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A 
 
THE VIOLET 
 
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 ov 
 
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 OUR VI LL A 
 
M 
 
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 HZ #vIOLET or -^UH ^ILLA. 
 
 Vi 4 
 
 A SKETCH 
 
 OF TdB 
 
 LIFE A.1TID -VtR.TrfEa 
 
 n 
 
 OF 
 
 MISS ERNESTINE RODIER, 
 
 A PUPIL 
 
 OF THE GRADUATING COURSE 
 
 OF 
 
 VILLA MARIA. 
 
 Ey a SISTER GRADUAHB. 
 
 MAT lst> 1875^ 
 
F/0 
 
 
 s 
 
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TO DEAR MADAM C. S. RODIER, 
 
 THIS UTTLB BOOK 18 RBSPEOTFULLY DSDIOATED. 
 
 We wish this small volume to stand as a memorial of the 
 a£fectiouate intercourse, which existed between our much 
 loved Ernestine and her sister Graduates who have been 
 taught, together, to love Jesus and Mary. 
 
 May it also prove a solace to the grief and sorrow of the 
 fond parent's heart, for the loss of her angelic daughter, is 
 the earnest prayer, of the pupils of Villa Maria. 
 
 Cong, de N, D., May 1st, 1875. 
 
 96191 
 
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 THE VIOLET 
 
 >" • 
 
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 OUR VILLA, 
 
 CONG. DE NOTRE DAME. 
 
 The large family of the Congregation of N. D., 
 composed of upward of 15,^700 members includ- 
 ing the pupils, is, we are proud to say, the 
 garden of the Immaculate Virgin. This celes- 
 tial Queen cultivates, with truly maternal soli- 
 citude, each little flower in order to render it 
 worthy to bo presented to her divine Son. With 
 what complacency does she not consider their- 
 variegated beauty, when she sees each and all 
 correspond with her care, and raising towards 
 Heaven their beautiful corollas. Oh I it is then t 
 we behold that amiable mother surveying with 
 pleasure her delicious parterre, culling souio« 
 
A CHILD OF MART. 
 
 times a rose, at others a daisy or a hyacinth. 
 On the present occasion it is a modest violet we 
 see detached fVom iti ft*agile stem) and trans- 
 planted to the celestial regions. ♦ 'ni-/> 
 
 This flower recently culled, is known to you 
 all, dear Children of Mary. It is our loved Er- 
 nestine. Weep not for her parents who loved 
 her so well, and you, her friends, who were so 
 tenderly and sincersly attached to her ; rejoice 
 rather ; her destiny is glorious I • > y ^fr 
 
 She is only gone in advance of us to our hea- 
 venly home by a few days. And yet she has not 
 gone entirely, for her mortal remains repose 
 quite near, at a few steps from this Coiivent 
 she so dearly loved — this Villa, where her young 
 friends,her last companions, knew her, loved her. 
 She now lies hidden in a recess of our mountain, 
 she sleeps in her quiet tomb ; but as the chrysalis, 
 at its awaking, her holy body sanctified by the 
 practice of every christian virtue, shall be glo- 
 rious and immortal. And her soul ! Oh it is in 
 Qv^r midst ! there, from behind that lovely azure 
 
A i.. .J OP MART. 
 
 9 
 
 voil, sho seofl us, she invites ujs to follow in hor 
 footsteps, that we may some future day partici- 
 pate in her happiness. One day,^woet thought ! 
 we shall bo associated to her happiness, and wo 
 also through this transparent voil shall look down 
 on our earthly friends, and boar thoir wishes to 
 the Almighty whom we shall see face to face. 
 In order to attain this end let us imitate our re- 
 gretted classmate. A word on the virtues of 
 our young friond. r . 
 
 Miss Ernestine Rodior was born in Montreal, 
 on the 25th of Docombor, 1859; hor young 
 mind was formed from infancy to the practice 
 of virtues superior to her age. From her most 
 tender childhood sho was remarkable for her 
 politeness and rospoct, and so obedient, her 
 good mother assured us- she was never found 
 wanting in that respect. If at times her younger 
 brothers did not immediately conform to the 
 desires of her dear parents, Ernestine would give 
 them a sweet reprimand and run quickly to em- 
 byac^ her father or mother, saying : *' You know, 
 
 ii 
 
 * I I 
 
'■ 
 
 
 10 
 
 A CHILD OF MARY. 
 
 dear papa, or mamma, that they do not intend 
 to grieve you ; those little ones are so thought- 
 less they do not know what they are doing.'* 
 To her suhmission Ernestine joined that deli- 
 cacy of sentiment which characterizes favored 
 souls. The mere thought of giving pleasure to her 
 parents and at a later period to her teachers 
 removed all obstacles ; in like manner, the fear 
 of giving them anxiety induced her, as her jour- 
 nal tells us, to keep from them the secret of her 
 moral or physical suflferings. ; 
 
 During her last illness, she would rarely 
 acknowledge her sufferings, lest she should 
 alarm her dear parents ; and she succeeded so 
 well, that she removed all uneasiness from her 
 mother and her sisters, though convinced her- 
 self she was beyond recovery; this was a little 
 secret revealed to one .of her teachers. 
 . >, At the age of 8 years, Ernestine was placed 
 under the care of the Sisters of the Congre- 
 gation at St. Anthony's Academy. In school 
 she was remarkable for her docility, respect for 
 
 \ 
 
A CHILD OF MARY. 
 
 11 
 
 her teachers, condescension to her companions: 
 all this being attributed to a happy disposition 
 and early home training. Having attained her 
 tenth year she was admitted to her First Commu- 
 nion, for which she prepared with a great spirit 
 of faith and delicacy of conscience. Her virtues 
 seemed to increase as she increased in years. 
 Even at that tender age she recited long prayers 
 and assisted at all the offices of the Church with 
 a devotion which edified those who accompanied 
 her. 
 
 We may date from the month of Marj^, 1872, 
 the manifestation of those amiable virtues 
 which rendered her so agreeable to God, and so 
 dear to those who knew her. At that period 
 Ernestine was received into the Society of the 
 Children of Mary, fully understanding the sweet 
 obligations which this title imposed, and daily 
 making conscientious eiforts to imitate her 
 Blessed Mother, for whom she alwaj^s evinced a 
 tender and sincere devotion, receiving all from 
 Mary and referring all to her honor; even new 
 
12 
 
 A CHILD OP MARY. 
 
 ! 
 
 articles of toilet she would wear for the first 
 time on a Saturday, in order to honor her 
 heavenly Mother. 
 
 This love of the Blessed Virgin inspired her 
 with many practices of devotion, as her journal 
 testifies : ^* Daily recitation of the Rosary, daily 
 " visit to my Blessed Mother in one of her sanc- 
 "tuaries, and above all in the ehapel of my 
 " Convent ; Oh ! how I love this sanctuarv I 
 " How good God is to me here ! How many 
 " graces has the Blessed Virgin showered upon 
 " me 1" Further on, we read : " Offerings^to my 
 ** dear Mother. Three spiritual roses every day 
 " of my life, these three roses will be three acts 
 " of charity towards my neighbor." 
 
 During Lent and xidvent, the month conse- 
 crated to the dead, and that dedicated to the 
 Sacred Heart, she adds to the three roses, five 
 acts of mortification, and her joui'nal was not 
 interrupted till a few days before her death, 
 bearing ^testimony of her fidelity to the end 
 in these holy practices of love for Mary. 
 
 ■^■:\; 
 
A CfliLD Ot MART. 
 
 13 
 
 What treasures of merit were not aeqnired 
 before God by this modest young girl I in no 
 way distinguished from her companions except 
 by a more winning kindness towards all. So 
 virtuous a life was not the result of an indiflferent 
 disposition, as we will see from the following 
 quotation, April 11th, 1873 : ** My God ! how 
 " proud I am still, how that offensive word has 
 " wounded my feelings ! Bid I not even feel 
 *' a desire of revenge, but for Thy love, I wish to 
 " suiFer all." In the evening she adds : " Thanks, 
 *' my God ! I said nothing, answered nothing, to 
 " that injury. I thanked that person for what 
 " she did, and I beg of you to bless her." In the 
 month of October of the same year, our dear 
 Ernestine followed for the last time the exercises 
 of the annual retreat with her companions of 
 the Academy. On the 21st, she writes as 
 follows : " How happy I am I I am in retreat I 
 " My God, Thou who seest the depths of my soul 
 " Thou knowest how ardently I desire to make 
 " this retreat well. I beg of Thee to grant me the 
 
14 
 
 A CHILD OF MAR^. 
 
 ;i 
 
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 " grace to know myself, to correct my defects, 
 " and toserve Thee with all my heart j yes, my 
 " God, I will commence from this moment. I 
 ** think my predominant fault is pride, yes, 
 " pride ! for this afternoon, was I not hurt again 
 
 " because A coldly returned my friendly 
 
 *' greeting. My God, I require humility I I beg 
 " of Thee to grant me this virtue, I wish to do 
 ** everything to acquire it. Mary, my loved 
 " Mother, come to my aid, I implore thee.*' 
 
 Oct. 22nd : '^ Yesterday, I was happy; to-day 
 " I am more so. I have finished my general 
 " confession, I will never renew it. To-morrow 
 " I will receive absolution. Thanks my God, 
 " for all this happiness I*' "_ 
 
 Oct 23rd: **0 Loi*d, my heart exults with 
 
 " joy I To-day is the last day of my retreat I 
 
 " think I made it well, I did all I could ; I re- 
 " ceived absolution, what happiness ! My God, 
 " before thee I affirm I have nothing on my 
 *' conscience ; I firmly believe, my dear Saviour, 
 " that if Thou wert to call me, I would be ready 
 
A CHILD OP MARY. 
 
 15 
 
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 to undergo Thy judgment, not that I wish to 
 die now, (unless it were Thy holy will,) for I 
 wish to do penance for my sins. 0, my God ! 
 Thou seest that I have done what I could to 
 preserve purity of intention, and that I love 
 Thee more than all I love on earth. To-morrow 
 I will receive Thee ! What joy ! Oh I I desire 
 Thee ardently. I know well I am unworthy to 
 receive Thee, but I am in great need of Thy 
 graces to persevere in my good resolutions. 
 Come, come Lord! What gratitude I owe 
 Thee I I love but Thee, I rejoice but in Thee j 
 thanks, thanks my God ! I can never repeat it 
 often enough ! Thanks, O my God !" * 
 Oct. 25th : *' We finished our retreat yester- 
 day morning by Holy Communion. What were 
 not my blissful emotions 1 I took good reso- 
 lutions ; but that is not all, they must be put 
 into execution. Jesus ! Mary ! grant me 
 j.crseverance. I wish to do everything for 
 Thy love. " I desire never to offend my God, 
 rather die than displease His divine majesty. 
 
16 
 
 A CHILD OF MAHlr. 
 
 " Now, to work. I must take up my studies* I 
 
 " wish to begin with all my heart and give good 
 
 " example to my dear companions. May I, dear 
 
 ** Lord, never lose Thy divine presence, but be 
 
 " always guided by Thy all-seeing eye." Here is 
 
 a little prayer to the Blessed Virgin copied by 
 
 this pious child of Mary, and which she 
 
 frequently repeated on the days of Holy 
 
 Communion. 
 
 " Vierge Marie, ecoute ma pri^re, 
 
 * - Jusques k moi, ton fils daigne venir! 
 
 " Je Vvi re^u de tes maiDS, O ma M^re, 
 
 Et c'est par toi que je veux le benir. 
 
 Pour I'adorer je sens mon impuissanoe ; * 
 
 Ah ! mets en moi tes transports, ton ardeur, 
 Prete ta voix k ma reconnaissance, 
 Aime encore Jesus dans mon coeur. ' ' v 
 
 f..f 
 
 Je tremble, helas I pour le Dieu que j'adore, 
 
 D6j5> de loin jentends I'enfer fremir ; 
 Tendre Marie, oh ! pour lui, je t'implore, 
 
 Ton amour seul pourra le garantir. 
 De ce tresor sois la depositaire, 
 
 Entre iei» mains, je remets mon bonheur \ 
 Je t'en conjure, ma divine Mere, 
 
 Conserve Jesus dans mon coeur. ' 
 
 !!M 
 
A CHILD OP MARY. 
 
 17 
 
 Now lot us see what resolutions were taken 
 by our beloved Ernestine; we find them inscribed 
 in her journal, for she had made this little book 
 her daily confident. ' ' » v*^ * • 
 
 " 1st. I am decided to resist and overcome, 
 '* with the grace of God, pride, which is my 
 <' prevailing defect. In order to accomplish this 
 ^* whenever any one wounds my feelings, re- ^ 
 *' fuses me a service or disturbs me. In the first 
 <' place, I will say nothing, I will endeavor to 
 <* have a smiling countenance ; in my heart I 
 " will humble myself by saying : Who am I ? if 
 li not a sinner ? they treat me even better than 
 •** I deserve. 2nd. I will say my prayers with 
 ^^ great attention. 3rd. I will never say anything 
 *' that might wound or contradict my neighbor. 
 " Jesus and Mary, give me humility, that I may 
 " be faithful to these resolutions. 4th: I will 
 " pray every day for the poor souls in Purgato- 
 " ry, especially the soul which is most aban 
 '' doned. I offer all the masses I shall hear for it, 
 *' all those which are said all over the universe, 
 
 :!; 
 
I 
 
 i 1-^ 
 
 \ 
 
 18 
 
 A CHILD OF MART. 
 
 *< all iijy actions, my aspiartions,the palpitations 
 " of my heart, as so many acts of expiation, and 
 " all my sufferings and the indulgences which 
 " I can gain. 5th. I will recall to mind the pre- 
 " sence of God and live under itis paternal eye, 
 " wishing to accomplish in all things His most 
 " holy will." 
 
 Let us continue the pious lecture of Ernes- 
 tine's journal, it will record her fidelity to 
 these fervent resolutions. One month later, 
 November 28th : " I have just read over what I 
 "wrote during the retreat; yes, my dispositions 
 "then were good, have I persevered in them ? 
 <* My God, Thou knowest that assisted by Thy 
 " powerful aid I have been faithful to 'my duty, 
 "but I regret not having made more acts of 
 " mortification. Oh I may I have strength and 
 " perseverance to the end." January 20th. 
 " " How I have suffered physically to-hight I but 
 " all for Thee, my God. I thank Thee for these 
 " little sufferings. May they prove my love 
 " for Thee." 
 
A OHILD OF MARY. 
 
 19 
 
 Feb. 24th : " For a whole month I had the 
 " consolation of not missing mass once, and I 
 " believe I have done my utmost each time to 
 " hear it well; this august mystery does me an 
 " immense good. We are in Lont, I wish to 
 " redouble my acts of morti^cation, as compen- 
 " sation for the fast enjoined by the Church. 
 " Holy Mother, help me, bless your child." 
 
 With regard to these little mortifications of 
 which our dear Ernestine speaks, we have the 
 testimony of her pious mother, who assures us 
 that she often surprised this dear child using 
 towards herself rigors of which she could not 
 have supposed the possibility. Sometimes, she 
 says, I besought her to forbear. " Ernestine smil- 
 ingly would reassure me, saying : " Really, 
 mamma, I do not practice mortification to injure 
 me in any way." Th«n she would adopt another 
 method of suffering in order to elude her mother's 
 Observation. 
 
 Towards the end of February she became 
 weaker, frequently suffering from violent pains 
 
 1 1 
 
 r.- I I 
 
 P I 
 
 -H 
 
20 
 
 A CHILD OF MARY. 
 
 I i 
 
 in her side, and from palpitation of the heart, 
 which caused hor great difficulty in breathing; 
 still no complaint escaped hor lips. If we per- 
 ceived it by the alteration of her countenance 
 she would gaily answer : "Oh I I see, it is my 
 countenance that is again at fault I What would 
 you have ! I was always pale. " But in hor 
 little journal wo read as follows: March 5th, 
 " My God, what a sacrifice I have to make every 
 ** morning getting up, going to school, I am so 
 *' weak that I often shed tears without being able 
 " to overcome my feelings; but, Lord, it is for 
 " Thy love that I make these little offerings. 
 " Thanks for giving me the opportunity. They 
 "are meritorious in Thine eyes j Thou alone 
 *•' seest them. Bless me, dear Saviour, and Mi^ry, 
 " my sweet Mother, be always my protectress." 
 March 6th. — Ernestine, who followed the ex- 
 ercises of the month of St, Joseph, to this dear 
 Saint of interior souls she confided her secrets, 
 and placed them at the foot of hisultar in the 
 chapel; there theywerefoundafter her death. We 
 
 ^ ^ 
 
A CHtLD OF MARY. 
 
 21 
 
 inscribe them lextnally as well as all the extracts 
 from her journal, so as to leave to these quota- 
 tions that perfume of piety which seems so 
 natural to our dear sister Graduate. '' My good 
 "Father St. Joseph, with the firm conviction 
 " that you will grant me whatever T ask, I beg 
 *' of you, glorious saint, to grant me a spirit of 
 " piety, humility and charity. I implore 3'ou to 
 " obtain for papa, mamma, my sisters and my 
 *' brothers the graces they require. I beg for 
 " all my friends and teachers the same favors. 
 "Good St. Joseph, bless my family^ and obtain 
 "for the Children of Mary the spirit of \noty. 
 " Protect our Holy Father Pius IX., tlic whole 
 *' Church, all the Clei'gy, and espcciall^^ my dear 
 " country, Canada. Gloi-ious and j)ovvcrful St. 
 ** Joseph, obtain for mo the grace to follow the 
 " will of God later in the choice of a state of 
 '' life. Finally, I earnestly implore you for the 
 
 "conversion of and that of all sinners 
 
 " Yes, good St. Joseph, hear the prayer of 3'our 
 '* confiding child, Ernestine." St. Joseph heard 
 
 I 
 
 / 
 
22 
 
 A CHILD OP MARf. 
 
 
 II 
 
 the prayer of this pious and confiding heart, 
 and obtained for her, as a reward of her humility 
 and charity, the crown of immortal glory which 
 she now enjoys. 
 
 Our dear companion continued with ardor the 
 work of her sanctification ; the end of the scho- 
 lastic year approached rapidly, she wrote in 
 her journal: 
 
 June 14th. — " I have studied a great deal for 
 " my reviews, they will take place to-morrow. 
 " With the grace of God I hoj^e to succeed, in 
 " order to please ray dear teachers, who have 
 " given themselves so much trouble to instruct 
 ** me ; really I will never be able to repay their 
 " devotedness. Now, for my spiritual state 
 " how do I stand ?• My God, Thou alone knowest 
 " it well I It is true that I make every effort to 
 " please you, and to become better. I sometimes 
 " have those sweet moments of happiness in 
 " which I love you so much, my Jesus, but 1 
 " dread my weakness 1 Alas ! at other times my 
 ' " heart is cold. Oh I I beg of Thee give me more 
 
A OniLD OF MARY. 
 
 23 
 
 " love. I wish to please Thee. I wish to become 
 "the angel of little sacrifices, of whom that 
 "admirable book * Paillettes cl'Or' speaks. 
 " Thanks, my God, for having placed that little 
 " work in my way, it did me so much good. 
 "Bless the author of it, and bring him to Iloa- 
 " ven. To become the angel of little sacrifices 
 " is very difficult to my proud and haughty 
 " nature, it will require time, but with Jesus 
 " and Mary T hope to succeed." On the 
 evening of that same day, before retiring to rest, 
 our little friend wrote her requests to the 
 Sacred Heart of Jesus. We find them on a 
 detached leaf, that she might nlways wear them 
 as the expression of her heart's constant prayer. 
 
 " A list of my requests to the Sacred Heart of 
 ^' Jesus: 
 
 " Sacred Heart of Jesus, I beg of Thee to 
 " grant me grace to save my soul, grant me 
 " humility to bear my little humiliations, 
 " patience to support contradictions and suffer- 
 " ings, charity never to offend my neighbor, and 
 
 rfl 
 
 m 
 
' M I < 
 i ! 
 
 ' 1 
 
 
 u 
 
 A CHlLb OP MARli^. 
 
 *' in his absence never to allow his reputation to 
 *' be injured, as far as it lies in ray power; but 
 *' this is not all, loving Jesus : guard me against 
 " distractions in my prayers ; give me courage ; 
 *'niy heart is cold, inflame it with Thy love, 
 "and grant me grace not to omit any occasion 
 " of doing penance and increase my sorrow for 
 *' my faults. Lord, grant me a thousand other 
 " things that I do not know, and of which I may 
 " stand equally in need. Bless me, I wish to 
 *' do all for Thy love. Thou, God ! knowest my 
 '' thoughts, pui'ify them, and make them worthy 
 "ofThee, Omy God!" - 
 , The month of July arrived, and the distribu- 
 tion of prizes took j^lace ; she received the well 
 merited honors of her Course, which she finished 
 successfully. On July 11th she writes : " Al- 
 *' ready the eleventh day of my vacation ! how 
 '' quickly time passes ! I am so happy with my 
 ** parents, who surround me with so much 
 *' affection. We all start for the country on 
 " Tuesday, otherwise thci'e would be no plea- 
 
 \ 
 
A CHILD OF MART. 
 
 25 
 
 " sure. We are going to Bcauharnois. I am so 
 " happy. We will be quiet there, almost soli- 
 '' tary, but wo will have the Blessed Sacrament 
 *' under the same roof with us. Thanks, my God \ 
 " fbr having placed me so near Thee during my 
 " vacations. I will try to become better. My 
 '* poor soul has undergone many violent temp- 
 " tations. I have neglected several occasions of 
 *' self-denial, I will avail myself of others by 
 " way of compensation. Mary, my good 
 " Mother, you possess my heart, place therein 
 "humility, patience and meekness." ' ^ ^ - 
 
 It was really in company with our dear Lord 
 that Ernestine spent her vacations as her mother 
 remarked, witness of the angelic piety of her 
 dear child. Besides her morning visit to the 
 chapel which she never missed, on returning 
 from a walk her first greeting was to Jesus r,.. 
 the Blessed Eucharist. When the family ro 
 turned to their city residence, at the end of Au- 
 gust, it was decided that Ernestine should go to 
 Villa Maria, to follow the Graduating Course, 
 
 fi 
 
 I', 
 
 M, 
 
 w) 
 
I'! / 
 
 I;i 
 
 t i 
 
 26 
 
 A CHILD OF MARY. 
 
 which was a great sacrifice to this poor child 
 who had never yet left the paternal roof, but 
 she cheerfully submitted, happy to present this 
 act of abnegation to her divine Savoir. 
 
 September 1st. — The Angelus had just pealed 
 its last joyous note of welcome to the happy 
 pupils of Villa Maria, and many a hasty con- 
 gratulation had been exchanged, when, from 
 the Graduating Course down to the Junior 
 Class, all began to examine their ranks, not 
 simply for the pleasure of realizing their nume- 
 rical standing, but to learn if one and all of 
 their happy groups were complete, or what new 
 acquisitions had been added to each Course. 
 
 The Graduates numbered twenty-two, when 
 all united to intone the Ma<jnificat, our Mother's 
 Canticle of gratitude. Our dear Ernestine, 
 though somewhat sad on finding herself sepa- 
 rated from her cherished parents for the first 
 time, nevertheless overcame herself sufficiently 
 to enter into the sentiments of her sister gra- 
 duates, and seemed to enjoy fully the picturesque 
 
 / 
 
A CHILD OP MARV. 
 
 ^1 
 
 scenery, the promenades and pastimes of her 
 Villa home. ":' • ' -^>^'^h^' 
 
 The following day, conversing with a pupil 
 who ai)peared lonesome : " Ah !" said she, '* if we 
 *'have a few privations here, have we not 
 " enough to compensate for them ? Where could 
 we find such magnificent scenery, delightful 
 walks, and brilliant parterres, such a lovely lake 
 surrounded by shady groves, and covered with 
 the pleasure boats of our dear companions; but 
 above all, our exquisitely beautiful calm and 
 holy chapel, where we are free from all care and 
 danger, ever guarded by the maternal eye of 
 Mary." In this manner she consoled her young 
 friend, utterly forgetful of self. "'"" 
 
 On entering the Graduating Class, the call of 
 duty was ever foremost in her mind, and by 
 constant application and piety she surmounted 
 every difficulty, being always the model of her 
 class. Her room-mate, Miss M. S., thus speaks of 
 her: ''When I see with what angelic piety 
 Ernestine kneels before her little statue of the 
 
 U'.l 
 
 M 
 
 5; HI 
 1.1 
 
 );V 
 
 
 . ''■ H 
 
 11 
 
 -fi 
 
28 
 
 A CHILD Ot' MART. 
 
 i.i 
 
 H 
 
 Blessed Virgin, I say, if all that Catholics teach 
 concerning devotion to the Mother of God be 
 true, that young girl will surely succeed well 
 in every duty here, and gain an imperishable 
 crown hereafter. What would I not give to 
 i'esemblo her ! She seems so sweet, so happy. 
 Such were the impressions made in a short time 
 by Ernestine on a j'oung girl of eighteen, who 
 ignored both her language and her religion ; 
 but no selfish motive prompted Ernestine in her 
 practices of devotion ; and the sequel will show 
 what example can accomplish. i.'« 
 
 The daily promenades of our scholastic year 
 had commenced; for one and all, these salutary 
 walks are a source of pleasure, but to this dear 
 child of Mary they became so many pilgrimages. 
 With what accents of devotion, relate her com- 
 panions, did she not unite in our joyous con- 
 certs, when firmly seated in our small boats, 
 with oars in hand, plying swiftly through the 
 limpid waters of our miniature lake, rivaling 
 each other who woukl first reach our Lady 
 
A CHILD OF MARY. 
 
 29 
 
 of the Woodfci, to intone the Magnificat, so clear 
 to us all. On another occasion, returning from 
 one of our gay promenades, we fortunately 
 passed by a garden where the melons appeared 
 very tempting, some seemed falling from the 
 stem : there is no harm, said one to another, in 
 picking up one, and we shall have a little treat, 
 by way of amusement ; a straw hat covered 
 with fresh leaves served as a basket, and to 
 complete the little feast a few tempting tomatoes 
 were thrown into the new basket, and anything 
 else that seemed ready to fall from the parent 
 
 On reaching the terrace we hastened to divide 
 our booty, and each enjoyed the feast with 
 great relish, Ernestine being the only one who 
 refused to partake of it ; one of her companions 
 said, **0h! for my part I never refuse the 
 manna when it falls into my cup, and we know 
 that Mother Superioress is too good to consider 
 our little feast as a theft ;" still she was struck 
 by the delicacy manifested by Ernestine who 
 persisted in her refusal. 
 
 
 jF 
 
 i! 
 
;l^ 
 
 30 
 
 A CHILD OV MARY. 
 
 lit 
 
 I 
 
 ^Another of our favorite walks was N. D. de 
 Toutes Graces. Ernestine would say to her com- 
 panions, ** How I love to pray in that church, it 
 bears such a glorious title." Going thither on 
 one occasion, she said to M . L. L., " I am going 
 to recite the Rosary for you, will you not say 
 yours for me?" ''Oh! yes," replied her com- 
 panion, '-^ so that we may obtain all the graces 
 prepared for the faithful graduate during her 
 last year. Ernestine after a moment's reflection 
 said, " I do not think I will finish this year, I 
 believe death is not far distant." Henceforward, 
 says the same young person, I never looked at 
 Ernestine without thinking that my dear young 
 friend predicted the truth : her delicate health, 
 her sweetness, her piety, all confirmed me in 
 the opinion that she was called to a better 
 world ; and the same evening I communicated 
 my thoughts concerning Ernestine to Mother 
 St. C, a teacher of the Graduating Course. 
 
 An undergraduate receiving from home some 
 pious pictures, just met Ernestine, whom she 
 
 : n 
 
A CHILD OF MARY. 
 
 31 
 
 only know by seeing her in the chapel or in 
 the dining-room, but to whom sho looked up 
 with affection, said to her, " You would give me 
 much pleasure, Miss Rodier, by accepting one 
 of these pictures." With that amiable simplicity 
 that ever characterized Ernestine, she selected 
 one,' affectionately thanking her young friend: 
 the title, " The Entrance of a Child of Mary 
 into Heaven." This picture with its pious senti- 
 ments became her daily guide, and she would 
 change it from one book to another in order 
 not to lose sight of it. One of her companions, 
 G. de G., observing this, if the picture was for- 
 gotten, she would admonish Ernestine with 
 mock gravity ; Ernestine would receive the re- 
 buke smilingly and hasten to find her treasure, 
 adding at the same time, " it is so very pretty." 
 Very different was her expression, remarked 
 her gay friend, when I would speak during 
 silence. Then she would say, " speak no more, 
 this is not right; remember we should be the 
 first to give example." : , , 
 
 ! I 
 
 3 
 
32 
 
 A CHILD OF MARY. 
 
 \m 
 
 When the Superioress of the Villa would meet 
 Ernestine, and with maternal kindness urge her 
 not to fatigue herself by study, and add, " when 
 you feel weak go to the dining-room and take 
 some refreshments ; besides, when you are fati- 
 gued in the class-room,ask your teachers to give 
 you a companion to go out on the lawn," she 
 would return to her companions covered with 
 confusion, saying with tears in her eyes, " How 
 good the Superioress is ! How kind to me ! In- 
 deed all the nuns and pupils are so devoted that 
 I am ashamed to be so little worthy of their 
 attention ;" her humility making her see nothing 
 but kindness and charity in others, as the follow- 
 ing extracts from her weekly compositions bear 
 ample testimony : 
 
 [First Letter.] 
 i; Till A Maria, Sept. 5th, 1874. 
 Dear Friend, -• - 
 
 In tny last letter I announced the day of my 
 entrance to Yiila Maria, so you know by this 
 
A CHILD OF iMaRY. 
 
 33 
 
 I ; 
 
 time wo are buHily engaged at our scholastic 
 
 duties. .4' IlittM ■^^-.^^ .5!rv: i^i'/ ^.^f'- 
 
 This morning wo wore studying Ancient 
 History. I find it very attractive and instructive; 
 What can be better calculated to excite our 
 curiosity than the recital of the events that have 
 transpired since the creation of the world ? What 
 surprises me particularly is, to consider the 
 world in its primitive purity, and to see by 
 what degrees it fell into the greatest corruption, 
 and how slow but sure God is in His chastise-, 
 ments. ' '^-W^-^'^>f "' ■ ■ ^ 
 
 My dear, I know how much you like to con- 
 verse on classical duties, therefore I need not 
 apologize for the dryness of a subject I intend 
 to resume in a few days. When time permits, 
 I will communicate with you freely my im- 
 pressions on History, Geography, &c., and now 
 I must bid you a hasty good by, but not before 
 embracing you affectionately. 
 Ever your invariable friend, 
 
 } vv - wi.. Ernestine. 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 II 
 
 ' •'■ 
 
34 
 
 A CHILD OF MARY. 
 
 [Second Letter to a different friend.] 
 
 M*. !■■>■■ 
 
 »/. 
 
 Villa Maria, Sept. 8th, 1874. 
 
 t ( 
 
 ) !■ 
 
 Dear Friend, , 
 
 Do not think I have forgotten my promise of 
 giving you my ideas and feelings concerning 
 convent life, as a boarder. . , ,* ,, , . | 
 
 On arriving at the Villa I found myself pre- 
 ceded by several pupils. Mother Superior and 
 several of the nuns recived us very kindly. You 
 may supp^^se the moment of taking leave of my 
 deir parents came sooner than I expected, and 
 notwithstanding all my good resolutions, the 
 unbidden tear would come in spite of me. How- 
 ever, I was given in charge to some charming 
 companions, their amiability prevailed, and I 
 joined in their amusements without an effort. 
 In the course of the evening we had a grand 
 illumination around the statue of St. Joseph, 
 which is situat^jd in a circular ten^ace in front 
 of the grand entrance. ^ 
 
A CHILD OF MARY. 
 
 35 
 
 Before retiring to our nleepin^ rooms, we 
 went lo the chapel for evening prayers and the 
 Rosary, after which we sang the Magnificat, 
 with organ and full chorus, in order to obtain 
 success for the coming year, by placing our- 
 selves under the protection of the Blessed Virgin. 
 All the pupils appear delighted to resume their 
 studies; as for myself, you do not expect that 
 I can say precisely the same thing, you must 
 bear in mind thntit is the first time I have been 
 separated from my dear parents, still I presume 
 my present feelings will not last long. 
 
 You know wo have always our dear Lord in 
 the Blessed Sacrament, so I propose to pay 
 many a visit to our dear little chapel, and to 
 have recourse to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and 
 Mary in all my difficulties. In the meantime I 
 shall defer all further communication till I have 
 the pleasure of seeing you. ' - i. > , ' • 
 
 Ever your aifectionate and loving '' 
 
 J]rnestine Eodier. 
 
 I ' j\ 
 
 "ft 
 
 \^ 
 
 I . I 
 
 f M 
 
 A 
 
se 
 
 A CHILD OF MARY. 
 
 ;»r. 
 
 [Third Letter.] 
 Villa Maria, Sept. 8tli, 1874. 
 Dear Mother La Nativity, 
 
 What a happy day this is I It is not only the 
 feast of our Immaculate Mother Mary, but also 
 that of our much loved Mother La Nativity, who 
 is such a good dear Mother to all the favored 
 pupils of the Villa. ' i 
 
 Our sentiments are known to you, dear Mother, 
 but words often fail when the heart feels most ; 
 suffice to say that our fervent prayers will as 
 cend to the Throne of the Most High, imploring 
 choice blessings on our much loved Mother La 
 Nativity, that she may enjoy long, long years for 
 the consolation of her happy pupils As for the 
 Graduates who celebrate this fest. il for the 
 last time in their Villa home, it will form the 
 brightest link in Memory's chain, and as it re- 
 turns with each revolving year we shall cele- 
 brate it in spirit with those who have the hap- 
 piness of enjoying your maternal care. 
 
 With respect and gratitude, Rev. Mother, 
 
 Your grateful pupil, 
 , - • Ernestine Eodier. 
 
A CHILD OF MARY. 
 
 37 
 
 [Fourth Letter.] ^ 
 Villa Mauia, Sept. 15th, 1864. 
 Dear Friend, ., u -v^ 
 
 Your letter of the 10th inst. I have just re- 
 ceived, and am charmed with the contents; if 
 you wish to give me pleasure, continue to write 
 in this style, such letters are my sweetest 
 recreation, ; ». - •, 
 
 You want to know how convent life agrees 
 with me, truly I like it better than I expected. 
 I have been here but a short time, jmd I feel 
 quite at home. ' • '" 
 
 I do not intend to giv^e you an account of my 
 daily life, you have been a pupil here yourself, 
 therefore you know all about our daily routine. 
 I regret your health obliges you to interrupt your 
 studies, I hope in the course of a short time you 
 will be able to resume them. I applaud your 
 resolution ofcontinuing to study at home though 
 you have nearly finished your Course, there are so 
 many things we ignore that we should bestow as 
 
 ' I 
 
 r I 
 
 .'A 
 
 il 
 
 ! I 
 
i tii i^ 
 
 •«>( 
 
 I 
 
 ; n'-;.'' 
 
 38 
 
 A CHILD OF MARY. 
 
 much leisure as is at our disposal to augment oui* 
 fund of knowledge. Moreover, study is such an 
 agreeable companion of youth, that it should be 
 relinquished with regret. 
 
 I congratulate you on the interesting works 
 you intend perusing, and I would request you to 
 give me your impressions on each of them. 
 Now, I must say I expect an occasional visit j 
 the distance from Montreal is not so great, and 
 the drive, or even the walk, should not injure 
 you. You know I will not be the only one 
 delighted to receive you, our kind teachers are 
 always happy to see their former pupils. 
 
 In the meantime I request a souvenir in your 
 prayers for my success. 
 
 Your ever atfcctionate friend, 
 
 Ernestine Rooter. 
 
 [Fifth Letter.] 
 Villa Maria, Sept. 28th, 1874. 
 Bear Friend, 
 
 When I cast a glance on the past, and think 
 over our school days, with their joys and 
 
 - I ■? ■ , 
 
 J... 
 
 >.;, 
 
A CHILD OP MARY. 
 
 39 
 
 sorrows, all seems like a dream. And how 
 much shorter will not this last year appear, 
 there is so much to be accomplished. 
 
 Without doubt the Graduating Course has 
 many charms : in the first place the kindness 
 of our dear teachers, who are so devoted to our 
 improvement, and the amiability of our com- 
 panions make us almost forget the home circle, 
 or I should say, they form such a good substi- 
 tute, they leave us almost without a wish. 
 
 Our apartments so gay and cheerful, formerly 
 occupied by Lady Elgin, command a magni- 
 ficent view : beautiful terraces and villas, the 
 city and its environs, the majestic St. Lawrence, 
 all unite to form a beautiful panorama on which 
 the eye ivanders at pleasure, until it seeks 
 repose in the azure blue of our heavens, and 
 thence penetrates with love and gratitude the 
 veil that conceals our Heavenly Father, who 
 made all things for the- enjoyment of His 
 unworthy children. 
 
 Our timo is agreeably diversified with 
 
 sfe 
 
' 
 
 
 40 
 
 A Cttitt) OP MARY. 
 
 recreations, promenades and charming surprises 
 in one form or another, and I am told this is 
 but the prelude of what follows. 
 
 On commencing our course we all took 
 serious resolutions to make the most of this our 
 last year, being convinced that fidelity in this 
 respect is essential to our success ; hence you 
 can imagine with what ardor we endeavor to 
 overcome every difficulty, and to avoid these 
 little temptations incidental to the graduating 
 pupil, so that no foul stain may ever tarnish 
 the memory of this year. On the contrary, may 
 it ever prove to us, in the desert of life, that 
 beautiful soft green oasis, where the soul loves 
 to repose from the turmoil and strife of the busy 
 world. Courage then I With the assistance of 
 our dear teachers and the protection of Mary, 
 success must crown the noble aspirations of the 
 Graduates of 75. You will join me, I am sure, in 
 saying Amen. • •: ; 
 
 ... Yours affectionately, • ^ 
 : Ernestine Rodier. 
 
A CEtlLD OB^ MAftt. 
 
 41 
 
 October follows with all its joys and vicissi* 
 tudes, but for our dear Ernestine this month 
 had in store what her pious soul cherished most* 
 prayer, recollection, in a word the Eetreat ; her 
 desire to profit by it was manifested in her 
 every act, and the holy calm of her soul was 
 depicted in her countenance. Great was her 
 joy when she saw the radiant brow of her dear 
 companion, already alluded to, Miss M. S., after 
 the regenerating waters of Baptism made this 
 amiable friend a child of God and heir of Hea- 
 ven, — Ernestine being among the privileged few 
 of the Children of Mary present at this blissful 
 ceremony. Oh ! how she prayed while her tears 
 flowed plentifully, and, as she afterwards relates 
 she never was so much affected in her life as 
 when she heard her young friend pronounce the 
 " Credc." We regret we cannot find her com- 
 position on that occasion. . r - > 
 
 Her charity was so admirable that no one 
 ever heard her find fault with any of her young 
 friends. Her respectable mother tolls us that 
 
 ii 
 
 
 Ii 
 
 t i 
 
 It 
 
r 
 
 ; 
 
 SI 
 
 42 
 
 A CHILD OF MARY* 
 
 she would often say, ** you can scarcely ima- 
 gine how good and pious the pupils are at Yilla 
 Maria." ^ ■- ......v...-,. ....... . 
 
 A few days after the retreat our promenade 
 was to the Cemetery ; one of her teachers was 
 singularly struck by an answer she received 
 from Ernestine. Seein^^ her dress tog© out, she 
 asked where she was going. *' We are going," 
 said Ernestine, "to bring the resolutions of 
 our retreat to the Cemetery ; will we not be 
 happy to find them there on a future day?" 
 Her companion along the route observed that 
 she repeated the De Profundis almost incessant- 
 ly. One of her companions, speaking of her, 
 gives this glorious testimony : " Ernestine was a 
 model of humility, self-denial and piety joined 
 to the greatest amiability of character." The 
 same friend adds, " that whilst the graduating 
 pupils were busy preparing an evening's amuse- 
 ment for the sombre soirees of October, Ernestine 
 took part in a little operetta entitled * L'Esprit 
 et le CcDur.' — ' Mind and Heart.' She had to sing 
 
A OHILS OT MARf. 
 
 43 
 
 )) 
 
 alone,and her voice being weak, she could scarce- 
 ly reach the highest notes. I accompanied her 
 on the piano ; when coming to those notes she 
 would laugh and say, ' for this time I will stop 
 here.*" "The same evening," says one of her 
 classmates, G. L., "she and I had a comic song ; 
 we had not time to commit the song to memory, 
 but as it was on the programme, we determined to 
 make the most of it ; the beginning went on pret- 
 ty well, but the end was an extempore after our 
 own fashion, which created peals of laughter. 
 * No matter,' said Ernestine to G. L., * we have 
 gained our point, wo wished to amuse, and I 
 am sure we have succeeded beyond our most 
 sanguine expectations.' I replied, so much the 
 better, none of the other courses will attempt to 
 surpass us in improvisation." It is one of 
 the customs of the school for each course to 
 give a monthly literary soiree which creates 
 both emulation and amusement. 
 
 October left us souvenirs never to be forgot- 
 ten, they were joyful, pious, and happy; it xjad 
 
 
 n 
 
44 
 
 A CHILD OF MART. 
 
 m 
 
 brought us two grand congas, one was given in 
 order to let us assist at the religious profession 
 of a young Graduate of 1871, Miss B. N., who in 
 our midst had learned what it is to be a Catholic 
 and had the courage to embrace Catholicism in 
 the midst of difficulties; she renounced the 
 pomp and vanities of the brilliant circles of 
 society in which she moved to become an hum- 
 ble child of Mary. The kame day one of the 
 Graduates of 1874, Miss J. M., gave us an agree- 
 able surprise by her entrance into the Novi- 
 tiate. 
 
 November was ushered in under the most 
 favorable auspices; the eve our teachers an- 
 nounced the special devotion of the coming 
 month. The " Stations of the Cross" were to be 
 made daily ; moreover, it was expected we would 
 be as generous as our predecessors in making the 
 sacrifice of our pocket money for the souls in 
 Purgatory. The same evening, I have the plea- 
 sure to state, that the Graduates gave a sum 
 necessary for thirty-six masses, and the next 
 
A CHILD OF MARY. 
 
 45 
 
 week their good example had operated so effec- 
 tively on the other courses, that we wore ena- 
 bled to have one hundred and ninety masses 
 oflfered for the same end. Ernestine was delight- 
 ed at this, and on that occasion she said to the 
 Superioress, Mother La Nativite : " Is it not 
 admirable ; not a single pupil has been wanting 
 in this pious devotion. Our charity for the souls 
 in Purgatory will bear its fruit in good season, 
 no doubt." 
 
 The last souvenirs of our dear Ernestine being 
 attached to the Forty Hours devotion, the piety 
 and fervor with which she followed these holy 
 exercises we can learn from her composition on 
 that occasion : . 
 
 Villa Maria, Oct. 6th, 1874. 
 
 Dear Mamma, 
 
 With what sweet .emotions have our hearts 
 overflowed during the " Quarante Ore l" still my 
 enjoyment is never complete till shared with 
 you, my darling mamma. You know this bliss- 
 ful devotion by experience, therefore I need not 
 
 
 11. 
 
 lil 
 
 i 
 
 f! 
 
 I 5 
 
 i 
 
 1 V: 
 
46 
 
 A CHILD OP MARY. 
 
 (!i4 
 
 describe it ; I shall content myself by giving you 
 an account of the closing ceremonies, after 
 assuring you that I never felt more consolation 
 in prayer than during those three days. 
 
 Our little chapel was beautifully decorated, 
 all seemed to announce the joy of an Easter 
 festival. At ten o'clock A.M. the priest entered, 
 robed in his richest vestments. Mass being said, 
 we intoned the '* Pange Lingua," and the pro- 
 cession was formed in the centre aisle. 
 
 The junior pupils opened the march. The 
 different courses were preceded by their respec- 
 tive teachers, who appeared as so many angels 
 leading those young souls to God. The Gradu- 
 ates preceded the Blessed Sacrament, each 
 bearing a taper, and wearing a long white veil. 
 They seemed deeply penetrated with the honor 
 conferred on them. All looked so holy and 
 recollected that we felt transported to the 
 heavenly Jerusalem, to that gloric "s band of 
 Virgins who are to follow the Lan.^ whither- 
 soever He goeth. What added to our dream of 
 
A CHILD OF MART. 
 
 47 
 
 bliss was tho beautiful decorations that met our 
 astonished gaze as we passed through tho 
 various apartments all having been prepared 
 the night previous, so that wo scarcely knew 
 our own apartments. Altars and statues were 
 richly adorned with flowers, and scrolls boariiig 
 various inscriptions suitable to the occasion. 
 On passing through the music hall, the harps, 
 pianos and organ sent forth their sweetest 
 notes in homage to the Divine Visitor, thence 
 into the Library, where Mater Admirabilis 
 was surrounded with exquisite flowers and an 
 aureole of lights. , >-. -i , ,v . , , 
 
 Passing through the central hall we beheld the 
 statute of the admirable foundress of this estab- 
 lishment beneath that of the Immaculate 
 Virgin, on an improvised altar at the entrance of 
 the, Community, all surrounded by the richest de- 
 corations. At this sight I awoke from my holy 
 reverie to think of the Venerable M. Bourgjeois, 
 heroine of Canada, reaping in joy what she had 
 sowed in tears, fancying I heard the Immaculate 
 
 iiii 
 
 I! 
 
 ti 
 
48 
 
 A CHILD OF MARY. 
 
 Virgin say to hor : " Go to Canada ! I will not 
 abandon thoo!" and our dear Mother Bourgeois, 
 reply, *' Blessed Mother, nothing now remains to 
 be done but repeat your own glorious canticle, 
 Magnificat anima mea Dominum." Yes, these 
 words are truly the spirit of her Community of 
 which she may be justly proud, having for over 
 two centuries a succession of children worthy , 
 their Immaculate Mother, thereby gloriously 
 accomplishing her promise. During the proces- 
 sion, the most delicious music reverberated from 
 chapel, halls, and music rooms, and made us al- 
 most fancy the angels were assisting us ; the most 
 profound respect was manifested in every 
 countenance. I felt so happy. I was ready to 
 exclaim : " Lord it is good for us to be here, 
 let us now fix our tents, &c." I used to envy the 
 happiness of those souls who lived in the time 
 of our Saviour, but now I feel I have nothing to 
 desire. 
 
 As my heart turned with love and gratitude 
 to the Author of all bliss, I felt an impressiqn of 
 
A CHILD OF MARf . 
 
 49 
 
 delight never to be effaced. And while I con- 
 templated our dear Mother La Nativity followed 
 by all the pupils into the chapel again, I said to 
 myself: May we not be thus assembled in our 
 Heavenly Home, when we will all bo so many 
 gems in the Crown of our loved Mother La 
 Nativite. We can do nothing worthy of her 
 here below, Lord grant us to be her crown 
 and glory hereafter. 
 
 Dear mother, my letter is rather long ; but you 
 know, whether at home or abroad, I must let you 
 know my feelings, as the pleasure of communi- 
 cating all to you is a double source of enjoy- 
 ment for your ever loving and grateful child, 
 
 Ernestine Rodier. 
 
 A few days more, and our dear Ernestine is 
 obliged to go home ; her cough begins to excite 
 uneasiness. Ernestine's teachers went frequently 
 to see her, and she herself had paid us a visit 
 about Christmas, therefore, no immediate danger 
 was apprehended. ; 
 
 I" I 
 
 '■■' 
 
 i 
 
50 
 
 A OHILD OF MARY. 
 
 IP 
 
 After leaving the Villa wo read as follows, in 
 Jior journal : " It is from my little blue room, 
 ** which I love so much, that I write these lines. 
 ** I am now almost three weeks at home sur- 
 " rounded, protected and caressed with the 
 " sweetest and most tender affection, which 
 " would restore me to perfect health, if it were 
 " possible. But I have a very bad cold j this 
 " evening, I feel my chest all on fire. I am \ 
 " tired and weak, I have coughed so much, but 
 " I will try to forget my sufferings, to talk of 
 " that which fills ny soul. I have had the hap- 
 " piness of following the exercises of the retreat 
 " at Notre Dame. I feel that it has done me 
 *^good. I received Holy Communion this morn- 
 " ing. I am perfectly happy, notwithstanding 
 " my constant sufferings. My Saviour, Thou art 
 " my Lord and Master, remain in my heart, my 
 " true source of happino.t.8, for Thou alone canst 
 " give me true joy. ' ^* < -ju r-/ 
 
 "But, dear Lord, I still hunger for Thee I 
 " When shall I receive Thee again ? To-morrow 
 
A CHILD OP MARY. 
 
 &1 
 
 "wilt Thou not grunt that favor to Thy poor 
 " child ? y OS, to-morrow I will again receive thee* 
 *' I renew the resolutions which I have already 
 "taken for Thy love: to practice humility, to 
 ** be charitable on every occasion, always appear 
 " gfty, pleased with what others do, and sacrifice 
 "myself for all, as far as lies in my power." 
 From this moment our dear invalid deceived 
 herself no longer, although her sickness had 
 changes, as shcwrites in her j<> irnal. She com- 
 menced her preparations for eternity, but on 
 account of her extreme delicacy of feeling ahe 
 did not allow her family to perceive that she 
 knew the gravity of her illness, nor what she 
 suffered. She submitted with the most amiable 
 condescension and apparent confidence to Uiko 
 
 all the remedies prescribed, ti.. nyv *](...( m?* " 
 The last day of December she wrote to one of 
 her teachers : '* You ask mo, dear mother, for 
 some news of my poor health, I will tell you 
 frankly, but confidentially, for hei^e this would 
 alarm thop-^ who surround me, they are all so 
 
 I , 
 
 d 
 
 1 1 ■ 
 
 1 
 
 ' ^ 'i 
 
 I 
 
 l! '■' 
 
 It I 
 
52 
 
 A CHILD OF MAR¥. 
 
 kind and watch over mo with iineqtialbd ten- 
 derness; but, for all that, my cough does not 
 diminish j on the contrary, it is becoming almost 
 incessant, and my nights are sleepless, fever is 
 consuming me ! Eeally, I think it time to pre- 
 pare for the journey from time to eternity ! 
 The holy will of God be done I I only wish and 
 ask for that ; otherwise I would not be happy. 
 God is my father, He loves me, and knows betr \ 
 ter than I what is suitable for me, life or death I 
 . " Death, this word makes me shudder. I do 
 not wish to conceal it, dear mother, it is very 
 sad to die j however, it is the gate by which we 
 must all pass to reach God, I submit to it. It is 
 a sacrifice, but I am happy to make it in expia- 
 tion of my sins. What pains me most, is to 
 grieve my beloved parents, they are so devoted 
 and love their children so tenderly. I know 
 their grief will be extreme, when I am no 
 longer here to receive their caresses ; however, 
 our Lord will console them and you too, dear 
 mother, St. F.B., will you not? Enough ! enough I 
 
A CHILD OF MARY. 
 
 5a 
 
 I fear to afflict you by my sad missive, forgive 
 me!" 
 
 The disease rapidly pursued its work of des- 
 truction, and our dear one was so calm, so 
 resigned, that her mother and sisters still hoped 
 to see her recover. Ernestine's good heart was 
 rejoiced by this illusion which gave happiness 
 to those whom she dreaded so much to grieve. 
 Her energy seemed to triumph over her weak- 
 ness, she spent the day with her family occu- 
 pied in working for the poor, and two days 
 before her death she was hastening to finish a 
 second pair of stockings, which she had designed 
 for a poor woman. Anotl^er instance I must 
 add which occurred shortly before her death : 
 " Dear mother, I never begged a favor for my- 
 self, and now I have one to ask? remember 
 you' poor child is very unworthy of all the 
 graces that our dear Lord has thought fit to be- 
 stow on her. I would not grieve you willingly, 
 pay darling mother, but you must know it, I 
 will soou b§ no naore, Will you then for th^ 
 
 I I 
 
 \ • t' 
 
54 
 
 A CHILD OF MARY. 
 
 love of God, in my name, adopt that poor help- 
 less person...... this will be something to acquit 
 
 my debt of gratitude to God, and a lasting token 
 of your love for your poor little Ernestine." 
 This truly pious lady did not hesitate an instant 
 to assure her cherished child that her request 
 would be comDlied with to its fVill extent. 
 
 Feb. 9th. — Our dear Ernestine, who was now 
 confined to the house, received Holy Commu- 
 nion in her room. She thus expresses her hap- 
 piness to one of her teachers : " Your welcome 
 note would have added to my happiness had it 
 been possible, but I am extremely happy. 1 
 have received my divine Saviour, what more can 
 I desire ! This communion gave me much conso- 
 lation ; I greatly needed it, dear mother, St. F.B., 
 because for four long weeks my soul has not 
 been strengthened by this heavenly Manna. 
 You know what holy joy a communion brings 
 with it ; I have often repeal ;d your sweet invo- 
 cations. Do not trouble yourself about my 
 sufferings, I beg of you, dear naoth^r j I do not 
 
 \ 
 
A CHILD OF MART. 
 
 55 
 
 holp- 
 jquit 
 oken 
 ino." 
 jtant 
 luost 
 
 suffer as much as I should. God has pity on 
 me. Besides, I have my Crucifix here, the sta- 
 tue of the Blessed Virgin in front of me, my 
 angel guardian by my side. With your fervent 
 prayers, those of my family, and Holy Commu- 
 nion this morning, surely my suffering days 
 and nights will always be supportable with 
 such consolations.'* 
 
 This was the last of Ernestine's letters. Her 
 illness made such rapid progress that on the 
 night of the 17th her confessor was hastily 
 called in,and he administered the last sacraments. 
 The next morning, being a little better, she said 
 to one of her friends who appeared greatly 
 afflicted : ** I am going to die it is true, but God 
 is good ; He calls me to Himself while I as yet 
 have known but His benefits and the tenderness 
 of my loving parents, and kind friends like your- 
 self. He spares me the trials of this life, weep 
 not, I beg of you." . 
 
 Feb, I9th.— At 9 P.M. she received for the 
 SQCond time the Holy Viaticum and gained th§ 
 
 1 I 
 
 
 i i 
 
 i 
 
 ■M 
 
56 
 
 A CHILD OF MAEY. 
 
 indulgences of the jubilee. Notwithstanding 
 her extreme weakness she knelt to receive Holy 
 Communion. Her thanksgiving resembled an 
 ecstasy; her face was radiant, every trace of 
 suffering had disappeared to give place to an 
 expression of happiness. 
 
 It was only on the eve of her death that we 
 learned she was much worse, and no hope of 
 recovery. This caused quite a sensation. On \ 
 learning the sad news, we were all anxious to 
 visit her and give her a last proof of our attach- 
 ment, but this being impossible, three in the 
 name of all were permitted to accompa-^y her 
 teachers, — even the Superioress, Mother La 
 Nativity, though not well, would go herself to see 
 her darling child for the last time. Ernestine 
 recognized them, and looking at them affection- 
 ately pressed their hands, being too weak to 
 speak, but she took the hand o£ the Superioress 
 and kissed it affectionately. One of her com- 
 panions taking her harp accompanied the others, 
 who sang the consecration of ^ cl^ii4 Qf Mary, 
 
A CHILD OP MARY. 
 
 St 
 
 On listening with ecstatic attention to the music, 
 not being able to speak she wrote on a scrap 
 of paper, "Tell them to come nearer, so that I 
 may hear the words." Nothing was more touching 
 than the sweet tones of the harp, miligling with 
 the sad and sympathetic voices of her dear com- 
 panions, and her music teacher St. S 
 
 M. L. L. on returning home said, Ernestine 
 had but one great desire, that of pleasing God, 
 her parents and teachers, surely, she has attained 
 the height of h^ ambition, dying we may 
 almoat say in an ecstasy of love for God, sur- 
 rounded by those she prized most on earth, her 
 parents and teachers. A low hours after their 
 return to the Villa, we received the painful news 
 of her death. The following day we received an 
 invitation for the funeral service. Six of the 
 Graduates were chosen as pall-bearers. Mr. 
 Eodier had the polite attention to send up eight 
 covered carriages, consequently about forty 
 pupils from the Villa attended the funeral, and 
 bad the happiness of giving their regretted coii^r 
 
 ii 
 
 i 
 
 m 
 
 ; ', 
 
58 
 
 A CHILD OF MART. 
 
 panion a farewell embrace. A crown, emble- 
 matic of the affection of her companions, rested 
 on her spotless remains, bearing an inscription 
 analogous to the sentiments of her heart : ** Qu'il 
 est doux d'aimer J^sus. Ernestine ! enfant 
 cherie de Marie, priez pour vOs compagnes do 
 Villa Maria.'* , 
 
 As the funeral reached the French Cathedral, 
 and the pall-bearers ascended the grand portico, 
 they were joined by their companions who pre- 
 ceded them draped in long white veils, forming a 
 regular line on either side, through which the 
 funeral cortege passed into the church. The 
 service was grand and imposing. Thonc© we 
 accompanied her to the Cemetery, and returned 
 home to the Villa with sad and holy thoughts. 
 May our death be like Ernestine's, was the 
 general ejaculation. 
 
 On entering our little chapel for prayer the 
 same evening, we were forcibly reminded of our 
 dear departed one, seeing her Prie-Dieu and 
 phair draped in vyhite, looped up by frostgcl 
 
A CHILD OF MARY. 
 
 59 
 
 sprays and knotted with black crape ; her prayer 
 
 book and favorite picture remained on the Prie- 
 
 Dieu till the month's mind. The mass was said 
 
 by her maternal uncle, Rev. P. L. Lapierre ; her 
 
 father, mother, sisters, and a few select friends, 
 
 came out to the Villa for that occasion. Our 
 
 little chapel was festooned from chandeliers 
 
 to pillars with white tarletan gracefully looped 
 
 up with crape. After the funeral march, so sad 
 
 and impressive, the pupils intoned the hymn 
 
 ** Marie est Ja porte des Cieux." Mass being 
 
 ended, a few of the pupils took their place in the 
 
 centre of the chapel, beside her Pric-Dieu, where 
 
 the harp on which she was wont to play was 
 
 standing; they sang once more the consecration 
 
 of a child of Mary with sympathetic tones more 
 
 easily felt than described, it being the same hymn 
 
 they sang for her a few hours previous to her 
 death. ^v— ?.-;'' •■■-• ■■'■■'•-. -■ --•- -^ -' 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Lajiierre made a short and 
 eloquent discourse appropriate to the occasion, 
 but our h^avts were too much moved to attempt 
 
 i 
 
 I i 
 
60 
 
 A CHILD OP MARY. 
 
 to give an account of it. The depths of the soul 
 are sometimes unutterable. 
 
 However, we all left the chapel with holy 
 a ve and salutary thoughts of our dear departed 
 ( ►mpanion. You, dear Ernestine ! we are sure 
 in your glorious Home will not forget us j you 
 will often present us to Jesus and Mary, and 
 bear our hopes to our Immortal Mother, M^^ 
 Bourgeois, showing her the fruit of her many ' 
 labors in behalf of Canada, where she delighted 
 to consider her Congregation as the parterre of 
 Mary. Speak also of our loved Villa to the angel 
 guardians of your loving companions, so that 
 all may become lovely flowers, worthy to be 
 transplanted to the Heavenly Jerusalem to 
 snare in the everlasting sunshine of the modest 
 violet of our mountain home. 
 
 Let us now complete this short notice of the 
 life of this dear child of Mary with the necrolo- 
 gical account of it, written by a friendly hand, 
 who better than any one else knew and appre- 
 piated our darling sister Graduate. May theso 
 
A CHILD OP MART. 
 
 61 
 
 i 
 
 e soul 
 
 holy 
 )artod 
 3 sure 
 ; you 
 ^, and 
 p, M. 
 
 ;r \ 
 
 man J 
 ^hted 
 rre of 
 angel 
 that 
 to be 
 m to 
 3dost 
 
 f the 
 rolo- 
 and, 
 )pre- 
 ■hese 
 
 edifying lines produce in our hearts li love of 
 virtue and the desire of serving God as faith- 
 fully as did our regretted companion. 
 
 An angel has departed from our midst. Tues- 
 day morning, an immense crowd flocked to the 
 Parish Church, which was draped in deep 
 mourning ; the adjoining streets were lined with 
 an eager multitude, all awaited the arrival of a 
 funeral procession. Strangers asked who was 
 this celebrated personage, whose funeral was 
 attended with such pomp. It was but a sweet 
 modest young girl of sixteen, whose mortal 
 remains were brought to receive a last benedic- 
 tion in the church where she had so often 
 prayed. r *. , ;. 
 
 A young girl, whose daily prayer, found in 
 lier journal, was as follows : " O Lord, grant 
 that I may live unnoticed, that I may do good 
 to every one, for Thy love, and that Thou alone 
 mayest know it." And the Lord who has said 
 He will exalt the humble, has honored His 
 humble child, for her praise is in every mouth, 
 
 i .* 
 
 i 
 
 !l i 
 
 
 « 
 
 
 ' \ 
 
62 
 
 A CHItt) OF MARY. 
 
 and fiho obtained oven liero below general esteem 
 and affection, a* ^ *...;. mi. I 1/ ' ' r 
 
 MLsii Mary Ernestine Rodier, daughter of Mr. 
 C. S. Rodier, jun., was one of those privileged 
 beings our Lord generally lends us for a short 
 time. Pious, mild, grateful, modest, and chari- 
 table, all her pleasure consisted in making 
 every one around her happy. She ingeniously 
 acknowledged she took but one resolution every \ 
 day, that of pleasing all .hose with whom she 
 mir^ht have communication. She adds in her 
 jodrnal : <* When at night I tind thr>. I have been 
 faithful to ray promise, I am not proud of what 
 is so easy, for is there anything so sweet as to 
 please our neighbors ?" ■ ■ 
 
 On one occasion, conversing with her com- 
 panions who were making plans for the future, 
 she said : " I know not what will be my mission 
 here below; could I have my wish, it would be 
 a ray of sunshine, which carries joy and happi- 
 ness wherever it penetrates." : "h 
 
 Miss Ernestine Rodier, from her most tender 
 
A CHILD OF MARY. 
 
 63 
 
 age, was confided to the Rov. Srs. of the Con- 
 gregation of N. D., and during several years she 
 studied with application and success. The re- 
 membrance jf her virtues will always live in 
 the hearts of her companions, who would all 
 wish to follow her to the abode of the Blessed, 
 as the pen of one of her friends expressed it, in 
 a few lines, In Memoriam, placed in her coffin, 
 The 1st of September, 1874, found her in the 
 establishment of Yilla Maria, to follow the Gra- 
 duating Course. She was not long there before 
 she won the esteem of her teachers and the 
 pupils. After a short stay, she reckoned as 
 many sisters and friends as she had companions. 
 Unfortunately her debility began to give serious 
 anxiety, and her parents judged proper to recall 
 her to the bosom of her family, where the care . 
 and the tenderness of a devoted father and of 
 loved brothers and sisters, and all the resources 
 of medical art, contended in vain against the 
 cruel disease of consumption ; which carried 
 her off on Saturday, Feb. 20, at 3.35 p.m. Her 
 
 M! 
 
 ( I 
 
 I r 
 
 ill. 
 
6^ 
 
 A CHILD OF MARt. 
 
 last moments were the echo of hor whole 
 life, and her death was that of the just. Until 
 the end she showed herself amiable, of an 
 unchangeable serenity ; not being able to speak, 
 she received everyone with a smile. Notwith-, 
 standing hor sufferings she still found means 
 to practice self-denial ; this sistei virtue of 
 humility shone particularly in this angel 
 of the earth. The night before her death \ 
 one of the good religious, who watched by 
 hor side, offered her some grapes to refresh 
 her burning chest; but she answered : '' Sister, 
 it is Lent; it would be an ini mortification, for I 
 do not require them." Being asked to take some- 
 thing after her medicine, she tearfully begged 
 to be dispensed, saying : " Leave me, I entreat * 
 you, the merit of my little sufferings." And 
 added another time, while looking at hor kind 
 mother, *' Well, mamma, so as not to distress 
 you I accept something, provided you have a 
 mass said each time for the most abandoned 
 souls in Purgatory," and this pious treasure, 
 
A CHILD OP MARY. 
 
 G5 
 
 increased by Lor ingenious mortification, 
 amounted to a pretty largo sum which has 
 already been given for the benefit of the poor 
 souls who, abandoned by others, were not for- 
 gotten by our angelic little friend. 
 
 After her death hor countenance acquired a 
 celestial beauty ; a ray of that glory which hor 
 soul already enjoyed was no doubt reflected on 
 that body sanctified by so many virtues. The 
 young ladies of St. Anthony's Academy in deep 
 mourning, a deputation of forty young ladies, 
 pupils of Villa Maria, an equal number from St. 
 Denis Academy, the community of the Eov. Srs, 
 of the Congregation, deputations from the differ- 
 ent other communities, besides a great number of 
 relatives and friends of the family, pressed round 
 the catafalque, and a large number of clergy filled 
 the sanctuary. The maternal uncle of the 
 deceased, Eev. Mr. Lapierre, officiated. The pall- 
 bearers: Misses Swift, A. McGarvey, M. L. 
 vesque, A. Collins, G. de Grosbois, G. Lepro* 
 n, with their companions from Villa Maria, 
 
 £ 
 
 1jq> 
 
 ms^ 
 
u 
 
 A oaiLD 0I< BtARr. 
 
 draped in long white veils and the insignia of 
 tho Childien of Mary. On her coflSn some 
 friendly hands had placed two crowns and a 
 cross of flowers. 
 
 We will here insert a few iincF, by one of the 
 Graduates : M. F. ^ "'^^ '''■ ' '^ ^^'^"- 
 
 INMEMOKIAM. 
 
 •'■'. i Tiitf^ 
 
 The sun o'er the mouatain bis first ray was shedding, 
 Lo ! all was so tranquil, so Iioly and fair, 
 
 That well might you pause, and with fondest emotion 
 Await to see Angels bright gathering there. 
 
 And ah 1 though I saw not their heavenly face^, 
 
 Full well did I know they were hovering round ; 
 Their beauty I saw on each object about me, 
 
 . Their voices I heard in each soft breathing sound. 
 
 -•_ - ■■' ■ , \i ■ 
 
 And there stood the Villa in grandeur uurivall'd, 
 Still charming and sweet as it smiled on the green ; 
 
 My heart with my lips in fond harmony murmur'd, 
 " How like unto Ma,ry, its IKa veuly Queen." 
 
 So gently I came to the shrine of our Mother, ' 
 
 Where fled the brightest of youth's happy hours, 
 
 To feast once again on the wealth of its beauties. 
 Inhale the sweet perfume of Mary's dear flowers. 
 
A CHILD OP MARY. 
 
 67 
 
 lia of 
 some 
 md a 
 
 f the 
 
 \ 
 
 n 
 
 Ah ! bow can I say with what joy I approach'd them, 
 
 Their vesture still gemm*d with the dewdrops so bright, 
 Oh 1 flow'rs of the mountain of Mary's own Villa, 
 
 Ohl blossoms of faith, of celestial delight. ; , 
 
 (O rMrvy 
 
 But of all which T gazed on, one bed was the fairesl, r 
 How each lovely face to the morning Inclines ; 
 
 Soon after I heard, those were specially cultur'd, 
 Would shortly be scatter'd in various climes. 
 
 '•ii';irji,; 
 
 wta k-r.i (Vi I' ' ^ i^^kfi-vM 
 
 Still 'twas not the rose that enticed me to linger, 
 Nor was it the violet so modest and blue, 
 
 Or the fuchsia, the cactus, the dahlia or tulip, 
 'Twas one of more holy, more exquisite hue— 
 
 t 
 
 ,!■■*%' I. i'.: 
 
 A lily that gracefully waved in the sunlight, *^^^ ia^ hn^ 
 Her beauty surpassing, I ne'er can forget ; » •! 
 
 The impress she made on my heart is still venlaiif, 
 The awe she awoke in my soul is there yet. ^ 
 
 So spotless and pure that I knew when I saw her 
 'Twas " Israel's Lily," through holiest lov r;. 
 
 Had lent us this fond cherished child of her bosom, 
 As a type of the joys which await us above. 
 
 
 ^i^ 
 
 Oh 1 child of the Virgin, blest flow'r of election I 
 Ohl beautiful lily, of exquisite worth. 
 
 As I left thee, I fancied the angels were whisp'ring", 
 Remember ! remember ! she is not of this earth. 
 
 ' I. t^i'yv 1 
 
 iT^ 
 
 7 
 
 I I 
 
68 
 
 A CHILD OP MARY. 
 
 The sun o'er the lountaiii his last ray was shedding, 
 I anxiously wei ded my way through the lawn, 
 
 To see, by the soft parting beam of his glory, 
 The flow'r which wak'd such emotions at dawn, 
 
 1 e:itcr'd the garden, what change had stole o'er it ? 
 
 Ah ! why did each flow'ret dear droop her fair head ? 
 i paus'd not to ask, but 'with eager impatience 
 
 I hastcn'd to visit my own beloved bed. 
 
 I camo, but alas ! had it all been a vision. 
 Had fancy but made me a subject of mirth? 
 
 I turn'd fast away, when lol soft came the whisper, 
 " She's gone, oh 1 remember, she bloom'd not for earth'!' 
 
 Yes, gone in the fullness of innocence blest, 
 The Angel who spoke that has borne her away ; 
 
 He cull'd her ere night's gloomy shades had o'ersproad hor 
 And brought her to regions of glorious day. 
 
 And now near the throne of Immaculate Mary, 
 'Mid flow'rs like herself our dear lily doth slilnc ; 
 
 All bathed in the light of the Lamb ever holy, 
 She prays for the dear ones she's left for a time — 
 
 For her own loving parents, friends true and faithful. 
 That all may rejoin her when life will be done. 
 
 Ah! Mary our Queen hears the prayer of her flow'ret, 
 And bears it with love to the heart of her Son» 
 
 \ 
 
d? 
 
 ?i; \ ■ ■ 
 
 '(t^kn>\ 
 
 I / >^- 
 
 eartl/ 
 
 ^ad ii/^r 
 
 A CHILD OF MARY. 
 
 69 
 
 i't 
 
 Then weep not for her, oh ! ye children of Mary ! 
 
 Remember her spirit is hovering nigh ; ' • xii ? 'hV\ •" 
 Each peal of your organ, each breath of devotion, m>,, ,< r 
 
 Ernestine fondly wafts to your Mother on high. ^ 
 
 u.) 
 
 Oh ! yes, from Heaven, where thy soul like 
 a dove has flown to thy God, Ernestine, send 
 consolation to the hearts of thy afflicted parents. 
 Acquit a debt which their tenderness, their 
 unlimited devotedness made thee contract, by 
 obtaining for them health and happiness whilst 
 on earth. And thy friends, do not forget them j 
 see their grief, their prayers, and their hopes ; 
 obtain for them, that, by imitating thy virtues, 
 they may meet thee one day on that Heavenly 
 shore, to share in thy happiness for all eternity. 
 
 We here insert a few lines wherein wc think 
 our dear Sister Graduate is viewed in her true 
 light as the modest violet, though we consider 
 the lily an equally appropriate emblem, as 
 representing oui*^ dear young friend's angelic 
 purity. 
 
 
 ,'{ ii ;:'j t >(.' i,/i 
 
 .r .••: 
 
 
 ■:i 
 
 4r 
 
70 A CHILD OP MARY. 
 
 IN MEHOBIAM. 
 
 Before the Virgin's lofty throne 
 An Angel bright doth stand, 
 
 On his mission sweet he speedetb, 
 His golden wings expand. 
 
 . To blest Marg'iite Bourgeois' parterre 
 He's borne in full flight, 
 "" A flower for the Virgin Queen 
 He culls before to-night. 
 
 Ijo! in Mary's own dear Villa, -n 
 
 'Mid flowers rich and rare, 
 - , We now behold this Angel, . 
 With beauty passing fair. 
 
 Ah ! se.j ! hpw he scans each flow'ret, 
 Pie views them one by one ; 
 
 Still pauses not, with onward flight, 
 He skims across the lawn. 
 
 When lo! the rose with petals soft 
 Displays her lovely face ; 
 
 To the queenly flower, he says, 
 Nay friend ! you're in your place. 
 
 The lily then, with noble pride, 
 
 Lifts up her regal head, 
 Yet still he passeth onward, 
 
 Though nought to her he said. 
 
 n-. 
 
A CHILD OF HART. 
 
 Tl 
 
 The cactus and the tulip too, 
 The lovely jessamine spray, 
 
 The mignonnette and hyacinth, 
 Their beauty all display. 
 
 Behold him now ! he penetrates '"' 
 
 That modest little glade, 
 Where the brooklet murmurs gently 
 
 To the blossoms in the shade. . 
 
 !1 
 
 .-> r 
 
 He stoops down to the violet, 
 With meek and modest eye, ' •? 
 
 The fragrance of this flow'ret sweet 
 Has reached the rp>ilms on high. 
 
 The Villa's flowers in mourning deep 
 Now droop their heacic so fair ; 
 
 In vain they'll seek their favorite, 
 Throughout the gay parterre. '^ * 
 
 But list ! the joyful Alleluias, 
 That welcome her on high. 
 
 With modest beauty now shall shiuo 
 0*er flowers of brighter dye. 
 
 I -• . ' 
 
 f . I. , 
 
 Hark 1 harkl you angel choristers 
 
 With thuribles so bright, 
 They lead her to the Virgin Mother, 
 
 'Mid rays of endless light, 
 
 ;.)• 
 
 ^H. 
 
 U'. 
 
 
 i \ 
 
 
 (-l| 
 
72 
 
 A CHILD OP MARY, 
 
 V y 
 
 And there, our beautftous flow' ret 
 
 Basks in the golden ray'; 
 Her 'ncense floats before the Lamb, 
 
 For an eternal day. ^^ . ; : 
 
 'Mid joys so sweet, her parents dear 
 
 She never can forget, 
 For them and for her friends, she says, 
 
 Dear Lord, they'll meet me yet. ,,(1 »> 
 
 Mary, Mother, Queen and Virgin, ^ j;u.hrtr. 
 List! to our humble prayer : * ^j^ Ik^'7 
 
 Let us, like darling Ernestine, 
 Thy joys forever share. 
 
 
 As we wore sending this little memoir to 
 press the following letter was forwarded to us by 
 the person to whom it was addressed; we insert, 
 it textually. At the same time we received a 
 very hand.somo present for the altar in the name 
 of dear Ernestine : a complete set of candl'^cticks 
 and a cross for the Tabernacle before which she 
 loved to pray. We did not require this new 
 souvenir of dear Ernestine Lo keep her still fresh 
 in our memory ; however, we do not feel the leas 
 grateful to Mrs, C, S. Rodier for the magnificent 
 
 toift, 
 
 De 
 
A CHILD OP MARY. 
 
 73 
 
 Villa Maria, Feb. 27th, 1815. 
 
 Dear Friend,'' 
 
 Vi=i> ^ I- "■!■».! i 
 
 My task to-day does not consist in recalling ' 
 the ordinary occurrences of our beloved Yilla 
 home ; ah ! no, the subject of this letter will bo 
 at the same time sad and consoling. It is also 
 a warning «.nd even a condemnation to many 
 convent girls who do not profit of the advan- 
 tages offered them, and think but of present . 
 enjoyment. If they do sometimes cast a thought 
 on the future, it is not that glorious future tha^ 
 will last forever, but on those days when they 
 will be tasting ti\e enchanting cup of pleasure 
 that a deceitful world holds forth to allure them. 
 
 Half our term has passed, and Almighty God 
 has chosen two of Mary's children : one He has 
 called to His own special service, and faithful to 
 hor Heavenly Spouse she now treads the well' 
 beaten track of Virgins. The other was found 
 worthy to receive a still greater grace, the 
 death of the just, As the latter is unknown 
 
 lit 
 
 I 
 
 m 
 
 •"ji I 
 
 Mt| 
 
74 
 
 A CHILD OF MARY. 
 
 to you, pardon mo, if I dwell a short time on 
 
 her endearing qualities. 
 
 Our dear Ernestine left one of our convents 
 
 for the Villa in Se' tem^" r. Though she was with 
 us but for the spi ce ox p.. few months, she won 
 the affection and Cfc, ,;em /^ her teachers and 
 companions: Every one admired her piety, her 
 unhesitating obedience, her constant applica- 
 tion to her studies, her humility, her charity, 
 and all those beautiful qualities that adorn the 
 heart of Mary, for whom she had always mani- 
 fested the greatest love and veneration. She 
 waa a ** Child of Mary," and a faithful imitator of 
 the virtues of her beautiful model. What more 
 could I say of her goodness and virtue ? The 
 heart of Mary lacked no virtue, and our dear 
 Ernestine did all she could to imitate her Bless- 
 ed Mother^ ;.rfr rr»; ifT 
 
 Towards the beginning of December she 
 returned home on account of her declining 
 health. Consumption, that fatal disease, made 
 rapid progress, bi^t she was perfectly resign q4 
 
 'i ! 
 
A CHILD OF MARY. 
 
 75 
 
 to the holy will of God. In the midst of hor 
 greatest sufferings she was always the same con- 
 siderate, patient, loving, grateful child, doing 
 her utmost to lesson the trouble she fancied she 
 gave to those around her. ''* ^ 
 
 Hero also her great love of mortification 
 showed itself more than ever, she refused the 
 little delicacies offered her after taking those 
 remedies most disagreeable to the taste, sayin^^ 
 that as she had but a short time to remain o \ 
 this earth she could not renounce such an easy 
 way of gaining merit. 
 
 We were all aware that she would never reco- 
 ver, but when on the evening of the 19th inst. we 
 were told that she would hardly pass the night 
 we were taken by surprise, because we firmly 
 hoped she would be spared some time longer for 
 the edification of her familv and hor com- 
 panions, because we frequently heard from her. 
 On the following day Mother La Nativite, two 
 other nuns, her teachers, and three of our com- 
 panions went to see her j she was very happy 
 
76 
 
 A CHILD OF MARY. 
 
 to seo thein, and seemed grateful for their visit. 
 That afternoon at half past three o'clock her 
 spirit passed away, and we doubt not that Mary 
 came to conduct her faithful child to the enjoy- 
 ment of eternal bliss as she had already obtained 
 for her the hai^piness of receiving the Sacra- 
 ments of the dying, plenary indulgences, and to 
 a child of Mary, the privilege scarcely less 
 esteemed, that of entering Heaven on a Satur- 
 
 It was this loving child who comforted her 
 parents and obtained for them resignation. 
 How consoling it must indeed have been to see 
 how well their beloved child was prepared to 
 meet her Judge, and how by their joint efforts 
 and God*s holy grace they had accomplished 
 the duty imposed upon them. 
 
 On Tuesday, the 23rd, the funeral took place 
 in Notre Dame, an immense concourse at- 
 tended this solemn ceremony ; and next to her 
 parents and relations none could have felt more 
 deeply for our darling Ernestine than those who 
 
 n 
 V 
 
A CHILD OP MARY. 
 
 77 
 
 numboied her among their classmates in our 
 Villa. 
 
 Never shall this funeral service of one so 
 dear be forgotten, and when we think of the 
 companion that is praying for us in Heaven, it 
 will remind us that our hour will soon come ; 
 may it also prevent us from attaching ourselves 
 to this land of exile j may her peaceful, happy 
 death encourage us to follow in her footsteps, so 
 that when we shall have arrived at that awful 
 moment, we may be as resigned and as happy 
 as was our dear Ernestine, because all our 
 hope, all our affection, shall be in God. ^ 
 
 Cease not to pray that such may be the 
 
 happy end .u) Ivhk 
 
 Of your loving and affectionate friend, 
 
 Having just received a copy of the sermon 
 of the month's mind of dear Ernestine through 
 the obliging politeness of the Rev. P. L. La- 
 
 V 
 
 pierre, we are happy to add it to this small 
 
 -'^ w 
 
78 
 
 A CHILD Ot* MABf. 
 
 volume, as another touching souvenir of a day 
 which will always live in the memory of the 
 Graduates of 1875. ..., 
 
 « Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." 
 
 I did not expect, young ladies, to have the 
 pleasure of addressing you this morning, but I 
 could not refuse the invitation of the venerable 
 and worthy religious foundress and superioress 
 of the Establishment of Villa Maria, whom every 
 one calls by the sweet name of " Mother," which 
 she deserves by so many titles. 
 
 In the large city of Montreal, in the different 
 parts of Canada, and throughout the United 
 States, how many young persons like yourselves, 
 young ladies, have loved, respected, and vener- 
 ated the good Mother La Nativite. A great 
 number of religious owe to her skilful direc* 
 tion the development of their sublime vocation. 
 
 Hundreds of ladies of the world are indebted 
 to her- for being women according to the heart of 
 God — christian mothers who are the hopes of 
 the Church, and the safeguard of society ; conse- 
 
A CHILD OF MARY. 
 
 79 
 
 quently, those good mothers are happy to confide 
 their children to her, whose wisdom, science 
 and virtue formed their hearts, enlightened their 
 understanding, and of whom they preserve an 
 undying souvenir. Among the latter is the mo- 
 ther of your dear departed companion. This 
 dear child I am confident died the death of which 
 the Prophet speaks, rich in the gifts of God's 
 grace, and after having accomplished the work 
 of her sanctification. , , . i ... . 
 
 It was beneath the shades of a convent that 
 she grew up, it was under the influence of religi- 
 ous instruction she developed those virtues which 
 rendered her agreeable to God, so dear to her 
 parents and teachers, and which acquired for her 
 your affection during her short sojourn among 
 you. Let us hope that flhe already enjoys that 
 happiness after which wo still sigh. ^ ; , .^ , , 
 
 To die well, young ladies, to die the death 
 of* the just is a great science, " the science of 
 sciences," and it is particularly this science 
 which you come to study here, under the 
 
 i \ /:: 
 
80 
 
 \ CHILD OF MARY. 
 
 skilful direction of your devoted teacher.s. They 
 teach you to live well, and that is the secret of 
 dyin^ well, for death is the echo of life. Your 
 pious mistresses help you with their counsels 
 and experience during your pilgrimage from 
 time to eternity. You are every day witness of 
 their devotedness, you are the objects of their 
 maternal care : that, perhaps, which you do not 
 understand sufficiently, the pious and touching 
 reunion of this morning tells you, it is the tender 
 and constant souvenir which your good mothers 
 preserve of you. It outlives all, and it goca 
 even further than the tomb, and when, young 
 ladies, you shall sleep in the shadow of death, 
 they will still think of you, and their affection 
 will follow you by the prayers which they will 
 offer to God in your behalf 
 
 On beholding you, thus united, at the foot of 
 the altar under the eye of Jesus, and the guard- 
 ianship of angels, I represent to myself Mary 
 in the temple of Jerusalem, preparing herself to 
 fulfil the high destiny to which the Lord called 
 
A CHILD OP MARY. 
 
 81 
 
 ber. Be faithful to the principles which these 
 holy religious endeavor to inculcate, practice 
 generously the christian virtues which you see > 
 so beautifully exemplified, and then, young 
 ladies, on the day on which God will call you to 
 Himself you will bo enrolled with your deceased 
 companion in that army of blessed souls, who 
 sing the glories of Jesus and Mary ; that is why 
 the Holy Ghost has said : " Blessed are the 
 dead who die in the Lord. " May we all, young 
 ladies, obtain this happy death, which should 
 be the predominant desire of every christian 
 soul, and may you long preserve the dear and 
 venerated Superioress, who teaches you the way 
 to heaven by precept and example, ' 
 
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