L’Hermitage:  April 6^th

Le Puys: It’s amazing to think that today we were at the same Cathedral that Marcellin Champagnat would have prayed at...and more specifically he would have prayed to the Black Madonna (situated in the Cathedral) for guidance and help.  The Black Madonna is a petite statue but one that holds immense importance for the Catholic faithful worldwide and also our Marist Brothers. To sit in quiet meditation, where we all had the chance to pray for our own intentions and then sing the Salve Regina, was both moving and humbling. Today, the fact that it is Good Friday, there was an inherent stillness and serenity...it fell upon the complete gathering and we were transported to another time and place...and in this Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Puys, with its majestic interior but more importantly spiritual history (miracles have been performed here), there was no wonder why.

The much revered healing stone within this Cathedral (a slate slab)...lay adjacent to the Black Madonna and here pilgrims from across the world can touch or lie on the stone and absorb its healing properties...and that is exactly what we did. Individually we lay on the healing, asking God for his healing, whether it be physical, emotional or spiritual...it was a moment of immense power.

Moving to the next part of our pilgrimage, we traced the steps of many others (over 300 up a steep cliff) to the chapel of St Michael d’Aighuille. Our heart goes out to the Parish Priest who must climb these stairs daily for mass in the chapel. This chapel was like a cave perched upon a rock...sparsely lit by small  stained glass windows...primitive but still inspiring in its prayerful atmosphere.

Lunch...well, we pretty much found a little cafe/restaurant in the main square of Le Puys...salmon salads, crepes or baguettes with a glass of red, cafe au lait or beer were the choice of the epicurists’  day. On the return to the bus, some pilgrims fell prey to the numerous delights of leather handbags, jackets...and considering it is Easter...the chocolatier (as if anyone needed an excuse).

Our Good Friday ceremony this evening was one of Christianity at its simple best. With 45 of us present within the Hermitage Chapel, we venerated the cross and reflected on our own brokenness (a beautiful song reflecting this was playing during this part of the ceremony). This ceremony was jointly celebrated by our two priests, Monsignor Peter Jefferies and Father John Craddock...their masses with us have been meani ngful, simplistic and fitting for our spiritual exploration and today was no exception.

We finished our night with time of personal reflection and sharing within the revered rooms of the Marist Brothers meeting room, which adjoins Marcellin’s bedroom (the room in which he also passed away). There could not have been a better way to complete  Good Friday at the Hermitage.

There is still so much to share...stay tuned for an entry on what it was like entering the Hermitage and our day at Fouviere!! Brother John...you are still very much in our prayers!

Brian Fenaughty and Tracey Dorian