The Evolving Missiology of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary By
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i The Evolving Missiology of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary by Heather Mona Weedon Ba. Theol, Ma. Theol A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Theology University of Divinity 2017 ii ABSTRACT This thesis traces the ways in which the missiology of the Institute of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary has evolved from its beginning, and how it has expanded its self- understanding following the recommendations of the Second Vatican Council, and the further evolution following subsequent events of the new millennium. During her time as the spiritual guide of her Institute, the foundress, Helene de Chappotin, repeated time and again her cry to God: “Where are you leading me?” Taking up this prayer, this thesis will use the same question as the springboard to discover how the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary have evolved and are still evolving. While there was little change in the missiology of the Institute until the Second Vatican Council, the Sisters continued their Foundress’ charism by following her example and studying her writings. In this way they continued to evolve their Missiology according to the to the signs of the times and the situations in which they encountered others. iii DECLARATION OF ORIGINALITY I certify that this thesis contains no material which has been accepted for the award of another degree or diploma in any university or other Institutions, and affirm that to the best of my knowledge the thesis contains no material previously published or written by another person, except where due reference is made in the text of the thesis. Heather Weedon iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to thank especially my supervisors, John Prior, SVD, and Larry Nemer, SVD, for their great assistance in writing this paper. They have been consistent, dedicated witnesses to the missionary life. They have also been very patient with me, following so many interruptions over the years. Their expertise has been very welcome indeed. I thank Michael Kelly CSsR, Post Graduate Research Coordinator at the Yarra Theological Union, for his guidance and Post-Graduate Seminars who have been a great help. My religious community has been a constant support, firstly to Suzanne Phillips for assistance in the translations I needed of some of the documents, and the encouragement to continue the work. To Kerry Scanlon and Nzenzili Mboma in the Mother-house in Rome, who worked with me while I was researching in the General Archives. I was saddened that, when I finally arriving in Rome, I could not meet with Anne de la Bouliere, who, among others, was responsible for the Sisters of the whole Institute having access to our Foundress’ writings and life story. Following Helene’s beatification, we have learnt more of this wonderful, charismatic woman and her utter dedication to God’s call. The academic and administration staff of Yarra Theological Union have consistently shown great interest in this work. Friends also have sustained me over the years. I particularly mention Berise Heasly, Claire Renkin, Christopher Monaghan CP, and Janette Bredenoord, who have kindly given advice and inspiration. They have had a steadying influence upon me through their friendship and guidance. I thank God for the opportunity to carry out this study, and pray that the Institute of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary continue to stand for the poor, and proclaim the message of love to the whole world. v TABLE OF CONTENTS EXPLANATION OF TERMS...............................................................................................x INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………...…...….……1 CHAPTER ONE: FORMATIVE INFLUENCES OF HELENE’S CHILDHOOD….….4 Helene’s Early Years……………………………...………………………………………….4 Helene’s Spiritual Formation……………………………………............................................7 Helene’s World Expands……………...........…………………………….………………….12 The Religious Situation of the Nineteenth Century France...……..……………………...…14 The French School of Spirituality…………………….....………………………...…..…… 15 Devotions During the Nineteenth Century……......……………...……………….……....…19 The Political Reality of the Nineteenth Century France……...………………..…..……...…21 Conflict over Control of the Papal States………………………….…………...……….25 The Social Situation of Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century France……...……...….………28 Wealth Gained through Slavery………………………………………………….............28 Extreme Poverty in the aftermath of the Revolution…………………………………….33 The Missiology of the Nineteenth Century…………………..…….……...…………….….36 CHAPTER TWO: HELENE’S EARLY EXPERIENCES OF RELIGIOUS LIFE.......41 Beginnings of a Religious Vocation……………...…………………………………………41 Helene’s Time with the Poor Clare Sisters…………………………………………………..42 Helene as a Marie Reparatrice Sister…………………………………………………….…..44 The Reparatrice Sisters in India………………………...…………….………….......……....46 Helene in India……………………………………...……………………………….........…48 Conflict between the Marie Reparatrice Sisters and the Jesuits in India……………….....…52 Vatican Intervention Requested……...…………………………………………...……..…..55 A Foundation Outside of Jesuit Madurai Jurisdiction ………………………………………57 Helene is Replaced as Provincial………………...………………………...……….....…….59 The departure from the Marie Reparatrice Society………......................................................61 Departure from India……………………………………………………………………...…63 vi CHAPTER THREE: THE FOUNDING OF THE FRANCISCAN MISSIONARIES OF MARY…………………………………………………...………………………………….66 Establishing the Institute: Initial Steps……………………………………...………………67 Interim “Plan” of the Institute….……………………...………………………………….....70 Establishing the Novitiate………………………...…………………………………………73 First General Chapter...……………………………...………………………….……....…...74 Financial Difficulties………………………………...……………………………………...75 The Franciscan Affiliation………………………...………………………………………...76 Helene’s Decision to become Franciscan…………...………………………………………78 Establishing a Community in Rome………………………………………………...…….…83 The First Constitutions…………………………………..………………….....……….……84 Helene Assists Others in Writing their Documents….......………………………………….88 Guide Book for the Sisters’ Way of Life…………………………………………….…........89 Removal as Superior General………………………………………………………....….….90 Helene is Reinstated………………………………………………………………...…….…93 CHAPTER FOUR: HELENE’S MISSION THEOLOGY AND SPIRITUALITY AS PERCEIVED IN HER WRITINGS AND DECISIONS……………………...…....…....98 Helene’s Mission Theology………………...………………………….…………………....99 Source of mission…………………………………………………………………….......99 Mission and Salvation………………………………………………………...………...101 Mission and Geography…………………...………………………………….……...….105 Mission and the Holy Spirit…………………………………………………….…....….106 Mission and Creation………….......…………...………………………………......……106 Mission and the Trinity…………………………..…………………………...…………107 God’s Mission……………………………………………………………………...……107 Mission and other Religions….….……......………......………….…...……….…...……107 Mission as Witness and not Proselytism…..............…………………...…….....……….109 Mission and Other Christians……...……………………………………………………110 Mission and Other Congregations..........………………………………………….…….110 Mission and Multicultural Communities…...……………………………………....…...111 Mission and Collaboration with Priests…………...…………………….………..….….112 Mission “at home”……………………………………………………….………...……112 Mary of Nazareth as Model for Mission – An Aspect of Helene’s Mission Theology........113 vii Helene’s Missionary Spirituality…………………….................……………………….....115 Spiritual Writings of Helene………………………….....…………………………………121 CHAPTER FIVE: THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INSTITUTE………………......124 The Institute Develops Roots…….……………..……………...…………………...…..….124 Professional Formation…………………………………...………………………………..128 Initial Foundations…………………………………………...…………………………….131 Care of Lepers………………………………………………………………………..…131 Emphasis on Education…………………………………………………………………132 Other Ministries…….………………………………………………………...…….…...133 Health Care for the Sisters Themselves....………………………………………………135 Welcoming Local Vocations…………………………………………………………….…135 Assisting The Society of St Peter the Apostle…………………………………….…....…..138 Missionary Endeavours………………………...……………………………….……….....139 Europe as Mission Territory…………………………………………,…………….............140 Helene’s Support for Workers…………………..……………………………………..…...142 Leo XIII and Support for Workers.........................................................................................147 Concern for Catholic Nations…………………………………………...………….…..….148 Cooperation with the Laity……………………………………………………………...….148 Some Further Developments of Mission Work…………………………....….………....…151 Sending the Sisters Overseas………………………………………………………….…...152 Influence of Colonialism on Mission………………………………………….…...……....153 Colonialism in Parts of Africa…………………………………………………………..…155 Colonialism in Parts of China…………………………………………...….……….….….158 The Closing Years of the Foundress’ Life……………………………………………..…..163 CHAPTER SIX: THE MISSIOLOGY OF THE FRANCISCAN MISSIONARIES OF MARY FROM THE FOUNDRESS’ DEATH UNTIL THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL…………………………………………………………..……..…………...….166 Selected Papal Writings on Missionary Work in Early Twentieth Century…………..…....167 Maximum Illud…………………………..............………………….………..……....….167 Rerum Ecclesiae…………………………………………………...........………………170 Changes to Religious Life Proposed by Pope Pius XII……………………………….……170 Ministries of the Sisters in the early Twentieth Century…………………………………...174 viii Health Ministry………………………………………...………………..............................174 Ministry during Two World Wars……………………………………………................174 Post World