Paul Pidcock, Denis O'Brien, Charlie Randle, Edwin McCallion, Mikaele Cilicewa (sitting), John Murphy, Berenado Patero (partly obsecured), Bernd Kordes, Matt Morris, Marcel Ma'ah, Deogratias Bararishize and John Beckley at the memorial marking the birthplace of Jean-Claude Colin

The journey was once again into beautiful rural France, and while making good time, the twisting, winding roads quickly took their toll on Marcel. A brief stop and some fresh air, plus his moving more towards the front of the bus seemed to make things a little bit more easy for him. Having arrived in from Africa yesterday, he’s certainly “hit the ground running”.

The day began by visiting Jean-Claude’s birthplace. The rural setting is hard to miss and the outlook over the lush green pasture in the valley, with hardly a house in site, this is very rural. Jean-Claude’s family home no longer exists, however a cross and memorial plaque marks the spot.

A short while later we arrived at St Bonnet-le-Troncy, the village where the parish church is. Going to church would have been a big day out for the Colin family. Once again we joined the local people for their usual 11am Mass, this time however we were responsible for the liturgy which John Murphy led, helped in translation by Bernd Kordes. Not knowing exactly what Bernd said in translation, it must have been good as the local people gave smile at the right place.

After Mass there was a little time before we were expected at the Colin Museum, just to the right of the Church. Taking the opportunity to “scout out” the small village and looking for an expresso coffee, Matt Morris and John Murphy seemed to be greeted with familiarity when they responded
affirmatively to the question, “Marist?”

A highlight of the afternoon visit to both Coutouvre and Jarnosse was probably the opportunity to visit the house where Jeanne-Marie Chavoin was born. The house is owned privately, however the owner welcomed us and showed us the room under the house where the Chavoin family hid a priest during the period of the French Revolution. A very challenging thing for the family to do, but also challenging for the priest who lived in such musty, dusty cramped under-ground…. I hesitate to use the word, “facilities.”

People have openly expressed their interest in actually visiting the places of Colin and Chavoin’s birthplace and early influences. It is one thing to read about the early influences on Colin’s life, but to visit and experience the place of his birth and his local parish Church, makes them come that much more alive. It helps make Marist Spirituality a little more alive too.

The brothers and sisters are a semi-contemplative order, and are expanding. There are some 120 sisters in the convent, however none of the brothers were present as they were away at festival for young people. We weren’t able to visit the sisters’ chapel because Mass was on, however we were fortunate to be able to visit and see the re-development of the brothers’ chapel, particularly the stained-glass windows. Their chapel is being done up due to recent fire damage.