Part 8: Laying foundations

1. Part 8: Laying foundations On their arrival in Belley in June 1825, the sisters were offered temporary accommodation at “Bon Repos” a property owned by Bishop Devie. Abandoned, in disrepair and surrounded by mud, it consisted of an unpretentious house and a few outbuildings in a small field marked off by hedges in a similar unkempt state. Beyond this lay the glorious panorama of the mountains of Jura and the Alps with the summit of Mont Blanc presiding majestically over all, symbolic of God, the Rock on whom Mother St Joseph and her sisters were to build the Congregation of Mary.

2. “…we can always build.” The temporary arrangement soon became permanent. Bishop Devie had intended the sisters to move into the Visitandine Convent, but the foundress of the Marist Sisters was a practical woman. She found the building unsuitable, as it lacked enough air and light to provide a healthy environment for her community. Furthermore, as this was to be a house of formation for young women entering religious life, she preferred to live a little distance from the township. So, while Bon Repos may have been somewhat inadequate in the beginning, soon the building grew as did the young community. Beginning in 1826, 40 sisters were professed in the first 10 years.

3. Daily Life at Bon Repos Generally the sisters spent nearly all their time at Bon Repos itself – but not usually resting! Their lives were very full. Not only did they have day classes, but they cared for boarders as well. Often these were unable to pay, or could pay only a little, and so the sisters needed to earn a living through their sewing. If we had walked in any evening we may well have heard them at recreation, sharing a joke, or passing on some news, while they made gloves, or repaired socks or embroidered priest’s vestments. At other times in the day they would pray the rosary while they worked.

4. Making connections… Visitors came to Bon Repos – the Marist priests, some of whom had relatives among the sisters like Peter Chanel whose sister was there. Also a number of women – who did not wish to become religious sisters would come to learn how to pray and to deepen their love of God – these days we would call them lay Marists. The townsfolk would call in wanting advice or help and often Mother St Joseph would go to their homes to visit the sick, especially the dying. The foundress became well known for her gift of helping people who had strayed from their faith to be reconciled to God and also for encouraging those who were facing a difficult task, again like Peter Chanel just prior to his leaving for missionary life in Oceania.

5. …as Mary did… So, from the earliest days, Mother St Joseph was laying the foundations for a particular way of life. There was a simplicity about her approach, blending prayer and action, attentiveness to God and to neighbour, akin to what she understood Mary would have her daughters do. Part 9 of the Jeanne-Marie Chavoin Story will be published in March