The Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny is a Religious Institute exercising their apostolate in this Archdiocese. This Institute was founded by Bl. Anne Marie Javouhey in 1807. On the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of her Beatification, the Apostolic Penitentiary has granted a Plenary Indulgence, under the usual conditions, to all the faithful who devoutly visit any Oratory belonging to the Institute in the form of a pilgrimage, and take part in jubilee celebrations, or at least, before the relics of the Blessed, dedicate an appropriate time to pious reflections, prayers, or other works of Christian devotion for the glory of God, and raise fervent prayers for peace and harmony among peoples, concluding with the Our Father, the Creed, and invocations of the Bl. Virgin Mary and Bl. Anne-Marie Javouhey.
The Cluny Sisters have designated the Oratory at the Cluny Old Age Home, Nagoa de Verna, as a Pilgrimage Centre from 1st May to 15th October 2026.
Bl. Anne Marie Javouhey, was a woman of faith, missionary courage, and total commitment to seeking the Holy Will of God. She grew up at a time when the Christian faith was under severe persecution in France. With remarkable courage, she secretly protected persecuted priests and helped keep the Christian faith alive by organizing prayer and catechetical gatherings despite great personal risk. She became the first woman missionary in the Church to cross the seas for the sake of evangelization and sent sisters to distant lands in Africa, Asia and the Americas, establishing missions dedicated to education, healthcare, social development and pastoral care. She is particularly remembered as a liberator of slaves in French Guiana and Africa.
At their house in Nagoa de Verna, since 1962, the Cluny Sisters strive to make the lives of the inmates peaceful and meaningful by offering loving care and fostering their spiritual life. Through constant love and attentive care, the Sisters seek to alleviate their suffering and accompany these senior citizens with compassion, especially in their final days, often becoming their family and preparing them prayerfully for their journey to their eternal home.
The Cluny Sisters invite the faithful to visit the Oratory (Chapel) at their Convent at Nagoa de Verna during this designated period and to avail themselves of the spiritual benefits granted by the Church.