St. Joseph has been coming to Le Puy since 2004. As more and more lay people serve in various congregational ministries, the sisters are providing them with opportunities to understand and incorporate the SSJ spirituality into their work so that they may carry on the charism. During October 8-15, the group came to Le Puy to learn more about the Congregation’s foundations with on-site visits to the Kitchen, the Tree of the Martyrs, the church where Father Médaille preached, and the rectory where he stayed during his visits to Le Puy. The group also went to Bas- en-Basset and Lyon to see Mother St. John Fontbonne’s birthplace and the motherhouse she founded, respectively. Sr. Carol Crepeau, Mary Frances Ross and Brenda Leroux Babin, both associates, led this pilgrimage this year

By the power of the Holy Spirit, the hearts of a small group of women in Le Puy-en-Velay in 1650 were enflamed by God's call to reach out to people suffering from devastating poverty, pervasive violence, and stifling oppression. These women found their home in the Gospel and in the teachings of the itinerant Jesuit, Jean Pierre Médaille. Likewise, a small group of women—from Canada, India, Japan, and USA—came to Le Puy to get in touch with and claim once again the transformative power of this charism by exploring the streets of Le Puy-en-Velay and visiting and praying in the Kitchen, the Cathedral of Notre Dame du Puy, the Chapel of St. Michel d'Aiguilhe, the Eglise du Collège, and the Tree of the Martyrs. They spent a day concentrating on Mother St. John Fontbonne by visiting her birthplace in Bas-en-Basset, the Heritage Room where she set up the post-Revolutionary congregation in Lyon, and at her graveside. They also attended Mass at the Cathedral and had some fun attending the annual Renaissance Festival despite the rainy day. One day, Sr. Chizuru (Japan) and Associate Diane (St Louis, USA) went to the top of the hill behind the Centre and captured some beautiful photos of a Le Puy sunrise. Sr. Jane Delisle, CSJ is a Sister of St. Joseph from Orange, CA (USA). Jane has come to Le Puy-en-Velay many times to present this program. She has also conducted many pilgrimages with sisters and staff from the Orange Health Systems. The participants included Sr. Pat Carter, Diane Everitt, Sr. Motcham, Sr. Mary Jo Radey, Sr. SahayaMary, and Sr. Chizuru Yamada.

Diversity was certainly evident during the first week in September as 22 participants gathered at the Centre for the annual Mission Alive! Program. Participants were from Brazil, Burkina Faso, Canada, Denmark, UK-Japan, and the USA. Formerly called Mission Effectiveness, the 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 series of presentations, interactive participation, prayer, and visits to historic sites in Le Puy-en-Velay. A day trip to Lyon was also included. Sr. Dolores Clerico is a Philadelphia Sister of Saint Joseph (USA) with ministry experience in the academic, parish, diocesan, and congregational arenas. She is a frequent speaker, workshop presenter, and retreat facilitator for sisters, associates, and partners in mission throughout the United States and annually at the International Centre. Sr. Simone Saugues (Institute-France) served as the English-French translator while Sr. Joana Mendes (Rochester- Brazil SSJ) served as English- Portuguese translator. The Centre was bursting at the seams to accommodate all the participants. We especially want to thank Sr. Marie- Paule Rascle at the St. Maurice convent for housing six of the Brazilian participants.

Eighteen pilgrims who have served the Orange Congregation (California, USA) for 30 years or more were treated to a visit to the foundations of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Le Puy September 3-9. They also visited Mother St. John Fontbonne’s birthplace in Bas-en-Basset and the Origin & Evolution Centre in Lyon. Sisters Mary Beth Ingham and Jane DeLisle led the group who were excited, inspired, and feeling blessed for the opportunity to participate on this pilgrimage.

The International Centre hosted its first synodality program with Sr. Dolores Palencia of Lyon/Mexico as presenter. Sr. Dolores has decades of experience in leadership as a provincial, as a congregational leader, and currently as Coordinator of Albergue Guadalupano, which receives thousands of refugees and asylum seekers. The group consisted of 14 sisters from Africa (Congo and Burkina Faso), the USA, France, and India. Several congregational leaders also attended. They explored ways to integrate synodality into all we are and do by drawing on the Resurrection narratives, our Primitive Texts, our shared history and spirituality, and our lived experiences. Sr. Dolores Palencia served as a Presidential Delegate to the 2022-2024 Synod on Synodalilty.

They prayed together. They sang together. They ate together. They told jokes. Seven sisters from the Institute St. Joseph (of Le Puy) spent the last weekend of August at the Centre to celebrate their 80th birthday. They had a meal of paella on Saturday night and cannelle for a déjeuner celebration on Sunday along with an apéritif and scrumptious appetizers. The crowning touch was a chocolate gnosh cake from one of the best local bakeries of Le Puy, and a sparkling wine digestive. The Centre has long been a place for programs, retreats, and pilgrimages. Lately, it has also become a place for celebration. This one was particularly inspiring to see friends gather together after many years of life, love, ministry, and community.

Undici Suore indiane della Congregazione di Chambéry hanno pronunciato i voti perpetui presso la Cattedrale di San Francesco di Sales a Chambéry domenica 15 giugno, festa della Santissima Trinità. I voti sono stati ricevuti da Suor Dolores Lahr, Superiora Generale, durante una Messa celebrata dall'Arcivescovo locale, Monsignor Thibault Verny. La settimana precedente, le Suore avevano visitato Le Puy, dove la Congregazione era stata fondata nel 1650. Le Suore erano accompagnate da Suor Jayarani Michael e Suor Annie Palimattam.

Onze irmãs indianas da Congregação de Chambéry professaram seus votos perpétuos na Catedral de São Francisco de Sales, em Chambéry, no Domingo da Trindade, 15 de junho. Seus votos foram recebidos pela Superiora Geral, Irmã Dolores Lahr, em uma missa celebrada pelo Arcebispo local, Thibault Verny. Na semana anterior, as irmãs visitaram Le Puy para ver as fundações da Congregação, em 1650. As irmãs foram acompanhadas pela Irmã Jayarani Michael e pela Irmã Annie Palimattam.

Once Hermanas indias de la Congregación de Chambéry hicieron sus votos perpetuos en la Catedral San Francisco de Sales en Chambéry, el domingo 15 de junio, fiesta de la Santísima Trinidad. Sus votos fueron recibidos por la hermana Dolores Lahr, Superiora general, durante una Misa celebrada por el arzobispo del lugar, Mons. Thibault Verny. La semana anterior, las hermanas visitaron El Puy, donde en 1650 fue fundada la Congregación. Estuvieron acompañadas por las hermanas Jayarani Michael y Annie Palimattam.

Onze Soeurs indiennes de la Congrégation de Chambéry ont fait leurs vœux perpétuels à la Cathédrale Saint François de Sales à Chambéry, le Dimanche 15 juin, fête de la Sainte Trinité. Leurs vœux ont été reçus par Sr. Dolores Lahr, Supérieure Générale, au cours d'une messe, célébrée par l'Archevêque du lieu, Monseigneur Thibault Verny. La semaine précédente, les Sœurs avaient visité Le Puy où, en 1650, a été fondée la Congrégation. Les Soeurs étaient accompagnées par Sr. Jayarani Michael et Sr. Annie Palimattam.

Eleven Indian sisters from the Chambéry Congregation professed their final vows at the Cathedral of Saint Francis de Sales in Chambéry on Trinity Sunday, June 15. Their vows were received by Superior General Sr. Dolores Lahr in a Mass that was celebrated by local Archbishop Thibault Verny. The week before, the sisters visited Le Puy to see the 1650 foundations of the Congregation. The sisters were accompanied by Sr. Jayarani Michael and Sr. Annie Palimattam.

Da diversi anni, le Suore di San Giuseppe di Filadelfia vengono a Le Puy. Poiché nei vari servizi della congregazione, i laici sono sempre più numerosi, le Suore offrono loro opportunità di comprendere e integrare la spiritualità delle Suore di san Giuseppe nel loro lavoro, in modo da poterne perpetuare il carisma. Dal 20 al 26 maggio, un gruppo si è recato a Le Puy per approfondire la conoscenza della fondazione attraverso visite in loco alla Cucina, al luogo in cui vengono ricordati le martiri, alla chiesa dove probabilmente predicava Padre Médaille e alla canonica dove soggiornava durante le sue visite a Le Puy. Il gruppo si è anche recato a Bas-en-Basset e a Lione per visitare il luogo di nascita di Madre St. Jean Fontbonne e la casa madre da lei fondata. Ryan Murphy è stato appena nominato a un incarico di coordinatore della congregazione. Si stava formando con Suor Dolores Clerico (in bianco) per guidare questo pellegrinaggio in futuro. Qui il gruppo è fotografato in un ristorante, durante una delle loro ultime sere a Le Puy, per una cena francese "misteriosa".

As Irmãs de São José da Filadélfia vêm a Le Puy há vários anos. À medida que mais leigos servem em diversos ministérios congregacionais, as irmãs estão lhes proporcionando oportunidades de compreender e incorporar a espiritualidade das Irmãs de São José em seu trabalho, para que possam perpetuar o carisma. De 20 a 26 de maio, o grupo veio a Le Puy para aprender mais sobre a fundação, com visitas in loco à Cozinha, à Árvore dos Mártires, à igreja onde o Padre Médaille pregava e à casa paroquial onde ele se hospedava em suas visitas a Le Puy. O grupo também foi a Bas-en-Basset e Lyon para visitar o local de nascimento de Madre São João Fontbonne e a casa-mãe que ela fundou, respectivamente. Ryan Murphy acaba de ser nomeado coordenador de Integração Missionária da Congregação. Ele estava em treinamento com a Irmã Dolores Clerico (de branco) para conduzir esta peregrinação no futuro. O grupo é fotografado aqui durante uma de suas últimas noites em Le Puy, em um restaurante para uma refeição especial “misteriosa” francesa.

Desde hace varios años, las Hermanas de San José de Filadelfia vienen a El Puy. Como hay cada vez más laicos en los diferentes servicios de la congregación, las hermanas les brindan oportunidades para comprender e incorporar en su trabajo la espiritualidad de las HSJ, de modo que puedan dar continuidad al carisma. Del 20 al 26 de mayo, un grupo vino a El Puy para conocer mejor el lugar de la fundación mediante visitas a la “Cocina”, al lugar en donde se hace memoria de los mártires, la iglesia donde probablemente predicó el Padre Médaille y la casa parroquial donde se alojó durante sus visitas a El Puy. También fueron a Bas-en-Basset y a Lyon, para conocer el lugar de nacimiento de la Madre San Juan Fontbonne y la casa madre que ella fundó. Ryan Murphy acaba de ser nombrado coordinador por la congregación. Se estuvo formando con la hermana Dolores Clerico (de blanco) para poder, en el futuro, guiar esta peregrinación. En la foto, el grupo en un restaurante durante una de sus últimas noches en El Puy, disfrutando de una cena francesa “misteriosa”.

Voilà plusieurs années que les Soeurs de St. Joseph de Philadelphie viennent au Puy. Comme il y a de plus en plus de laïcs dans les différents services de la congrégation, les Soeurs leur procurent des occasions de comprendre et d'incorporer, dans leur travail, la spiritualité des SSJ, pour qu'ils puissent perpétuer le charisme. Du 20 au 26 mai, un groupe est venu au Puy pour en apprendre davantage sur la fondation, grâce à des visites sur place de la Cuisine, du lieu où l'on fait mémoire des martyres, de l'église où le Père Médaille a sans doute prêché et du presbytère où il a séjourné, lors de ses visites au Puy. Le groupe est aussi allé à Bas-en-Basset et à Lyon, pour voir le lieu de naissance de Mère St. Jean Fontbonne et la maison mère qu'elle a fondée. Ryan Murphy vient juste d'être nommé à un poste de coordinateur pour la congrégation. Il était en formation avec Sr. Dolores Clerico (en blanc) pour pouvoir, à l'avenir, conduire ce pèlerinage. Ici le groupe est représenté au restaurant, au cours d'une de ses dernières soirées au Puy, pour un repas français “mystère”.

The Philadelphia Sisters of St. Joseph have been coming to Le Puy for several years. As more and more lay people serve in various congregational ministries, the sisters are providing them with opportunities to understand and incorporate the SSJ spirituality into their work so that they may carry on the charism. During May 20-26, the group came to Le Puy to learn more about the foundation with on-site visits to the Kitchen, the Tree of the Martyrs, the church where Father Médaille preached, and the rectory where he stayed on his visits to Le Puy. The group also went to Bas-en-Basset and Lyon to see Mother St. John Fontbonne’s birthplace and the motherhouse she founded, respectively. Ryan Murphy has just been appointed coordinator of Mission Integration for the Congregation. He was in-training with Sr. Dolores Clerico (in white) to conduct this pilgrimage in the future. The group is pictured here during one of their last nights in Le Puy at a restaurant for a special French “mystery” meal.

Siamo stati invitati dalla Fraternità dell'Istituto delle Suore di San Giuseppe (Francia) a partecipare a una giornata di riflessione, incontro e preghiera per suore e associati, per condividere speranze, sfide e sogni per il futuro della Fraternità. Avevamo 5 minuti per fare una presentazione in francese delle nostre congregazioni, seguita da domande più specifiche. Suor Eluiza de Andrade (a destra) e Olga Bonfiglio (al centro) con Suor Marie-Paule Rascle (a sinistra) durante la giornata, che si è svolta a Valence (110 chilometri da Le Puy-en-Velay). Cinquanta persone hanno partecipato a questo incontro il 18 maggio.

Fomos convidados pela Fraternité Institut des Sœurs de Saint Joseph /Fraternidade do Instituto das Irmãs de São José (França) para participar de uma conferência de um dia de reflexão e oração com irmãs e associados para discutir as esperanças, os desafios e os sonhos para o futuro da Fraternidade. Cada um de nós fez uma palestra de cinco minutos em francês para o grupo sobre nossas congregações, seguida de algumas perguntas mais específicas. Irmã Eluiza de Andrade (à direita) e Olga Bonfiglio (ao centro) encontraram-se com Irmã Marie-Paule Rascle (à esquerda) durante a conferência, realizada em Valance, 110 quilômetros a leste de Le Puy-en-Velay. A conferência de 18 de maio contou com a presença de cerca de 50 pessoas.

Fuimos invitadas por la Fraternidad del Instituto de las Hermanas de San José (Francia) a participar en una jornada de conferencias, reflexión y oración junto con Hermanas y Asociadas, para dialogar sobre las esperanzas, desafíos y sueños de futuro de la Fraternidad. Tuvimos 5 minutos para hacer una presentación en francés sobre nuestras congregaciones, seguida de preguntas más específicas. La hermana Eluiza de Andrade (a la derecha) y Olga Bonfiglio (al centro), junto con la hermana Marie-Paule Rascle (a la izquierda), participaron en esta jornada que tuvo lugar en Valence (a 110 km de El Puy-en- Velay). Cincuenta personas asistieron a este encuentro el 18 de mayo.

Nous avions été invitées par la Fraternité de l'Institut des Sœurs de Saint Joseph (France) à participer à une journée de conférence, réflexion et prière Sœurs et Associées, pour discuter des espoirs, défis et rêves d'avenir de la Fraternité. Nous avions 5 minutes pour faire un exposé en français sur nos congrégations, suivi de questions plus spécifiques. Sr. Eluiza de Andrade (à droite) et Olga Bonfiglio (centre) avec Sr. Marie-Paule Rascle (à gauche) au cours de la journée, qui a eu lieu à Valence (à 110 kilomètres du Puy-en-Velay). 50 personnes ont participé à cette rencontre le 18 mai.