In 2016 Gumley House School FCJ marked its 175 year history in educating young people. Their whole school Pilgrimage on July 6th 2017 was an important part of this ongoing celebration.
The pilgrimage gave them an opportunity to celebrate their foundress, Marie Madeleine d’Houet, who travelled in 1841 from France to London (a considerable distance in those days) to establish a school for the education of girls and local women in order to fulfil her vision of education for all.
Gumley House is one of many locations in Europe where the FCJ Sisters have schools and they are also fortunate to share their site with the FCJ Generalate.
The pilgrimage also gave their students and staff valuable time away from their busy schedules to reflect on what gives meaning to their lives. They chose to start their pilgrimage at Syon House, a place of great spiritual significance to the school. St Richard Reynolds, who is one of six saints commemorated by the school and represented in one of the student houses, ministered at Syon Abbey in the early 16th century.
The walk from Syon House to Gumley House School was followed by a special celebration Mass with Fr Mark Leenane of Osterley Parish. The day ended with a wonderful picnic on the school lawn.
