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A Personal View of the Charism of the Sisters of St Joseph of Annecy
By Marguerite Duncan
I have experienced the Charism of the Sisters of St Joseph of Annecy throughout my life. I remember my parents taking me to the Convent in Chatham to enrol me in the School there and the Sister Headmistress enfolding me in her skirts!
I have been, in a sense, enfolded in the skirts of the Congregation since then. As a young girl whose Father was killed in the war, I experienced the Charism of the Sisters through their love and kindness: a doll for Christmas, a kind word, an enquiry about my mother as well as a bag of apples and plums to take home!
When Fr Medaille founded the Congregation over three and a half centuries ago, he wanted the Sisters to show the love of Christ for all and to all. We find God in those we serve wherever our work takes us. I feel that Love sent out into our divided and troubled society spreads out through the Associates even into areas where the Sisters cannot go.
In speaking about the Charism of the Sisters, I like to use images such as those found in Fr Medaille's Writings, like the symbol of the Trinity. The relationship between Father, Son and Spirit created the earthly Trinity, Jesus, Mary and Joseph. These three share a love that binds them together and moves out to include others.
A second symbol is that of the Eucharist. Christ chose to be with us in the form of bread. We are called to imitate Christ in His presence in the Eucharist, to be broken in order to nourish others.
I have been privileged to have shared life with the Sisters for 28 years, and have always treasured their Spirit. When I was invited to become an Associate I felt I was coming home. The Monthly meetings are a great joy to me. The greatest compliment I have received came from an old man in my Parish who attends our Gospel Sharing Group, who said "You may have left your Congregation but you did not fall far from it!"