An Anniversary Celebration in Le Puy

SISTER MARY DIESBOURG SHARES HER JOURNEY TO FRANCE

October 17, 2024 was the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the International Centre-St. Joseph in Le Puy, France. 

One of the magic moments that stands out for me, and remains in my recurring memories, is our first view of Le Puy as we approached the town on route 88, in the waning sunlight of early evening. By that time, we had been awake for about 32 hours or more and were struggling to keep our heads up and our eyes open.  Yet, as we saw the outline of the Le Puy skyline, we all gasped and drew in our breath, deeply moved by the gently rolling hills of that ancient volcanic area, with the statue of Notre Dame de France piercing the evening sky.  It was beautiful, and felt like a welcome, a homecoming. 

Sisters Josette, Sheila, and Mary

Sister Josette, of the Erie, Pennsylvania Congregation, Sister Sheila of the Philadelphia SSJ’s, and myself, (pictured above), had agreed to meet in the Lyon airport, so we could share a taxi for the 2-hour drive from there to Le Puy.  While we had driven those roads many times during our years at the Centre, at this stage in our lives we were reluctant to trust ourselves to renting a vehicle, and navigating the roads and traffic, which we were sure had changed significantly since our departure, 20 years ago.  That was a wise choice. 

The second moment was that after our arrival at the Ibis Hotel, just down the street from the Centre, we got checked in, dropped our luggage in our rooms, and went to the dining room for a quick bite of supper before heading straight for bed and a good long sleep.  However, much to our surprise, we had just placed our orders, when Olga, from the Centre arrived and announced: “You can’t eat  here.  We are all waiting for you at the Centre. We have supper for you there.  Come with me”.  After quick apologies to the dining room staff, we made our exit somewhat reluctantly, not really feeling ready to meet the Board members at the Centre and linger over a meal!  Olga whisked us away, and when we arrived at the Centre, we were welcomed with applause, cheers and much ado.  To say we were surprised, is an understatement.  Never in our years at the Centre, had we received such accolades!  We were abashed, touched and deeply moved. We quickly saw that as the “first team”, we had acquired a kind of aura that was new to us, and certainly embarrassing.  There followed a lovely dinner, with lots of conversation and sharing of memories.  

When, a few hours later, we were taken back to the hotel, it was with new energy, deeply touched hearts, and gratitude for all that had been, and for all that was yet to be in these next few days. 

The following day was a free day for us in Le Puy.  The Board was involved in their meeting, and the celebration day was to be the 17th.  So, free for the day, we set out to walk up to the Cathedral.  The many stairs took us a while to navigate, necessitating many stops for breath, but we got there, and once again experienced the awe-inspiring beauty of that ancient church.  There we prayed before the Black Madonna, and paused at the Healing Stone, entrusting to Notre Dame du Puy all the intentions that we had been entrusted with.  We lit candles and put intentions onto the list for the pilgrims setting out from there on the Camino.  It was precious time and recalled to us the millions of pilgrims who travel there each year, hoping to start out on a path of deeper discovery in their lives. 

From the Cathedral, we went to Martine’s lace shop. We first met Martine in the fall of 2004, shortly after we first arrived.  Preparing to have our first program that summer, we wanted to ask a lace maker to make lace in the background, while we told the story of our early Sisters making lace to support themselves and teaching women to make lace to help keep themselves and their families out of poverty.  I had found Martine outside her shop one day, quietly making lace, and asked her if she would be willing to make lace for us while we told the story of our Congregations’ beginnings.  She most graciously agreed, telling us that although she had known the local Sisters from her childhood, she had no idea we had been lace-makers too.  So began a long and beautiful friendship with us and with all the Sisters, Associates, and coworkers who visited Le Puy afterwards.   

As we entered her shop this time, Martine was moved to tears seeing us again and was deeply touched by our gift to her of a beautiful wall-hanging, hand-stitched by Sister Pat McKeon, and featuring an Inuk on a sled, lit by the midnight sun. We offered it to her, in gratitude for her for her great hospitality to our many Canadian Sisters, Associates, and co-workers who had visited her shop. Martine wept at the beauty of the hanging, its intricate stitch work, and its significance, coming from Canada.  She plans to hang it in her bedroom. 

The celebration itself was well documented, with its speeches, tributes, prayer service and elegant luncheon.  The Board had done much to ensure a lovely celebration, and Olga and Eluiza overlooked no detail in the planning.  For me, the highlights were the moments of reconnecting, with neighbours, former Board members, many of whom had been extremely helpful to us in our first days and years in Le Puy.  Those threads of connection remain strong, including those with some of the Sisters, and neighbours who are no longer with us.  We are still one. 

Of the speeches that were given, the theme that reached out to me was when Father Chamaly, former pastor of Les Carmes, the parish we attended, spoke of how our presence, the Centre, and its many international guests had widened the vision of the parishioners, helping them to envision and experience a bigger world.  The Mayor of Aiguilhe and the delegate of the Bishop also spoke of the broader vision brought to the tiny town of Le Puy by our presence and that of our global programs. That felt like something worthwhile to have been about. 

Globally, we are all experiencing the declining numbers of Religious and the increasing role of lay persons in all aspects of what we saw as “our mission”.  Truth be told, the mission is that of Jesus, “that all may be one”: love of God, love of neighbour without distinction.  This is at the heart of the Gospel, and so not intended as our property at all.  From the beginning, Father Medaille saw our collaboration with “all persons of good will” as essential to our mission and our existence.  The woman protestant minister, a Biblical scholar, who spoke to the Global Coordinating Group about the Eucharistic Letter, spoke of self-emptying, or anéantissement, as really being, “making room for the other”, not taking up all the room and attention for yourself.  It seems to me that our call at this moment in time is to make room for the laity, to let them take on responsibility for much of what we have called our mission.   

Will the Centre survive into the future?  We do not know.  As we interacted with our neighbours, with Martine, with the parishioners, with Board members and even the staff of the hotel where we stayed, I could not help thinking that if there is to be a future for Centre International St. Joseph, we need to “make room for the other” and take up less room for ourselves. 

-Sister Mary Diesbourg, CSJ

World Kindness Day

Recently my nephew was heading out to work only to find his truck wouldn’t start; a frustrating way to start the day. To no avail, CAA tried to boost the battery so they had to send for a tow truck. While he was waiting for the tow truck multiple people stopped to offer help. One young man pulled over and with great enthusiasm ran over with his charger at the ready. My nephew’s face broke into a broad smile.

Why am I telling you this? Well today is World Kindness Day. Who knew there was such a thing? Isn’t every day a day to be kind? Of course that’s true. As I reflected further It occurred to me that this day presents a specific opportunity to celebrate and watch for the kindnesses around us every day. In this world of turmoil there are far too many opportunities to see the violence around us. Let’s intentionally watch for the kind actions of others today, reminisce on some of those kindnesses we have received and pat yourself on the back for those you have offered.

What started out as a frustrating morning for my nephew turned into a day of gratitude and joy due to the kindness of strangers. Let’s offer that same opportunity to transform someone’s day just by being kind.

-Maureen Condon, CSJ Associate

Honouring Our Veterans

On November 11 each year we remember the men and women who have served in our armed forces.  We honour those who have given their lives to bring about peace in our world. On Remembrance Day, when I watch the ceremonies televised from the National War Memorial in Ottawa, participate in London’s solemn remembrance of our veterans, or listen to radio broadcasts of the stories and soul-stirring songs of World War Two, I am profoundly affected.   The aging veterans of WWII marching in Ottawa, wearing medals and berets, present a powerful image of the human costs of war.  In WWII, Canadian soldiers or their forefathers were likely to have immigrated from the British Isle or France. Canadians were united in fighting for their own country as well as for Britain and France.  WWII was our war fought by our citizens for our Country. 

Today our population is more diverse. Wars in far-off places are perceived as less relevant. Brigadier Romeo Dallaire took command of a lightly armed force of 2,500 troops in Rwanda in 1993.  When the situation worsened Dallaire’s urgent request to the United Nations headquarters in New York for more troops and was turned down. The murder of Rwanda’s president shortly afterwards initiated a war in which the Hutu populations exterminated the Tutsis; 8,000 persons were murdered, and 2,000,000 persons became refugees. Canadian Armed Forces have served as peacekeepers in Rwanda (1993-95), Cyprus (1964- 93), Afghanistan (2001-2014), The Bosnia-Herzegovina (1992-2010), Namibia (1989-1990), Mali (2018.2023).  Our military personnel have engaged in battles or assisted other nations by training troops, providing transportation, logistics, and stabilizing emerging countries. 

Today, conflicts in Africa, Afghanistan and the Balkans seem peripheral and less relevant to us. I was told by an officer who fought in Afghanistan that the war there seemed to accomplish nothing; there was little enthusiasm for joining in this venture. Many veterans of these wars have suffered greatly but their stories receive little public recognition. At home Canadian veterans of foreign wars and peacekeeping services do not “fit” in the culture of the Canadian Legion.  Participation in the many branches of this organization throughout Canada has declined significantly.  However, concern for our veterans, pride in their service to Canada, and a desire to honour them still flourish.

Romeo Dallaire’s open stories of his post-traumatic stress have taught us the terrifying price of war for our combatants. In London, Veterans’ Parkway honours our veterans and reminds us of their sacrifices. This year the Invictus Games for veterans wounded in war will take place in February 2025 in Whistler, BC.  These games validate the courage of our veterans, arouse pride, and instill hope. Let us continue to honour and thank our veterans in national and local memorial ceremonies, monuments, and public recognition.  May we work towards peace in all our relationships, and hope for a future that is free of wars.

“God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away”. Book of Revelations, 21:4

-Sister Patricia McKeon

Image: Unsplash/Ellie Pourreza @ellieeepr  |