Claudine Echernier was born on 29 May 1801 in Féternes, in a village named Vers le Creux. Her parents were extremely poor but had great faith. She was the eldest in a family of nine children.

From a young age Claudine worked as a shepherdess and later as a servant in different households. Although she had never enjoyed the opportunity of formal schooling, she had an ardent desire to learn. Through the kindness of a neighbour, she learned to read.

When her mother died, Claudine assumed responsibility for the household and the education of her younger brothers and sisters. She accepted this responsibility with courage, generosity and self-sacrifice.

To support her family, she learned cutting and sewing and worked from home and from house to house. A few years later, after her father remarried, Claudine was freed from some of her family responsibilities.

In 1828, the vicar of Féternes was appointed parish priest in Chavanod. He invited Claudine to care for his elderly mother and to help in the presbytery. After prayer and reflection, she accepted the invitation and moved to Chavanod.

Claudine quickly recognised the ignorance and poverty experienced by the children and young people of the area. She opened the doors of her kitchen to the little girls of Chavanod and taught them whatever she had learned.

She also gathered young girls on Sunday afternoons for reading, reflection and prayer. Desiring to serve them better, she went to Geneva for several months to improve her reading and writing skills.

Feeling called to a life entirely given to God and the service of others, Claudine rented a room near the church. She dedicated more time to prayer and continued teaching the girls of the community.

During a parish retreat in Chavanod, Claudine met Father Pierre-Marie Mermier, founder of the Missionaries of Saint Francis de Sales. Fr. Mermier was concerned about the education of poor girls in rural areas and saw in Claudine a person capable of leading a new association.

Fr. Mermier introduced Claudine to Mgr. Rey, Bishop of Annecy, who blessed her work and encouraged her to continue. The young women who gathered around Claudine and followed her way of life became the first Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod.

The congregation was founded in 1838 and officially recognised in 1841. The first sisters served as teachers in rural areas, workers in families and educators in schools. All were committed to making the Lord known and loved and to serving those most in need.

The sisters later expanded to Switzerland, India, Sri Lanka, Africa, Asia, Latin America, the United States and many other countries. The congregation gradually took on an international dimension and began serving on several continents.

The mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ became for every sister an inexhaustible source of strength and joy. Following the example of Mother Claudine and Fr. Mermier, the Sisters of the Cross continue to serve with humility, simplicity and active charity.

Mother Claudine died in 1869. Her spiritual legacy continues through the lives and missions of the Sisters of the Cross throughout the world.

Peter Marie Mermier was born on 28 August 1790 at Vouray in the parish of Chaumont en Genevois, in Savoy. His childhood was deeply influenced by the faith and courage of his parents.

During the French Revolution, his parents risked their lives and property by welcoming priests who were forced to celebrate Mass secretly. Between the ages of four and ten, Peter had the rare privilege of assisting at these hidden celebrations.

The example of his mother and of the courageous priests who served the people during difficult times motivated Peter to make a decisive choice for the Lord.

Because churches and schools had been closed, Peter received his primary education from his mother. Later, he studied at Melan and entered the major seminary of Chambery in 1807.

He was ordained a priest on 21 March 1813. His first appointment was at Magland, where he taught children during the day and continued his theological studies at night.

In 1819 he was appointed parish priest of Le Chaterlard. He was deeply concerned by the indifference of many people towards the Catholic faith and desired to renew Christian life through preaching and reconciliation.

In 1821 he met Joseph-Marie Favre, who preached parish missions in the diocese of Chambery. This meeting awakened in Fr. Mermier a deep love for the apostolate of parish missions.

Together with other priests, he travelled from parish to parish, staying for several weeks in each place. They prayed, preached, taught the faith and encouraged people to return to the sacraments.

Gradually, Fr. Mermier understood the need for a religious congregation dedicated to parish missions, foreign missions and education. He also recognised the importance of the patronage and spirituality of St. Francis de Sales.

With the support of Bishop Rey, the missionaries moved to La Roche in 1834. A motherhouse was later established at La Feuillette in Annecy. It became a house of prayer, study and formation.

The Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales received civil approval in 1838 and canonical approval from Bishop Rey on 24 October of the same year.

Fr. Mermier accepted a vast mission territory in India while the congregation was still very young. His missionary zeal led him to promote education and the formation of young people.

He believed that an educator should be like a mother through tenderness and like a father through prudence. He accepted responsibility for the colleges of Avian and Melan.

In Chavanod, Fr. Mermier met Claudine Echernier and recognised her desire to live a humble and recollected life devoted to the poor. Their collaboration led to the foundation of the Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod.

Between 1828 and 1857, Fr. Mermier conducted approximately ninety parish missions. His preaching was simple, carefully prepared, fatherly and marked by a kindly understanding of sinners.

In his later years, despite poor health and blindness, he continued to offer a witness of faith, patience and self-giving. He died on 30 September 1862.

The missionary spirit of Fr. Peter Mermier continues through the Sisters of the Cross and the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales, who serve the Church through education, evangelisation and compassionate service.