Our Pilgrimage to Paris 2023

A pilgrim is a traveller who is on a journey to a holy place, and that is it!  A group of eleven Daughters of Charity journeying to our spiritual home in the Rue du Bac, Paris. It was wonderful to be back in the chapel of the Miraculous Medal where each sister in our province, was prayed for by name, in the evening quiet time. We had the chapel to ourselves late in the evening when all the pilgrims and the house sisters had left. It was a great experience, enhanced by the enriching liturgies prepared for each day by Sister Maria Parcher. Most of our time was spent in and around the chapel but we also visited Saint Lazare and the church of St Medard in the Mouffetard area in Paris where Blessed Rosalie was a parishioner and of course, Rosalie’s grave in Montparnasse.

It was a very special experience to be in the chapel, in our Motherhouse, for the triduum of feasts which mean so much to each of us – The Miraculous Medal, St Catherine, and the Foundation of the Company.

The pilgrims from near and far packed the chapel. The side chapels were full, every inch of space was used for all the Masses throughout the days. The chapel was full of people praying all day, their faith was all-pervading and tangible. Even when full of people the chapel was so peaceful and quiet.

Heavenly Father, you have blessed us with these special days of pilgrimage. May we be enriched by all that we have experienced in the sacred place where your Mother made her presence and love felt in a very special way. May it bless us with inner wisdom, peace, and courage to be what you want us to be. Now that we have returned home, may your blessings and love increase for ourselves and for all those we serve. Stay with us as we continue on our pilgrimage through life, each day.