Jewels from Jane, August 14

"On August 14, 1807, Mother Saint John [Fontbonne] was, for the first time, in the presence of those whom Heaven destined to become her daughters [The Black Daughters]. She did not know them, nor did they know her. At once, however, a supernatural feeling drew them together and a bond of love united them. In a transport of faith, the daughters cast themselves into the arms of their Mother, and trembling with emotion, the Mother pressed the children to her heart, an affecting scene which fills one with admiration...

"These twelve Black Daughters [To teach them to crush human respect Father Cholleton, their founder, made them dress in a costume which was neither religious nor secular]who renounced, at the desire of the Cardinal [Fesch], their first formation, to submit to the demands of a Rule which they had not chosen, to an authority which had given no proof yet of devotion nor of ability, and to a direction of whose wisdom and gravity they were as yet ignorant, were also admirable.

"With a simplicity above all praise, she, who had been directress of the group, immediately resigned her authority and became the humble disciple of the new Superior [Mother Saint John Fontbonne]. She was Anne Matrat, of Valla-en-Gier, in the Department of the Loire. She was the first to enter Maison Pascal. We do not know whether or not that was the motive for placing her at the head. We rather believe that it was on account of her rare qualities...

"Mother Saint John wanted to know and to study thoroughly the life these pious women had lived in order to adapt them, as gently as possible, to the one which would replace it...The fourth floor of Maison Pascal was a home of fervor. Seeing this, Mother Saint John was overwhelmed with sentiments of humility and gratitude towards Him Who had led her into the midst of these cheerful, frank and generous souls, who showed neither defiance, annoyance, nor reserve with respect to a Superior whom they did not know and to whom they opened their hearts as children to their mother. An affection full of confidence and charity was established between them and it never relaxed.

"The Rule of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, composed by a priest of the Society of Jesus, Father Medaille, is full of the spirit of Saint Ignatius. It is wise and, at the same time, firm. This Rule was written, keeping in view the apostolic life that was the life of Jesus Christ Himself, the perfect Model of Religious.

"Every religious life, even every Christian life, must have its portion of penance, expiation and reparation; but there are different ways of doing penance, of expiating and of making reparation. The mortification, at times very hard, of the mutual living of a common life; the fatigue of service; the demands of the sick; the ingratitude of those who are the objects of our devotion, and a thousand other things have an expiatory and a reparatory value. Are they not more difficult to bear than the penances of one's choice?

"Mother Saint John tried to make her dear daughters understand this truth. One day she made them bring her all the instruments of penance they had for their use. These fervent souls had to make the sacrifice of them through obedience, and, gradually, the wise, prudent Mother abolished from their life what might have endangered their health. At the same time she carefully preserved the character of austerity that gives nobility to the religious life and a redeeming value to the simplest deeds. The community of Maison Pascal kept this character of fervor and holiness so well that it is still called with good reason "The Pearl of the Institute."

From Mother Saint John Fontbonne: A Biography from the original French edition adapted by a Sister of Saint Joseph of Brentwood, NY