Origin and Evolution Centre - Lyon

The Living History Centre captures and illustrates the Lyon Congregation heritage, which began in 1808 after the French Revolution. It was designed by two artists from Paris who in collaboration with the sisters and the spirit of St. Joseph created this space where the sisters may feel the history and presence of their dear Mother. 

The French Revolution (1789-1799) attacked not only the monarchy, but also the Church that was closely allied with it. Churches were ransacked or re-purposed as granaries or other storage centers. As a result, sisters and priests were at risk and forced to disperse; some even went into hiding. Established groups of women religious no longer existed. After the Revolution, Cardinal Joseph Fesch of the Lyon Diocese, sought to bring religious women together again so that they could minister to the people who were living miserable lives in the ravages of the Revolution. He asked Mother St. John Fontbonne, who had previously shown a talent for leadership, to accept this mission. She had been living with her parents in Bas-en-Basset and before the Revolution had been a superior in nearby Monistrol. In 1807, she began inviting a group of women known as the Black Daughters (because of their way of dressing) to join her to live in a house in St. Etienne (halfway between Monistrol and Lyon). Other groups of women joined them, including former Sisters of St. Joseph. By 1814, the house in St. Etienne was too small, so Mother St. John Fontbonne began looking for a larger place. She found a building in Lyon and after much prayer, reflection, and discernment, bought it in 1816 in the name of the Congregation. It became available because it had been ruined during the Revolution, and the proprietor wished to sell it. That building is the place where you are standing. Over the next few years renovations were made to accommodate the growing community of sisters. 
 

Artifacts

The Centre has three rooms. The first room is called "Origin and Evolution." It features the now-familiar painting of Mother St. John Fontbonne at age 78.

A fountain in the shape of a cross symbolizes the Lyon Congregation by taking the name "Fontbonne" (good source in French) as a representation of the founder's life and deeds as a good source for the evolution of the Congregation throughout the world.

The display cabinet illustrates the evolution of the Congregation with an item that represents each of the 30+ congregations that branched out from Lyon.

A world map pinpoints all the places the Lyon sisters have served.

A table with seats around it allow visitors to sit, reflect, and pray. On the table is a high-lighted face of Mother St. John with five women in Olympic colors dancing around her.  They are happy to give their lives as consecrated women throughout the world.

The second room of the Centre represents the life of the new Congregation and its apostolic work and ministry. You will find the Congregation's official register with the signatures of those who entered, reports of the 1825 council, litanies of martyred priests, diaries, cards of obedience for specific missions, and the Congregational seal. There is also a letter written by Mother St. John addressed to a young person as well as her death certificate and profession cross, which she had for 63 years. In the middle of this room is a statue of Mother St. Jeanne sculpted by Sr. Mary Southard of LaGrange (USA). Many visitors have their picture taken around the statue.

The third room is the place Mother St. John spent the last four years of her life. It is designed as if she left it momentarily and would return soon. It includes her bed, desk, as well as her rosary, thimble, walking stick, and a habit. The head near the bed is a mould of the statue of Mother St. John. It is placed there to remind us of her spiritual presence in the room.