Early History of the Sisters of Mary Reparatrix
Part 3
1857
First to leave Paris on March 1 were Emilie, Julia Bell, Olympe and Isabelle Dégobert. They spent the first day organizing the chapel which was set up in a large drawing room which they separated into two sections with blue damask curtains, one for the community, one for the visitors. Emilie had bought a beautiful monstrance in Paris.
On the evening of March 2, Emilie visited the bishop, presented Julia Bell to him, and announced that the others would arrive soon. Then they went to the vicar general, Father Rapp, who was to be the “superior of the community.” He was surprised but pleased to have been chosen by Emilie and confirmed by the bishop.
March 3rd and 4th were busy days preparing bedrooms for the rest of the group. On the evening of the 4th, the remainder of the community arrived: Henriette, Lydia, Francesca, Madeleine, and Marie. At 9 pm they were all together, chatting, and imagining the future.
March 7, a few minutes before 7 am. The bishop arrived with Fr Rapp. Emilie proudly introduced all her sisters and the bishop blessed them with great satisfaction. The chapel was consecrated prior to the first Mass being celebrated there in which they all received communion. “The exterior chapel was full of people wanting to be a part of the first ceremony of the Work which has created a stir in Strasburg.” That day they began to recite the Office in common. A young woman, Marie Kistaller came to visit who was interested in joining them. She took the habit in July 1857 and was named Marie du St Sacrement. She went to Madure with the first group in November 1859.
On March 8, the Blessed Sacrament was exposed until 5 pm for the first time. The bishop came for Benediction. Students from the School of the Brothers of Mary came to sing, and many people attended.
March 14, Emilia and Olympe went back to Paris to take care of family matters. Thérèse Sucher was left in charge of the community.
Holy Week 1857 was of prayer and silence. According to the liturgical norms of that time, the eucharist was reserved in a “Monument,” usually surrounded with flowers and candles from the end of Thursday’s Mass until after the Friday liturgy. Our sisters poured out their love creating an altar “as beautiful as it was mysterious.” The bishop described it to Emilie as “a charming expression of the tender love of your children to Our Lord.” People from the city came in crowds for adoration.
Concepción González Cánovas, smr