Early History of the Sisters of Mary Reparatrix

Part 2
1856

On January 18, Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus, Emilie announced that she had chosen the name Mary of Jesus.

On July 2, the novices moved from the main house to the Small Convent, their first truly religious dwelling.

There is a lovely passage written by Emilie de St. Martin about these early days: “We were still going out when necessary. Although meals were prepared by Mme d’Hooghvorst’s cook, Emilie often brought us, under her shawl, certain treats she had purchased like jam and cheese happy to have brought them herself. Every morning after Mass she came to drink her small cup of black coffee with us in the community room also used as refectory. Then she would stay a while chatting with us as a real mother among her children. We listened to her and had full confidence in her. Always ready to receive us and be of help, she was firm and sometimes severe about our failings but as soon as we recognized our mistakes, her heart would open up to forgive us and forget everything.”

In mid-June Cardinal Costantino Patrizi, legate of Pope Pius IX, arrived in Paris for the baptism of the son of emperor Napoleon III and Eugenie de Montijo. Emilie immediately asked for an audience with cardinal Patrizi, which took place June 20. He remembered not only her father but the whole family. Emilie handed him the Plan of the Society which was written by Fr Studer based on Emilie’s First Short Writing. The name of Society of Mary Reparatrix which had been chosen reflected the essential spirit of the institute: “Constant reparation to Our Lord through the intermediary of the first and great Reparatrix of the human race after Jesus, Mary Immaculate.” Cardinal Patrizi promised to deliver the Plan to the Pope accompanied by a letter from Emilie.

Emilie also wrote to Bishop Fioramonti, secretary of Pius IX, who informed her that the Holy See did not approve an institute until it had already been sanctioned by some episcopal authority and recognized as good. Therefore, the institute had to be established in a diocese and be recommended by the bishop to be accepted by Rome.

Monsignor Dominique Sibour, archbishop of Paris did not want this foundation in his diocese because the Plan of the Society explicitly mentioned the “direct dependence from the Holy See.” The bishop of Liege, Mons. Montpellier was of the same opinion.

 On August 16, Thérèse Sucher joined the community. She was 32 years old and had been responsible for her siblings since the death of her parents several years earlier. Thérèse often visited the shrine of our Lady of Marienthal to meet with her spiritual director, Fr Wernert. Thérèse and her brother Ignace SJ, who knew and appreciated Emilie, had connections with the diocese of Strasbourg; they knew the bishop, Monsignor Raess, and several vicars.

Mons. Raess invited Emilie to eat with him. He recalled having met her parents, Emilie and her two brothers in Belgium many years earlier. Emilie requested an audience for the next day. After attending the bishop’s Mass in the chapel of the palace, Emilie met with him. The bishop approved her plans, happy to see adoration of the blessed Sacrament and retreats mentioned. He signed a document permitting the establishment of a convent. He chose May 1, 1857 for the first clothing after a residency of two or three months in Strasbourg. He also agreed to Emilie’s desire to receive the habit on the same day, permitting her to remove it when in Paris with her children or her family.

On the morning of December 4 Emilie arrived in Paris where she shared all the good news. Thérèse stayed in Strasburg to look for housing for the community. She found a large apartment at 2 Rue des Pierres that needed some renovations. Furniture, the altar, and decorations were sent from Paris to Strasburg. The apartment was on the first floor. There were tenants above and below the apartment. There was a small garden, but they didn’t have access to it.

Since the move from Paris to Strasburg was approaching, all the members of the community contacted their families to tell them about their commitment to the new Congregation. Much to their surprise, they were affirmed and encouraged by their relatives.

Two young women, recommended by Fr. Petit and Thèrése Sucher, joined the community during these busy days, Hortense Monat, and Agnes Hassenforder, asking to be received as coadjutrix sisters.