Big Pilgrimage

Tomorrow (Monday) we head out for at 3 day pilgrimage. This one is a bit more distant and so we will not return to La Neyliere until Wednesday evening. So, this may be the last blog until then -- not sure about internet connection where we're going (Bugey Mountains -- for Rocky the 'g' in Bugey is pronounced like a 'j' as in jar).

(A shot of the mountains near around LaValla -- where St. Champagnat ministered. We're told the Bugey are bigger!)

This part of the pilgrimage will include Jean Claude Colin's first years as a priest in Cerdon (a mountain parish), and his time in Belley (where he and the first Marist priests headquartered for the Bugey Missions. Colin was eventually appointed director of the school). These were the foundation years when Colin was working to keep the small group of those committed to starting the Society of Mary together, writing a Rule for the Society, and trying to get approval for the group from Rome. They were not easy years for him.

Cerdon is also the place where Colin underwent almost a complete transformation. In this place he became a vibrant preacher, a sought after spiritual advisor, and a decisive man. Pierre Colin (his blood brother) was the Pastor and, no doubt, he encouraged Jean Claude's innate abilities to come forth.


(The grave of Venerable Fr. Jean Cluade Colin in the Chapel of La Neyliere)


The Parish Missions the first Marists were involved in were a method of trying to reinvigorate the faith in God's people after the Revolution. Colin and his little team did these missions in the Bugey mountains in the winter (the only time the farmers were able to come to something like this). These missions were filled with the hardship of tough living situations, the bitter cold of winter, and the poverty of the local people. Yet, Colin said they were the best years of his life. I think it's true that hardship can truly bond a group together.

I'm told that the region is more mountainous than we've seen so far. I wouldn't want to be walking long distances in LaValla or Rosey. They seem mountainous enough! Fr. Bernd promises a hike for us from one of the mountain villages where a mission was preached to another village (where a mission was preached - I think). Thankfully it will be downhill all the way.

(Another shot of the mountains of LaValla and Rosey)