Source: ACF, 7 S 2.

Entitled “Emblematic, Philosophical and Moral Map or Theater of Human Life”, this map, edited by P. Faure, is the work of the draughtsman and lithographer Gabriel Marmorat, active in Lyon between 1860 and 1873. It is not known how it came to the Cenacle.

It is similar to the Map of the Tender, in vogue in the seventeenth century, which illustrated the evolution of the feeling of love from a map in which each element had an allegorical significance.

The objective here is different: to show what different paths man can take during his life, and what future he is destined for according to his choices. Thus, throughout its pilgrimage on earth, the Christian’s soul is encouraged to avoid the provinces of Satan in order to advance into those of Jesus Christ, despite the snares that can put it to the test.

Such a map had its place in the novitiate: it made it possible to illustrate the theoretical courses in a lively way; it undoubtedly also allowed the sisters to accumulate useful images and comparisons for their future apostolate of spiritual accompaniment.