1 Saint Mary Euphrasia Spirit and Charism Translated by Sr. M. Jacinta Morrison, R.G.S. from Regards neufs sur Sainte Marie Euphrasie Peekskill New York 1979 2 A. Biographical Data B. Archive Documents Correspondence Instructions to Novices Councils and Chapters Process of Canonization C. Charism: Our Discovery of St. Mary Euphrasia 1. Her passionate love for God 2. In Jesus Christ: Missionary of Mercy 3. Daughter of the Church: 4. The Good Shepherd in Five Continents D. Appendix List of Foundations 3 A. Biographical Data Information about the life of Saint Mary Euphrasia has come to us from the writings of Bishop Pasquier, Canon Portais, Father Emile George, Denise Pezzoli, and (Sister) Marie Dominique Poinsenet. We shall develop five elements which show how Rose Virginie Pelletier is prepared for her mission. 1. The climate of faith, charity, and service in which the Pelletier family lived, and the courage of Mme. Pelletier in facing the ordeals which beset her enkindled in Rose Virginie a similar spirit of faith, love, and service. 2. A series of circumstances led Rose Virginie to Tours. After the death of her husband in 1806, Mme. Pelletier left Noirmoutier for Soullans for the sake of her children's future. Madame Choblet, a friend of Madame Pelletier and a native of Soullans, had just opened a school which had a good reputation in Tours and which offered a sound religious education. She agreed to accept Rose Virginie as a pupil. This boarding school was situated near the Monastery of Our Lady of Charity. Founded on October 28, 1714, then abandoned during the Revolution of 1789, this monastery was reopened in 1806, just four years before the arrival of Rose Virginie Pelletier in Tours. It was not until 1809 that the first "penitents" were admitted. 3. The death of some of her loved ones created a void in the young girl. 1805 - the death of her elder sister, Victoire Emelie 1806, November 27 - the death of Dr. Pelletier 1812 - the death of her brother, Constant 1813, June 11 - the death of Mme. Pelletier Let us add the departure in 1814 of Mile de Lignac for the Ursulines and of another friend for Carmel. At eighteen years of age, Rose Virginie could freely envisage her entrance into the Refuge. 4. During her novitiate, Sister Mary Euphrasia, not having enough to do, read a great deal The Bible, at this time, generally reserved for priests and religious The manuscript lives of the saints All about St. John Eudes (his letters, an abridged biography) and the Refuge (their beginnings and early days), all the manuscript documents that were available at that time. The Annals of Carmel, describing the journeys and foundations of Saint Teresa. These thrilled the novice. Judging from the quotations and examples in which her instructions to the Sisters abound, most likely she read the writings of the Fathers of the Church. 5. Let us stress the fact that Saint Mary Euphrasia remained for sixteen and a half years at the Refuge in Tours before going to Angers: October 20, 1814 - entered the noviciate September 9, 1817 - Profession. The next day she was named "Mistress of Penitents." May 26, 1825 - Superior of Tours May 21, 1831 - Superior of Angers All the witnesses at the process of canonization attest to the success of the young Superior of Tours. However, she herself confided that she suffered in Tours because of the small number of boarders and especially because of the lack of enthusiasm on the part of the older Sisters who feared another Revolution. B. ARCHIVE DOCUMENTS STUDIED 1. Correspondence 2. Instructions to the Novices 4 3. Council Book 4. Various books of the process of Beatification and Canonization a) Apostolic Process for Beatification and Canonization of the Servant of God: Mary of Saint Euphrasia b) Depositions Diocesan Process 190 I - one volume only Apostolic Process 1905 - Volumes II and III c) Documents of Diocesan Archives Volume I - Generalate 1832-1835 Some Foundations 1833-1841 Constitutions 32 and 33 Sister Mary of the Passion Drach 1845-1868 Inquest and reports 1845-1869 Volume II - Episcopal correspondence and others The Viot Case 1848-1856 Erection of Provinces 1854-1855 d) Documents from the Archives of the Mother House of the Good Shepherd Volume III - Correspondence of Cardinal Protectors: Cardinal OdescaIchi (1836-1838) Cardinal Della Porta (1841) Cardinal Patrizi (1842-1870) Letters of Bishop Angebault and others (1842-1869) CORRESPONDENCE Letters to: Sister M. Stanislaus Bedouet 3 volumes Sr. M. John of the Cross David 2 volumes Sr, M. of St. Sophie Lavoye 1 volume 1 volume Sr. M. Theresa of Jesus (Mme. de Couespel) Miscellaneous correspondence 2 volumes One notices: The frequency of these letters (often only a few days apart) the very affectionate tone of Saint Mary Euphrasia, always encouraging; she comes across as a true mother in practically all her letters there is a recurring theme of joy and thanksgiving the tie-in of the Scripture text at the head of the letter with the letter's content the lively style: short sentences; frequent exclamations; direct approach humorous, witty, rambling letters in which Saint Mary Euphrasia jumps from one subject to another Saint Mary Euphrasia's interest in every detail in the life of the foundations and also in the sick Sisters at the Mother House Expressions which she used most frequently: When a cross comes? Fiat! Expressions of wonder: What marvels! Miracle! Prodigy! It is: the work of God! the will of God! These are the designs of God! We are overwhelmed by graces. Reflections on varied difficulties, with a very great insistence on sufferings and the Cross. The letters in which there is no mention of money are very few. Saint Mary Euphrasia comes across as a prudent woman, one who is skillful in handling delicate situations. Exhortations of union among the houses and prayer for one another abound. In all this correspondence one feels a "spirit." 5 EXTRACTS OF SAINT MARY EUPHRASIA'S LETTERS TO SISTER MARY OF ST. SOPHlE LA VOYE July 10, 1835 "Come to me all you who are weary and I will refresh you. " "You are overwhelmed with work, my good Saint Sophie, and I was worried about you. I can't tell you, my daughter, how grieved I am when I don't hear from you . Yet, I do realize how overworked you are. " July 18, 1835 "And the Spirit of the Lord was with them." "How I desire, my beloved daughter, the Spirit of the Lord to guide you in all your ways. I went out early this morning, ahead of you, and I met you. I sent for the mail, my daughter, because I was anxious. You can imagine with what joy I read your letter. I am answering it at night. Oh no indeed, my dear Mary St. Sophie, your details do not tire me!" October 4, 1835 "Those who instruct others will be great in the Kingdom of Heaven." "I am filled with joy that the Good God gives you as well as us so many souls to instruct. " October 24, 1835 "I will lead the soul into solitude. " "I gather from your letter, my darling daughter, that your good Master has led you into retreat. " November 4, 1835 "The Lord has guided me in all his ways. " "May he always guide you, my beloved daughter, as well as all our Sisters whom I cherish in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. " January 22, 1836 "He will wipe away all tears from your eyes. " This is the first letter I have written since the beginning of our wonderful mission. God, my dear daughters, has given you sentiments that are capable of drying my tears. We love you all, my darling daughters. The longer I live, the more does this feeling grow in my heart. I constantly offer you to God. " November 13, 1836 "Truly the Lord is here. " "May His Divine Spirit always live among you!" January 19, 1837 "It is by faith that we are justified. " "It is faith that supports our labors and sustains our hope. We are lost in admiration at the graces God bestows on us. " 6 January 19, 1838 "It is true, my dear Mary of Saint Sophie, I have been on the cross a bit. I have been ill for seventeen days and our dear Sister Assistant has been away working for the glory of God and your consolation. In my little sufferings, I thought only of God and our dear foundations. My daily suffering was that I was not able to answer you sooner. " INSTRUCTIONS TO THE NOVICES (from notes taken by the novices during Saint Mary Euphrasia's instructions.) There are several original notebooks extant that make possible the reconstruction of the essential teaching of Saint Mary Euphrasia. There are also a number of notebooks of a later date in which the wit and humor gradually disappear to give place to a more serious and moralizing text. From a hundred Instructions given to the novices, we have systematically noted the authors quoted and the advice given. Some dominant themes emerge which we have given to you in all simplicity. We have also added a page of amusing anecdotes which make Saint Mary Euphrasia's style both enjoyable and colorful. These instructions, taken as a whole, reveal Saint Mary Euphrasia as: a woman who is aware of the difficulties and obstacles that beset every novice at the beginning of her religious life. a well-balanced woman, having a great deal of common sense, resolutely optimistic. a cheerful woman, with a good sense of humor, who knows how to speak the language of her audience, even when it is a question of very deep spiritual realities.