In the

Footsteps of St. Louis Marie de Montfort Spring 2003 Volume 8, Issue 1 Blessed Marie-Louise and St. Louis Tercentenary of the Marie, with an emphasis, of course, on Daughters of her. In other parts of the world, similar events will be taking place. Wisdom The aim of all these celebrations and ebruary 2 saw the three events is not just to commemorate the Inside this Issue hundredth anniversary of the past, but to try to re-kindle or deepen F founding of the Daughters of the spirit which animated Blessed Wisdom. For it was on that day in 1703 Marie-Louise in her daughters, but also that Marie-Louise Trichet received the in all those who, in one way or another, Tercentenary of the draw inspiration from her life. She was Daughters of Wisdom grey habit from Father de Montfort that 1 was to become the dress of the a woman of extraordinary courage and Daughters of Wisdom for nearly three faith – the very fact of her having to hundred years. This date, therefore, is wait a further ten years before she could From the Provincial’s Desk 2 taken as the date of foundation of the make Religious Vows indicates this – female branch of the Montfortian and the Congregation she helped to Family. Indeed we may date the found, and led with such wisdom and News from Here and There Montfortian Family itself from that day strength for many years, has, during its 2 – the first member of the Company of three-hundred-year history, tried to Mary (Montfort Missionaries), Brother imitate that courage and faith. These Celebrating the 300th would certainly be among the virtues Anniversary of the Daughters Mathurin Rangeard, did not join St. 3 of Wisdom Louis Marie until two years later in that this year’s celebrations would hope 1705. to strengthen in all of us.

A Story from Uganda In this issue of “Footsteps”, you will 5 find various articles on Blessed Marie- Louise and her legacy, which we hope In the Footsteps of Blessed all our Associates will find helpful in 6 Marie-Louise of Jesus the coming months, as we rejoice and reflect on what we are called to be as friends and followers of Blessed Marie- News from Here and There Louise and St. Louis Marie. 8 (continued) In particular, we offer our congratulations to the Daughters of Wisdom, here and elsewhere, on this great anniversary, and we are certain we can assure them of the prayers of all readers of “Footsteps” during this year, that it may be a year truly filled with grace and a year to remember. Let us All over the world, this year, the look forward to the next 100 years!
Daughters of Wisdom will be Montfort Missionaries celebrating this important anniversary 28 Burbo Bank Road See next page for details in a variety of ways. In the British Isles, Blundellsands of the Pilgrimage to LIVERPOOL for example, among other events Saint-Laurent-sur-Sèvre L23 6TH planned, there is to be a pilgrimage to in September Saint-Laurent-sur-Sèvre and other places associated with the life of The Bulletin of the Associates of the Montfortian Family Spring 2003 the Company of Mary and Daughters of these religious would find it extremely From the Wisdom are quick to offer you difficult to function properly without Provincial’s Desk whatever help we can, especially in this active sharing and, dare I say, prayer and often in a personal word of partnership. You are essential to us and decided to look up in my old Latin consolation and encouragement: must we trust, by offering a place in our dictionary the meaning of ‘socius’ we not share our sorrows as well as our mission, we are to you. The Company I(from which ‘associate’ is derived). joys? of Mary and the Daughters of Wisdom I came up with the following: will be able to make the impact they In this way we rely on each other. must, only if you too see yourselves as Socius = companion, comrade, sons and daughters of St Louis Marie However, there are even closer ways we associate, partner, sharer. and Blessed Marie Louise, seeking to can share in the spirituality and mission, convince today’s Christians of the value which St. Louis Marie and Blessed And I thought “how very fitting!” I am of their baptism and the place of Divine Marie Louise have left as a legacy to delighted to be able to call you all my Wisdom in their lives. companions, sharing in all the joys and their congregations. The Extraordinary sorrows of the Company of Mary and General Council of the Company of These are not just pious sentiments. I the Daughters of Wisdom. When we tell Mary held a meeting in India last invite you to take a role in our mission you of those of our congregations who October. Those present agreed that our that is as real and dynamic as you are are suffering, or in hospital, or feeling associates are not just useful in helping able. Certainly, renew your intention to their advancing age - and sometimes the religious to carry out the mission pray for us - but also find if there is any their frustration that they can no longer given to them by the Church, but that active way in which you share in what take a full part in the active apostolate - the active participation of these we do. Do not hold back, you have the we can be sure that your prayers are associates is essential if this mission is talents that we may lack; you have the there to support us: are you not our to be fruitful in today’s world. strengths that we can share. Together comrades? we can play our part in bringing closer Already, in many of our houses and the coming of the Kingdom of God. In exactly the same way, when we learn convents, there are non-religious who of the illnesses, the difficulties our share in the daily prayers of the F. W. Scragg smm, Provincial.
associates encounter, the religious of community and in the work and apostolate of the religious. Many of N ews From Here Pilgrimage and There

to Saint-Laurent-sur-Sèvre Our Lady of Light, Clacton-on-Sea To celebrate the Tercentenary of the Foundation of the In the Summer 2000 edition of Daughters of Wisdom “Footsteps”, “An Item of Montfortian Interest” was mentioned. The item 18th – 27th September 2003 referred to the Parish Church of Our Lady of Light and St. Osyth in Clacton- With visits to Poitiers and La Rochelle on-Sea, Essex. By coach from Lytham St Annes (Lancashire) or Romsey (Hampshire) We make reference to it again. First of Price: £349 (including all travel and full board whilst in France) all to bring to the attention of our (Not included in price: Insurance, Meals whilst travelling) Associates that the Feast of Our Lady of Light is celebrated on the 27 May A few places remain available for Associates annually. Secondly this year 2003 is the Centenary of its opening. Building work Please send for a Booking Form to: on the Church started in 1902 and on 15 Bernard Glenholme October 1903 it was opened with 9, Chapel Lane Solemn High Mass. The Lady Chapel is Longton the same today as it was then. The Preston PR4 5WA present presbytery housed the old Tel. 01772-616944 original Chapel – in fact it is the room on the left as one goes through the front door. The presbytery in those days was Continued on page 8 2 ...... In the Footsteps of St. Louis Marie de Montfort he had still not found an opening for since they first met, but this was a tall Celebrating the this kind of work, and was acting in order: Marie-Louise was convinced that 300th Anniversary of obedience to his spiritual directors in she was to be a religious, and there were taking on this job, while still waiting for no religious working in the hospital. the Foundation of the a sign from God of what he was really However, after a couple of days of destined to do. reflection, she applied to the Bishop to Daughters of go and live in the hospital. After making enquiries, he told her there were Wisdom no vacancies for any more staff there, Fr. Paul Allerton, S.M.M. whereupon, to the Bishop’s immense surprise, she requested permission to be TOWARDS the very end of 1701 or the admitted “as one of the poor”. This beginning of 1702, a young woman of really was extraordinary, as Marie- 17 years of age presented herself to a Louise was from a respectable middle- priest in the confessional of one of the class family, with a home which was far churches in Poitiers, France, and started removed from the squalor prevailing in to make her confession. She had not got the hospital. But the bishop must have very far when the priest interrupted her recognised, as did St. Louis Marie, that to ask: “Who sent you to me?” The this was an extraordinary young woman young woman, who had been told of who was genuinely in search of God’s this priest by her sister, replied, “It was will for her, and he granted her request. my sister, Father.” “No,” said the priest, And so it was that Marie-Louise Trichet “ it was the Blessed Virgin!” This was began more than 10 years of living the first meeting of two extraordinary among the poorest of the poor, serving souls who together would found the them with all the love of which she was religious congregation known as the capable. Daughters of Wisdom. The priest was St. Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort, Entering the General Hospital, Marie- at that time just beginning his priestly Marie-Louise Trichet also had her own Louise became part of an extraordinary ministry at the age of 28; and the young sense of what she was called to be: she community which had been established woman was Marie-Louise Trichet, was convinced that she wanted to be a there by St. Louis Marie. It was not a known today as Blessed Marie-Louise religious, though as yet she had not religious community, but a group of of Jesus. found the right congregation to enter. inmates of the hospital, who worked, After that first prophetic meeting with prayed, reflected and ate together, We might say that both of them, at that Louis Marie de Montfort, she placed supporting one another in their search moment, were struggling to find their herself under his direction, but it would for God. It was largely made up of the own vocation. Father de Montfort had be another 11 years or more before she most handicapped and deprived of those reluctantly agreed to be chaplain of could finally make public vows as a poor people, and the leader was a blind what was known as the “General religious. In the meantime, she would woman. This was one of those radical Hospital” in Poitiers – though such have the opportunity to show the experiments which we find from time to General Hospitals were more like the extraordinary courage, patience and time in the history of the Church, equivalent of the Victorian Workhouse humility which would enable her to be prophetic presences in the midst of in 19th century Britain: a place where God’s instrument in the founding of the mediocrity. The group met in a room of those too poor to have a place of their Daughters of Wisdom, and to guide the the hospital which St. Louis Marie had own were more or less imprisoned to young congregation through its first called “Wisdom”, and there he placed a prevent them being a nuisance as difficult years. cross on which he had painted a vagrants and beggars on the streets. programme for the acquisition of Although he had a great love for the She needed that patience, since it wisdom. But when we look at the poor, and indeed identified himself very seemed that St. Louis Marie was programme, it becomes clear that the closely with them, Father de Montfort prepared to help any young woman to wisdom to which he is referring is not did not think that his vocation lay in become a religious except herself. As any form of human wisdom: it speaks of “locking himself away” in such a place, she kept on asking him, and even “denying oneself”, “carrying one’s but rather in going about from place to accusing him of ignoring her de-sires, cross”, “loving the cross”, “desiring place, bringing the good news of God’s he eventually said to her, “Very well, crosses, contempt, abuse, insults, etc.” love especially to those who were most come and live in the hospital.” She had This is certainly not worldly wisdom, neglected in the countryside. However, already been helping him in the hospital which sees happiness precisely in the ...... 3 Spring 2003 absence of most of these things. In fact, the majority of the respectable middle- Rochelle, to come to La Rochelle to the wisdom which is the object of this class families of Poitiers, who saw in it, take charge of free schools established programme is what St. Louis Marie not a “proper” religious habit, but a by himself and the Bishop for poor girls proclaims, along with St Paul, as the degrading lowering of herself to the of the city. Marie-Louise and Catherine only true wisdom: God’s wisdom, the level of the poor. The fiercest Brunet left Poitiers and made their way wisdom of the crucified Christ. For him, opposition came from her own mother, to La Rochelle, and it was there, in as he said in his book The Love of who tried everything in her power, August 1715, that they made their first Eternal Wisdom, “Wisdom is the Cross, including trying to enlist the support of public profession of vows of poverty, and the Cross is Wisdom”. Or rather, the Bishop, to make her leave it off and chastity and obedience. They were soon the crucified Christ is the Incarnate return to her family. There is no doubt joined by a few other young women, Wisdom of God; his most typical name that this opposition caused a great deal and so the Congregation of the for Jesus Christ is “the Eternal and of suffering for Marie-Louise, but she Daughters of Wisdom was finally set on Incarnate Wisdom of God”. And it was was now convinced that the path she a firm footing, with Sr. Marie-Louise of the acquisition of this Wisdom, to be had taken was the right one, and Jesus as its superior, and its programme found especially among the poor and nothing – no amount of suffering or of seeking and serving divine Wisdom, under-privileged, which was to be the opposition – would turn her away from especially in the poor, enshrined in a programme and the aim of the religious this path. new Rule specially written by St. Louis congregation of which Marie-Louise Marie and approved by the Bishop of was to be the co-founder with him, and This was not the only suffering to be La Rochelle. This Rule, together with the first member – the Daughters of borne, either by herself or by St Louis the one writ-ten by St. Francis de Sales Wisdom. Marie. Both would have to bear many for the Visitandines and that written by trials yet before the will of God was St. Vincent de Paul for the Daughters of But the flowering of that religious absolutely clear to them, but they were Charity, was something of a revolution community lay still somewhat in the increasingly bound together in a in the history of religious orders of future. Marie-Louise was still not a spiritual friendship which was based in women – all three place the service of religious, and the community of their common search for the true the poor and suffering over and above Wisdom in the General Hospital was Wisdom. It is evident from the letters the rules for enclosure and cloister. A not a religious congregation. More than they wrote to one another over the next new era in religious life was born as ten years were to go by before she few years just how deep and spiritual well as a new Congregation. would be able to make the public vows that friendship was. And that deep bond of poverty, chastity and obedience would be even more necessary as St. St. Louis Marie de Montfort died just which characterise a religious Louis Marie had to leave Poitiers, at eight months later in the town of Saint- congregation – years of trial, of first just for a year, but later for ever, Laurent-sur-Sèvre in the Vendée region. puzzlement, perhaps of doubt, but leaving Marie-Louise to face the Sr. Marie-Louise of Jesus was now nevertheless years of training in the opposition of her family and all the deprived of his comforting presence and divine Wisdom which was to be the “respect-able” people alone. When he strength – but by now, she had already hallmark of this new congregation. But finally left, in early 1706, it was the absorbed completely his spirit, and a major step in its creation was taken on start of nine years of separation, during given it her own wise and gentle slant, 3 February 1703 (exactly 300 years ago which Marie-Louise’s constancy was to and, in the years ahead, she was to be a today), when St. Louis Marie gave be tested, but her resolve, and her grasp tremendous source of encouragement Marie-Louise Trichet the coarse grey of the true Wisdom, strengthened. for the newly-born Company of Mary, habit, the dress of the poor peasant During that time, she was joined by also founded by Fr. de Montfort. Under women of the day, as her religious another, older, woman, Catherine her guidance the Daughters of Wisdom habit. And so, we date the foundation of Brunet, who became Sister Conception, grew and expanded until at her death, the Daughters of Wisdom to that day, and whose bubbly nature must have exactly forty-three years to the day after three hundred years ago. been a source of great comfort and that of St. Louis Marie, there were 37 strength to her over the next few years. communities of the new congregation Marie-Louise wore this grey habit of with 174 Sisters. But that, as they say, is the Daughters of Wisdom for the rest of Finally, at the beginning of 1715, a call another story…
her life. She continued to wear it despite came from Fr. de Montfort, who was the fierce opposition of her family and now busy working in the diocese of La

4 ...... In the Footsteps of St. Louis Marie de Montfort It was hot and dusty but I trudged on for there was no sweets left as I had eaten a A Story from almost half an hour and was about to few on the way. Their disappointed Uganda abandon the mission when I saw at a faces were heartbreaking. distance the girl and some other Fr. Charlie Beirne, S.M.M., one of the children. I quickly walked in the “What caused the death of your three remaining members of the direction of the children. On arrival I parents?” “Mother was bewitched with Province of Gt. Britain and Ireland of saw two small huts surrounded by AIDS so was my father,” Rita the Company of Mary still working in overgrown grass. On drawing closer I answered. “Where do you get food and the foreign missions, sends us this story saw Rita together with her seven water?” “We collect water from a well from Mbarara, Uganda, where he is one mile away. There is some food in stationed. brothers and sisters, four of whom looked very emaciated. Seated on the the garden. We roast cassava and sweet A FAMOUS African proverb, “An grass was an old and frail woman. potatoes. I also catch some dry elephant can never fail to carry its Crouching on a low stool, she leaned grasshoppers. We share all among tusks”, has been passed on from genera- forward and greeted me warmly. She ourselves including grandmother. We tion to generation. Often this happens was Rita's grandmother. also eat mangoes and guavas.” “Do you during nights when children assemble have neighbours?” “Yes but they are by the hearth to be told stories about life.

However today when it comes to the question of parenting in Uganda the tusks have become too heavy for the elephant! For the unfortunate children, who lose their parents to AIDS, the mantle of parenting automatically passes on to them. On returning to Uganda from recent home leave I fulfilled a promise, which I had made to a young girl called Rita, who along with 85 other boys and girls has been receiving assistance from the Montfort community in Uganda to enable her to attend school (there is no free education in Uganda). She had often begged me to go and see her home but for one reason or another I had kept putting it off. Fresh from home leave I was “Where is your father?” I asked Rita, as scattered and far.” determined to make the long journey to the old lady seemed hard of hearing. Then I was suddenly startled by a loud her home. “He is dead!” Rita said. “What about your mother?” “Mother is dead!” she cry of a baby, which made Rita burst The girl had given me directions but answered pointing to their nearby into laughter. “It's only Anna,” she said. inevitably I became lost. I waved down graves. Then two of Rita's younger Inside their hut, a naked baby lay on a a man on a bicycle who offered to sisters came up and cried, “We are foul-smelling tattered blanket on the accompany me to my destination. hungry, and we want food.” I picked floor. Rita dipped her forefingers in an However after an hour through stony some sweets, which I had bought whilst old tin and put drops of water in Anna's winding paths, he said he could take me in England, from my pocket, and gave open mouth, but she kept crying. Rita no further as we stood at the foot of a some to them. They quickly unwrapped then got hold of a ripe mango. Biting hill. The hill was steep prompting me to the sweets and put them in their mouths. deeply, she sucked the yellow juice and ask him whether we were in They grinned with huge delight on like a mother bird feeding its young, Nyakyinengo, to which he affirmed. tasting the sweets. The others, who Rita stooped to feed the baby. The baby However I could see no house nor could were looking on, came running. stopped crying and swallowed. Rita I hear any human voice. The cyclist repeated the process until she finished urged me to walk uphill, turn right and They stretched out their small and dirty the mango. then descend. On and on I walked, hands, asking for sweets too. This The manner of feeding the baby regretting why I had accepted to reminded me of Oliver Twist's “some shocked me but Rita's creativity amazed undertake the task. more please!” I checked my pockets but me. Despite the adverse conditions, the ...... 5 Spring 2003 baby was surviving through the care of My visit to Rita's home drove home to compassion is manifest, which gives this child-mother and the grace of God. me the challenge of following in the hope. footsteps of St. Louis Marie de Child-headed households are becoming Montfort who was found among the Footnote: A word of thanks to Andover all too common. The number of most vulnerable members of society, Parish and other individual Montfortian children orphaned by AIDS is the disadvantaged and suffering. To be Associates who have over this and skyrocketing in Uganda and the faithful to the spirit and charism of our former years sponsored the education of traditional African extended family is founder St. Louis Marie de Montfort, orphans in Uganda. breaking down under the unprecedented the Montfort Missionaries in Uganda If anyone would like to sponsor a child burden of the pandemic. According to a are constantly called upon to go out to (£30 per annum for primary education U.N. report released last year AIDS in the poor and the suffering and be caring or £100 for secondary education) Uganda has orphaned nearly two agents of Christ's compassion. How? By please contact either Fr. Ellwood or Fr. million children, which is the highest being with those who suffer and by Allerton.
figure in the world. sharing our resources of time, gentleness, food, money and whatever else we have so that Christ's

Porchaire. It is known that St. Louis area seldom visited by tourists, and in In the Footsteps of Marie used to hear confessions here their day it was a very poor area. The Blessed Marie- during his first years in Poitiers, so it is present building is largely the same one as likely a place as any other for the that they knew, though today it is given Louise of Jesus encounter: “Who sent you here, my over to offices and apartments. Standing daughter?” “My sister, Father.” “No, in the inner courtyard, facing the long Here we look at two of the places which it was the Blessed Virgin who sent stretch of the main wing, tradition are associated with the life of Blessed you!” It would be nice to think that the places St. Louis Marie’s room over the Marie-Louise, and which will be visited old confessional that still stands in archway that leads to the road, while during the Pilgrimage to Saint-Laurent in September. Saint-Porchaire is the same as that used “La Sagesse”, the room where the small by St. Louis Marie, but it is very community of handicapped women that Poitiers unlikely… Marie-Louise joined here in 1702, and Marie-Louise Trichet was born in where the famous “Wisdom Cross of Poitiers on 7 May 1684. At the time her Poitiers” hung, is over in the right hand family were living in the parish of corner on the ground floor. This corner Saint-Étienne (St. Stephen), just to the is shaded by the beautiful old sycamore East of the famous (and exquisitely tree that certainly was there in their day. beautiful) church of Notre-Dame-la- Marie-Louise and another two Grande in the centre of the town. She Daughters of Wisdom returned to the was probably baptised the same or the Hôpital from La Rochelle in January following day, following the custom of 1719, at the request of the Directors, to that time. Her baptism took place in the try to restore some order to a chaotic parish church of Saint-Étienne. situation there. She had been promised Unfortunately nothing remains of this that she could also establish a novitiate church today, except part of the for the new Congregation in the doorway, which is incorporated into the Hôpital, but the contract that they were wall of the buildings which now line the offered by the authorities was so square. The family made many moves restrictive regarding this that the idea during the following years, some was abandoned. After some months of necessitated by the increase in the doubt and difficulty, Marie-Louise and number of children: Marie-Louise was Notre-Dame-la-Grande, Poitiers the other Daughters of Wisdom left to the fourth of eight children. Both Saint-Étienne and Saint-Porchaire found what is now the “Mother-House” are in the “better” part of town, the part in Saint-Laurent-sur-Sèvre. It is not absolutely sure where it was that, even today, is that seen by tourists that the famous meeting between Marie- and visitors. But the Hôpital Général, Close by the Hôpital Général stands the Louise Trichet and Father de Montfort the scene of the early labours of both St. magnificent church of Montierneuf. It took place, but Montfortian tradition Louis Marie and Blessed Marie-Louise, is believed that this was the parish of tends to place it in the church of Saint- is down in the lower part of town, in an Marie-Louise’s maternal grandparents, 6 ...... In the Footsteps of St. Louis Marie de Montfort so quite possibly the church where her see today; it has recently been is the way you must be with those mother and father were married. refurbished as a little oratory. On 2nd daughters whose mother you are Certainly, it would have been here that March 1734, the chapel of Our Lady, destined to become.” Marie-Louise and Catherine Brunet Queen of Hearts was solemnly blessed; would have attended Mass during the on the record of the blessing, we find A short distance away is the hermitage years that they lived and worked in the the signature also of Jacques Goudeau. of Saint-Éloi, lent to St. Louis Marie as Hôpital. This same man, in 1719, was perhaps a pied-à-terre in La Rochelle, where it is instrumental in persuading Mother believed he wrote the definitive draft of On the other side of the River Clain lies Marie-Louise Trichet to move to Saint the Rule of the Daughters of Wisdom, the suburb of Montbernage. To reach it, Laurent-sur-Sèvre: he met her and, as well as the True Devotion to the you have to cross the Pont Joubert. according to Besnard, said, “Madame, Blessed Virgin. Although it was Here, in Marie-Louise’s day, there was you are troubled by the fact that you returned to its owners after the Saint’s a small chapel dedicated to Our Lady have left La Rochelle and that M. de death, it was later bought by the Queen of Angels; it was first built in the Montfort's foundation there has not Daughters of Wisdom, who have a 13th century and restored in the 16th, lasted... Well, I know there is a lady, small community there. but in St Louis Marie's day it was in Mme. de Bouillé, who lives near St In the Rue Saint-Louis in La Rochelle ruins. He restored it, and had carved on Laurent where M. de Montfort was stands the Hôpital Général Saint- its facade: “If the love of Mary is in buried... She is in a position to help you Louis, to which St. Louis Marie sent your heart, do not forget to say an Ave in the accomplishment of your work...” Catherine Brunet (Sister Conception) to as you pass by.” The chapel no longer Mother Marie-Louise made contact work shortly after their arrival in La exists, but the statue of Our Lady which with Mme. de Bouillé, and in June 1720 Rochelle, and where she died and was graced this little shrine is to be found in arrived in Saint Laurent. the church of Sainte Radegonde. In buried under the sanctuary step in 1725. 1715, Marie-Louise Trichet was having La Rochelle It was shortly before this that Marie- a great deal of trouble obtaining her Blessed Marie-Louise Trichet and her Louise herself spent eight months in La mother's permission to leave Poitiers companion Catherine Brunet came to Rochelle, establishing the community of and go to La Rochelle. A poor blind La Rochelle in 1715, at the request of the Daughters of Wisdom in the Hôpital girl, very pious and patient, used to stay St. Louis Marie, who by that time had Saint-Louis. There is a room above the all day at the chapel of Our Lady Queen been working in that diocese for three chapel which is said to have been hers of Angels on the Pont Joubert. Marie- or four years. It was his intention that at this time. Louise asked her to offer many prayers they should take charge of the free In the same street, Rue Saint-Louis, to the Virgin for her, and ever schools he was planning with the almost opposite the hospital, is the site afterwards attributed the happy outcome Bishop for the poor children of the city. of one of the free schools run by to these prayers: one day Mme. Trichet When they arrived, St. Louis Marie was Blessed Marie-Louise, which was also came and said simply, “I can no longer away preaching, but a short time later for some time the residence of the keep you here; the Holy Spirit is urging they went to meet him at Le Petit fledgling community before the move me to tell you to go.” Plessis, then a farm used as a country back to Poitiers in 1719. Montbernage was the suburb chosen In the Rue Albert Premier is the École by St. Louis Marie as the focus of his de la Providence, run by the Sisters of efforts during the first mission he Providence. It is believed to have been preached in the Diocese of Poitiers after in the chapel here that, on 22 August leaving the Hôpital Général. It was 1715, Marie-Louise Trichet and there that he established the chapel of Catherine Brunet finally pronounced Our Lady, Queen of All Hearts, and their religious vows in the presence of placed the statue of the same name, St. Louis Marie, who at the same time which is still venerated there today. It residence by the Jesuit Fathers. It was gave the grey habit of the Daughters of was left in the care of a certain Jacques here that, according to the tradition of Wisdom to Marie Régnier and Marie Goudeau, who was faithful to his charge the Daughters of Wisdom, St. Louis Valleau. It was also here, according to for forty years. About August 1733, a Marie, after telling Marie-Louise that Montfortian tradition, that Fr. Adrien community of the Daughters of Wisdom she was to be the leader of the Vatel, that same year, heard the sermon was founded at Montbernage. They Daughters of Wisdom, seeing a mother that convinced him to join St. Louis came to be known as the “Dames des hen with her chicks, said to her: “Look, Marie to become the first priest-member Coeurs”. Their first residence was a my daughter; see that hen with her of the Company of Mary.
kind of cave, very damp and unhealthy, chicks under her wings. See with what at the back of the chapel, which you can gentleness she tends to their needs. That ...... 7 Spring 2003 of Arundel & Brighton, Lancaster and and Reg Pritchard, Marion Lydon and News from Here and Wrexham. Once again we ask for your John Monaghan, Vincent Dunning, There (cont.) prayers for the success of the Appeals Mary Hanson, Peggy Kendrick, both spiritually and economically. Our Philippa Fetherstone, Jean Maguire, Continued from page 2 Missions rely on both. Please make Peggy Sherriff, Elizabeth Mary Hickey, yourself known if we come to your Margaret Singleton, Margaret Crowley, called “Montfort”, because of the strong parish – it is always pleasant to meet Jerry Cullen, Vincent O’Donnell, Keith connection with St. Louis Marie de our Associates. Roberts, Annnie Gosnold, Eva Montfort going back to the 18th century Matthews, Michael Magee, Angela and the small town of La Trinité- We ask you for your usual support and McKenna, Patricia and Allan Porhoët in France, where the Saint prayers that the appeals go well. Kimmance, Sister Gráinne M.S.H.C., named the unnamed statue “Our Lady Mary Hanson, Joseph Kelly (Canada), of Light”, to which the people were Our Dead Associates Mary Goodenough, Mr. McAvoy, (the ardently praying. We remember the following Associates father of Fr. Danny McAvoy, s.m.m.), and others who have died since the last John Yates and his son, Ian, Cathy The other Montfortian Shrine is in issue: Romsey in Hampshire. It is known as Walls, Edmund and Mary Smith, “the Miracle Room” and is particular to Mary Peck (Sept.’02), Eileen Hair (3 Fr.Kieran Flynn, s.m.m., Catherine the Daughters of Wisdom or the La Oct.’02), Olive Moon (Jan.’02), Doyle, Pauline McKenna, Fr. Jim Cree, Sagesse Sisters. The Sisters are Anthony Shaw (Jun ’02), Sister Agnes s.m.m., Terry McMullen, Teresa celebrating the 300th Anniversary of Marie, D.W. (19 Oct.’02), Patricia Beirne, Louis Warburton, Dennis their Foundation. The first Sister was McIntyre (27 Oct.’02), Rita Foy Deakin, Jo Woods, Joseph Hilleard, the Blessed Marie Louise Trichet who (Oct.’02), Sister Monica O.S.A. (3 Hafford and Baguley families, Margaret received the religious habit from Nov.’02), George Cookson (28 Dawson, Samuel Slattery, Jim Miley, St.Louis Marie de Montfort on 2nd Nov.’01), Geraldine Moorland (the Mary Harkin, Pat and Len Postol, Anne February 1703. niece of Fr. Ronnie Mitchell, s.m.m. 24 Fitzgerald, Sylvia Chinque, Mrs Nov.’02), Christopher Smith (29 Gertrude Benham, Teresa Beirne (the We congratulate both the parishioners Nov.’02), Sister Francis D.W. (Sister of mother of Fr. Charlie Beirne, s.m.m.), in Clacton and the La Sagesse Sisters, Fr. Daniel Hogan, s.m.m., 2 Nov.’02), John Whelan (the brother of Sister now worldwide, and thank the Good Andrew James Dobson (Dec.’02) Fr. Sheila Mary D.W.) Jean Maguire (the Lord and, of course, His Blessed Barney Blood s.m.m. (15 Jan.’03), Bob sister of Fr. Andrew Maguire s.m.m. Mother for all graces and blessings Ellett (the brother of Sister Joan D.W. R.I.P.), Agnes O’Boy, Sarah & Michael received to date. 17 Feb.’03), Cliffe Gillies (17 Jan.’03), Magee, a Special Intention, (the Regan Kathleen Doran (23 Jan.’03), Sister Ines Family), Imelda Doran and for any (For further information on the shrine Maria Dell’Eucharistia D.W. (former Associates, who may be sick or of Our Lady of Light, please contact: Superior General of the Daughters of troubled at this time. The Presbytery, 1 Church Road, Wisdom, 2 Feb. ’03), Rita Bretherton Clacton-on-Sea, Essex CO15 6AG) Thank You (Aunt of Fr. Charlie Beirne, s.m.m. 3 We thank those who have donated Feb.’03), Fr. John White (15 Feb.’03), Parish Missions monies towards the publication of this Sister Mary Catherine McAuley D.W. It has been mentioned that Parish Newsletter. We are truly grateful. (17 Feb.03), Elizabeth Shearman (20 Missions are rare these days. Well, Please continue to support it. If you Feb.’03), Thomas Flynn (the father of maybe there is some truth in that, wish to make a donation by cheque, Fr. Kieran Flynn, s.m.m., 2 Mar.’03), probably due in part to the shortage of please make it payable to the Montfort Nellie Smith (4 Mar.’03), Marie priests, but one or two are taking place. Missionaries at the address on the front Mannion (23 Mar.’03). Father Bob Douglas and Father Ronnie page. Mitchell have just completed three May they rest in Peace successful Missions in the last five Fr. Robert Ellwood, s.m.m.
months – in Christ the King, Walkden, Prayers requested for: In the Footsteps of St. Louis Manchester in November 2002, in Marie Brooks, Michael Parry, Diane Marie de Montfort Glenties, Donegal, Ireland in March Delacey, Beryl, Fr. Trevor Cotter, Bob 2003 and St. Robert Bellarmine’s, Lucas, Philomena Kelly, John Clifford, Published by the Montfort Househillwood, Glasgow at the end of Gertrude Benham, Bro. Julien Rabiller, Missionary Society, Registered March 2003. S.G., Canon Patrick Egan, Monica Hall, Charity no. 241963 Bill Smith and Stanley Leach, Mai Mission Appeals 2003 Editor: Fr. Paul Allerton, smm Garrod, Joan Fox, David Dilworth, This year’s appeals are in the Diocese Manager: Fr. Robert Ellwood, smm Sister Shirley Martin, D.W., Maureen 8 ......