I was a participant in the St. Joseph Health System Pilgrimage in France. This painting is a story of the French sisters and the journey we as pilgrims made in the spring of to discover the history of the sisters and in so doing reveal more about ourselves. The route of the pilgrims was an intertwining tale of relationship and connection, a pathway filled with walls and turrets, mountains to climb, bridges to cross, villages through which to meander, and lush fields to pass by.
We as pilgrims were fortified by the good words of Father Medaille and the call to prayer by Mother St. John Fontbonne as we each sought our inner spirituality. The richness of years of history becomes a montage in this painting as I was inspired by:. On a personal note, my husband has been part of the St. Joseph Health System first as a staff physician and later as an administrator for the past 30 years. Joining him on this pilgrimage gave me a deeper understanding of the real meaning of the work he and others in the health system do on a daily basis.
I knew right away that I wanted to express my pilgrimage experience through a painting in which I would respond to the places I visited and the words that I heard during the week. Buried beneath the beauty of the French countryside and quaint villages was the real story of the beginning of the Sisters and how they lived in a dramatically different world in than the France of today.
The brilliant colors of France and the places we visited, each with a special meaning, remained with me when I returned home. I have tried to let the joy, love, and hope I felt during the pilgrimage emanate in this work of art. Prints are available in two different options by contacting Barbara:.
The richness of years of history becomes a montage in this painting as I was inspired by: The 13th century walls of Carcassone, birthplace of Father Medaille. The Chapel of St. Fourviere, the Cathedral at Lyons. Michaeland the Statue of the Virgin. The rosary beads that remain by the bedside of Mother St. John Fontbonne, and the cemetery where she is buried. The International Center in Le Puy. Lace making of Le Puy. Water reminiscent of the spring at Lourdes.
