First Companions - Part 1
May 1, 1857, on the evening of their Clothing Ceremony, Julia Bell, who had received the name Marie de Ste. Madeleine, writes in the Journal of the House: “Thus was spent this precious day which will forever be engraved on our memories. Months and years will flee before us, this little nascent Work will grow old, but the pages revealing its origin and its cradle, this flower of May 1, will remain imprinted intact in its freshness, its youth, its exquisite perfume! Like a radiant star, its gentle light will be cast over the future days which may be sad and difficult. For religious who are vowed to share the work of reparation with Mary Immaculate there must be hours of suffering, struggle and storms.” I find this paragraph both inspired and so true!
When we pay attention to history we clearly see how everything is connected to everything else. In 1856 Emilie had contacted Monsignor Sibour, Archbishop of Paris, about the possibility of opening the first community in his diocese. He did not grant approval because the “Plan Abregé,” which Emilie had presented to him, mentioned explicitly the “direct dependence of the congregation on the Holy See.” Even though he didn’t accept Emilie’s request, he was a good bishop who did much to improve the life of the poor and obtained from the government guidelines that improved education in public schools. He was assassinated on January 3, 1857 at the church of St. Etienne du Mont by an interdict priest who opposed the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception. He was replaced by Cardinal François Morlot.
When Emilie arrived in Paris in mid-May one of her first visits was to her sister-in- law, Pauline d’Hooghvorst, sister of Victor her late husband. When Emilie told Pauline that she had received the religious habit, Pauline exclaimed “You, unfortunate woman! What have you been doing!” Pauline, who had always supported Emilie, asked if she could share this with others, to which Emilie replied that she had no secrets. She was sure that soon all of Belgium would know. Pauline wrote to Cardinal Morlot asking for an audience for Emilie and herself. During their visit, Pauline told the Cardinal that Emilie had just returned from Strasbourg where she had founded a religious congregation. He was interested and invited Emilie for an audience on the 26 of May. After that audience Emilie wrote to the sisters: “I went yesterday morning to the Cardinal’s residence. The reception could not have been better. He granted me everything thus the little house of Paris can exist. The Cardinal promised to come and bless the religious in the convent as soon as there are some there.”
On June 28 Emilie, her two daughters, and Emilie’s faithful chambermaid, Bernadine Hockers, who would later join the community, traveled to Strasbourg for the second clothing ceremony and Marguerite’s confirmation which took place on July 16. Olympe was her godmother. Marie Kistaller received the name Marie du Saint Sacrément, two young women, Hortense Monat, and Madeleine Dumesnil, were received as lay sisters. The day was spent very happily.
On Sunday July 19th, Olympe and Marguerite accompanied by Bernadine, left for Paris. Emilie followed the next evening after having met with the bishop and Fr. Bertrand to share about the developments in Paris. A few days later Emilie wrote asking that Marie de St. Stanislas and Marie de St. Georges, be sent to Paris to help prepare the house in Rue Monsieur.
Thursday, July 30th Emilie again traveled to Strasbourg to look at two properties. The next day Fr. Petit arrived from Paris. This was his first visit to the community of Strasbourg; all were delighted to see him since he had accompanied them in Paris at the beginning of their discernment.
Sunday, August 2: After Mass the whole community assembled to look at the plans of a large house on Rue Ste. Elisabeth, which they had considered buying a few months earlier. They thought it was too big, far away, and “especially in an area where there were high-ranking Protestant leaders of Strasbourg, Protestant Canonesses, and others.” It was decided that it was unsuitable for the community.
While Emilie and Fr. Petit were out inspecting other houses, an elderly lady came to Rue des Pierres carrying plans of the same large property on Rue Ste. Elisabeth. She highly praised the house. The next day she sent a more detailed plan of the property. Fr. Petit felt it was worth the trouble to visit the house again. On their return, Emilie told the community that in view of all the advantages, especially the large garden, she had made her choice. The advantages outweighed the disadvantages! The sisters moved in on October 1.
The transfer of the deed took place a few months later, January 18, 1858 “in favor of Miss Sucher, Miss de St. Martin, and Miss de Cambourg for the price of 190,000 francs.” The document was signed by Julia Bell.
August 3: Emilie and Fr. Petit returned to Paris. On the 7th Emilie wrote to the community of Strasburg asking that M. de St. Jean, M. du St. Sacrément, and M. de St. François Xavier go to Paris. They left the next day.
Concepción González Cánovas, smr
conce_gonzalez@comcast.net
Sources:
Présentation Historique de la Société de Marie Réparatrice (1818-1953). Henri de Gensac, SJ. Rome, 1992.
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.