Friday, October 7, the Chapter members boarded two buses at 6:00am and set out for Namur, Belgium. Namur is the location of the Motherhouse of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, founded by St. Julie Billiart. The Sisters of Notre Dame of Coesfeld share our spiritual roots with the Namur Sisters, so this visit was a blessed opportunity for the Chapter members. After a four-hour trip our two buses arrived at the Motherhouse of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Our large group divided and half of the group walked the short distance into the city to see the Cathedral, the first house of the SNDdN in Namur, and other historical sites. The other half of the group toured the beautiful Heritage Center that the Sisters created which features displays on the life and spirituality of St. Julie, the ministries of the Sisters and a special prayer area where the reliquary of St. Julie’s remains is located. Both groups met at the Motherhouse at noon to share a simple meal with the Namur sisters. There are approximately 12 sisters from different units of the Congregation living there. After lunch, the groups again divided to visit the different venues.
All were grateful for the opportunity to visit the final resting place of St. Julie, see the exhibits and historical places and visit with our “cousins,” the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.
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