Le Puy-en-Velay

Le Puy-en-Velay (le pwee) is a mythical city of 18,000 located in south central France. It is one of the oldest Christian settlements there having been established by St. George in the 4th century AD. Le Puy’s most striking attraction is the Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Puy dating from the 12th century. It is also the founding place of the Sisters of St. Joseph Congregation in 1650. And for hundreds of years, a major starting point for pilgrims on the Chemin de St. Jacques (St. James Way) all the way to Santiago de Compostella in Spain 1600 km away. Ten years ago now Marie and I were blessed to go on pilgrimage to Le Puy.

The occasion was a workshop on Jean-Pierre Medaille’s Eucharistic Letter to the Sisters of St. Joseph which resulted in the founding of their Little Design way of life lay communities around the world. Sister Rosemary O’Toole, CSJ of the Upper Room House of Prayer in Nepean, Canada, led the workshop. Marie, being a “little designer”, was invited to attend and I, Dave tagged along. The story of the Eucharistic Letter is told in Sr Rosemery’s beautiful video that follows.

Sister Rosemary has just published a booklet entitled the Little Design Communities: A Way of Life for All Persons.

We were taken aback by the magnificent monuments and majesty of Le Puy: the ancient cathedral where a pilgrim Mass is celebrated each morning in front of the Black Madonna; the towering statue of Notre Dame de France (The Virgin Mary) overlooking the town; the Chapel of Saint-Michel d’Aiguille perched high on a rock spire; the small twisted hilly streets and a marketplace where women weave fine lace products.

The Sisters of St Joseph International Centre was a very comfortable place to stay overlooking the city. We were welcomed by a sister from Goa as well as two American sisters. They and their staff were charged with welcoming visitors, hospitality and operations. There was a main lodge, a guest house, kitchen, dining and meeting room facilities as well as a small chapel. There were sheep in the fenced yard next door that we could hear bleating. How lucky were we to stay in such a pastoral place!

The next day Marie started her Eucharistic Letter program with Sister Rosemary and other participants from Canada, the USA , France and elsewhere. After breakfast at a small cafe, Dave said his goodbyes, attended the pilgrim Mass and then headed out for 10 days solo hiking on the Camino de Saint-Jacques.

Buen Camino!