Sharing Fourviere Moments

After each pilgrimage, we take some time sharing what we were touched by. Hands down -- the hospitality of the French community at St. Foy was spoken of almost as much as our Mass at the chapel at Fourviere. Of course, we didn't say Mass in the big Basilica (pictured yesterday) -- that wasn't even there during Colin's time. We said Mass in the smaller chapel next to it. This was the place of our foundation.



The focal point of the Chapel is a statue of the Black Madonna. Statues and paintings of the "black Madonna" has been around since before the Middle Ages. (If interested, look up Song of Songs 1:5 to get a sense of why. Yes, newmanites, you have to do some work for this blog!)

It was interesting to hear how each Marist was impressed by the same things. I guess we're more alike than we think.

The other big feat of the day was doing laundry. Things are a little slower than we're used and there is no dryer. UGH! I've got wet clothes hanging all over my room because the lines in the laundry room are full -- I'll not give a picture of that.

I'll be praying for all of you who will be on the camping retreat this weekend. May the Holy SPirit be present to you and all and especially the St. Joseph House as they lead it.

A couple of pictures of our walk through Fourviere / Lyons to close with.

Fourviere Day (Lyons)

The highlight of today was our Mass at Our Lady of Fourviere. It was Joel’s day to celebrate and he used the modern song (The Places I Remember) as a jumping off point to speak of the memories we have as members of the society – historical memories and the personal memories we have as individuals. He did a nice job. The memories of the Chapel rang out – Colin and the original signers of the Pledge – Colin, Chanel and Bourdin as they prepared for the visit to Rome – Chanel and the other first missionaries as they prepared to go to Oceania. Fourviere is clearly one of our foundation places.


The other highlight of the day was the welcome we received at St. Foy. This Marist house, which was built during Colin’s time, is BIG and is a testament to the history of the society. The French Marists who spent time with us (Frs. Maurice, Philippe, and Fr. Bush / 91 years old and who reminded me of Paddy Coyle) were funny and full of life. It was good to see and experience. (This is picture of the outside of the Chapel of St. Foy.)




The day was long, but good. I have Mass tomorrow for the group, so I’ll close off to prepare some thoughts. I’ll leave you with a picture of most of the group – it’s how we ended St/ Peter Chanel Day on the 28th of April.

Feast Day of St. Pierre Chanel

Happy St. Peter Chanel Day! Today we marked the feast day of the first martyr of Oceania. Peter Chanel was a Marist priest and celebrated Mass at Notre Dame de Fourviere as they set off for the missions of Oceania.


Fr Chanel left France -- his home, his friends, all that he knew -- in December of 1836 with several other Marists of the newly approved Society of Mary. Their desire was to bring the Gospel to the people of Oceania by living among them in the spirit of Mary. Fr. Chanel and Brother Nizier ended up on the Island of Futuna. Chanel spent his life for the Gospel because on 28 April 1841 he was killed. Fr. Chanel's ministry wasn't what we would call successful. While on the island there were very few converts to the faith. However, a short time after his martrydom practically the whole island was Baptized. In death comes life!

Marists look up to Peter Chanel as a brother to emulate. He reminds us that we don't always see the success of our work, yet, God works success through all our efforts.

Tomorrow's visit to Fourviere will echo with the footsteps of Chanel, Colin, Champagnat, and the others who dedicated themselves to founding the Society of Mary.

The Marist Charism

Happy Monday! I’m sure Fr. John and Linda are glad that the Fundraiser is over. It’s a lot of work, but mostly for Linda. Thanks, Linda, for your care and devotion.


Also thanks to Chris McJimsey (our behind the scenes man – very Marist). Of course, thanks to all you students for your participation. I prayed for you all.

The next few days we’ll be preparing for our visit to Lyons and Notre Dame de Fourviere, which is for Marists one of the three significant foundation experiences. Today we spent time sharing about the spirit of the Society of Mary. The words I would attach to this spirit are:

• simple – quiet – gentle strength – open – feminine – mercy

These qualities, which were borne out of Colin’s time (as expressed, I believe, in ‘hidden and unknown’), are what the modern world needs as well. The ostentatious-ness (I know it's not really a word, but...) of our world needs a dose of true simplicity and humility.

Unfortunately, I probably don’t offer this spirit to you guys at Newman in a deliberate fashion. Perhaps I’m too cautious and feel that unless you ask for our Marist spirit I shouldn’t push it on you. But if I truly believe that this charism, which is so clearly expressed in Mary’s life, was given by God to Colin and the Society of Mary, how can I (we) not give this gift deliberately to those I minister to and with. This is something for me to ponder before I return to SLO Newman.

I’ll leave you with a picture (not great quality, but....) of our Solemn Vespers on Sunday evening. At least, this is what our director called it. The others Marists said it was a 'spirits' filled vespers! Please note guys that I’m not in the picture – I wasn’t there.

Sundays / 'Prayer Days' / Sabbath Rest

I prayed hard yesterday for the Fundraiser! I hope all went well and that those of you who were free to help at Madonna Inn had a good time. Thanks! How much did the Newman Staff dinner go for this year?

Meanwhile over here in La Neyliere there are no group sessions planned on Sundays. It's a day dedicated to prayer, rest, and reading. The 'rest' part is really unnecessary, since we're not really working that hard on the other days of the week.

Today we had Mass in 'Le Grande Chapelle,' which is the Church built shortly after Fr. Colin died. Believe me, it doesn't have the feel of a Chapelle. It feels like a little Church. The stain glass windows, depicting scenes from Jesus' life, are incredible, and the chapel is Gothic in style. A group of children who were preparing for First Communion celebrated Mass with us and the locals this morning. Lots of energy was present.

There is a beautiful statue of Mary holding Jesus in the Chapelle. I was able to capture it the other day -- just at the right moment of light. The colors that enveloped Mary reminded me of the diversity of our Church, of how Mary reflects the light of Christ in her own life, and of how we are called to do the same as Catholics and Marists. As I was reflecting on this picture this morning, I remembered an important quote for us members of the Society of Mary. I'll leave you with the quote and the picture as you mark your Sunday, which is not very old yet on your side of the Ocean. Perhaps some of you Newmanites have already heard this call in your heart -- and are searching for the courage to bring it to fruition.

"Let them always bear in mind that they belong by a gracious choice to the family of the blessed Mary, Mother of God, from whose name they are called Marists, and whom they have chosen from the beginning as their model and their first and perpetual superior. If therefore they are true sons of this dear Mother, let them try constantly to breathe her spirit of humility, self-denial, intimate union with God, and the most ardent love of neighbor." (Jean Claude Colin)

Lots of Places Today!

I'm not going to write long today. It was a good day, but long. The brief version is:

• We traveled to Fr. Colin's birth place -- Les Barbery. The place where his house stood is marked by a cross. I can tell you, his commitment to remain faithful to Mass was huge. Getting to the Church in St Bonnet Le Troncy from Les Barbery without a car, and I presume without a horse, was a real commitment. There's NOTHING around.

• St. Bonnet Le Troncy was the next stop. This is where Colin ended up living with his Uncle Sebastian after his parents died (his siblings where taken in by Sebastian as well. This house is not the Jean Claude Colin Museum. Fr. Ron celebrated Mass for us at the Church.

• After a delightful lunch in the museum we had coffee (I had tea) with a local family who showed us incredible hospitality. Jean Pierre, Michelle, and Jean Pierre's brother, Bernard were our hosts. We did our best to share through Fr. Bernd who did the translating.

• Second to last stop was Coutouvre where Jeanne Marie Chavoin (founder of the Marist Sisters) was born and lived. Her house had a small room in the cellar where they hid a priest who refused to sign the constitutional oath required during the Revolution. Like Colin's family they risked a great deal.

• Finally, we made a quick stop at St. Joddard which was the minor seminary Colin and St. Marcellin Champagnat attended. It is now the house of the Grey Friars a new and growing semi contemplative group with apostolate.

I think the highlight of the day was the gracious hospitality we experienced by the family at St. Bonnet Le Troncy. We spent an hour together -- I felt perfectly at home even though I do not understand French.

The views were fantastic. The French countryside magnificent! St. Bonnet Le Troncy is in the Beaujolais Region, but we didn't buy any wine. Here's Fr. Joel and the view of the area behind him.

When we got back to La Neyliere everyone was ready for dinner and glass of wine or two.

Quiet Day

Today was a fairly quiet day. It was nice! We were preparing for a pilgrimage tomorrow to Jean Claude Colin's birthday place -- Les Barbery. We'll also visit St. Bonnet Le Troncy which is where Colin grew up after his parents died when he was 4 years old. (Try to pronounce the name of that French town, Rocky!)

We spent some time this morning sharing insights into Jean Claude. I think he was definitely a product of his time. His parents were not exactly enamored with the French Revolution, and they found the courage to help local clergy who would not sign the constitutional oath. So, in some sense, his most formative years were stamped by experiencing courageous parents. Yet, at the same time, his father was eventually forced to hide out in the forest to avoid the authorities.

So, Jean Claude's most formative years were marked also by fear. My guess is this is where -- 'hidden and unknown' as a Marist charism was born. Working quietly, behind the scenes, and very much among the people is, as you guys know (I hope) something that we Marists truly aspire to.

Tomorrow's pilgrimage will bookend his life. We'll begin from La Neyliere which is where Jean Claude spent his later years. As I said in an earlier post, this is where he wrote our RULE. His room is still preserved as it was when he died. It's a wonderful place to see and be. I spent some time tonight sitting on the floor in his room praying for vocations. So, my friends some of you will have to step up to the plate! For the men -- there's the Fathers and Brothers, and the Marist Brothers. For the women -- there's the Marist Sisters and Marist Missionary Sisters.

I'll leave you with that thought and move on to some pictures.


I'm standing by a cabinet in Colin's sitting room. You can see his picture in the background. I'm fairly certain it wasn't there when he was alive.





This picture is for Fr. Ron's friends in West Virginia. He's wearing Fr. Colin's hat, but I think he was really looking around for a baseball cap. He had no luck.





Here I'm standing next to Fr. Colin's desk. I'm pointing to a map of the Islands of Oceania. Apparently, Colin always had this map before him -- to remember his brother missionaries. No doubt, he was filled with pride for what they were doing, but also felt a weighty responsibility for their well being.





Finally, a picture of Fr. Bruce sitting next to Fr. Colin's bed. He actually died in this bed (Fr. Colin -- not Fr. Bruce).

The Marist Renewal Group

It might be good to give you a little flavor of whose here. It's a pretty international group -- like the full Society of Mary -- Marists. There are nine of us here all together. Here are the guys, where their from and the ministry they do.

• Yours truly - enough said!
• Fr. Bruce -- USA / Bruce is the Director of Formation for USA.
• Fr. Ron -- USA / Ron works in a little parish in Buckhannan, West Virginia.
• Fr Kevin Stewart / New Zealand / Kevin is working in Australia Directing the Marist Mission Center.
• Fr. John -- Brisbane, Australia / John is working in Bolivia with Base Christian Communities.
• Fr. Joe -- Netherlands / Joe is working in Guadalcanal at a parish (Solomon Islands)
• Fr. Guiliano -- Italy / Guiliano is working in a parish in Lima, Peru.
• Br. Leonard -- Fiji / Leonard is working in Tutu at the Novitiate
• Fr. Joel -- Phillipines / Joel is working in Campus Ministry in Mindano

That's the group. The picture below is us on the steps of Notre Dame de Le Puy. There were lots of steps! The spiritual connection of brotherhood as Marists is very present.

You don't have to say it. I look cold! It was still morning and little brisk.

Le Puy Pilgrimage

Today began and ended with a trip to Le Puy, where Jean-Claude Courveille (one of the original group members who did not become a member of the Society of Mary) experienced a healing of sight, and heard with his ‘inner ear’ Mary’s desire to begin a congregation dedicated to her – as her Son had one dedicated to him.

The Basilica of Le Puy has its origins in 2 healing miracles, and Mary’s desire that a Church be built on this sight. The stone rock (Dolman) on which a woman was cured of her fatal fever sits within the Church itself. There has been a Church on this sight from the 4th Century onward.










It was wonderful being in this foundational site and saying Mass in an upper balcony. The Church is filled with Arabic and oriental influences. It is also believed that the Salve Regina (written by Bishop Adhemer) is connected to this Church because Bishop Adhemer preached the first crusade here.

But Le Puy is also home to the immense statue of Our Lady of France, and to St. Michael the Archangel on the Rock. You’ll know immediately in the pictures which is which. The steps up where no problem for a five and a half mile runner!



We also had a great picnic lunch on the property of the priest’s house for the Basilica. He came out with 2 bottles of red wine Bordeaux. It was far better than what we brought. So, you can guess what we drank.

Nourishment & Sustenance

I know my SLO Newman friends are worried about me. I’m sure the burning question on your minds is: Is Fr. Kevin getting enough salad to eat? Well, no worries. There’s WINE at lunch and dinner. We spend at least an hour for each of the two bigger meals. They serve each course separately. So we’re not just eating. We’re dining! The retreat house is very full right now, so the Marist Renewal Program wanders for meals. We move from room to room to accommodate the many groups who are here for retreats and conferences.

No worries about wine at both meals, however. The alcoholic content of the wine is 11% so it’s less than what we’re used to in the US. But the bad news is………no vodka and tonics. UGH! I guess I’ll survive.

Tomorrow we head to Le Puy, which is a city with an enormous shrine (Nore Dame de Le Puy) and a special place of pilgrimage for Catholics.









It’s also where one, of the original group (Jean Claude Courveille), experienced a miraculous healing of his sight. He was one of the original group. He, Jean Claude Colin, and several others, as seminarians, committed themselves to beginning the Society of Mary. We all know they did a pretty good job because Marists are all over the world – including of all places San Luis Obispo. But in order to keep this project going, we'll need some of you guys at SLO Newman to step up to the plate (you knew it was coming!).

Well enough for now. Early to bed as tomorrow promises to be a big day with lots of walking and climbing. By the way, Fr. Bruce says, HI!

The Rest of Monday (written post run)

These first two days are set up for a kind of orientation – not exactly WOW week, but orientation nonetheless. Things like finding where meeting rooms are, how to do laundry, and how to arrange who would lead prayers and mass on what days are all part of the orientation.

But we also took a tour of the property and it’s BIG. La Neyliere contains several large buildings, a small Oratory, and a large Gothic Chapel. It was an old estate owned by 3 Irish brothers, named O’Neill – hence the name of the place “the Neil’s place” which has come to be La Neyliere. Fr. Colin bought it early on in our history and it has become a significant part of our heritage.

My room is on the second floor of an old converted barn. In the old days the animals lived below and the brothers lived above the barn. It’s all redone on the inside but it has lots of character.












The view from my room is very pastoral and is beautiful. It's not hard to take and it makes for easy relaxation













This sacred place is where our RULE was written by Jean Claude Colin (finished in 1872) and it’s where he died and was buried. Our tour today showed us all that. His room is relatively untouched. I’ve not spent any time there alone in prayer yet, but it seemed to have a holy feel when we were all together.

Hopefully, you all had a good Open House at Cal Poly. I expect the music ministry rocked the house? I hope so.

Finally Here

Hey, SLO Newman!

I'm here at La Neyliere sitting in the Fr. Colin museum (I needed to find an Ethernet cable). Fr. Colin provided one.

The Paris airport is not as user friendly as one would hope. But I did make my connection (by the skin of my teeth), and Fr. Bernd, our leader, was there to greet me at the Lyons airport. So, THANKS FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS. Bernd and I then drove the hour and fifteen minutes to La Neyliere which is in the Lyonese Mountains. We sit at 1000 feet above sea level.

I also had a great several hours with Seth on Saturday. He took me to lunch -- he even paid. Thanks again, Seth. His 'crib' is cool!

Well that's it for now. I'm headed out for a run before it rains. I've not run for a week. So this one will be a little rough!

Chauffered by Seth

In just three days Seth (thanks, Seth) will pick me up at the Marist House, and after catching up on things will drop me off at Dulles International for the journey to LaNeyliere. I don't look forward to the traveling but anticipate a good period of renewal of my Marist heritage.

By the way, I've been with the Society of Mary since I was 13 years old. In September of 1971 I entered the Marist minor seminary (Marist Prep). Yes, I know! I was young. But people did that in those days. They were more than good years for me and I met a lot of fantastic men who influenced me greatly.

I officially became a member of the Society of Mary in 1981 when I took the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience. The journey has been wonderful and along the way I've shared life with so many incredible people -- my Marist brothers, my friends, and you guys at the Newman Center in SLO. With traveling companions like you, how could things be any better.

Keep me in your prayers this Saturday as I begin this 'adventure.'

Getting More Ready

Well, I've got as much done before packing as I can. Euro are purchased. Europe converter is at the ready. In between now and the flight to France is a 3 day meeting in DC. I will then head to Dulles Airport, chauffeured by Seth Silva. It will be good to see him.

France is the first and more extensive part of the renewal because it is where the Society of Mary -- Marists were founded. As you follow this journey, hopefully, you'll come to know more about the congregation that I was called to and have lived in these past 28 years (longer if you include college and high school). We are a small group, but my ancestors have done great things.

Some background:

• Historically, our foundings are 'mired' in the end of the French Revolution (late 1700's and early 1800's), and the turmoil of a society rapidly changing.
  

• Jean Claude Colin and his companions were formed by the political upheaval of seeing a somewhat triumphal and politically connected church -- tamped down.

• As the Church emerged from this period, the need to catechize was great but of the course this had to be done in a new quieter way.

• This new way was what Colin and others felt drawn to by the Blessed Mother. They felt strongly that she called them to begin the Society -- and they often spoke of the work of Mary, which was to be the support of the Church.

Hopefully, you guys at the Newman Center / SLO have felt a bit of that quite unassuming spirit in Fr. John and I. I know that we're not always quiet in terms of volume (especially Fr. John)! But we've tried to live the Gospel and to reflect Mary's spirit in what we do.

You can be the judge of how successful we've reflected Mary's gentle and quiet spirit in living and preaching Christ.