Deputy Heads of FCJ Schools in Britain went on pilgrimage to Paris sites of significance in the life of Marie Madeleine d’Houët, FCJ foundress. In particular they visited to the newly opened FCJ Lieu the Memoire and the churches of Notre Dame de Picpus and St Dominique. Sr Bríd accompanied the group and writes about the experience
A pilgrimage is a journey to a place of special association/significance or holiness. It is not simply a history lesson with a bit of worship thrown in for good measure. The rituals of pilgrimage give people the chance to re-evaluate the ongoing realities of life and discover ways to abandon unhelpful patterns of behaviour and erroneous views about God and faith, which disrupt the authentic and balanced living that is God’s intention for God’s people.
So it was that the Deputy Heads from the FCJ Schools in Britain – Maria Fidelis Catholic School, Gumley House School, Bellerive Catholic College, FCJ Primary School in Jersey and Upton Hall School – gathered with Sr Brenda Wallace and Ms Caroline Braggs from the FCJ Educational Trust England and Jersey and I, to ponder, and pray together on the life of Marie Madeleine and the FCJ Charism. We looked at her story, some of the places in Paris associated with her life and the story of the FCJ Society. While on pilgrimage, the companionship and breaking of bread over many meals, was an essential part of the journey.
Shortly after arrival and a brief sharing on the life of Marie Madeleine, all were delighted to gather for a hot meal. This was an important part of building community as the Deputy Heads, who work in FCJ Schools across the country, have limited time in which they can meet and share their stories.
The highlight of the visit to Paris was on the first morning as the group explored the Lieu de Memoire, under the direction of Sr Claire fcJ in the FCJ Community house on 157 Rue Léon-Maurice Nordmann. The presentations, storyboards, pictures, booklets, videos, recordings and an endless variety of artifacts unpacked the story of Marie Madeleine’s life. It also revealed the evolution of the FCJ Society as it deepened its mission and many ministries over two centuries. This gave a context to the work of the Deputy Heads in their field of education in the present, carrying on the FCJ charism in the twenty-first Century. Srs Joan and Marie Annick fcJ, from the FCJ Paris community, enabled the group to share their reflections on their experience. All were deeply touched by the depth of faith, commitment and resilience of both Marie Madeleine and the early FCJ sisters in establishing the FCJ Society in France, Britain and later further afield. A nourishing lunch was then shared by all in the coffee area.
In the afternoon, the group visited Notre Dame de Picpus and listened to the moment in Marie Madeleine’s life where she needed peace and consolation. Here the group spent quiet time and were united in the call to pray for peace in our world today. Seeing the name of Fr Varin’s mother in the Church among the names of all the people killed in the Place de Trone, at the end of the Reign of Terror in 1794, and visiting the mass grave site in the cemetery at the rear of the Church, gave the group a sense of the dangers of life for Catholics in France during and after the French Revolution. A meal of French cuisine gathered us together and was a happy ending to a full day.
On the final morning, the group gathered at the Church of St Dominique, to listen to Sr Claire share on the journey Marie Madeleine has made in death, as well as in life, to her present resting place. Together, the group shared prayer around the reliquary of Marie Madeleine and further reflection on the short but nourishing visit to Paris to learn more closely about her life and that of the FCJ Society.
The great founding insights of Marie Madeleine can always be freshly embodied in each new time and place. This is what keeps the FCJ Charism young, this is what makes it attractive in education and faith formation, this is where unity can be lived in amazing diversity as we companion each other on our spiritual journey.
Together with our colleagues in education, we can respond to the call of Jesus to ‘Give me a drink.’ Jn 4 (FCJ General Chapter Document 2025).
Spiritual Companioning
In the intimacy of soul time
we accompany each other
along the way.
Taking time to pause a while
and share the journey
in the light of the Spirit.
We share awakenings
and uncertainties.
Their times of enlightenment,
their depth of darkness,
and everything in between.
Often in silence, present to each other.
Being in the heart of God
for and with each other,
opening to the grace
and freedom of love as
we discern the way – together.
Is this what it is all about?
BML
As has been said, the point of travelling is not to arrive, but to return home laden with pollen you shall work up into the honey the mind feeds on.
Somewhere by R S Thomas
