Parishioners of the Oblate apostolate, St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Newark, DE, visited Annecy, France, on a pilgrimage led by Fr. Ed Ogden, OSFS. Throughout their journey, they bonded through faith, fellowship, and adventure.

Below is Fr. Ed’s account of their travels with pilgrams’ quotation. Perhaps his reflection inspires you to learn more about the birthplace of the Oblates!

Day 1 (July 7): Our pilgrimage began in Annecy, a beautiful town, surrounded by mountains and at the head of what is claimed to be the cleanest lake in Europe. It is a popular holiday spot for the French (who try to keep it a secret from foreigners) and is known as the Venice of the Alps, as the River Thiou, which takes water from the lake, has been channeled into canals that run through the old town, with footpaths alongside them. On our first day, the 52 pilgrims enjoyed walking through Annecy, just taking in the beautiful scenery. “The beauty of the old city with the mountains on the other side of Lake Annecy was like experiencing a little bit of heaven.”

Day 2 (July 8): We traveled to the fortress of Allinges, a small Romanesque chapel with windows as narrow as slits and remains of early frescos. It was only here that Francis and his brother could say Mass to pray for their mission to convert the Chablais Region. Several Latin inscriptions of "little virtues" are found on the walls. Later, when St. Francis wrote the Introduction to the Devout Life, he included these little virtues. Perhaps he got his inspiration from the many hours he spent in prayer in this chapel. Celebrating Mass in the intimate chapel was the perfect start to a community that grew close quickly. Being surrounded by the little virtues on the walls, which were likely the beginnings of Salesian Spirituality, made it all very real. “This is the memory that will come to me the quickest when I remember our time there.”

Day 3 (July 9): We walked in the footsteps of St. Francis de Sales beginning with Mass at the Basilica and Monastery of the Visitation, and a visit to the museum and bookstore. After Mass pilgrims enjoyed a lunch at one of the cafés along the canal before visiting famous Salesian sites: the Gallery House (where the Visitation Order began), the Church of St. Francis de Sales (the first Visitation Monastery), that statue of Francis de Sales statues (center of town), and the Cathedral of St. Pierre (where Francis was ordained a priest and served as bishop). “The beautiful views of Lake Annecy, the mountains, the landscapes, and the quiet paths are truly a gift from God. They made me feel as if I was following in the footsteps of St. Francis and St. Jane.”

Day 4 (July 10): We took a boat ride on the Lake of Annecy to the town of Talloires to visit the hermitage of St. Germain, an 11th-century century lived as a hermit who died when he was almost 100. Below the hermitage was the Benedictine Monastery, where St. Germain had once been abbot. St. Francis de Sales loved to visit this ancient spot and had planned to retire as a hermit to “serve God with the breviary, the rosary, and the pen.” The pilgrims celebrated Mass in the chapel and enjoyed a picnic lunch overlooking the extraordinary lake high above the town. “My best takeaway from the pilgrimage centers around a better understanding of Salesian Spirituality and what it means to be community.”

Day 5 (July 11): In December 1622, Francis de Sales was required to travel to Lyon in the entourage of the Duke of Savoy for a Christmas tour. As Bishop of Geneva, Francis chose to stay in the gardener’s hut at the Visitation Monastery. While there, he suffered a stroke and died on December 28. His body was later brought back to Annecy with a triumphant entry into the city and placed in the Visitation Monastery, where St. Jane de Chantal and the sisters awaited his arrival. The event took place on January 24, which is why that date was chosen as his feast day. We toured the Cathedral, celebrated Mass, and had time to walk the city streets. “Although the visit to the cathedral was impressive, Mass in the historic chapel was intimate and left us with a communal experience of the Sacred Heart, the feast which we celebrated at Mass.”

Day 6 (July 12): Pilgrims enjoyed a vacation day in the old city of Annecy: walking the street, shopping, lunch at a café, biking, swimming, and enjoying the lake on a summer day. Our pilgrimage ended with a Mass in St. Michel School. Many pilgrims shared with me that some of the best times were around the dinner table, enjoying the meal and sharing conversation and laughter. “Moving at a slower pace helped me take in so much of the history and facts. I was in awe to see St. Jane's book of spiritual letters, which was published in 1644.”

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