Emilie and Her Four Children
I have decided to give Emilie’s four children their own space: Adrian, Edmond, Olympe and Marguerite. Their lives are intimately related to the history of the Congregation. They were a source of great joy and great suffering for Emilie; they shaped her heart, and they shaped our Congregation in ways we haven’t even begun to explore.
Emilie’s Two Sons: Adrian and Edmond d’ Hooghvorst
Until their marriages, her two sons were Emilie’s constant preoccupation. She moved to France and enrolled them in the best Jesuit schools she could find. She traveled with her four children to Belgium every summer to visit family. For years she kept her family’s house separate from the dwelling of the young women interested in religious life.
Adrian
In July 1858 Emilie and Olympe, who was already a novice, were in Strasburg. Edmond and Marguerite were waiting for Adrian so they could travel together to visit their relatives in Belgium. Adrian arrived; Emilie and Olympe, both in habit, went to meet him. This was the first time he had seen his mother and sister wearing the habit. He stood staring at them, barely recognizing them, his eyes full of tears. After a while their deep love took over and they felt at peace with each other.
Sometime later Adrian traveled to Rome with his tutor. There he met a young lady, Aurora Piasewit, the widow of Count Piasewit, daughter of the Marquis Guadagni of Florence. In early 1859 he wrote to Emilie to tell her about his love for this young woman and his wish to marry her. Adrian had already talked with two Jesuits who approved of the marriage. Emilie didn’t know the family. The fiancée was two years older than Adrian, but Emilie trusted the sincerity of her son and the advice of the two Jesuits. The wedding took place on April 26, 1859, at the Roman College in the chapel of St. Aloysius Gonzaga. Emilie writes: “Now that my son was married, I was at peace about him. Our Lord intensified my peace by the personal assurance I experienced when I met his wife in the presence of my son and saw his happiness. She has since won my heart as a beloved daughter-in-law.”
The young couple established themselves in Florence.
Once the community opened a house in Rome, Adrian made Emilie promise to stay and rest in his home whenever she passed through the city. Emilie had one condition “that a very simple and secluded room be prepared for her”. Sister Marie de la Bienheureuse Victoire Fornari, writes: “I have to admit that I was greatly astonished during the nine years I accompanied our Mother in her travels when I saw the room on the second floor where she was staying, and I wondered why she had not been given a better room in that beautiful palace. That room was actually poorly furnished like those in our houses, and one had to reach it by climbing a narrow, steep, and dark staircase.”
Adrian died October 18, 1879.
Edmond
After completing his studies Edmond lived for a while with his uncle Charles at Presle. Afterwards he went back to Paris and there fell in love with his first cousin Marie. Edmond married that cousin, Marie de Bassano, in June 1864 in the chapel of the nunciature in Paris with a special dispensation having been given because of the close family relationship. Emilie was present at their wedding. This was the last time that Emilie appeared in society.
We don’t have many details of Edmond’s public life except for a dramatic incident which Emilie learned by chance from a newspaper clipping which reported that he engaged in a duel with one of his cousins. Neither of them was hurt. After that incident his life changed. He was completely devoted to his wife and family.
Marie and Edmond had three children: Marguerite, Pauline, and Victor.
Edmond died May 5, 1890.
NOTE: Here and there I have found passing references that give us a glimpse into the relationship of these four siblings.
Olympe had a beautiful and powerful singing voice. Olympe and Adrian often sang together even after she entered the community.
Somewhere I read that “Olympe was tall, like her mother.”
Marguerite “was pampered by all, including her siblings.” Her health was delicate even as a baby. She was shy, loving, and had a generous heart.
Both Adrian and Edmond remained in touch with their mother and sisters throughout their lives, they visited them often and were always there in times of suffering.
Sources:
The Life of Mother Mary of Jesus. Emilia d’Oultremont Baroness d’Hooghvorst, 1818-187; Peter Suau, SJ. 1913.
Emilie d’Oultremont and Her Two Daughters; Manresa Press, London, 1932
The Beginnings of the Society of Mary Reparatrix (1855-1858). Journal of the beginnings of the Society, house of Paris, house of Strasbourg. Introduction and notes by Anne Marie Bertaud, smr. Translated into English by Emma Gravlin, smr. 1993
Historical Perspectives. Autobiography of Mother Mary of Jesus, Foundress of the Society of Mary Reparatrix. Compiled by Jacqueline Desormeaux, smr. Rome, 1974
Présentation Historique de la Société de Marie Réparatrice (1818-1953). Henri de Gensac, SJ. Rome, 1992.