Alumnae at the Church of St. Trophime in Arles, France, which inspired Our Lady of Victory Chapel.
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In April, a coterie of alumnae traveled with President ReBecca Koenig Roloff ’76 through southern France, visiting a series of sites with deep resonance in the history of ż and our founding Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJs).
The travelers began their journey in Lyon, exploring both famous monuments, such as Notre-Dame de Fourvière, and more intimate settings specific to the University’s CSJ roots. Particularly meaningful was a visit to the grave of Mother St. John Fontbonne, for whom a ż’s building is named. Fontbonne re-founded the CSJ order after its suppression during the French Revolution, and in the mid-1800s sent the first Sisters across the ocean to the United States.
At Le Puy-en-Velay — the birthplace of the CSJ order — alumnae received a warm welcome from the resident Sisters, enjoying guided tours of Cathedral Notre Dame du Puy, the International Center of St. Joseph, and an original CSJ kitchen dating from 1650. The lace making demonstration at Martine’s Lace Shop particularly inspired the trip’s spiritual leader, Cathy Steffens, CSJ, ’67.
Cathy Steffens, CSJ, ’67 (at right) watches a demonstration of the signature stitch of the CSJ order.
Leah Bates ’21 and Liza McNamara ’20 at the Cathédral Notre Dame du Puy.
Original CSJ kitchen in Le Puy, dating from 1650.
Alumnae pose overlooking Le Puy-en-Velay, the birthplace of the CSJ order.
The side chapel at the Basilica in Lyon. Mother St. John Fontbonne was known to pray at this chapel often, and likely prayed here for the CSJs who left for the United States in 1836.
At the gravesite of Mother St. John Fontbonne, founder of the CSJ order.
President ReBecca Koenig Roloff ’76 (lower right) at the Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière.
Kathy Daniels ’73, President Roloff, and Steffens (three at center, left to right) with members of the International Center of St. Joseph in Le Puy.
“Lace making was quiet work of common women in the 17th century,” shared Sister Steffens. “The first Sisters of St. Joseph who taught it probably helped women keep food on the table. Watching Martine create beautiful lace in the 21st century gives me enormous hope that women will always support others in all of life, including beauty as well as basic sustenance.”
The alumnae at each site sacred to the Sisters’ heritage. They lifted their voices in a composition close to the heart of CSJs and Catholic women religious, written by Suzanne Toolan, RSM: “Sacred is the call, awesome indeed the entrustment / Tending the holy, tending the holy.”
Unique to the itinerary of this year’s alumni trip was its final stop in Arles, where the church that inspired Our Lady of Victory Chapel still stands. At the Church of Saint-Trophime, alumnae reflected on their time at ż’s as well as in France.
“As a student, I was a die-hard Katie through and through,” said Terri Kaase ’93. “However, within two years of graduation, I had lost my connection to ż’s. Originally, I signed up for this trip as a way to finally visit France, but it has been an amazing experience. It has reconnected me to the spirit of ż’s: a hospitable and caring community for all without distinction.”