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Les diagrammes suivants llluatrent la mAthode. 32 X 1 2 3 4 5 6 r si HISTORICAL ACCOUNT TiITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOE. TUkSBLATBD WBOU TBI WBMSOR Of H liFON AUBINEAn. «♦> NEW TOSK: ©. & J. SADLIEB & CO., 81 BABOLAY »R Momnsu.: No. 275 Nona Dakb St. ; Si IntoMdtoooidingtoAotof Congre«,inth«y«Ml877 hr D. *J. 8ADLIBBA00.. lhth»Oa(»oflh«LibfMiMiof Oong»«M, »t WMhington. 1 1 1 f I e 6x' ^H:^ F n a b] I r€ £ m it to 80 HISTOEICAL NOTICE or TH> LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR. [Wbittmi in 1861.] Tm liistoiy of the oriffin of the various institatofl devoted to prayer and charity, of which the Church has witnessed the foundation, is aUke instructive and mterestmg. The hand of God most clearly manifest. Itself therein; and its operation can be traced out as It wjcomphshes Its object in antagonism to human wisdom, and in the midst of outward lowUness and hu- mility; choosing, as the surest foundation of its most extoaordmary works, poverty and self-abasemeni Human pride is rebellious to the teachings of the past; facts, gathered from our own times, may be more attractive and impressive. It is in this hopi we are induced to lay before our readers, in the present sketch, some facts connected wit'i the history of the liittle Sisters of the Poor. T^e object of their work is known; any attempt to awaken sympathy and interest towards labors every- where regarded with admiration, and of which the results are already patent and tangible in America and Jliurope. would be mdeed superfluous. But there is so much of instruction and consolation in this narrative- Oie weakness of the instruments of whom God has ueeu pxeasea to make use, in coming so bountifuUy to the assistance of His poor, offers so strikin- a les- son, and one so opposite to modern theories, that • HISTORICAL NOTIOK OF THl it is well to make our readers acquainted with some fljcte concenimg the rise and gradual development Of this good work. In nothing can be more plainly ■homi the power of charity,_of that true charity which prompts ur to devote ourselves, first, to God and, then, to our neighbor for the love of God 11 u.?'^ ""^ *^® ^'^^^^ ^i«*«r8 of tl»e Poor began, like all the operations of God, upon a small founda* tion; It deve oped, and still supports itself indepen- oently of all resources, save those vouchsafed by Providence In all the oppositions and extremities to which It has been subjected, the Institute has ttmply had recourse to prayer. With this support, I •fu^^®'^ enabled to give ample scope to that « best course & tti» »L^ ^"^ numerous class among his flodk _ this same concern pressed heavily, some dozenT' « concerning af fife of tW«"^^ *? ?S**'. ""^ ^^*^ Obstacles could quench Thi^l%-w°' ^?^ *^^* ^«> for whom >,« o„$^ S "'•^® restitution of the sonla "z t'S' fT tr^'^*" ^* «*• ««-^ pubhc asyW wh^Lid * «' P°T ""^"^ *^* ^««« shelter fror^ct^Tst^ln.^ ^a ''°°'^'^ "^^^ ^^ receive thL spiritual Pn^«^^^ !?^ are supposed to stand in need. ^ consolations of which thej inSpen^sSeCthJ^ i'^^ ^««^ *^« '^sources chosen boii1« fK. ":Jl°^®r ^i mspiring m som* moved V^^a"" Cvuipassion wiiercwith he wsa Xm he wrte«*!f ^'^^ *<^/l^o^ ^ thoseT P«i«h, whT^^'n^ S^Sft- K^ ^2"^e: girl of th* . "o was not m the habit of attending hk V HSTOBKUL MOTIGB Of THI eonleMioiiAls, oame there one day, though she wm neyer able to explain how or why she had sought him out The priest recognized at once a fit agent jfor the work he had at heart. As for her, on receiv- ing the instructions of the priest to whom she had been led, so to say, in spite of herself, she experienced that peace and consolation given by God to souls obedient to the guidance which He chooses for them. She belonged to the working class, was entirely dependent upon her daily labor, and for a long time had wished to become a nun. The priest encouraged this intention, and began to have some hope of one day realizing his favorite project for relieving the o^ed poor. He soon took notice of another young girl amongst his penitents, an orphan, and in humble circumstances, like the former. He persuaded these two to form an acquaintance, and, without furtlier explaining himself, assured them God desired both of them to be entirely His, and that they should serve Him in the religious state. For this honor he ex- horted them to prepare themselves, and to strive to overcome all natural inclinations of their hearts. The two cliildren, for so they may well be called (one being but eighteen, and the other barely sixteen } ears of age), obeyed, and set themselves generously to the work. The priest had told them they should Herve God in the same commimity, and they believed him without further invostigation. He desired the vounger to look upon the elder aa her superior and her mother. Each worked at her own employment during the week, and on Sundays they met each other. Up to the time of the priest's recommenda- ) ion to become acquainted, they had known nothing of each other; but from that day forward they felt united by one of those sweet and powerful ties with which Providence binds together the souls He count« His own, and whose sweetness and strength all the frivolous friendships of the world cannot reaUze. Every Sunday, after Mass at the parish church, these two girls, shunning companions and amuse- I she waf A sought fit agent m receiy< she had perienoed to souls for them. entirely ong time couraged >e of one mag the er young n humble led these t furtlier red both uld serve ir he ex- strive to r hearts, lied (one 7 sixteen jnerously ly should believed jired the rior and >loyment let each nmenda- nothing they felt ties with e counttt I aU the ize. church, amuse- UTTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR. f f ^^'•rV^!?'^''.*'' *^® ««a-shore. They had chosen L!f^u "^HT "" * '''^^ ' ^^ ^^^^ ite shelter they passed their afternoons tpgether, talking of God and manifesUng one to the otSer their interior progr^a and any transgressions thoy might have committed agamst a simple rule of life the priest had laid down tomed tiiemselves, in aU simplicity, to this practice of ^«v f^v°!J' ^'«' 7^^^^^ j« «^ed spiritual conference. ;^ey talked oyer their rde, and set themselves to enter into th^ spint of it. The meaning of one sentence perplex^ thern. ." We will deUght above wrings/' It said, "mshowmg tenderness towards those a|ed SISLT^ "•"^^ "^i^^and sick; we will never refus^to assist tnem, provided an occasion presents itself; and we must take the greatest care not to meddle with fT^tl % ^ot concern us." They pondered over ttiese words without at all divining'^the plans of him whom they had akeady learntd to caU their father. He treated them as did St. Francis of Sales the holy Jane de Chantal, speaking to them about their vocation, proposing certain communities, then ffivin^ them some different advice, inducing them to taS 3ome step m which hel, ow they would be harshly rebuked ; m fact, he tricl their patience and tested tneu: vocatio]^ in every possible manner for nearly two years. During the few last months of this time Of probation, he, in some degree, made his desifm '^'''',^l?.^^^^f^^<^ommena'mg to their special care a^ old bhnd woman of the neighborhood. The girls obejed him, and devoted aU their leisure momlntss to this poor creature ; they comforted her to the best Of theu- poor power ; spent her little savings for her. kept her room in order, and led her every Sunday ti Mass ; m &ct, they did all that charity cbuld prompt for her relief and consolatioa Meanwhile, Pro^- aence so disposed events as to briniy fthouf. th« i^^^s,. hmff of that good work which had been as ye? so dmay^owed out before them. They became acquamted with an old lervant, whose name is now ii! * BiaTOMGAL Monca or nut ^ • weU known throughout Prance. Jeanne Jmran jagerly entered into the propoeed plan. She wa« forty-ei^ht yean of a^e, was worth a little »um. amountmg to about sixlundred francs, and proyided by abor for her daily wants. Out of economy X kept house with another pious woman much older than herself Fancbon AuXert seems to have been ciiosen byGod as the primary benefactress of this JMtitute. In accordance with the entire lowliness of its origin, this benefactress was by no means wealthy, ^t^anchon was at least sixty years old -she possessed a httle property, a small stodc of fomiture T itni^ ^l ''"'■y P^^''^,' dwelling, and a quantity of hnan She gave up aU ; nay, she gave herseU tb this good work She shared the toils and the priva^ tionsof the Sisters ; she lived amongst tiiem. never left them, and died in their embrace. A proposal was afterwards made that she should take the vows with her companions ; but she felt herself too old for this, and remained with them on the same terms as at the begmning. Into the httle attic, which she shared with Jeanne, she joyfully welcomed Marie Th^rftse, the orphan, who was compelled by circumstances to seek a new shelter. Marie Augustine, the girl first mentioned m tnese pages, came also, whenever she was at lei sure, to spend an hour with her young friend. The proposed plan was not at first communicated to Faiichon ; there was no desire to publish their inten- tion of founding a new institute ; indeed, the three fiistors themselves were as yet scarcely aware of ii Their spiritual father had directed them to abandon ^emsefves entirely to Divine Providence, to trust to God for everything, and to be simply anxious that they might love Him, serve Him with their whole souls, and be devoted to the salvation and consoUtion of their neighbors, especially the aged poor. The Bisters did this gladlv. and besnnnomj she kuch older have been ss of this lowlinesfl Qo means I old ; she furniture I quantity hersell to the priva- em, never propoHol the vows ( too old me terms b Jeanne, han, who E a new mentioned BUS at lei tid. The cated to iix inten- he three are of it abandon trust to that thej }le souls, lation of >r. The nercy on r, Marie UTTtM SUTEM 07 THI FOOBi H ThArAse, on taking up her abode in the attic, did not come alone. She brought with her our Lord Him- self, visibly present in the person of Hib poor Fon- chon, who was remarkably reserved and discreet and ^thout inquiring into her friends' phms, yet shared theur generous devotion to the utmost. Fanchon, a good httle old woman, invariably neat and methodi- cal, and hitherto rather on her guard against any invasion on her old habits, readily consented to receive under her roof the poor old blind woman of eightv years, to whom they had devoted themselves now for many months. On the Feast of St. Theresa, in the ye^kr 1840 Marie Augustine and Marie Th^r^se brought homa in their arms this cherished invalid; and the blessing of God came with her to the newly-formed household The first step being thus taken, room was found to take in another poor old woman. Thus was the house established. Nothinff was apparently changed m the way of life of its inhabitants, and Fanchon still remained its head. Jeanne employed herself in spin- ning; Marie Augustine and Marie Th^rfese worked at their sewing or washing, occasionally interrupting their labors to look after their two invalids, to whom they devoted themselves with all the tenderness of pious daughters towards their mothers; solacing theur giifferings, enlightening their faith, animating^ strengthening, and inflaming their piety. The priest, whom we may now call their founder and mther helped the little community to the utmost of his power; and bv God's grace there was enough for alL It was not, however, enough for them that they could maintain themselves; their aim was to extend their sphere of usefulness. A fomtb servant of the poor was now added to the three first. Being ill, and at the point of death, she wished to die consecrated -- — —7 — -• 'Ttixi viXT? |jiuua i«auwue oi other days, and embraced the Institute of the Little Sisters. She was herself cai-ried to their attic, where ■ha recoTered. Giving up to God the life which, 10 BISIOBIGAL NOnOB OF THB aft^ She had oflfered it, He had restored, she devoted herself to the service of the sick and ag2d. But^ ^f thf .^° Pr^l^^yomen was notl^ be iTo^t fimt the Ohuroh should gather for God's glorv W the noble devotion of these pious Sisters. ^ ^ Jhey continued to inhabit the attic for about ten Tte^/n f ^* ^^^ S^^? *^^ ^^ probation the^tot^ f Af 1 ^ ^*^:. ^^^^^P^ **^«y *^^ meanWhile hopld |hat such devotion would soon awaken some genero^ interest m others, and coUect a fund which wS enable them to extend their work, a^d opeTan asylum for a larger number of old peopk PerLn^ again, they had not looked beyond rhfhumble fe' ginnmg ^e have described. However if ^pviT; fooked for any human aid, they nTw diten^^^d f dispensing with it; and if, hitherto twTd h«pn contented with the lovely 'and cfnso^/ resu^^^^^ XertS^hfte ''^*'^^ ^^" '^ saSed n'i nJT^f^, ^S Terrvt^rer^ ^f sweetness of deUght in such a sacrifice wS souls who once have tasted it can no more give up- tiiev aU that m them hes, and admitti^ff others toil^l part with them, if they will, in any work which God has once appointed for them. ^ wHchToWwr ^f *^r^f d in the consultations wnich took place in the lowly attic, that the under« takmg should extend itself, a^d a greater nLto of ^d people should enjoy the benefits it Zposed: When we speak of consultations, let us nofbe mif understood, Httle enough of discuss^n ?ook pC ^^f^}"" P'^y' ^® P^^y^^ himself; and when Se iwU of God appeared clear to him, he madeTt knoT^ to tidemleavmg their obedience free: obe^ence S virtue of inestimable worth nt i,.nai.„i"u\^ "?!l!*^** toe Church, giving ihem at once their brightness and their strength, and leading t^em forwa^to^Tt^ tSTTLa SISTERS OW TBM P00& 11 who had any credit in the town, as the possessor of a hnlwf S^^n^' ""^^u- IK^?."^^ ^ renounce the humble dwelhng, which had become dear to her as a home, aiid to rent an uncomfortable basement-floor wine shop This was large enough to hold twelve beds: the beds were quickly there, and stiU more quickly occupied. The four servants of the poor notwithstanding all the aid of their good old friend' Fanchon, had enough to d^ .o attend upon XeS pensioners. It was no longer possible to support themselves and ihe old people by their daily £bor- It was as much as they could do to give to their beloved poor aU those attentions requu-ed by their age and mfirmities. The Sisters dressed their wound! kept the place clean, assisted the old women in eet^ taig up and going to bed, instructed and comforted them; it was impossible to provide besides for other wante. The Civil Bureau of Benevolence con! fanued to the old women, thus assembled by charity beneath one roof, the same assistance given formerly W ^^ *?^^ bestowing bread^ and lending hnen. lo meet their further necessities, which werl not few, those old women who could walk kept ud their old accustomed trade, and went out beffffin^ T'^^.^J' ^® ^^*®^» prepared the meafef^ shared themselves this bread of charity; and ik this way, aided by reHef which came unexpectedly, and often mtiie most extraordinary manner, they stiU contrived to hve from day to day. ^ «„ffl^w ^^}'''^^\''i ^%^^ ^^« ^ot, however, sufficjent; God exacted a fresh sacrifice, a deeper humihation. The mendicant trade of the old women had^ faul , that it brought them constantly Slo f^!^t::}T^^/]t'^3^^^,^-^^- of farmer —y.. -^^^^^^cajj^y^ example, wiiicii was the pre- te^*^V*^^ °*.°'?'* ^' *^««« unfortunate dea. tares. The Swters jealous guardians above aU things of the spuitual wel&re of their poor, yearned to ^eW u mSTOBICAL NOnCB OP THK ttem from this temptation, and to spare them also ^6 degradation of a beggar's life, although most of them, havmg grown old in this vocation, felt no longer any shame in it. The good father then proposed to lus children to be no longer merely the servants of tje poor, but to become beggars also, out of love for them, and for the greater glory of God. This sacri- fice was no sooner suggested to them, than it was cordially undertaken. Without scruple, without hesi- tation, they became beggars. Jeanne, the foremost in this work of love, seized a basket, and mstantly set out. Her heart buminff with love for God and for her neighbor, she fearlessly apphed for help at every house at which their poor were wont to find rehef. She accepted, with humility and gratitude, the scraps of broken food or copper coins that were willingly tendered her. Thus Providence provided for the Little Sisters an inexhaustible resource. From that day till now they have collected a maintenance for their poor by this noble and sanctified alms-seeking. All Jeanne's com- panions followed her example, though she alone con- tanued to bear the name of "begging Sister" for the Institute. Not content with making her quest amongst those towns where the Little Sisters have already foimd a refuge for their poor, she travels everywhere • and you, perhaps, dear reader, may one day behold her at your door, describing, in a straightfoi-ward and most touchmg way, the object of her visit, the necessi- ties ot her beloved charge, and the mercies of the Lord towards them. Nothing casts her down, or disturbs her serenity; she sees the hand of God in all things. Grateful for what it bestows, she hopes against hope for what it withholds, and does not even doubt of the generosity or goodness of those who cannot share her pious undertaking. This wonderful self-devotion not only draws down blessings from on high, but con4aoifs numan prejudices. Those who are the most myeterate against mendacity are yet struck with ad- miration for this noble and courageous mendicant; and LITTLE SIBTKB8 OW THE POOB. 18 i^- them also :h most of > no longer . 'oposed to srvants of >f love for rhis sacri- an it was bout hesi- i, seized a burning fearlessly ibeir poor I humility or copper Sisters an now they rby this ne's com- lone con- " for the amongst already rywhere; y behold ivard and ) necessi- the Lord disturbs II things, nst hope ioubt of Lot share devotion igh, but bhe most with ad- mt; and . It is well known that the French Academy has award- ed her the prize of virtue. From the very beginning this generous devotion surprised and touched all ^ were witness of it; and the questmade by the Sisten was far more abundant in its results than that of th« old women. Every one added some trifle to the ahng or broken victuals usually bestowed. Clothes, furni- ture, provisions of various kinds were placed at the disposal of the Sisters, and thus their poor were better off. But linen was a never-failing want: what had been lent to them was already insufficient, and their ^stress was becoming urgent, when the Benevolent Bureau who lent it, pressed by other claims, was under the necessity of withdrawing from the Little Sisters that linen which it had hitherto supplied to many of their poor. In this extremity the Little Sisters had recourse to their wonted dependence— they applied themselves to prayer, and especially sought aid of Mary, beseeching her to come to their assistance. On the Feast of the Assumption they erected a little altar to the Blessed Virgin. A gendarme, living near the Asylum, which people akeady began to call the " Good Women's Home," touched by what he saw daily pass- mg in this happy dweUing, took it on himself to raise and decorate this little altar. The Sisters spread before it the scanty stock of Knen belonging to their poor prot^g^; five or six well- worn chemises comprised its utmost wealth; there were no sheets. Such destitution touched the Blessed Virgm: alas I who would not have been moved by it? For many days the altar had numerous visitors. Our Lady touched their hearts with pity, and aU were anx- ious to relieve such dire distress. Even poor servants who had no money to give, took off their rings, and put them round the neck of the infant Jesus in Hii Mother's arms, a tiny image of whom, scarcely four inches hifi^h. mirmnnnfArl fVio oUo«. Ti^ tU^ and by such generosity, *ihe poor women found them- •elves sufficiently provided with chemises, sheets, and other linen of which they had most need. *i> li HISTOMOAL MOnOB OP THE His ^servants, and confirm their work Mn^!?^ °f ^ Xd afl"? th*^ to "l%io» life ^dS^J W i,ut themsdves under the gnidS of a S«^ tti. WM reasonable and perfeo&y just; but Cspirt LimJI BUfi'lHB OV TBM VOOB. 16 )ther voca- c devotion ihan three 3 plans to iven them fcronage of istine. It work of et no one indresses. med, and t to make •rk. The Qe of the I permit- Btancy of reover, it posed to s mider- 3St of St. ; never- f doinga. much at Jre poor itraordi- Et it was , should tnunityl cipline f d teach fe? Be- ot have le well- e, there TOrk, to Distress fe, skil- 1 bend- E All 9 Spirit of God breatheth where it willeth, and the founder of this Institute felt profoundly that he was undertaking an entirely new work, tuid that, for a new work, new instruments were necessary. However excellent the religious orders may be, their usefulness is limited by the special work to which they were destined, and with regard to which they were in fact created. It is unreasonable to demand of them sacrifices, or propose labors which were never contemplated by their found- ers. Nay, the actual ruin of some congregations may be traced to the influence of those temptations which seduced them from the observance of their rule, and from their original destination. The founder and the foundresses of the work we are describing, did not, perhaps, go so deeply into the merite of this question; they simply followed the inspiration of God, and nothing seemed more natural to f^em than to aot as they did. However, with such arguments as reason and pru- dence coydd suggest, the devil, as we have said, failed not to mingle ms powerful wiles. At the same time that so much sympathy as was needful to the very existence of these poor was awak- ened in their behalf a spirit of ri(Ucule and oppro- brium? ^aa excited against the Sisters, and they had to drain to the very dregs all the shame of their begging. They were pointed at, ridiculed, and made game of, in the public streete of St Servan; even their former companions at catechism, school, or work, nay, the Tery playmates of their infancy, were afraid to go near them. Those who were attracted by their example, and who, full of admiration for such devotedness, felt disposed to imitate it, were instinctively held back by all the annoying pubhcity and reproach which was attached to the undertaking. One only of the four foundresses, ^Marie Augustine, had any relatives. These spwred. her neither reproach nor reprimand. Her younger sister, now Superior of their house at Bennes, would sav when she met her out with her basket, in quest of food, « Gtet along with you I Don't V IG HBTOMOAL WOTIOl OW. THE tt'^ sSer'^^^ ~',n »4 of ran, '"^»«'Pli«i*y, not amongst KtaeaJte^ ^'''^' «.o:^, on enterin^fe-^. o^'^^iT^'S His service, she yielded herseKnn f^S!! ^^'^^''f^ to wnongst them in this manner ^Zihtl '^*^^.^°»« !!LT!.,^Ax?f ^.^^T^'^ <^i°^ some account of Z UTTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR. •nd of your erior of one mpressed by nged to be- I ; but when they lived, art to God, sible. Thou '^licite, who a death as ister of the ed with a invoke St istomed to ^ for her ihe added, tera. ice of thia rt of spell who littla ing within rgency, to the grace the gift of nselves to aing force into their vho came paying a admitted cheerful partaker To one ) needle- take the ng been it of the without efullyin eirafed 17 poor. They came five leagues in the hope of under- taking this charitable action: they performed it joy- fully; and on leaving, at the end of a few days, 4ey shed tears in parting from the Sisters, and promised soon to come again. They did, in fact, return; but not now to offer to their God a spare fragment of th«ir time: they came to consecrate to His service, and to the comfort of ffis poor, the whole of their future life, with aU its energies and powers. In the accomplish- ment of one single act of charity, they had found the grace of their vocation; their generosity had even here below thus met with its reward,— a precious re- ward, and one far greater and more pure than even their devotedness; for sur6ly it is no small honor to belong entirely to God. The Little Sisters know this weU— -they shri^ abased under the greatness of this dignity; and thus the virtue of humiUty, sure token of a blessmg from on high, is nourished and kept no amongst them. As it is the tendency of all the Christian virtues to sustem and develop each other, so this humiUty and confidence in God enabled the Little Sisters to sup- port with patience every difficulty. They gave them- selves no trouble about the disrepute in which the world held them, they did not care for its encourage- ments; and they only found in its rebuffs a reason for givmg themselves up more completely to the Provi- dence of God. Although the number of the Sisters was still so limited, 'they continued to increase the number of their poor, and without scruple and hesita- tion, when their basement-floor was full, they bought, m 1842, a large house, formerly occupied by a religious community. It is true they had no means to pay for it. The Pwever nd Le Pailleur sold his gold watch and the silver furniture of his altar, besides other things. Jeanne ^«id a little ready money, one of her compan- ions liad contrived to save a little, and Fanchon readily contributed all that remained of her small property. All these contributions put together were barely sufficient to defray the necessary expenses of I Hi! I 'I 1« msioitiaAL Nonoi or tbk tte contraot; but they trusted in ProTidenoe to suddIt ttem the reat. Nor wm their oonfidenS^S Ibk to dZ? .^"?r' """ ^".P"'' '"••■ We are nSt «Ki!- J i? ^ "*^ "'«»'»' by which this end wJ ^ i^ L «^ Froy^dence of G^d seemed t^ beInC Mtsd in Its oocomphshment, the more so as if »»»»> much confided in, and, to to saHvtn te™„tTh^ • «'Sr^ '"-^ ^ ''"'* «™^ Xtade^^^dS: «^n-nop^^rp;:2?njSfbK^L" dd!s rt^* wh.ch was henceforth to bin5 the^^ Be! odes the TOWS of poverty, diastity, and oMien« tt^ took upon them also, at his biddLig, an aSS JhZi }°^'*1^^^ thus giving to thirvirtTTS! «m^r, timt ^.finite value which is accorded by th^ goodness of God to every act performed in His service twe^^was^b^drM •"Iff'"" '"r''''*''^ '"^« M^'Tot^^-ry^'} '=°4'*« «™° ^hiisTu^iU M^ but in t! *^' ^^1 'S"^?' *«™ ^«s no re- Th^J^nA^^""^;^^ *^ ^"^ fot^d sufficient. ~^i:S'to^ Hi^'^c^e^^Btr^' -^ r^ythi-g iB brfiftrl onS ^ -Broken victuals, crusts of &s» handf^? f1.^?* i"" abundantly into the d^^lt^^A ,T®^**"s tender and beneficent Provi- «!f.?i2ill^J^.^*? f«^*^«-.¥lfrom time to S^e it8~^r^r7 ";«"^.«^a^e of Happy dependence on trith^^' • u ^ufsing mother takes pleasure in withdrawm^ her mfant one instant from he/SeasT LFTTLK SISTERS OF THE FOOB. 19 that it may receive it the more eagerly when pressed again to the maternal bosom, so did Divine Provi- dence sometimes suffer them to wait for its bounties In accordance with their constitution, and the vow of hospitality which binds them, the Little Sisters provide, before all things, for the necessities of their aged poor. They divide all they have amongst their guests, and feed themselves upon the fi-agments that are left after meals. Although the poor pensioners had sufficient, and even abundant, fare, the Sisters had sometimes scarce enough to eat. Once particu- larly, on a wmter's night, when the old people were already gone to rest, there was nothing left in the house for the Sisters' supper but one quarter of a pound of bread. Nevertheless, they sat down cheer- folly to table, said their Benedixnte, and thanke Ig""" Jeomedtoknow tolow L!?t t,'"''^''<'P«- They sent them in their mtsn^vi^,. "'''' ^od, who had «onate Sisters M^?!^ such devoted and compo^ courage, reaSnat^T^ chanmng mstances of virtue on th^parromese ■„„ Ir ^'"^l '"«''* ^ mentioned entere/the asXm » '=^'""^««. "K before they «very1ind If'^^^i J«^ e-«^"y degraded bj results which crowned twS * "*? *"* "' the the many souls rede:med by the M ^T'^^'T^ m such grievous oeril nf lw„ i . ^ °' "^''^us- but reception in Z*!™),!^ '•"^J"^'' " l""-" 'hut their der aiat th^^eal of^tL^rcT**' «''"' ««" won- the increase imd f W *l ^,'^*^™ '™« 'orever on «^ to exteSb aterfen/""' ""^-S ^ette? But, alas 1 as we have »W./ ""f «? '^«"' ''"use? ftJl. quite f^- the sltt ■'^^ '¥<^' ""« ''"use was shelter to tie poor h^'lffiiS Tif *° ''«'°''» -"O" m the garret Sre wff „^^ *^''° "P theii*bode were sSl poor peoSe Twant. Tl T" ■ ?«* ^I^^ro and ito neighborhood What ^^^tl* "" ""« ^O"" Sisters had a nin^ „f "^''' ''»s to be done ? The treasury The?Zult^h^°\'^?.l«" <»•"«' i" «ho ™. iney cleared the ground, they dug © better they k which God t the souls of »ad collected influence of h had been 8 their God. 56 and igno- lope. They 5d, who had nd conipas- 5« of virtue, •mentioned before they Jgraded by face of the Jonsidering ' Jesus, but i that their > can won- forever on ling better eir house ? bouse was ford iQore leir iibode yet there '■ the town me? The nts in the Putting statue of bey were vuxe Fro- nt hesita- customed ►eginning iOTd, ana sufficient they dug LITTLE 8I8TEB8 OF THE POOB. 91 th^ fonndation> and tried to collect materials for building. Yet, once more, God required nothing further, and responded to this intrepid boldness which nothing could dismay. The workmen of Si Serv«n, moved at the sight of so much devotion on tlie part of the Sisters, came forward, oflFering their help in labors so holy. The caiTying of materials was also done gratuitously, and alms abundantly liowed in. An inhabitant of Jersey, who had a relation living at St. Servan, having heard that she was in want, came to ascertain her condition, in order that he might assist her. He found her sheltered in the asylum, so well cared for and so liappy, that he went away full of gratitude. From that time ho sent all his alms to Father Le Pailleur, and at his death be- queathed a legacy of seven thousand francs, which tell in most opportunely to carry on the building. The prize for virtue, which was accorded by the Academy to Jeanne Jugan (three thousand francs), arrived also fortunately just in time for the same purpose. Before the compfetion of the building, the number of Sisters began to increase. The constancy of the founders was at last recompensed by God. They were audacious enough even to think about establish- ing more houses, although it was really almost a miracle that the four Sisters could fulfil all the duties of the house at St. Servan; but they were determined that this little town should not be the only one to X:>rofit by their enterprise. They considered not their own weakness; they thought only of the good that might be accomplished. So soon as their numbers had increased, Marie Augustine set out for Bennes. No resources were provided for her; she was to trust a second time to the wonders which had already been TTU'^a.c^x XXI xxcx (,/dxaxi. Her mat uct wus, not to raise funds, but to seek out destitute poor. She took up a temporary abode in a wretched suburb, full of wine shops and drinking rooirg. There, as in other places. 23 u Uisfome.u, nemos or rm ill MUe Sisters is tlmf .t, "* Rood work of th« °»ore consoli',.^, ttaTtie ^"XZ'f .^^^^ "^^ °««' Augustine huJ doubtleM lom, ' s^"*^'""' Marie latter would not be wSnlTor !'"'*''«''<=? ««t the '«ft the quttrters in which th«v h»r* '',"''' liouMhold Jomo, the soldiers X fremfit f S""'" " t«»Porary have mentioned, lent theirT^^'"'* ""« "™« "hop" we 'to had been ire^y tLkSi i^ "^ ''"' °" """^n Marxe Augustine, whom^ " „"'■ ^*'* «°°^ Mother SuperioriTeft at Bennes fZ1"^f|i°«- '!^^ ""« Mother tad summoned from %f ^ "" ®'**«"' ""lom she new fouiidation; and fie !^;:r k *? '^"^ O" <^ postulants from Kents She 1'''^''.^''' ^-^ tw b«rm the house at St g..,™n\T'^ «•»' the num. her absence. The me^i^rof 'Ik-'"*"""*'' ^"^g 'iear; there was, in fSt ? J*"? ""' perfeotlf between the titOe SisteE; " l^"*?'. ""derrtandinl Consequently, the/^re auirl ^"T P^O"dencT proportion madeLTbem^from S^t*" ^"'^'•^t" » be remembered that we ai^tnf i -^ l*""^' I^' ^^"st m Brittany,^a country n|1?''° ^'^*^ ^ « ^"^ ^ make their way with ifficX ^"^""^'T '"^ ' ^ two pnests of th« f.,v,J^ • j ^^ Stmctioaeu ov the the Si„ht Eevet^^ShTp Tst*^^^^^''''^'^^-^ alters made their way to ofn^ \^™'"'' ^e Little the ■ esrUest care wa^ Z-thL \ ^T- "» «' Bennes, jjnd :.. .V : ^UededXm Wo~^ "^^ *- fgedpoor had ;. .3.1. ,^„ a prS^T^L""^* P'aee which lie8l.ii,',,,r«nesew<. JT? ' 1 "*' *™P and un- gree of assist- work of the > receive anj ^le, and often wever, Marie lice that the ipled not to e household a teniporai'jr ne shops we 9 old wonjen ood Mother the Mother '; whom she jy on this ih her two ^ the num- 3ed during ' perfectly erstanding "rovidence. iter into a ^t. Brieuc. >d service -ged poor, It must 'A tl toVTX '-■'^ .;..bt ^ oy the t)ation of he Little Rennes, red poor, 3e which and un- derneath lie pris- unayed; UTTrx 8I8TBB8 Ot TH '. POOB. 23 in tLTptiall- J^'C^aJl Tutto ''''"'^ A «ud it wa« in.pos.iblo to frt«rtbom i^'SS'e ""•,'^""' mature of these gooSSr^Xe^ the"Srorr '^ It WHS not tiU several mnnH.VY j ^ , °' chanty, tliey found a TOitaW« W * ^""^"^ """^ "'"' amusement Of fh.«!rS^' Z °^ ^^°^ expensive St. S«^an\,f i latter there are few enough at Kke f!r^.L^.^1^*^.^^_^^^« ^-ious visitoiB there^who «!■.».» " •' "" "^^ FoouxianueH about the aitfl of ihtii^. m (L „„n.ber was one I Xlr^!. Sj^oJl^ 21 UWTORIOAL NOTICE or TH« IHii f derful efferts whf^^iS been ^"*^r^ i""* ^o^' ttmongst their poor ^ „^f 2>. ™°»ght by them '> these W, -nW^^S^^«» "S^p^ty of great mercy He had showTSm^ t2 ^^f?"- the day8:-aU this touched S a Z,f ^** ""^'^ "a^ oraf^hSS^«-o ^f^^ieTjSESl-- , not umnediatelv be snro^i .iT 1 ""^ ^"^ra oonld » "ot^least tte dXof et^ r^*?ir''«'''' ?«' '"^ *»w them to the s;^t i^ ZI WX* ^ *^ """J "Side, that the poor miffht^^^t V. i?^°' happen to «>d the whole town^teS,%'*r^*'«^ • poor young lady do mKT « uw?"' ''^*' <=»» "edit and few rflqnnr,.L T » i * "'"« amount erf thing. p^vidl/Srshe Ts^J"^:^' ^0^- ^nstancy, and has m enti^ ^jf '"*! mdomitable He alone, can do M^J^^^^^^^^^ ?°* a^-l ^ect the oveSe:'wth*:^e"ml^ to f^ f"^ ""' to the city of Tours • th»v .T „ *° *«"> *« "ome "oaung Sore tCth^*i:^''l"lTf ^^ ?». "^ting «nd Dinan, namely: a roof to ^1''^^?^ ** ^«m4 •™val, .md hbert/to Jho worl *'' *^*"' »" *^«" it I'Cnof S^"a^Ul-;fJ™t, "'°. •"'-•'^-'' ttese great servants of the S ^wJ * '"T .''"y^ "> ttie expenses of their iou^ev »!' Yi^annot teU how their arrival in iZmTtV'^^^^'^y^^' b"* after 1847, they had only Tw J^ ,T'Xf«""' "' Janiiarv, arsthiriasm°^\^lrw^l'^^„°".^-f ^h^y' awuuii a aozen poor Deonlfl. «# — "I-^ ""^^^ receive »d finally, in^ F^^; fal^^" "^^^ »-; MTTLB SISTERS OF THE POOR. 25 ooUectedlTT*?r ' woken victuals every day present, in aU their h,^«t ^'i? resource. At yield a refr^ZTdr^^'^fT^^""*^ "» "^d* t<> these poor oldZ^No^^ "* ,? great comfort to g;ej^ -^e«dtat>rnr^ciS little nXlTadd^ t? f?f^ ^^"^ "T*- "Wien » ooffee-gTounde md th^^l^ "Z^* *~"» ^^ aU qn^raSd r«nt^ S^'*' °'.'"^e»d, gathered from fiwt is proTidad t n„^ * tne table, behold, a break- PoorolSpZSe ar?tti»'l'?' »?VT*° *^«« ^^^ &™Tbx!Sth?£S^^a^ remained qnite aZeto t^t^Z" "" •^^'^' 1847, during that time ^rteok^L^^T''*^^' *"<* ?«* PoorSid womT^ ^ ™ ^^ «^™ *» eighteen to We* tf Sttfi^'S"'' ^""^ ^.'- Siate.. had inft. to tead, anT„„,,?.'x!;°^'" "» ™;ng and dress- to-maintain"a constant; tocSXror^^li^ "■"* m I! II 26 HISTOWOAL NOWOa OF TBS Sister mdM^ed^TrtaS^te^fr ""If", '^f''^ Mother Superior orthe Fanh™,^ sf^* ^°'"'*' weU known in Paris ^d Z,»^ ^^ {*^"^'' ^ kaown and well bew4d ? Lyons^ M. '^•,1" T^ never recovererl fr,.r«T ^^? ^*^ ^^^^^^ilies, las restore, althoufth shTstl n.t; which nothing c^ God and His pW N ""St T"^"" "^T"" °^ eiForts were not MnZ7T,,; '*.?^ superhuman of the three laborer k^,!"'""* ""^ ^^^ ^^<"^tr forth on theiTqrst for^i!r7"'<'™i»g *«?«<'* each arm a We H„ „?i ''*" ™tuals, carrying on into « W^omp Jtme^L'^^fl^^^^^ ^"'•«'» ^r^^miH f -° te^W^agS wome-I Itt i^ fh™"* amongst these poSr oil wetcheanels of^wi r"""^' °'- 'S" heartrending infr vv«vo „+ ^gnity- oouls in that poor dwell- ju tleir loort Z poor wtd^^^Tch'SS'^^ °™ the persons of their Sisters »nrl ^^f? ^^ "» more sweet and t^^S^thZfh^?^ '^"''^ ^ thgse poor and W^y h°l^^"at'tt:"tZiTa,ri they handled!^ U w^. t^L^TsnX^ ^/ rength. Of the bouse at Tours, om the fatigues Marie Louise, Si Jacques, so to be as well Marseilles, jias >f that period, h nothing can 3tive service of Je superhuman 9 glad serenity niiug they set Is, carrying on being divided the scraps of her fragments away. When ctivifcy that it firm a family 11 imaginable >se poor old heartrending ities, and the diseased old >f happiness, t poor dwell- fiey saw and erenced Him shed Him in ng could be pourings of onsoled, and or were the t^ay by day i the good- mts' defined id indispen- mperfluous. IJ^Mt SISPEBS OP THE POOB.' 27 ^""osriitti?^^ • ""i^^'^S it." Besides, they enjoyed neither Mgue nof CiST""™*""^ '^^.i^^"^ Marie LouiS,, of whoT we ennlT^' f "^ ^"^^ flints of comDlau,Tn»?i..Tl ^^,}?^ »°w. "«▼» to the same, or e^T^ZfT" ^.^'^^^ reduced regardless of fteJTu^e^ ' T?f fe"^ J""' 1 and Sl":^^L^3^S^,^:-°'4t^n5 companion, still her chief ^asSSfjIoft^rl^ mS ^Ihl',,^ T"'' C- the Wed S^ aTii^i-^ tis^S^rren7to*&t^,%- Th!^5f "^,"1^ .should be the will of God. ^ spe'cial Wpfif '^*;^ "^^ ^^^^ ^^*«^ ^^e for the 2?^^f_benefit of ihe poor, are generally successful! 28 HISTOBIOAL NOMOK OF THB t; ■■ 11 ! Ilii; Adfifled by the sSerS ZZy t^J^ ? ^"^^ poor creatures under theirTrT^'^- Pf^^ *°'" *^^ wants, overcoming^ Mte.nCT^*1?^8 '° ^"-^^ Mes, and endurin/natirr^f"?^'** *'^^ ^^ "i- F W rebuffs to be end red s™?"", "»' *•««' K ■■ is to see so ma^H ,aera b^nttT'^r?'"""^' » n 1st not be foreotteD ,f th * ^^f, ?"<* 'o G"''. >* ore not, any more than ^tf^l f ™ ^'^^e Sisters oftei.mFrii«iSnr^,w "* ^l^ngerB to what is »tion andT ^^T^r^™^^ ^t^""' t -^- glones hare doni thiir wo^S thTA^.^^^ ""^ radation to which theseToorTelh^l ?"^' "^ ?«e- felse aoid matorialistio pCnhvlnS ^^1 x^"«*' » draw from these poor SIS^T l"^ ^"^"^ *^ ^f"- «nce to their S^ to^tvd J?^ ^«<* "^-i hi>«l«r- which is most grievous IdJ^T^ tte brutes. That «««atures, is t^S^l P"?^7* ™ *"»«* wretched "ouls. Le?^ howe^te'^^/''«rt*!°" »' *heir of ignorance It eSSL !i„^ understood in speaking of & S sSe^^^*' "^ *"?' ^ the'^hoS series of philosonhv bS;>» • . '^^ *^e whole , century. JdwKt fteT^ JS- ""* eighteenth whotSe cweTil . ^t,!T'*5°" of the Sisters thelucubiationsofZodrm t.ml"'^"' '?^" '^th the Messiah and a reSn^^**^ f ?""« Awards third, and not the lea^Sbl^a^'o^ilfr'^^''- ^ m poetry, and quotes coSS^&'^^ "f^^ \t^I ^ '"^ Horace called civilization anrprot^^^^^ ^ 1«°3^ ^hat so^ bringing about these Shp^f^ivo*^^^" '*^*''^° Sisters have a hard strT^l • '^^i'^'^ '^^^ ^«tle these degmded creatures S^r "^^«^r?""g to mise which thiy may be caL ^ a reasonable level, from serving God. ^SomeS thev h'^'^^'J^"^'^^' ^^^ tempted to despair- oE int^}^^^ ^^®° ^^«>ost or making esLs' t^r^'V^ ^^^^^^^^^^^ pecially, which is the faiW t\ J '"~^''"°''®°"®ss es- called on to resist fh!S^ *^f^ ^^® "^^st frequently beaten. But thfs tiev L "? ^^-''^^ ^'" "«^^' ^"^ even for, to thesrco"aid\I? ''"^^^^ ^^ ^ happiness; aspect completeTtHvefehrr^i- ^ .' '^^« ^^ sees and judffes Thll^' ^*°*' ^^*°*i the world crashing the instincts of mCJlrl ,^^ ""'' "^ ever ajd however suffering .LI"'*'.*""'**' "^en- th«y are certain to be weko^H » J*"!.? ""^^ »"^«. joy- Possibly fat wTt » ij ^ * '''«'»"'g and i there may enter a iS . i ?'? "^"""^t seem t5 be so) snbmissio'^! for i? ^"'^<'»i™'!'«?r /"to ^^'^ P™fo™d them by daUy e^pSce fhS' "^"^ P^^^d an'ongst offered on Uiei^ part thirl w " ""*'' » '"""'Aoe before it is accomplXd recompensed even in ford?„X''Sse''a7Tr„'' ^' ^ "« «-<=»•""«-«« short time^tie thr^^l^"S/ "^""^ ""«- ''"^ » ?" which to sleep In I'!"!'"' <""? *"» straw beds hospitality, if a poor nniS;^ ."^™ T''' '"«''• ''O" of there is no bed tSreceK ^P''*' *"" admission, and JP hers to t^e ^tmnZ i^' T ?i '"? ^'''*" ^im so mSTOBIOAL NOTIOE GW THB in fact, such as wotdd bd coveted even by the poorest^ oonmsting, in every weather, merely of a paiU^sae; for •o the spirit of poverty and mortification requii'e& It 60 happened, then, as we have said just now, that the three Sisters at Tours, having already taken in seven poor old women, had but two straw beds left for their own accommodation; and these they laid dose together at ni^ht, so as to provide a sufficient resting-place for the three. One single sheet was all they possessed for the further comfort of this common bed. An eighth old woman makes her appearance; she was provided with a bed, but sheets she had none. " My diildren," «aid the Superior to her two daughters, " we must cut our sheet in half for this poor woman God hath sent us,' and we must manage as we can." No sooner said than done; two Sisters held the sheet outspread, the third held the scissors in the act to cut, when a faiock came at the door, and, on its being opened, a young man presented himself with an offering of six pairs of sheets. When the Sister who had opened the door showed these to her companions, they all three fell weeping on their knees, and thanked Gk>d. This ia one instance, out of thousands we might cite, as hap- Sening in each ond of their houses, to show the provi- ence and goodness of God. Sometimes the wonders He works in their behalf are manifested in another form, before which the Sis- ters are silent in admiring giatitude. Some one gave them, on their first arrival in Tours, a small cast-iron kettle, hardly large enough to make soup m for the Sisters and tiie first eight or ten old pensioners. The household increased; though the kettte maintained its original dimensions, nevertheless, it still sufficed aa heretofore. During many weeks enough soup for fif- teen, twenty, and tmrty poor people, was daily poured out from the same little kettle. Nor let this fact seem incredible — ^all those we have related from the begin- ning of this account are of the same nature; nor if there anything more wonderful in the increase of soup which took pmce in the kettle of the poor, than in the UTTLB aOBTKBS OP THS POCMU 81 en by the poorest^ of a paiUaaae; for aiion requirea It just now, that the idy taken in seTen beds left for their laid dose together fc resting-place for they possessed for L bed. An eighth she was provided . "My children," lers, " we must cut Em God hath sent " No sooner said Bet outspread, the 3ut, when a knock ' opened, a young ingof sixpaurs of opened the door they all three fell :ed GK>d. This is light cite, as hap- to show the provi- b9 in their behalf Dre which the Sis- Some one gave a small cast-iron d soup in for the pensioners. The ttle maintained its t still sufficed aa ough soup for fif- , was daily poured * let this fact seem I from the begin- ne nature; nor is e increase of soup poor, than in the multiplication within the Sisters' hands erf all the otim* resources of which they had need* "^ ^ *" ^® ^®» Xt was from Tours that the work of the Little Sis- ters was to enlai-ge its borders. TheCTrnWrne^ Wer was penmtted by God to contribute toS tins m some degree. On the occasion of the debate whidi <«ok place in the National AssemWy on ^e ngit to rehef, amiounced in ike preamblTof the Con! Btitutibn of 1848, the UnioerB h^ some ^les on ^e subject, and related what had been donTS To™ StServan, Kennes, and Dinan. The dedmW of ^ ABsembly were not exactiy influenced by tMTreport such an honor could not have been exacted; but a ^L^?^^ T"" ^ ^^ little^iS from B^^v^SS^ °* ^'^^' ^« ^^'^ Sisters from ^nttany and Tourame, they were chiefly poor seiurj- s^resses without much moiey. and only^aSor to love and serve God. The Sisterhood being^ mu^ S^ V^'\^^""^5* "^ ^'^--^V^^ new ifborsHLl b«S of 5. "'^i* foundati m in Paris. The iem- bers of the St. Vmcent of Paul Conferences Ca ™^y taken up the idea; and, a. welTw o^ caaion to remark, this waa not the only time that ^LS ^''^'^' interested themselves foi the lS andM^K* ^® spring of 1849, the Mother General ^d Mother Mane Louise arrived in Paris. A chari- table mstitution,-~the House of Naza^eth,-a8 p^r m two Breton Sisters were neither perplexed nor ^^ayed by the task before tiiem. TheyT^ qS 8farangers m Paris, and had never imagined a city g^ l^^Z f^'f ^'^ ^ "^^^ therthre^K E?^^ ""^ streets in quest of a house te suit them, ^y had some tijouble in finding what they wanf^Z! a »age, any, and cheap-rented house, in a nmsi^- ™wi» ^oid off^ some hope of the neoess^ reso^a agreeing for it; but' unexpected difficidties^ arose. 3S ■moBiGAL vfoncm or no ii m jmd one delay after another succeeded. NeyerthA Dread. Some good Nuns of the Visitation. fai^J to the spmt of St. Francis of Sales wnt* t^fiS^ s^angers some food from their con^n . ^he^ ch^^ teble souls anxious to contribute to the new^^del^ ing, come foward with alma Buf in c^ul^y i God permitted the Little S^^T ^ ^Lh ^Sl same mortification atttendant on begg^^^^l th^! had experienced at St. Servan. l^'^Toft^n forced to go to the Sisters of Charity's Lp!£tch^^ and exchange, like other mendicaSra^Xt w^^^ tebj' two cents, ior a portion of^s^up a^*^ TJ^ It woiild not do to estimate the virtue of men ««- cor^g to the price they pay for ^ dkmeT^ yet we m^y imagine that it is not tiie creZVuic^u who visit these kitehens for a dinner of haricote ^I potatoes. Some of the respectable pLgXTe-^d ^ese, as soon as tiiey hTve received L^%oi^l W? ^^^ ""^ ^* ^^'^^ «^d share it^SitteS ft^es. Others, settling themselves dow in *« ^^ «We to terizesthe wo?k of ft^Se st^'''*''^"'^^ ^ path V. The mite of the poor f^^^^^^^^ ^^^^ «7^- hands, under the n3 ^^„- ^°,^^^^®»*» "ito their mat Ve have ^dTustnoraS^^^^^^^ ^-^« at Nantes, takes place ^d^r^^ff ^^°'^''^^*-™«eIi almost everywhere At Bm!l ^^T^ ^n^odifications pocershavYSsplayedan^^^^^ the butchers and At St Servan, th^^worfanl? 1^'"^^^^ helping, as we have S^fT. 7% ""^^ «^*^e m Little Sisters, Ce xld^^Jen tot^'^ ^°^^ ^' *h« the sum of one cent eS^weeidv. tn^^^"^ ^^^"^ ^e anjount is carried t^J^yhL for f r^^ ^^^^^ ^en there are soldiei-s whn^i ^ *^® ^^^ P^^r. of their soup, and wlTi^?, will spare some portions t^e begging^Xnl ^e^Ze 2^1*" **^%r °' teve to contribute largdy w .^^ *^,7 ^ ««°- bread, aod give it in fllm« iJ +? *^*'"' aUowance of char^cterislSofp^p^^^Pooroldp^^^^^^^ This more at Bordeaui S RnSt*^^ manifested itself fact, it took the tonT of no«1? **^ ^^T^^ere else; in two places. ^ P^**'^® enthusiasm in these 4 St^ WZt^^^^^ 1^ *^ -«-^- of his bis neighboi, and do .S^? of all that can benefit desire to inducrtheLiiS^iJ^ ^^^r' ^"^* ^ ^^ent , «ie latter town He h^ft,i?^'^ *^ /^^^^ * ^^use in their Institute, dSL^ a Z!^ appreciated tiie spirit of \nf *u^: ^"r;'. 'f '^^^g a visit which llA hnA ^«;j X- - ««i»% SisteiTWeLfilr"'*^.*? "^ <*»* these wo.* in Bouen. ^ o7r4MetiX\T4* ill "'Niliili 88 HIErTOBIOil. MOnOB OF Tm. f abounds there, and still more on account of the power of their example: a form of preadiing which is every- where so full of virtue. While he thought on this desire so dear to his heart, two Little Sisters came to Rouen— not, however, with any intention of fotmding a house, but simply on a begging expedition. They were directed to the archbishop's secretary, and to the members of St Vincent of Paul's Conferences, that leave might be obtained for them to ask alms in the town. A promise was given them that all interest should be used in their behalf, if they, on their part would engage not to leave Rouen, but try to found ari asylum there. The matter was duly weighed and talked over, and they were soon able to write and tell the Superior-General that a house, fit to begin the work in, had been found. It was, of course, iiripossible to promise success; all they asked was to make the attempt, and it was only prudent to do so with all moderation, and within du^ limits. It is a serious thing to create in a city a new charitable establish- ment ; and the supports on which the Little Sisters depend always appear so frail, that, until they have been tested, it seems presumptuous to suppose they will sustain any pressure. The good Mother came to Rouen and examined the house, which was capable of holding forty old people. She saw also a large building, which no one had thought of proposing, and which would lodge two hundred persons; and immediately gave it as her opinion that the smaller house was quite insufficient, and that, in a great city like Rouen, the large building would be by no means too extensive. In vain they reasoned with her, taxed her with imprudence, and persuaded her not to encumber with the rent of four thousand francs an undertaking in behalf of which public sympathy had not yet been tested. The good Mother let them talk, and maintained her first opin- ion, wiie iisd expofience; she knew how things had hitherto gone on, and was firm in her conviction that, after so many evidences of God's great goodness "TTLE SI8TEBS OF THE POOR. 39 -^rc^ni^r^^^^^^^ njight be, way. A fortnight was mil^T ' . ^^J^t her have her fears for the fitm-e Th « u ^°"^^ *° ^^""^^ ^ and it is imposSb^ io rP«fr ^'''''^ '".^^^ ^^i^^ M; part which tCpopu^^^^^^ at the the market-place, there wa7«^ . ? appeared in were known alread v • .^ u T^* ^ *^^t- They rushing to^e^tS ZX't.^'^^i *^^^' ^^^ "»g. The pohcememS^P^^^^^^^d some offer- astonished at this con&S^f o A ^^^P °^^«r' were of turning out ttiei^noo^nr^?** "^T ^^ *^^« Point This mad! the t'tSrsKrse^'bu^^^^^^ ^*- bemg entered into, things^ we^ek«i Wo ^^P^^^tion Sisters now make a regXc^Jci^fcotf^^'^^f-. ^^« every one in turn is readv JflT r.xi^® market, and accompanying it Jt^heartfelt^i^^^'**^ contribution; ness. And it is Sys netd^^^ 1 ^^^f^'^l ^i°d- with discretion and Tstle ^or In'''''^"!*^" ^^**«r , women one day cLSed fn frV' *^? ^*^^«t- begging Sister thatZ dfd not J^ Superior of the as she did to others TMnlvfTf *2 *^^°^ «° "^^^^ as to put an end to th« olrf ^^^ *° ^« arranged so blaints of the sLr w ^^^^^^^^ complaints. Com- W traasmirtedT The MavTt "^fi?^ r"? ^-^«--^. :t was at Rouen, in consedu^^^^^^^ ^. .1^^ ?^^*^« listers ^nd of the great nuXr^ff?? ""^ *^^ «^^« «f the city asters were^bHgedt maL use Cfi.^'* *^« ^^*«« ^n ass to cariy^eir su^l£« SV *H^«* *^°^«' o' rift, with aJl his annn?£r^^ ^®^^ ^^^^^elf was a :7g along the sffiToS way l^Z '^ 't f^ om those private houses whL^Y • *^® market, or -.b^s^ra: '^srss^- ^'^L^Btifi-TSt -c« >vii;n pleasure, the ffood Ds^^^la ^.T^" ''''^'^ '"*'« 40 HISTORICAL NOTICE OP THE :!'!i":|^,M mm J l|llii!- ! ti^eir doors every day— hasten out, and deposit with their own aands their Httle contributions in the Sis- ters purse, or the panniers of the attendant ass. Nor are only provisions placed there: clothes, bundles of Imen and sheets, drop sometimes from the windows ?* *f ® o^^s*®'s feet- The ass carries all home: the lattle Sisters pray for the benefactors of the poor- and our good Lord knows them all. ' The streets of Rouen are narrow, and often very crowded. ,One day a carriage crushed the panniers of the poor ass, and they fell, with all their contents, rolhng m the mud. A workman happened to see the incident, and hastened to help the Sister, and repair the mishap, as far as possible. Alas I in the ahQck the panniers had been broken. They were patched up with strings, though very unsuccessfully, lyid the workman went on to his workshop. There he related what he had seen, and the misfortune which had befallen the Little Sister. AU his compan- ions were touched by the disaster. They immediately began to subscribe amongst themselves, and that very evenmg carried in triumph to the Little Sisters two '^l^panniers. Are not these charming stories ? One of the principal manufacturers of the city wrote to Father Le PaiUeur that he felt himself under infinite obhgations to him. " Formerly," said he, « my work- men were full of socialist doctrines ; but, since the arrival of the Little Sisters, they alone have been the subject of discourse in the workshops,— their virtue their devotedness, their necessities. Nor is this a mere unprofitable admiration; it develops itself in all sorts of good deeds, and in countless services! which cannot be described. For instance, when their ehapel was blessed, it was a festival for the whole ^ty, a popular hoUday The chief benefactors had been m^ted to the ceremony, at which the Arch-U bishop of Bouen presided. The Mayor and PrefectB tooJc part in it, and a large number of workmen wer "■ observed to be present. Father Le Pailleur was alsc there; it was the first time he had been at Bouen, « .1 r bi ha OP THE \ . - ■ •ut, and deposit with iributions in the Sis- I attendant ass. Nor : clothes, bundles of 38 from the windows irries all home; the factors of the poor; aJl. row, and often very •ushed the panniers ih all their contents, in happened to see elp the Sister, and Bible. Alas I in the roken. They were very unsuccessfully, I workshop. There md the misfortune r. All his compaD- They immediately lelves, and that very 3 Little Sisters two ming stories ? One E the city wrote to aself under infinite said he, " my work- les ; but, since the lone have been the lops, — ^their virtue, es. Nor is this a > develops itself in countleBs services istance, when theirj ival for the whole! Bf benefactors had fc which the Arch dayor and Prefect! : of workmen wer B Pailleur was id been at Bouen UTTLE SISTERS OF THE POOB. 4i The worfanen gazed intently upon him, feelin- now vu"^ f ?-^* admiration ^th which the hWof hk children had mspired them. When the ceremony was oyer, they pressed round him, kissing Ms 1311 his garments, and insisted on receivSgLwe^s^^ ^\h:V^^V^ °"^^°^«« ^^- felt t^B emSf* AS tbe good father was expressinff hia DT»KtnAo T one of the manufacturers of B^Zf who^^^oJ^ Tery great generosity towards the house" tjSs elX ^' fS? !?» f"f''' hands with*'!"?^ rt" C^«^,„and.istoyo';/arinteriPea? ESr5-? ^^ - to-i frye-franc piece, which he did most unwiSly^l w^th every mtention not to part with it. Bfeffie to ^e house, saw the Sistersf was astonished at theS devotedness and their happiness; saw tiie poor old women, and was touched l^'^tJieir iheerful demeanor On his way out, he read over the htSTbox bv the door, Blessed by Jesus and Maiy is tlie hand wWch drops withm one penny for tiie poor." He L^n.d m his money without hesitation ; the nextX heTnt rtor^to'^lT"' -i--.r^e h^ tra"^ W M«tor to the house. He said once to the Mother- See, my Mother, by the hand of your poor C wTll open the erato of ht^a^rar^ fr.^ w.^ -^^^ J^^, ^^^ ^^^ i. was a bad Christian, and cared nothing for the Door^ but now I love the poor, and our^Sd God "^^« lias, in fact^ become a ferment Christ^ ^^ 4^ HZBTOBIOAL NOTIGB OF THB '!" 'f 1 i i K Liiiin This foundation at Rouen, so quicHy and so beauti- fully accomplished, and that at Bordeaux, equally admirable, did not exhaust the zeal of the Little Sis- ters , in 1851 they founded as many houses as in 1850. Formerly, in the beginning of their labors, whilst simply following the invitations of Divine Providence, they seemed sometunes, as it were, to pro- voke them. The house at Paris, for instance, which was so difficult to foimd, by no means triumphed over every obstacle from the time of its inauguration. The Little Sisters had great trouble in maldng themselves known in so vast a city ; aU their eflForts, combined with those of their most devoted friends, did not pro- duce much fruit for a length of time. The devil would not confess himself beaten ; he went on raising all sorts of obstacles ; and at the end of several months the house afforded shelter to only twenty poor old women. The resources were scanty, their hving poor: It seemed difficult to push matters. The good father came to Pans; he had not been prepared for the obstacles which he found thom battUng with, and did not know how to deal with them. He thought and prayed, and took counsel with God, and at last made up his mind. "I know what I will do," said he; "we will take in all the poor we possibly can." He desired ^e bupenor to receive all who appHed to her; in I Mteen days she took in thirty poor people. From that tame theu- resources abounded ; the house maintained I Itself, and they soon began to think of enlarging it At that period in the history of the Little Sisters i which we are now considering, there was no longer Miy need to make use of such holy provocations. On ^e contrary, they had great trouble in responding to I the invitations of Providence, and in making them- ' selves sufficient for all the work that presented itseli Ihe good father, beholding so manv houses spring- ing up with such rapidity (they had tounded seven L .^^^ ^„„„^^^ iiurcoivea mat it would not do toi hm-ry things. He was soUcited on every side, but refused energetacally, deferring any new undertaking MPTM! SISTE»S OF THE I^k. ^ for eighteen months or two years. TKo* *• least, he thought woulrl hL JJ . * *™«' »* sufficient number 7sist«r« fi^f^'T^i? f^^^^e a duties of so many houses hJi^^'^-^ ^««W the before entering L' ^^^^^^^> i* was onlyriffht. first SisLtTfosTpo^XsXdT^^^^ should have a little i^Wni * ^^"^ ^"^ ^®^*^y *axed. This space of Ume 2^lm ^o'''°T ^^^^^e^ves. the trying of the Tw S ^T ^dispensable for rule, and tfaching them howT ^ S^« /PJ^t of th^ and keep up SesT^ Z ^ T^''''^ themselr^s, care of ^e MotWaJ f^o^ the superintending founder LhiTete^'r^ ^r^% ^^^««« °f «^e with which he haTbpl on ^'*^^^«¥^ ^t the facility ous foun^tions thafw ' *° P"?"^^^ ^^^ *h« ^^er^ whilst pei^S??nV fhi^^ succeeded each other; and dencefrSie thXJ^^Il" °' ^^^« ^^S^- Him. Before sDrL^tri ^t ^ ^® ^<^^^ »ot tempt its spirit, Jd to take «mf ^^ ^^'-^^ *° fortifying bers fit to pre^er^ i^^^if* he might form mem- ardent and devoted ZT^^^''^^^? «^^<^' ^^d yet So far hTreasonW ^^'P^® ^^ ^^e first Mother. has its wayrofT&Jt Io7^°5\^^* Providen^^ in coX' wt'L^i ^?* «P«^t aJl'bis time tiU 1851 bad Zfdy ovtr ^ndT^ ^^ have spoken^/^^^ -/onder at s^eW in fl ^'' ^-T* ^««^ ^^^ with ters, subfectsSl?L7,7 ^;^«* of the Little Si^ vellous aptiturLto fot^:^*^^^^^ ^^hmar- observing around thfim^f^ beads of houses, and at tbem, and fiuTvervZ!! ''" ^^^ctly fitted to act with thought himseTS^T^-'^?^?^^- ^« ^^^d have had refu8ed^ST£5rf t^ ^ ^^ ^H if he aloud foT^em TndforwV^^K^t*^'' P°«*« ^^«h cried I XT 1 , "^**.mi ana lor which thev woro oi«««^~ ^xx- ^ l^xu uuuiu not do otherwisA in igki ""^»^j ui,w5u. 44 i I ! !i! i !il HBTOBIOAL NOnOE OF THl Wtly dete^TtXep ' '■'°°^"*'°'" ^« '"^ «» tional Guard of the inrt. V^.®^ " I^»™- The Na- of the LittJo Siste™ to^Lte" ^'^J'*' ^^^ hdp poor of the 10th a^^/i!^ »4°"V« &•• *« <««§ a sum of fourteen thoMSftt. * 5'T<'" °«e"d to each company of the d^?"*",!^^ ^'^^ «»* right of dis^osi^g of two SI""''* "^"^l^^^^d "»« or one hundred fran™ .1 i°° P»y™«nt of eighty pensioners. ^ae^e^-wTa^^* ^ '^« "^^ °^t^ possession of a Ce W inIZ* «' *°? ""^^ *»<"' Not*ithstandinKtterel^Z»? ^ ^^* ,^" Kegard.* this mstallation w.^ STs^r'^'*^'' beforehand, preceded it. Two ai»t«^ „ P°°T "« *"? that had to dean the pC up fo^aT/ ^'^.^ *« "">"'i°g just left it. Col^r o^llT!- ^^'i^''^ ^^ ^i had been one of thf^^f , National Guard, who them there" nlhei^ CrTLT^'f T *''« '*»^' °^' them deaninjr- a^ to^^' ^ f ' *° '""''^ to help spared thaT?fe„S L forXr!^ *""?'""«■ *«? '^^f in the house. A noS^ SfJ? "^ '""'. " ^^S^e artide litae sooner thV tW^t"T"^ "^^^d. however, a helped to carrfC ^to^n^of*^'^'^ ™« "ffi-^' made him as SSfOTteH» .f ? '■°°'"'' ''''««. they aUow. Father L^Sll ^ pu-cumstanoes woull of furniture, hx ttf S^if"^^' "'^^ ^ » «»PPly Virgin, a picture of KLS ""*f* "' *^« B'^S Kustine. fc set Z sLhT^^ ' "l*^ °°« °' ^t. Au- fctened the pLi»es 1^"!^°" " «himney.pieca, and down, he repeated S a 'i^*.''""j ">«" b^e^Iing • HaU mJL add^n„ *i?'*'*1*° ^'' ^«'*«- and jncoura^g^o^^rn,! fc fc^f V '- !:h^hrco t w;^ £e*':^fc'^ *^? r^ oortion as pressinff >s induced the good lutions he had so as on the occasion tt Paris. The Na- >esought the help lome for the aged he Legion offered and desired that Id be reserved the )ajnient of eighty to the sex of the d, and they took Rue du Regard.* iteed beforehand, as any that had ' in the morning tenants had but onal Guard, who in the affair, met to work to help liture, they were fc a single article ived, however, a id. The officer oms, where, they nstances would th him a s apply ) of the Blessed one of Sf,. Au- anej'-pieca, and then kneeling Our Father and rards in a few od would soon )USe. anti nnm- B all the poor ey were indee d ^ the Invalfd». U*TLE SISTIBS OF THK POOB. 46 tiieir mothers The ceremony, such as it was was ^S^^o^Z^^^- ^* ^t destitkon of the ph^,^ fC^i^ •®'^*1'!l'^® greatness of their mission! the grateful joy of the poor man just received aSd the presence of God, whom they invoked ffavete^^ whole so touching an aspect, as to bri^g teSTLto Sj eyes of all present. At night they got a S for Se poor man and paillasses for the Sisters Prom tS^t tmie the house has been full. Two hundred ^^ mt poor people now live there, and it has l^en ope'n sel^ In the month of June, Monseigneur the ArchbishoD blessed heir chapel. This was I festival ^XTl the Legion of the National Guard took part The house was adorned only with the same hiinmW. the same holy poverty, the same grace of the Sistl™ the State, who pressed into their little chanel all Srfht^h' ''^'J ^"^ ^^^^ P^-^' borrwitn:M ttat this humihty, poverty, and grace, had potent influence even over men. Monsei|neui^, in blessW the chapel, expressed a wish that eve^toWn hi FrS^ ^fiX^'^-fwf^ i° ^^"«' ^^* ^^^ becomT^: quamted with the devotedness of the Little Sistera This desnre of the head pastor is already in ttwTvTf foundmg^numerous asylums in tiie different par4^ ^A t^^ *SJ® afterwards, another house was opened at La^aL The hospital administrators of that dtv had received a l^acy, on condition of their estabS ^g an asy urn for old people. The legacv wMa ^l\T^' '^ "T f*!^ ^* ^ ^«"««' extensfve^aXs mohT^^r'^ ^^V°' *t" ^^«Pi*^ adminiftrators such a gift was rather a burdensome one, although the meadow-land and gaidens were weU l^d rSl juu i^xoauciive and the house in good repair- fw there would be fumitMre required, aSd the n^ ^sa^ twoo^'^iTdS?^,!^ Paris, ««»h with a population of 46 HISTORICAL NOrrOB OF THE 11! r can tell S bS^ ^J"''"' ^^^^ and who the whole propeX-woA^'^T attaohed-nay, meet so mLy expend S^l *" ^T ""ffi^en* to making somethW ^/of whl"'^*^^ ^« »rt of hospitSs withou?i::^°' ^wTv'en'^io l.*°«"dW It has been done over «n,i i!/^ ™ "^ ""* easjlv; hM become soSatStTtimffih"' ""* *^? *^S themselTes the least ahonf^T**''*^ "*''«'■ t^^We denoe ; for ttat K W? f themselves strict indepen- few months; but there is no Ai„hf * m? °P®° °'^y » all those which have^r^'c^^lf '* "^ ^°'^"'' ^^ laltle SisteS WeSSt^S ""L°f,'^«if ¥-^o. the the VoreHyTTco^Zj^^jT^*^^""^ estebSimieit of t^ S^oS^s ^af? ?**?" Xheycame to T,irnT.e Institute. maed a.^'hoWIte';,mbrrTrra* S" t^^'^^ «»*«uw already twenfe^™^ ' ^^' *^" ** »ow «re»ay twenty poor people. DoubtlesB, in B" THE nt must be defrayed , directors, and who me attached—nay from sufficient to ne thought ^f the Bessed the art of , and of founding en do this easily ain, and the thing they never trouble seems as if they matter. I made to them at es strict indepen- 7hich the Church ildren who place absolutely neces- >nt of their holy been op^n only a will prosper, like iges which were iheir houses, the 3 glorious privi- the promises of indation recalls isplayed in the t the Institute, eparation being own to almost nent rested on who had paid other outward oal Archbishop, r Lord Himself >f heaven. As md was found, w Uaya They I; and it now Doubtless, in LrPPLE SIBTEB8 6V THE POOR. 47 ttus almsgiving dty surrounded as they are by work wi^ those of Bouen and Bordeaux * ^^"^ ^^" ««t auch lowly and weiA^ISCefe^lS^^B^ efficaciously than all the kws Td d/^'/fSJ?^^" trations in the world on^UAr. « ^^ the adnums- old people in iCce ™. ^^^^ *^®« thousand poor «od m^y^^r^;- J^e-? ho may be. but upon the road to Calvary He wis tlH *^ ^"""^ '^? men. an ohipnf «* a;T ^' n . ^*® ^^^ *"© scorn of rejectS sK^ ^^f ^ ^""^ ^^^'^^ before the world • 2 tt^/l^*^P°_^'.'^^d,««^«red with blood and Jw' with a inen doth rTir^'Ti^^^^P^^ ^ fac« __^ imen Cloth. It is weU known how marvel- tnnS^^ Sj;^y '^^^ «^ ^ i^Jons. with at le.«tf^ 49 HWTORIOAL NOWOB OF THE 'm of Veronica. That wSJl?- ?."f """^ <"' 'hia rf^ the road to G^trytof^J^.^"^^ ^T"^ ^^ «P^ cross, the Little SisWs ofthe^^^^ ^"*»"' «» day; ai,d our adnuration need not now ^f ^^ ^ They draw near the countenanJ^ If ? "* lessened, poor, stripped, outraged T„=^. 1°^ 'f^™» sufferimr. mercy and the latest tT Tv""*^ ^^ **'"'««»» rendering herwt of lovf to bfJn*''""'? °' »H in orerrthing to bravc-tte h^?";^? ^f'-''^'-. t«l 10 enee of the soldiera an^rt^ °- ** """d, the wWoh had sneoeeSS SfJ^ ™"vcrs«l cont^pt mte Jerusalem; acont^m„t^^t ^"^'^"^ "*» ^^ *at the disciples had flT^lf.!""? "^ "° "t^ong, Mwter The"^ Little SCof fK^""^"^ ^^"^^ M» teumphed over the iSm ^f S* ^°°'' ''«'« "ow desires of nature- thlv!^ • , '"^ ^°'"W and the "tantly. alwayrgiin^'^a^^jfo?"*,,**' natme^cot! not enough for ttem t^o^.'f'f"'*^''^ It i» "pugnance towards thesToHT ,*" °^««-come all ^ssusting infirmitie8r^sii^3Pl°P'«.«>™>-ed with gven to these poor creat,™.. • ,* "ecessaiy cai» the Sister to bffidXS«'^„':^'"" ^''«' teaS they must themselves drinkTel"!r' °^ *«irLo«i, and of poTerty,_am.verf7 "^P* o* humiliation fe have'said 4 ^v^r^i*?/''"T^« ">»* "othi^ l»venotyetbeen^?Jt^7l^dea of it to those ^Jf In fact evervtliino- ,„ 'l^^J^ .^^'^^^ the scenes. ti^e. i^ the SZ^tC^'^^"" "'^^ "ame themselves every moment in ., ?"**"• ^ey find monest and mJk^nZ^Z^TJ^-T^ ^' *» "o^- It IS not only of bXiEf.?/ ® "*'«'«» of furniture of those a ho^uS ffiy^o^S ^^ ^^eets we spS^ for a longer or shoS'tim^''^,'? ™™ to be ^ce hshed, and for which Lm^^i^T^ 1°'^ ««tab- has not aU the activit?of t.w'^i^'A""^'' "**" alive, *"t.w sae poor Sistera werlX.""^ "T" everybody -.Of these houses^Zn-stlLTe^tt^' F THE nd no Christian can 1 envy on this glory [y woman did upon lushed beneath His or do from day to t now be lessened, of Jesus sufferinif, J^jected, and de- with the tenderest Veronica of old, in ►i^ ine Maater, had ot the crowd, the Qiversal contemnt ei^tiyof the Lord liigandsostronff T had denied his > Poor have now '8 world and the « to nature con- chnations. It is to overcome all ie, covered with necessary care ►m faith teaches es of their Lord ■e of humiliation ^e that nothing t to those who 3 scenes. tU at the same >rs. They find ed of the com- s of furniture. »eets we speak: "e to be scarce es long estab- ;«gh stiU alive, aeii everybody f aU things-! ly destitute of Lrrrus sisters op the k)ok. 49 ~^™l!°' • ,' V"*'' » 8t"te that the cood fafW o^imsewnecl the Tenr next penitent who cam* ^ tr.±i'»^!.5f<'?^«?-?°tB taking a^z TOiaali™ ^"Xi-1S "" n"""' '^^"Se- Kor does this SMisaHon of delight paU upon them by reiterattrmT »2 poor old creature who Ws backX G^T^^Si occasion for a real festiral to these noble he^Sta! 50 amuiacAL Kono« of thb m «d ever^ care is ^en th!* /». **"®.''? recurrence. , preach a retreat b.b mon ^ ZTy'^'"'^^^^ ^^^s to poor people. The wS. !? xT'®^ ^^® received a few nuclei <5 devout 8^s^:Jdt^ev^^l^^"^« * ^^^e *o win over to GodT^,^! *u^ !? *^^"* *^ labor sent them bv His ProvideTc? IfJ^^""*^ companio^' pared with 4e rapturl of ^hl. °*^^ ^'^ *>« com- they embrace tieSew i^fif!^^^'' reconciled souls: abound them, unabirfS?vT. *^^ ''^i^^y' *^d dance and gi^titode « SeSv L!f^'''' ^^?^ l^appi^ss away," said one of thim "^T^ ^.^^''' ^^« P«*8ed • ^ God, and now TCrro^ fi^ ^•^™8^ '^ear Not one amongst tlie Ss of *h "/,''^^^« ^^'' could resist this graced rhjf **^f ^Wessed houses then, afThe end K the tSl ZYt -^"^ ^«P* ^^ They fully appreciate this me^!!' rL^"""- ^^^ career. Jiis confession, a poor Kr who if ??'" ^*- ^«' to misery by a severe rheumal^ ^ fingers, which disabled him from f .11*^ •'^^? °^ ^l^e Jion was observed coXinii^/^^r''^^ ^« ^««a- bands, and upon being aSwt^?!,^" P°°^ ^««We so eamestly. Ibis answi waf *^^1^' ^v.-^ looking at finger of God." ThiTrLrno*- *^ , considering the abound everywhere The h^^^^^^^ *^^ *^i« gratitude easily underXoriher4t^^T\°^- *^« listers i^ tanly embraced abjS^nnt , '^/'*'^^««' and volun- sacrifice; it is of their o;^X^' V^^J, and self- bave taken their wav of lir^ff^J"^^*'^^ *l^at they But as regards ^r4l1\?/"^T^*l^eirvocatio/ take care of, thesniJl!. 1 creatures whom thev ^ce, and who d^Lg ^i!^ «^"^^ ^^ ^^em lostij near to God in tre^sacrS ^of^ ^^-^^ ^awn had dragged on their S'bL]/''^'''^**^^^' but revolt against aU duties^n «ii i ""^^ "? * continual abort of a miracle to Se th^m^ ^^""''^^ '^ "^7^^^ forted, attached to thS? stfT ^^PP/'f^ntente^ com? »»fl/i^^-„- . ^ - '^^eir bistera. and fnll «* v.. _, UTTLIS STSTER8 OP THE POOR. 5X tne midst of the mnqf /lo1i'rri^4A,i x ■""'^tj^wuere, in *nd joy attend Mo^ nf*'^ i?**"*f ' P"^ "o^^ they never in *),»;> ^^ " "'*' P*"P'« <'«<='»« Sat r^ wond^rM forTn„"r *l'"'PPy '»''>^«- "<"• peace ^rid^ 41 «• . "^ '•'"'y ''*™ consciences at ^i^te me hndn"sse" to° ^hL'^l"" »" ""^'^ »' get tte poor old people to sing also and g7t m!^ joy4e cMirn!t.nk ' God* X'.^^f't^"^ T not be happy to be the donor^f *i, ■ ' ""'^''' ^"'^'^ Not lon/^o fh„l. donor ofthese innocent feasts ? anrntyS/ff i,^f„^°T.- ** ^«° celebrated the • who ra^eare^itXtt ?«;„»?' P?' "'"^ ^""""^ of the day T^ «rm .?, °^ **■* ''y'"" ^™ q»eon flowera 3 hi. "^m-^air was ornamented vith themselTes. ^ " °'° ""^ destitute as Sisters of ttf Pot Th^ W.'"',"^,l«'« I^ttt« of. m.^oSSl.i^h'!^*:.r.«'^»'y ^-'^ "dvantaffo I-borf had s^nt^ytnUrallL^^^fre^;^ 52 HI8TOW0AL Konam or tm procession was comDosed of flli«,J^ censers. The women of the hoST ^ttet *"»« ^^"'Xr repeated by the haltintfau' • *^® ^^^^^'^ ^^s crlatures. Alont the w«ltf T^' coughing poor their- arih-ihLt w^« w*'^ ""^^"^ ''■°"' ^^^^ "^^ or maintenance. ^Shl h^ft^jTf '.fTIPZ!'^ »' "« ne lessons of her Divme SaTioor amongst the Little . UTTLE SISFIEBS OF THI POOB. \ ga f^^ ^-^ ^^ '^"' ^ forgiveness in her heart T«^T.*«^^'?'. «elf-«acrifice, and charity ^^^ Whilst SociaHstic and Mat;rialistic doYrine8-tii« way eve^herf: '^""^«^ "^ "^^ ""*^ i^ Nothing stops this blessed work. Their fonrfl, ioiH , the fifteenth and the sixteenth are iust ahm,t S ^ °Pf ?«^ Bible ^e The loving, Cder care of Z? ^^T'^^v.'f^^K ^ «^ary. kindnesse? for the^ d?ar old^,?^??^"'. ^\^. thousand daily move the prejudices which fhJnoAJ^i.**',?^ .^^^' ^d r^ ^J«^-/dagainst^K^^ "-^*«« -g^t contect with thei but it exerts 4eff^^^^^^^ J^^ ',?°^« ^^ dailj Home, aiany a neEnrrh^iti k^^J"^ *^® ^^"=^»*8 of thei newedfervor^aSd loveTf Go? bvw,^"^ been animated to re- and self-denial of hri^ttle sIkeS OfT'^^v, *^' ^^" °^ f^*^ gift of faith, and have been eSV.n?/! "^^^^^ '^°«^^«^ *^« whence these Sisters derive thfi^rfc^J f *° *b^ ^^'^'ce from holy calling. A Pr^S reSr Ton^n?'™'^r ^ *^«^ papers, titer visiting the house «S!i f °^ our large news- Sisters: "The half hour wStV "^ ^° ^J"^ o^ *be Little removed more pri^uSfTommvmT^ ^'^''' ^«« during twenty year8;a.^ainst^h«rTf? accumulated, speak more efficacioutlvXn t i^°^'°/^Vg^°^; *"or actions shall know thern^"^ '^"^ ''°'*^^' '^'^ 'by their fruits ye are^^s'i^iSeTb^twonolifet^^^^^^ '\^'^^ «-'- acquired by exDerienr.flfh„fT *^.f ^^* *«' *be certainty. th?y will hi surported herf Tn'tZr^ their Homes ar. .recte J Europe, by theird^lv colle^tSS J ''^'^ States-as well as ii^ for a Wenumberof nnm.^^ ?°^°'^''®y' ^°°^' or clothing; what is wLted^L mlrh^/33^5^^^^^ '''^ ««PPorted witl' the most important irthRt?h!«^i* ?^® ^^nd, and by far Instead nf i^^\v :**•** *^« good tc be realized is iminin«« chari^-of ttJ';^?idTeD5?S ofiuf?'?°™ P™'*^ *« tbe c'dd sacraments, of ^u'^'^^^'Lir^^^^TX^ APPENDIX. 67 nurse them in sickness- tlTrofo^' -^ ^^^ ^^^^ a»d soul; io piUows with genSrraiid^.'^nW r'^^^'L'^, «"^°«*^ *^«i^ and assuage tfieir pa£?-th£iS fht « T T'*^ ^°^^? ^«'d8. Sister, wlfose whSrL 1^ detoLd T^I^ °^ *^^ spiritual welfare of her d^ old nllii? **^e Jf^poral and succeed in leading the? thXcrhte t^iH^""' ^^^ ^^ ^^ that nuiny of thei? inm^t«J have i^S Tl^^ ^^£^ ?<^^> so God, who led them, by St^d of n^^ *? bless the hand of The Little Sister^ have fo^d r 1«?^^' *° ^^"^ ^'^^^^ ^^ '««*• good work in the uSd XL ^•^JT''' ?°°Pe»tion in their their views, and natSv «U^'ki ' i^®"f ^« "« "'^eral in ness which leads nowSloal^rlni**'*^ "^^^ *^** devoted.' helpless and misewble memfc^ nST^-^** *^" *"°' '»^« °»o«t^ prodded fox theZ^iJZt^u^^''''^''^?^^^^ houses they confemd o^theffiect ^lh°.r ^if^\ P"" *^«i' '^t^'"^ Hughes, who eaSr^enSed i^^w ^l^^^^t^ous Archbishop visit the SuperiTof ihTrfHio^^**^'*''' PT^' *^<* P'o»»wed to journey ^SLm^nt^t^^*^'^.°L^^^^''''^^^riiig the ivent8.Wh occu^eS tti a?tW^^ ^^'^P^' ^«' Pofi«<^ putting his projec?^to exS'uSon ^'' P'"^"^^'* ^ ^^"^ vi8it^rtCMX^.£i«u?rf%t: L^^^^^ ?''^' ^'J"'^ Orleans, view with the foimder Be^ StW t jl'"?,""'' "'•^' ^ «^ ^^^r- the cause of the a^ed poor of Ki^^l^"^^^^^^^ ""^I^^^ P^^^^ed personally or bv lefSr kL k **. Other petitions, either Eishops oLeLw lavmen from ?^'« n"'^^!, SL^^'^^"^ *i^««. ^7 the scarcity of sibiS wi,? 51^^® ^'''*®^ ^^^' *>«*• owing to sufficiently w to sunSw^a although very numerous, were not had to be deffid ZmSL« n/?^'"' *° **»« ^''i*^^ States these delaysiX paid a ««r.nJSP ^^^^.^ff °°* discouraged by and renewJdCrequesJ for Shi^rw^^ *^*. l"^*'*'^^ ^°^der, eloquence, thrtte^Suterio^ frff fw"^*"^*^ '"°^ persuasiv^ roai oiiiidven to a diatanf u«T~^ ^^^° '■^ °^"° ''^^^r »piri- 58 APPENDIX. to the Congregation of the Little Sisten of the Poor saileil Jdected for the e8tebli8hm,.„t of fte a^ &,S'S,i3 houses. On the 28th of A-immi 1 rrS V* * * o^x^"?® ''^ °*^» fer & Brest, tehere they eS^bMkeTLT^T.rPf'"'' ""T. " ™ to eoavey them toCll^w fleW of°tebo'' """"" '"'"' firi 1S?S fe? 7mm J^ •'^T'' *^ ?^« ^**«« Sisters on their /ifn^* ''*«" P'-o^'f'-- and what fa «iiTKrr?f the Wn? ttc^ ^JJ°/btl^3 o°/i'Se"^« toZ^/*e'']SS2 o«j,,i HomStoS,. trSSd si"" ■"*■" "«" ""y >»" h^B^lrletTth^^'"!^^ ""fi^' '««<»«»ate. and private kt tamed to good nse for the benefitTf thei aged iLniaT«. APPENDIX. 59 go on foot, from door to doorfsSic tog .trfo, the* d^^ fc'i;r''*1* thor?„ghfi« of oS dtS^M^tewe^ L701M or Bnuseb; objects of momentary oniiositv tolom^ rt,2 awters in iirooklyn, a second colony arrived in New York nn their way to open a house in CinciniatL S December of f S ■ame year, the Sisters who were to tSe SmI^^^X, *>, • I house^ved in New OrleanP, Ld ^re tXly 41ome1 i^T,Wa^*™'t^?*? ^'^°1« population, and by^e ^tne^hll ^uS^h"^}^ ^i struggled so hard to secure thlHw S« nWnT*']? v^"^ ^^'^ *^« ^«^«^t of the aged poor, who w^ the objects of his pate/a.al solicitude. *^ ' ®" . .Kequeste for the establishment of new houses were nn,i«-«» Smro^? T*^°?^- J^ y«^' fourhouse^Tre^'op^Lfr^ i^tamore, St. Louis, Philadelphia, and Louisville iS ImL' oeeding year saw the establishment of houses in B^in!^!: iSd'^siit;'^^'^ '°"^^^^ by thoseof ^Lhin^'iS:;: have bSS" rSS^'in^P,"" °^* *^" ^"^^« °^ *^« ^^^a^ Sisters houses W«£l« • "" H™?'* Vf^ ^'ge city of the Union nouses have been opened, to which the aged poor flock in hr^iL'?'?i^f ^t!''^''^- . ^^ *^« MotKrScS, Ih^ f«7QT^ *" **"* ^^'^^^ "» *be United States, returned iS 1872, to give an account of her visit, to the SuDeriors in?mn«? tlT^^ iT^^'^^y ^*y *^^* *^« thiiSen hoX ak'eSy Sa'b' hshed^could compare very favorably with the older hocuses oi r,o?i*'£[^ *^® interval between 1873 and 1882, flft^n new houses have been commenced, thus making twenty-dght housed of the Little Sisters scattered over the United States ^thin a sStorhood of three hundred and thirty members, ministerinjr to the wanti^ about three thousand five hundred po^r old men wd womr^X out distmction to creed, color or nationaUty ^ wh^!S\'o^.^?13eSvT^A<* ^5<>^«nced so successfullv. f^i^Z~ ~ii' """T ^^^'-v "i«3scu oy uoa noni its humble beein fwfViT^' "?;* *rf *• 8**. °^ ^creasing every day. T^ have Sfd llV\l f'^ of America was richW fertilJ; not only w^ needy, but God will speak, as He already has done, to the J.. 60 APPENDIX. •nd devotedness to God's chosen Door ho ^,.^;.y jLn^^EXUBS* Ogen. Poitien. APPENDIX. I them to mnit* of abnegutifui it the last dsy^ to them : '• J d ye gave me blessed of my rom the fonn- 61 jes, of which seventeeD in •ty in Spain, taly, three in Asia): giom. .Peter's House Picpoa. Notve-DaoM et la MalBon. It Joseph en laine. le. f^jgXSiSXS* BO— IflSa Saint Qoentin. 51— 18S6. Lldeux. 68-1886. Annonay. 68-1869. Amiens. 64—1859. Koanne. 65-1860. Valenciennes. 66-1860. Grenoble. 67—1860. Dragnignan. 68-1860. Chfiteauronx. 68-1860. Roubalc. 60—1860. Bonlogne-snr-mer. 61-1861. Dieppe. 68-1861. B^zlers. 68—1861. Clermont-Ferrand. «*-1861. Geneve, Switzerland. 65-1861. Lyon, Croix-Kousse. 66-1861. Met*. 67—1863. Manchester, England. 68-1888. Bruges, Belgium. Nice. Lorlent. Nevers. Flers. Glasgow, Scotland. Bristol, England. Villefranche. Cambrai. Barcelone, Spain. Bundee, Scotland. Namur, Belgium. Manrdse, Spain. Edinburgh, Scotland. Anvers, Belgium. Niort. Grenade. Birmingham, England. Paris, Hue Phillipe de Lerida, Spain. Lorca, Spain. Malaga, Spain. Antequera, Spain. Plymouth, England. 70-1862. 71-1868. 78—1868. 73-1862. 74-1868. 75-1863. 76-1883. 77—1868. 78—1863. 7»-1868. 80-1868. 81-1868. 88-1863. 88-1868. 84-1868. 85-1864. 86-1864. Qiraid. 87-1864. 88-1864 89-1865. 90-1865. 91-1865. flg— laut 98-1868w 94-1866. •6-1866. Troyes. Leeds, ^ingland. Ostende, Belginm. •6-1866. NewcaaUe - on - Tme. England. '^ 87-1866. Nanbeuge. Madrid, Spain. Nimes. Toulon. Jaen, Spain. Tourcoing. Cherbourg. Valence. Pfirigueux. Waterford, Ireland. Bens, Spain. Brooklyn, near New^' York, Amt^rica. 109-1868. Cincinnati, America. Algiers, Africa. New Orleans, America Dunkerque. Belms. Baltimore, America. St. Louis, America. Vic-en-Bigorre. Philadelphia, America Louisville, America, Cannes. Aoste, Italy. Boston, America. Cleveland, America. New York, America. Washington, America. Albany, America. Huesca, Spain. Allegheny, America. Salamanca, Spain. Indianapolis, America. Gand, Belgium. Grasse. 11N>y, America. Rochefort. Chantenay. Lons-le-Saunier. Detroit, America. Salnt-PIerre les Calais. Oharteroi, Belgium. Hataro, Spain. Bichmond, America. 98-1867. 99-1867. 100-1867. 101—1867. 108-1867. 108—1867. 104-1867. 105-1888. 106-1868. 107—1868. 108-186S, 110-1888. 111-1868. 118—1868. 118-1869. 114-1869. 115-1869. 116-1889. 117-1869. 118-1869. 119—1869. 180-1869. 121-1870. 122-1870. 123-1870. 184-1871. 125-1871, 126-1878. 127-1872. 128—1872. 129-1873. 180-1873. 131—1873. 182—1878. 138-1873. 184—1873. 133-1878. 136—1873. I37r-1874. 138-1874 189-1874. 140-1874. 62 1«-1874. 148-1875. 144—1876. Spain. 146-1875. 146-1875. 147-1876. 148-1876. 149-1876. 160-1876. 161-1876. Bngland. 168-1877. 16^1877. 154-1877. 165-1877. 166-1877. 167-1877. 168-1877. 159-1877. 160-1877. Spain. Ml-1873. 168-1878. 168-1878. 164-1878. 165-1878. 166-1878, 167-1878. 1<»-1878. 169—1878. 170-1878. 171-1878. 178-1878. 178-1878, 174-1879. 176-1879. 176-1879. 177-1879. 178-1879. APPENDIX. Liverpool, England. Antan, Birkenhead, England. Jew* . de - la - Frontera, Limogea. Cork, Ireland. St. Denis. Milwaukee, America. Chicago, America. Anch. London, St. Anne, Palma, Isles Majorques. Kive-de-Qler. Zamora, Spain. Tarragone, Spain. Saintes. Armentieres, Vlenn*en Daophin^ Cadiz, Spain. San Lucar de Barrameda, Pampelone, Spain. La Valette, Malta. Murcle, Spain. Manchester, England. Seville, Spain. Catane, Sicily. M6dinl Sidonia, Spain. Newark, America. Vitoria, Spain. Ecija, Spain, St. Sebastian. O^rone, Spain. Baeza, Spain. Plasencia. I^aples, Italy, Bilbae, Sp^4 Lyon, Vaise. TortoM, Spain. lTO-1879. 180-1879. 181—1880. lea. 188—1880. 188—1880. 184-1880. lea. 1 ^^ 1880. 186—1880. 187-1880. 188-)S80, 189—1881. 190-1881. 191-1881. 198-1881. 196-1881. America 194-1881. 195-1881. Belgiom. 196-1881. 197-1881. 198-1881 Carcaaconna. Cac^res. "> Soath Brooklyn, Anar* La Madellene-les-Lille. Brighton, Bngland. Germantown, Pa., x- meiw Liverpool, England. Rome, Italy. Carlisle, England. Toledo, Spain. Valladolid, Spain. Providence, America. Acfa-dale, Sicily. Preston, England. St. Joseph, New York, Bone, Africa. St. Michel, Bnuaeli, Osnna, Spain. Turin, Italy. St. Augustine, Bareo- lona, Spain. 199-1881. Dublin, Ireland. Tunis, Africa. Le Perrol, Spain. Oarthaggne, Spain. Milan, Italy. Messlne, SlcUy. St. Peter, Cincinnati, 200—1881 aOl-1888, 208-1882 204-1882. 806-1888. America. 206-1882. Evansville, America. Kansas City, America. Sheffield, England. Florence, Italy. N. Chicago, America. Calcutta, India, (Asia.) New Orleans, Amoijc g^ 207-1888, 208-1888. 209-1888. 210-1888. 211-1888. «1»-1888. ine. / Dokljn, Aaiit>. ene-]e«-Lllla. BngUod. 'n},Pa.,x meiw Bnglaod. y. Qglaod. aln. > Spain. , AmericA. Icily. ]gland. New York, !a. Ii BrnMelfl, n. ine, Barce- isd. a. pain. Spala. tiy. ClaclmiAtl, Jnerica. America. ; i:land. ly. imerica. la, (Asia.)