This past fall the Sacred Heart Alumni Association offered an alternative to the annual Days of Recollection which it has sponsored in the past. Sister Margaret Munch conducted tours to the Old St. Ferdinand Shrine in Florissant, which is located on the site of the first convent that St. Philippine Duchesne built in America. That convent still stands and has been carefully restored in recent years. A trip to this location takes a pilgrim back to those early days when the Society of the Sacred Heart operated a school in Florissant after they left St. Charles in 1819. Some who took the tour in June suggested that it be offered more widely, in the hopes of sharing the story of our very own saint.
Sister Munch is on the Friends of Old St. Ferdinand Board and has a vast knowledge of the Philippine history that prevails in Florissant as well as a keen desire to assist that committee in its ongoing work of restoration. Because she has retired from teaching at the Academy this year, Sister Munch is free to schedule a number of tours which we are pleased to be able to sponsor. We are offering the following four dates this spring and hope to be able to add more next fall. Our spring dates are:
- Saturday, February 20
- Wednesday, March 9
- Saturday, April 16
- Wednesday, May 11
The number of participants in a tour is limited due to the size of the rooms in this historic complex. Carpool groups will set out from the Shrine of St. Philippine Duchesne (on the Academy grounds) at 10 a.m. Or, pilgrims may choose to join the group in Florissant at 10:30 a.m. The tour will last approximately one hour. There is the option of continuing the day with lunch at Hendel’s restaurant, which is nearby.
The Alumni Association suggests a donation of $10 per person. Sister Munch will give your gift (in any amount) to the Shrine of St. Ferdinand for its ongoing work of restoration. Reservations in advance are required. These can be made by contacting Ann Diekemper (636-946-6127, ext. 1640).
