Chavion Year

June 30 2007 – The Jeanne-Marie Chavoin Year – June 30 2008

On June 30 2008 it will be 150 years since the death of Jeanne-Marie Chavoin, the foundress of the Marist Sisters.

Sr Monica O’Brien who is the Sisters’ Superior General, said, at the launching of this special year, that the Marist Sisters are the “heart, the memory and the life blood of the charism and the spirituality she bequeathed to us.”

Many of our lay Marists are recipients of this beautiful Marist spirit because of relationships they have had with one or more of these Chavoin women. And so, we have been invited to share in this celebration by remembering four special dates.

August 29 The birth of Jeanne-Marie Chavoin in 1786

December 8 – The day, in 1824 When Jeanne-Marie was named Mother St Joseph and elected Superior of the Marist Sisters

March 2 – The day, in 1838, when Jeanne-Marie established the first community outside the Belley Diocese – in Lyon.

June 30 – the 150th anniversary of her death in 1858 in Jarnosse

June 2008 will also see the sisters embark on their 28th General Chapter. The sisters are asking us to join with them in prayers of celebration and thanksgiving in these 12 months.

PRAYER
God of faithfulness and love, thank you for your gracious choice
and the countless blessings
bestowed on the Marist Sisters from their foundation.
Like Mary at Cana and Jeanne-Marie at Jarnosse,
they are conscious of the plight of your people.
As the sisters prepare for their 28th General Chapter,
give them a desire to respond with energy and compassion.
Give them creativity, faith, wisdom and courage
as they seek ways to provide wine for our thirsting world.
May they be of one heart and one soul as they strive to live out Mary’s call to the world:
“Do whatever he tells you.”