The high and the low road
September 3, 2008
Today is dedicated to discovering more about Marcellin Champagnat and the journey will take us to Le Rosey, the place of his birth, Marlhes, the place where he was baptised and La Valla, the place where he was first appointed as a priest. It is normal that we visit the Hermitage, however it is being re-modified and so it’s not possible at this time. We will however visit the memorial stone where he visited a small boy who knew nothing about Jesus and as a result made it the mission of the brothers to work with young people.
It was a fairly ordinary start to the day and the usual early start routine for a trip away. There was a difference however, namely that the place is now somewhat invaded by young people all looking “every so keen,” not, to begin school.
In terms of planning our day it was a little hard to predict the weather, it had been very warm during the night and the early signs were favourable; another beautify day.
However by lunch things had turned cold and windy, especially in the hilly territory we were visiting. It made the lunch venue, a shed with two doors missing and the wind funneling through it, a tad challenging, particularly for our African pilgrims, Deogratias and Marcell, but also Micka and Bernard both from somewhat warmer parts of the South Pacific.
While possibly a matter of his personal choice, the sign that it was fairly chilly was confirmed when Davide, the bus driver decided not to stay and went to town for his lunch.
Our lunch again was very tasty, we’ve had some excellent picnic lunches, there’s no skimping even when on the road; as well as the normal lunch fare, wine and cheese always come with us too. You’ve got to give it to the French, they do things in style.
Lunch done, Bernd invited us to walk with him to the place where Marcellin Champagnat visited a dying boy. Braving the elements some viewed a brisk walk was a good way to keep warm while we waited for Davide to return. It must have looked something like cows coming in for milking as we ambled down the road. However with it seeming to get colder and with the threat of rain, two groups emerged. No one is really sure what happened however these groups got separated to the point that when it came to a fork in the road, one group took the high road and the other the low.
By the time the group that got to the monument turned to come home, it was clear that either the other group had taken the wrong option at the turnoff or it had become too cold for them and they went back to the bus. A quick walk back up the hill, and confirmed they weren’t at the bus, however wisely some ways down the alternative route, they decided to call it quits and the bus was able to pick them up. Confusion reigned for a little while, some a little shaken, all are well.
In the spirit of a pilgrimage then, all credit to the early Marists who were able to find their way to Oceania.
A day or so back, at evening prayer, Matt played a religious song from his iPod. This got Marcell thinking, and when he saw Matt with the same device on the bus today, he asked if he could use it. Rather than religious music, Matt fired up ABBA on his iPod and so for the afternoon, even in the churches we visited there was the quiet hum and occasional burst of lyrics from the likes of “Dancing Queen,” “Waterloo” and “Mumma Mia.” Marcell is hooked so now he’s going looking to get an iPod on his day off.
Despite the confusion surrounding the post lunch walk, we’d made excellent time throughout the day and so the last port of call, the church at Valfleury was an unexpected bonus. Bernd told us it was a church that Marcellin went to when things weren’t going that well and he got a little down on himself. Ordinarily Marcellin was a confident man who it would seem could turn his hand to just about anything.
By this time we’d come down from the heights and things were dramatically warmer. It was a fair trek from La Vella, and we were travelling by bus! We drove and drove and drove, to the point where some thought that we’d missed the church, then all of a sudden around the next bend a spire and as we got closer right next to the Church was a pub. As one in the back of the bus was herd to say, “Marcellin, you’re an answer to prayer.” However he wasn’t and it appears that Marcellin passed by this church in favour of another one yet still some further 10km on.
The sound of thunder while in the church was a warning sign to head quickly to the waiting bus. More thunder and lightening on the way home, however this time accompanied by a lot of heavy rain brought a conclusion to a full and interesting day.
Comments
One Response to “The high and the low road”
Got something to say?
Wonders will never cease. Brings back many memories since I was there 2 years ago with our ‘Venerable Leader’ Bernhard.
Well done.I Enjoy receiving and reading, keep it up, look forward to many more. God bless all those who thought up the WEB. Hi Denis, Matt and John from DOWN UNDER. Pius Keene SM.,