Jewels from Jane, January 4

From the handwritten journal of Sister St. Protais Deboille

(She never mastered the English language very well.)

"On 4 January 1836 early in morning they went at Fourviere before they depart for America. The little brave and valiant Colony [group of sisters] descended the Hill of Chartreux. At some little distance, the last contour or crescent, they turn to take the last glance of the convent.

"From the Hill of the Chartreux the Colony go to the Hill of Fourviere. They wish, as the Colony of Bordeaux, to consacret [consecrate] themselves and to pray her to bless the mission that they go to establish.

"Revd. Mother St. John had preceded her daughters. They find their Mother prostrated at the foot of the altar praying our blessed Lady to give her benediction to the Sisters and to be for them the Star of the Sea.

"Father Fontbonne offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at Notre Dame of Fourviere and all the Sisters received the Holy Communion, Mother St. John uniting herself to her dear holy Nephew. The venerable aunt renew her wishes for him and his sisters. Their companions did the same, all hoping to be blessed by our Lady of Fourviere preparing themselves to the last adieu.

"When come down they had a modest breakfast at the Sisters of Apothecary of dispensary on Tupin Street to mitigate Mother St. John sorrow. The Superior of the dispensary procures with dexterity a conversation of a moment with a priest and the Superioress General during this time. The little Caravane [caravan] coming out furtively to take the diligence [stage coach] for Paris. But what was their astonishment to see their Revd. Mother who had come to the diligence to say a last adieu and to have a glance more of her dear children.

"When they were leaving Lyons some turn. Soon the departure was accomplish back, crying and saying "Adieu city, we will see you no more", but one sister told others "Do not cry, we are going to take a little ride." The excellente Mother Josephine present herself alone to Mother St. John and filial and devote [devout] heart knew to pour on the heart of her Superior the sweet and consoling balsam of religion. These two hearts worthy of one of the other they unite themselves to bless the Lord, mixing their tears and their affliction to their maternal and filial compassion. From this day the Revd. Mother redouble her pilgrimage to Our Lady of Fourviere to recommend her beloved children of the new world.

“The Sisters arrived in Paris, remain little time with the Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul. They visit Our Lady of Victory church, some asylum, Hotel Dieu and Stephen of Grais. They could not enter in the Magdelaine, they were fix[ing] it.”

Jewels from Jane, November 24

Today, November 24, is the 311th anniversary of the first printed edition of the Constitutions of the Sisters of Saint Joseph which were made at Vienne from the manuscript copies in use until 1693.

According to these Constitutions, formulated in 1650, each house was distinct and independent. No provision was made for a general superior, assemblies or chapters. Each community maintained its own novitiate, elected its superioress and principal officers, or, if not sufficiently numerous, received them immediately from the bishop. The bishop was the superior, each in his own diocese, and bishops appointed spiritual fathers, whom they designated for one or several houses. Each house sent out from time to time new missions, which, when able to maintain themselves, were independent of the parent house, and which in their turn gave rise to other colonies under the same conditions.

In 1693, the Sisters of Saint Joseph were spread throughout the dioceses of Le Puy, Clermont, Grenoble, Embrun, Sisteron, Viviers, Usse, Gap, Vienne, and Lyons. In all of these they were successfully engaged in the instruction of young girls, the direction of orphanages, and the care of the sick. Many large institutions were placed under their direction, among them the great Hotel-Dieu in Vienne; and they continued to grow and to shed their benign influence until checked in their prosperous career by the fury of the Revolution.

from THE CONGREGATION OF ST. JOSEPH OF CARONDELET by Sister Mary Lucida
Savage