Primary school teacher promoted in Catholic sisterhood

Thursday 31 October 2019

A former primary school teacher from Jersey has been elected to the General Council of the centuries-old sisterhood of the Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ).

Jersey teacher and missionary Sister Judith Routier has been elected as part of the leading Committee for the society.

Sister Judith – who was the first young woman in Jersey to take her temporary FCJ vows – has since dedicated her life to teaching and charity work.

Pictured: The new elects (left to right) Sister Ruth Casey, General Superior Sister Bonnie Moser and Sisters Patricia Binchy and Judith Routier (FCJ).

The FCJ was a society founded in the 19^th century by French widow Marie Madeline who became a religious sister after having a series of spiritual experiences. 

Sister to former Senator Paul Routier, the newly elected FCJ Councillor has spent ten years teaching and working at the Kenema Diocese in Sierra Leone.

After leaving Sierra Leone, Sr Judith spent many years in the Philippines, training leaders for Basic Ecclesial Communities. Her most recent ministry was as Province Leader of Asia-Australia.

Pictured: Sister Judith lived in the Philippines for many years. (Google Maps)

Whilst in the Philippines, Sister Routier devoted herself to a relief campaign following a landslide which buried an entire community in Southern Leyte.

Aided by her brother in Jersey, the siblings managed to raise over £2,000.

Now, Sister Judith has been elected as a member of the FCJ General Council to take up office early next year.