2 The Mirror CO-PATRON: ST. ROSE PHILIPPINE DUCHESNE October 30, 2020 October 30, 2020 CO-PATRON: ST. ROSE PHILIPPINE DUCHESNE The Mirror 3 St. Rose Philippine Duchesne: St. Rose Philippine Duchesne St. Rose Philippine Duchesne St. Rose Philippine Duchesne: The perfect co-patron for southern Missouri Following in her Following in her The perfect co-patron for southern Missouri missionary spirit missionary spirit The Most Rev. Edward M. Rice From Page 9 diocese. It’s nice to think that a she could make frequent visits St. Rose Philippine Duchesne saint once walked the streets of to the Blessed Sacrament. ovember 18 is the Feast e asked different clergy and The aving taken a number of The New World New Madrid, MO. In French, the word Catholic Center staff to share of St. Rose Philippine Feast Day: November 18 Hgroups to the Shrine of St. Enchanted by childhood As mentioned earlier, Rose “Duchesne” means “Oak.” Oak Duchesne, the co- their insights on St. Rose Philip- Rose Philippine Duchesne, in stories of the frontier and the Philippine was fascinated by the wood is known for being sturdy, patron of the Diocese Canonized: July 3, 1988 pine. We hope it inspires you to St. Charles and Old St. Ferdi- indigenous populations of the frontier, having heard stories strong, and durable. And that Wget to know St. Rose Philippine and follow in Nof Springfield-Cape Girardeau. from various missionaries, in- in essence was the personality Beatified: May 12, 1940 nand, in Florissant, to visit St. “New World,” Rose Philippine And next year, on Aug. 25, 2021, her missionary spirit—to bring many souls to Philippine relics and her presence, had a burning desire to go and cluding Bp. Dubourg who was of St. Rose Philippine Duch- Christ! we will celebrate 65 years of the Venerated: March 17, 1935 I have always been most astounded bring the faith to the frontier of in France on a recruiting tour. esne. In the main chapel at Villa establishment of our diocese, Now that she was ac- Duchesne High School, in the first learned about St. Rose during by two things. First, I have been greatly moved the New World. Time established in 1956 by Pope Patronages: Perseverance amid adversity, tually at the frontier, sanctuary floor there are Oak seminary, and was inspired by by the story of how she slept under the steps after time she request- Pius XII. Throughout this com- Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau I with convents estab- leaves, a simple reminder of St. her persistence in missionary work, in the hallway of the convent so as to remain ed to be sent to the ing year it would be good for us lished in St. Charles, Rose Philippine’s strength. Her even when she couldn’t learn the close to the chapel and the Eucharist. Second, missions and time af- to get to know St. Rose Philip- MO, and Florissant, strength allowed her to over- native language. As a priest, I have I could not help admire her lifetime desire ter time Mother Barat Next year, pine Duchesne as well as Pope this obstacle. were expelled. Once again, MO, she hoped that come all of her obstacles, always my own struggles with language, as of reaching out to the Indians, which she refused her request. Pius X, the other co-patron of Young St. Rose was educat- Rose Philippine found herself on Aug. 25, her true desire to work moving forward. And, I believe I try to learn Spanish to better minister did even in her later years. Not knowing the Finally, in 1818, she our diocese. In a beautiful way, ed from age 12 by the Visitation back at home. Still, she moved 2021, we will among the Indians she is the perfect patron for our in our diocese. Looking to St. Rose’s example, I can language and being up in years, she was not was given permission. I think what binds the two of Sisters, an order that so many forward, along with two other could be realized. diocese. Her missionary spirit is see that even as I labor to learn the language, my afraid; neither should I be afraid to keep find- This time she was celebrate 65 them together is the Sacred Heart French women of status joined, Visitation Sisters. They immersed Even here, she was in the heart of every one of our prayers and presence are still useful to God. God ing ways of reaching out with the Gospel. truly able to move years of the of Jesus. But, I’ll save that for founded by St. Jane Frances de themselves in a life dedicated to Father Daniel Hirtz faced the obstacle of clergy and religious. It has to be! can work through all things, even our shortcom- forward. She left Paris another article. For now, I would Chantal in the early 17th cen- charity, particularly the care of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Piedmont; St. George Mission, with four other sisters establishment failure. When the Je- We travel a lot. We may not her ings and weaknesses! Van Buren; Our Lady of Sorrows Mission, Williamsville like us to get to know St. Rose tury. She showed interest in reli- prisoners and the poor. In 1801, Father David Baunach of the Sacred Heart of our diocese, suit Fathers asked the face the same obstacles that she Philippine Duchesne. gious life early on. But because of the Catholic Church was freed sisters to accompany did but in our day and age we Immaculate Conception Parish, New Madrid have always admired the as they made the established in the opposition of her family, she from the reign of terror of the One of the most important spirit of determination St. 10-week journey by them to work among have our own challenges. was removed from the school French Revolution. Rose Philip- I 1956 by Pope aspects of her life was her ability t. Rose Philippine Duchesne was a Rose Philippine Duchesne sea, landing in New the Potawatomi tribe There are many resources and was tutored at home. Her pine moved forward. After some to overcome obstacles. And, one strong-willed, opinionated woman. had in wanting to share her Orleans. As you can Pius XII. in 1841, the sisters available, including a 10-part own family did not support her leniency was shown toward S of the first obstacles she faced She knew what she wanted and Catholic faith as a mission- imagine, this was a agreed, but initially video series, for elementary desire to be a religious sister. But, Catholicism by the French was an attack of smallpox, which prayed for that to happen. She was ary to another country. She was major obstacle she Rose Philippine was and high school programs and she moved forward. It was only government, she tried to reestab- left her face disfigured. I think tenacious, yet obedient. Her prayer seasick for much of the long sailing and her sisters over- not one of them. By parishes, to learn more about on a pretext that she was allowed lish the Visitation Convent but any of us would be self-conscious to serve the Native Americans was voyage from France to New Orleans, and the came, always moving then, she was 71 years our patron. St. Rose Philippine to visit the Visitation Convent failed. God had something else about such a thing, and Rose not answered until she was in her trip from there up the Mississippi River to St. forward. Of course, the sisters old. Still only speaking French, Duchesne, pray for us! ©TM with her aunt around 1788, and in mind. Mother (St.) Madelene Philippine was no different. To- 70s, but that service brought her great Louis was not easy. She did not shy away had to travel up the Mississippi without an aptitude for once she was there, she refused Sophie Barat was founding the day, we are aware of bullying in joy and her constant prayers were a powerful wit- from all this, though aware beforehand of the and finally make their way to St. languages, she was specifi- to leave. Her aunt went home new Society of the Sacred Heart our schools and on social media, ness to the community. Her strongest desire was traveling hardships she would face. Pioneer Louis, greeting Bishop Dubourg cally requested to be part without her. Another obstacle and Rose Philippine was recom- and rightly so. We have cam- to bring the Eucharist to all peoples. She knew the life was grueling and difficult: bad weather, at what is affectionately referred of the mission to Kansas overcome! mended to her. After the two paigns to combat and policies physical presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist hard labor, meager resources, and a lack of to today as the Old Cathedral. If among the Potawatomi Finally in the convent, it met, Rose Philippine and her to protect against such things. is powerful. Here in southern Missouri, there are communication with the order in France you ever visit the seminary in St. because she would pray for was a mere few years later that small group joined the Society. We can only imagine, however, so many who do not know Jesus. When I reflect on were among the hardships. Her spirit of holy Louis, you will find in the main the success of the endeav- the French Revolution would Rose Philippine moved forward, the torments and the taunts that all that St. Rose Philippine did in the mission field, determination was clearly needed when the chapel a stained glass window or.