On May 7 the Generalate Community was delighted to welcome for Sunday pranzo Sr. Josette Bijloos, Superior General of the Sisters of Providence, founded by Fr. Jacques-François Dujarié in Ruillé, and Sr. Marie Thérèse Chaillou, Superior General of the Sisters of Christian Instruction of Saint Gildas. Sr. Josette was in Rome for the Assembly of the International Union of Superiors General. 

This was Sr. Josette's first visit to the Generalate and her first introduction to Fr. Robert Epping, C.S.C., Superior General of the Congregation of Holy Cross

Touched by the various images of Fr. Dujarié she observed in the Holy Cross Generalate, Sr. Josette expressed her desire to maintain the newfound connection she found with her Holy Cross “cousins”.

Learn more about Fr. Jacques-François Dujarié 

As a gift to the Generalate and in recognition of the recent 200th anniversary of the founding of the Brothers of St. Joseph, Sr. Josette donated to the Congregation the precious relics of Fr. Dujarié's pocket watch and soutane sash. The sash was removed from Fr. Dujarié’s casket when his body was exhumed in 1879.

Both of these items were formerly displayed in the Sisters of Providence museum in Ruillé. They are now housed in the new heritage display in the Generalate conference room.