Pilgrimages in and around Lyon, France

Right up the road from C.I.A.C. is le Chartreuse de Lyon, which contains the old church, St. Bruno’s (pictured here), as well as the compound area where the monks lived. The compound contained a large cloister, garden, cemetery, small cloister, chapter room, and retreat chapel. Some of the buildings date back to the late 1500’s.

Br. Marcel describing the interior of St. Bruno’s. All the buildings are in

need of major restoration, but the money to do that comes from the state, not the parishes, and the state is obviously reluctant to

part with the money. Although over 80% of the

people in France are Catholic, less than 10%

are practicing, so the churches are poorly

funded.

Br. Ray in the pulpit where Father Andre Coindre preached. St. Bruno’s is important to the Brothers of the Sacred Heart because their founder, Fr. Andre Coindre, was a missionary there after the French Revolution. He was part of a large group of religious men and women who tried to bring religion back into the lives of the French after it was prohibited by the government.

This is the view of Lyon from St. Bruno’s

This plaque at St. Bruno’s in honor of Claudine Thevenet. After Andre found the 2 orphan girls, he turned to Claudine to take them in, along with several others. Andre seemed to be inspired by Claudine’s willingness to help out these poor children, so he became her spiritual advisor. Shortly after that, he helped these women organize themselves into an association and later a religious community called the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

An early, manual silk loom. This is what Andre wanted the boys to learn how to do, in order to stay off the streets and out of jail.

A view of Lyon from near the C.I.A.C.

A view of Lyon and the Rhone River from the Brothers’ villa, (Petit Versailles), at la Procure

The Brothers’ garden at la Procure

The Brothers’ garden with a view

Some of the guys at the Procure B-B-Q: Don, Gerry, Greg, John, Ed, Br. Marcel, Br. Neri

The church of St. Nizier in Lyon is where Andre Coindreand Claudine Thevenet were baptized. Many years later,

Andre found the orphan girls abandoned on the steps, which

started everything!

* Note the dome over the main entrance. It will be featured in detail in the next slide.

Dome archway over the main entrance doors. The faces and images are all carved in relief in the stone.

St. John’s Cathedral was where Fr. Andre Coindre was ordained.

This clock, in St. John’s Cathedral, was built in 1383.

Although it has been damaged by wars and

revolutions, it has been repaired and now works! It

stands over 15 feet tall.

Close up of the clock face in St. John’s Cathedral

The town of Le Puy, where Paradis is located. Andre Coindre purchased some property there in order to establish a place to train the Brothers.

In the foreground are old, original buildings of Paradis, which are now closed. Rising up into the sky is a giant statue of St. Joseph. The

Brothers still own a few acres of land there, and the building they now use is a retirement place for the Brothers of France.

The cemetery at La Puy, with lavender and herbs growing everywhere.

A memorial to Fr. Andre Coindre and other

Brothers of the Sacred Heart (at Paradis)

Mount St. Michael was built over 1,000 years ago on top of a volcanic rock formation. The town’s name, Valay, is a term for the volcanic

pillars that rise up in the area. There is no vehicle road access to the top. The faithful who wish to attend services must climb up on foot.

Beautiful carving in a Jesuit church in Vals.

Chapel at Vals where early Brothers of the Sacred Heart made perpetual

vows.

Ursaline nuns’ chapel built in 1600’s in Monistrol.

Monistrol

A back view of Fourvieve, which came into our view after we climbed nearly 900 steps! Br. Ronnie led a group of us

who wanted to make the climb by foot as Andre Coindre would

have. The rest of our group opted to take the bus.

Fourvieve, meaning “old forum” is so named because of the Roman ruins found there.

Intricate carving near the entrance to Fourvieve. Construction was started in 1870 and completed in 1896.

Br. Ray saying mass in the chapel at Fourvieve. This

particular chapel was where many of the Brothers made

their vows.

All the Brothers (and one Sister) on the altar, renewing their vows.

A view of Lyon from the top of Fourvieve. The two following slides complete the panorama from right to left.

The middle slide of the panorama of Lyon.

The far left slide in the panorama. The visibility on this day was over 50 miles.

The main Basilica of Notre Dame (at Fourviere). The

church was built by the fathers of Lyon as

thanksgiving because city was saved from invasions. The vaulted ceilings soar 100 feet overhead and are covered with intricate and

beautiful mosaics.

(this is a scanned postcard)

Fourvieve has many beautiful mosiacs on the walls and ceilings. This one is overhead in the

main basilica.

The interior of the Basilica of Notre Dame

(Fourvieve)

A wall mosaic at Fourvieve.

The tomb of Claudine Thevenet

Cluny, and the remains of the largest monastery in Christendom (187 meters at the time).

The Abbey at Cluny was founded in 909. The Church construction began in 1088.

Cluny, on the site of the monastery. Towards the end of the 12th century,

about 10,000 monks living in 1,200 abbeys were affiliated with the

Cluny Abbey, (with 1,000 monks living in

the Cluny Abbey itself).

The homes in the town were built from the stones of the Abbey

Church after if fell into ruins during the

Revolution.

Cluny

The town of Paray le Monial, pop. 12,000, is an important pilgrimage center and a shrine to Christianity, as well as a charismatic center.

St. Claude’s at Paray le Monial

A beautiful mosaic in St. Claude’s

(Paray le Monial)

The town is of interest to the Brothers of the Sacred Heart because the Visitation Chapel is where the Sacred Heart appeared to

Sister Margaret Mary (she was later made a saint). Following this visitation, Sister M.M. spread the good news and the message of the

Brothers.

A beautiful stained glass window in St. Claude’s

(Paray le Monial)

The church in La Motte, the small town where Br. Polycarpe was born

This plaque in La Motte is dedicated to Br. Polycarpe, who is considered the second founder of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart.

The ancient ruins of Lyon near Fourvieve. The amphitheater overlooks the city. The ruins

date back to 43 B.C.

(postcard).

Ancient ruins in Lyon (postcard)

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“Teaching Christ”

This bronze statue was created by an alum of St. Bruno’s. It currently

is displayed at C.I.A.C.

Father Andre Coindre, founder of the Brothers

of the Sacred Heart