Memories are eternal… but just in case… here are a few from the 400th anniversary of the Visitation in Annecy, France!
Sunday June 6, 2010 400th Anniversary of the Visitation Order
The long-awaited day has arrived! To be in Annecy on this day, who could ever imagine this grace?
We stuffed the whole world into our hearts.
After breakfast and Morning Prayer for the Feast of Corpus Christi we went out to await the bus, which on this day of all days, was 20 minutes late! As we approached the Basilica, we nearly had a head on collision with another bus approaching the opposite direction, but were spared.
We were ushered into the brightly lit Basilica where they were practicing Mass again with the television crews.!
But a deep heart-felt change occurred as soon as the true Liturgy began at 10:40AM. The Visitation Sisters choir was superb, there were trains of priests and a packed basilica, with chairs and video screens set up outdoors for a greater capacity. The Bishop of Annecy gave a beautiful homily, which can be accessed here: http://ftp.diocese-annecy.fr/Homelie%20Mgr%20Boivineau%206juin%20.pdf In French, of course!
After Mass we exited in procession around the Basilica, met with the Bishop, and then re-entered the Church to pray once more at our Holy Founders tombs. The coverings were removed so we crowded around more closely.
Our Annecy community had a delightful lunch prepared outdoors in another section of their property overlooking the lake. We sat 4 to 5 to a table with joyful voices and conversation There was another opportunity to visit the crypt exhibition and this time we observed a manual for the Visitation boarding schools dating from 1626.
A truly community oriented day- we all went together into another vehicle to a town not too far away to a play put on by young people on the history of the Visitation, but very cleverly done. It begins with a contemporary young couple meeting for a date before St Francis’ statue in Annecy and flashed back to the story of the Visitation.
We were able to follow a screened text translation. Very delightful.
Once more the Annecy Sisters hosted us for a light meal after the play and for Vespers. The novices were exuberant and were very novice-like in behavior, enjoying themselves completely.
A memory never to be forgotten!