Marist Sisters - The Marist Sisters of Cerdon

The Marist Sisters of Cerdon

In 1823, Marie Jotillon, her niece, Marie Gardet and Jeanne-Marie Chavoin began to live together in community in Cerdon. The first three Marist Sisters lived in dire poverty but nevertheless, perceiving their joy and their sanctity, many young women of the town went to join her. Eight future Marist Sisters received the habit on 8 December 1824. Soon after they were invited by Bishop Devie to go to Belley where the first profession took place on 14 September 1897. Jeanne-Marie, or Pele, as she was now called, was Superior General of the new Congregation till 1853, when she was urged to resign. At the age of 69 she began a new foundation in Jarnosse, an abandoned village which was poor and needy in every way. Here she was able to live the kind of active life which she had always desired for her Sisters. She died at Jarnosse on the 30 June 1858 at the age of 71.