Before us stands the Chapelle du couvent des Clarisses a testament to centuries of faith perseverance and resilience. Picture this serene chapel nestled in Lyon its walls echoing with the prayers of generations of Clarisse nuns. Its history is a captivating journey.
In 1296 Blanche de Chalon a powerful woman built an abbey on the Croix-Rousse slopes outside Lyon. She gifted it to the Clarisse nuns of Brienne in 1304. This was not just any abbey. It was a haven a place of spiritual refuge in a tumultuous world. The nuns initially followed the Franciscan rule. However in 1503 they surprisingly switched to the Benedictine rule with papal approval. They were no longer considered Franciscans.
Fast forward to 1601. The Clarisse nuns of Bourg-en-Bresse fled religious wars seeking shelter in Lyon. They found a home near the Ainay abbey. A former jeu de paume was transformed into their church. This is a fascinating detail. It showcases the adaptability of the nuns as well as the innovative use of existing structures. Their new convent was under the Franciscan Recollects. This reflects shifting religious authority.
The 18th century brought conflict with Cardinal de Tencin. He relocated some nuns. He also reprimanded the Recollect Fathers for their management style. The French Revolution in 1792 saw the nuns arrested. Their convent became a military storehouse.
The Chapelle du couvent des Clarisses’ story doesn’t end there. In 1806 the Clarisses returned to Lyon. They established a new convent on Rue Sala. They built a new chapel and cloister. Later a dispute with the Jesuits almost saw them lose their property. The sisters fought back fiercely. They ultimately retained their land and expanded the convent.
In 1901 the nuns refused a new law on religious congregations. This led to a legal battle lasting until 1914. Remarkably they remained in their convent throughout this ordeal. They even transformed part of it into a military hospital. The government’s eventual sale of the property led to the nuns relocating to Montcellard in 1952.
The Chapelle du couvent des Clarisses ultimately fell silent in 2007. The Clarisse community dwindled and eventually dissolved. Yet the chapel remains a silent witness to a rich history. It stands as a poignant reminder of religious life in Lyon during times of both peace and conflict. It is a captivating tale of faith resilience and the enduring spirit of the Clarisse nuns.