"When our Sisters from America went to Rome to have their rule approved, Madame the Comtesse [de la Rochejacquelin] had them come to Usse. The companion spent several days with us; from here they went to the motherhouse.
"It was for the first departure that the Comtesse de la Rochejacquelin, who was in exile and at Lyons undoubtedly at that moment, parted with all her jewels in behalf of the Sisters who were leaving for America. She could give nothing else for all her goods, her fortune, were seized. All these objects were turned over to Father Cholleton; one single chain was sold for 18,000 francs. One diamond could not be sold; the jeweler said he had not the price. It was placed in a crown of the Virgin in the cathedral of Lyons.
"It was for the first departure that the Comtesse de la Rochejacquelin, who was in exile and at Lyons undoubtedly at that moment, parted with all her jewels in behalf of the Sisters who were leaving for America. She could give nothing else for all her goods, her fortune, were seized. All these objects were turned over to Father Cholleton; one single chain was sold for 18,000 francs. One diamond could not be sold; the jeweler said he had not the price. It was placed in a crown of the Virgin in the cathedral of Lyons.
"I could not tell you the number of communities she encouraged, supported, or founded. It was she who was charged with requesting our Sisters for La Vendee, l'Anjou, Poitou, and Touraine. She encouraged benefactors to take care of the first expenses; she also loved to call us all her little Sisters. What did she not do for our sisters at Annecy, Chambery, Denmark, even England. These mothehouses kept her in touch with all their foundations and knew how to draw on her liberality.
"Madame, the Countess, was a saintly woman, a true Christian; I could even say a religious, for she was of the Third Order of St. Francis. For more than thirty years before her death she received Holy Communion nearly every day, read or had read a spiritual lecture, said her rosary, recited the Office of the Blessed Virgin. She worked for the poor. How much material we cut out, prepared, etc. I never knew anyone so charitable. She had no repairs made on her chateaux in order to have more for the poor, for good works, and she deprived herself of many things for the same end. God alone knows all the good she has done. Several months before her death she felt tired without, however, remaining in bed. On the first of January, 1883, she was seized with a weakness while going downstairs from her chapel; however, she regained her usual state of health. But in the night of January 6-7, toward midnight, she felt her end approaching. She recommended herself to God and died an instant later. The maid called the chaplain, who had just time to give her final absolution. She died the night of Saturday to Sunday; we kept the remains until Thursday. The photographer came Wednesday and was astonished she had not changed. The nobility came from all sides and viewed our dear Comtesse. They kissed her hand, they wept for their good friend. The entire parish assisted at the funeral. Madame, the Comtesse, died at her chateau d'Usse, January 7, 1883, aged 84 years."
Notes from a sister in France
Translated from the French
"Madame, the Countess, was a saintly woman, a true Christian; I could even say a religious, for she was of the Third Order of St. Francis. For more than thirty years before her death she received Holy Communion nearly every day, read or had read a spiritual lecture, said her rosary, recited the Office of the Blessed Virgin. She worked for the poor. How much material we cut out, prepared, etc. I never knew anyone so charitable. She had no repairs made on her chateaux in order to have more for the poor, for good works, and she deprived herself of many things for the same end. God alone knows all the good she has done. Several months before her death she felt tired without, however, remaining in bed. On the first of January, 1883, she was seized with a weakness while going downstairs from her chapel; however, she regained her usual state of health. But in the night of January 6-7, toward midnight, she felt her end approaching. She recommended herself to God and died an instant later. The maid called the chaplain, who had just time to give her final absolution. She died the night of Saturday to Sunday; we kept the remains until Thursday. The photographer came Wednesday and was astonished she had not changed. The nobility came from all sides and viewed our dear Comtesse. They kissed her hand, they wept for their good friend. The entire parish assisted at the funeral. Madame, the Comtesse, died at her chateau d'Usse, January 7, 1883, aged 84 years."
Notes from a sister in France
Translated from the French
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