Part 2 2 Early Influences Jeanne-Marie Chavoin spent

Part 2: 2 Early Influences Jeanne-Marie Chavoin spent 30 years of her life in the village of Coutouvre. From the front door of her family home she could see the village square and the church just beyond. Jeanne-Marie’s life in Coutouvre was people-oriented. From the Chavoin home her father ran a tailor’s shop. Customers came daily, exchanging the latest news, sharing the joys and concerns of the village. As Jeanne-Marie did not go away to school, all her learning was from life – from her parents, and the priest whom the Chavoins were sheltering.

Jeanne-Marie learned: - from her father: father – how to sew – how to keep accounts - from her mother – how to cook – how to keep house - from them both: both – how to relate to people – how to put faith into action - from the old priest, perhaps priest – something of history and – background to the Revolution

Two other important people • Jean-Philibert Lefranc – a seminarian of J-M’s own age (19) – who introduced Jeanne-Marie to • different ways to pray, and • spiritual direction • Marie Jotillon – a village friend, 4 yrs younger – whom Jeanne-Marie challenged to grow, and – with whom she formed a spiritual partnership • through weekly sharing of faith, • in their search for God’s Will in their lives

Daily Activities Association of Divine Love • Begun by Jean-Philibert Lefranc • Group of women – Young, single – Widows • Deep spiritual base – – Personal prayer Communal prayer Examination of conscience Fraternal correction • With apostolic outreach – Visiting the sick – Helping the poor – Teaching catechism to children

Discovering God’s Will… In Part 3 of the Jeanne-Marie Chavoin Story, we will see how Jeanne-Marie discovered exactly what God had in mind for her and for her companion, Marie. Again, many thanks to Moira Ryan sm, our illustrator