Part 10: A missionary at heart

1. Part 10: A missionary at heart From 1836 onwards Jeanne-Marie Chavoin and the early Marist sisters became very interested in far off lands. It was in that year that the Society of Mary accepted to take up a mission to Western Oceania. At last with the approval of the Church authorities, the first group of Marist priests made their vows in Belley at the altar of La Capucinière. Then some of them prepared to leave for the far off islands of Futuna and Wallis where the Good News had yet to be preached.

2. ..encouraging others… Among them was a young priest by the name of Peter Chanel. He was well known to the sisters at Bon Repos because his own sister, Françoise (Sr Dominique), lived in the community there. Peter often visited and confided a great deal to our foundress, whom he knew as Mother St Joseph. As the time neared for his departure to Oceania, Peter poured out that he was tempted to give up the idea. She cheered him up, reminding him of God’s grace, and pointing out that some priests “grow mouldy “ by remaining in their comfort zones. Heartened by her enthusiasm, Peter overcame his temptation and went forth to become the first martyr of Oceania. After his death the people of Futuna embraced the faith for which he gave his life.

3. …dreaming of possibilities From the start, the sisters supported the missionary effort. They helped with preparations for each new voyage in many practical ways as well as with their encouraging words and prayer. Naturally, they were very eager to receive news of the missioners and in those days it was a long time coming. Imagine their joy and excitement when visitors came to give first-hand news! It was on those occasions that the sisters expressed their own desire to set out for those far off lands, to spread the Gospel where Jesus was unknown. Sadly, it was not to be – at least, not then. Jeanne-Marie Chavoin needed to find other ways to reach out to those in the greatest need of God’s love.

4. … going where others would not go… Mother St Joseph – from the beginning – was very conscious of going where the need was greatest and where others would not or could not go. In setting out for the diocese of Lyon in 1838, she began a search for the most appropriate ministry and location for the Marist sisters. As it happened, the sisters moved three times before they found the place meant for them – an orphanage at Ste-Foy in desperate need of someone to take responsibility for the care of the children and the organisation of the home. Our sisters ran that orphanage for over 100 years …

5. prepared to take risks… Sincere thanks … for the deep interest you show towards our dear Sisters. …do not worry about the poverty of this house, They are not frightened by it and do not even think of it; Besides this is what will strengthen the work; If everything was plentiful in the beginnings I would very much fear for the solidity of the undertaking… 31 October 1852 In considering new ventures, our foundress was not put off by hardship, by lack of comfort, or by uncertainty. In planning to make a foundation at Collonges, she wrote to the parish priest: Yes, Jeanne-Marie Chavoin, like Mary, saw the need and set about addressing it. She was a true missionary at heart. Part 11 of the Jeanne-Marie Chavoin Story will be published in May