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Photographic

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N^OTHEI^ Q^

ims ri.Ex>aK of our i.ove

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE,

Houndres.s.

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M'n'riKK i»i: \a .wi-imtk

,>Nil TMK

i*-;

Hiiriii of ilic (\,!njii,i,,ity

3I3TERS OF VtlSEEICQRDE

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Ma II V 7 I

-lUJI "111!!!!! |,c:, V.

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MONTHtAt .

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'(i iN VIUl I ,. , tv,,- \\y^y >|i-.j.f-.

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MOTHKR 1)E LA NATIVITE

AND THE

Origin of tlie Communitj

OF Tin

SISTERS OP MISERICORDE

184tt.l©9«

^-— ^^^T'"'^ (Matt. v. 7.)

y h^/rw**- '"" ""^ >"<:rcifuli for they
. <^ ^nall obtain mercy. '

MONTREAL,

MONTREAL

PlilNTUNu OfFIi.K of THK Issfl

ri'Tiox Fui: Deaf Mutes

1898

It! • /

2 7 V 1 5

Imprimatur

►J< PAULUS, Archiep. Marianapolitanus.

MoNTKEAL, June 25th, 1898.

MOST F r^V. PAUL HRUCHKSI,

Secon.l Archliisliop of Montre.i!.

Kta. LAFRte « lAVCHGNl

'11

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5 ^ ^ _4^ ^^^_ .^k- ^ -'i _ T -^

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£ -T" ■■";^'^-'

^i:?C^S§^g|

"T-

AUTHOR'S PREFACE

[^"N Januarv IGth, 1898, feast of the
"i ITolv Name of Jc^us, the Sisters of

Miserioonlc* «rratofiillv celebrated
the Fiftieth Aiiiiivcivary of their found-
ion.

Many friends of the Commnnit}*, both
among the clergy and lait\% had eagerly assembled
to lake part in the joy of thei^e Angels of cliarity,
and, united in tlie same sanctuary, at the foot of
the same altar, to offer up to heaven tlie incense of
their gratitude for the rtast and tlieir fervent sup-
plications for tlie future of the Community. In the
morning, Dom Antoine, Mitreil A)»l)Ot of tlie Trap-
pist Fathers of Oka, ofh-red the Holy Sacrifice, and
in the evening, His (nlrace Archhis^liop Bruchesi of

.'(

1 1

AUTHOR S PREFACE

' 1

Hi
I

Montreal, before giving solemn Benediction of the
Blessed Sacrament, delivered an address that drew
tears from the eyes of all jtresent.

After a touching reference to the merciful good-
ness of our Saviour in regard to fallen women, — the
woman of Samaria, the woman found in adultery,

St. Mary Magdelenc, His Grace continued :

— " This work of goodness and mercy of Jesus is
" being carried on throughout the ages and has

" been accomplished here for fifty years past

" If you only knew, my dear brethren, all the good
" that is done in this house ; if j-ou only knew all
" the sorrows, all the misfortunes, all the anguish
" which have found a refuge and relief byneath
" this blessed roof during the past fifty years !

" If you only knew with what self-sacrifice, what
" discretion, what scrupulous reserve charity is
" exercised here ! If you only knew 'W niany
" families owe to this house the preservation of their
" honor in the eyes of the world ! No, no, the
" miracles of grace worked within these walls are
" unknown. Xot only do unfortunate young girls
" find here a refuge from shame and despair but
" they also recover the friendship of God and learn
" to practise the most beautiful virtues. — Elsewhere,
" the good accomplished is se- n ; here, it is hidden
" and must remain hidden ! Behold the peculiar

"I*

AUTHOR S PREFACE

VII

, what

y i«

11) any

their

, the

s are

tjirls

• hut

learn

here,

iihlen

euliur

" merit of the Sisters of this Community ! Behold
" the special characteristic of their Institute."

These words inspired and have sustained the idea
of this work, and they would, if needed, justify
it. Our desire has heen to make known and cause
to he duly appreciated a Communit}-, which like
many others, is a native born child of our own City,
and which, in spite of the obscurity wherein from
the nature of its labors, it must abide, has never
ceased, during half a century, to deserve well of
the Church and of societv in Canada. If we must
refrain from making known to the public, the many
" miracles of goodness and grace" which have been
worked in the shade and mystery of this solitude,
and which will be revealed in all their splendor only
beyond the limits of time, the hand of piety may,
it seems to us, at least gather up the crumbs that
fall from the continual feast given to God bv holv
souls, and it is well to save the 0-agmeivts of the
living bread of good example, lest they perish
without profit. Our task has been an easy and
consoling one, avc had oidy to relate events in their
order. May we have succeeded in doing so with
simplicity, according to our desire. The sitectacle
of a woman of lunnble rank without other arms
than her faith and her charity, struggling against
the dilHculties that nature most dreads : — jiovcrty,

VIII

author's preface

I .

contradictions, mockiiig ami sarcastic irony, natural
loatliintj^ and all kinds of ^uttering ; and on tlie
other liand, God ntemplating the seemingly un-
equal contest, and sending help in season, and finally
rewarding and crowning the virtue which hoped in
llini alone ; — is moving enough hy itself to dispel the
thought, had it come to our mind, of seeking to
endjcllish it by borrowed ornaments.

We have not been able to defend ourself from
lively emotion in jn'oportion as the existence of
Mother de la Nativite and her tirst companions, so
complete and so great in its humility, has been un-
folded before our eyes and we cannot dissemble
that we have felt the desire of sharing our feelings
with all the friends and benefactors of " La Miseri-
corde." To them this book is specially addressed.
May they be pleased to receive it as a feeble
manilestation of a gratitude that can never be fully
expressed.

On reading the biographical sketch consecrated
to the memory of this pious foundress, and the
painful beginnings of her work, the relation of the
sacrifices of the early religious, the slow but pro-
gressive development of the Community during the
period closed by this Jubilee year, they will, we
know, bless God for having inspired them with the
desire and the will of making su^h a noble use of

AUTHORS PREFACE

their wealtli, and hy associiiting tlieni in the work
of His mercy on eartli, given them tlie sweet
assurance of sharing one day in His promise :
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall ol)tain
mercy."

Lastly, we are happy to add a new page to the
annals of the religious Communities of Canada and
of the charitable works of " Ville-Marie." Spring-
ing up at the liour marked by Providence to answer
the needs that the increasing population of a great
city daily multiplies, tliey have all worked with
zeal and prudence and rapidly won and merited the
admiration and gratitude of Christian souls.— A
city may well be proud, when after having engraved
on the frontispiece of her religious history the name
of the Venerable Marguerite Bourgeois and the
Congregation of Notre Dame, and inscribed in her
annals in the course of vears, the names of
Venerable Mother d'Youville and the Grcv nuns,
Motlier Gamelin and the Sis+rs of rrovidence.
Mother Mario-Rose and her daughters,— she can add
on the last page, with Mother Marie-Anne and the
Sisters of St. Aim, the name of Mother de la Nati-
vite and the Sisters of Misericorde. But God forbid
that wo should draw vanity from the gifts which
He, in His bounty dispenses, or even for an instant
forget that to Him alone belongs the glory, and

I •< :

lil^

I ]

n I

'! I

I !'■

AUTHORS PREFACE

that to Ilim alone sliould arise our hymn of
gratitude : " No)) nuhls Domrne, non nobis, sed
iiommi t'-f-i da Ghriam. ! "

L. J. C.

:! 'ji

■I .li

BOOK I

LIFE of the FOUNDEESS

AND

ORIGIN OF THE WORK

(ia4G-iae4)

■'i;
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4»

J"'

;' t.

f 1.

CIIArTER 1st

Childhood— Marriage — Happiness.

f'inil iiilliiir iitiiiur miini... f/iiHuivi
siipiriiliiiiii. , . iimbiiliirit ji'k iihiih ilir
nrtinii. (Kc CI.. 1. IS-UI.)

Wlit'ii I WHS jef younii. . . I sought lor
wisdom. . . My foot wiilkud in the right
w.'iy.

iqJ:x,:<

|\'.^|/J-9i/^ HE suniiiRT toiiri.st (U'scouding the
•^^f^^'^-ii Majestic St. Lawrence tVoiu Mont-
/ real to Quebec, may discover through

^ the transparent veil of twilight, a
modest church situated near the left bank
of the river, and half hidden bv a screen of
foliage. Its tall spire rises towards Heaven like
the incense of the evening prayer, scattered here
and there at a short distance from the church are
to be seen small country houses overshadowed by
sturdy elms and maples and surrounded by small
gardens where nature's loveliest flowers bloom
beside her most useful productions. Such is the

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

''■

. 11

« :

•li:

villaeje of Lavjiltrio whose touiidiition dates from
the earlicHt davn of the XVIIIth century, l^evond
the vilhige stretch forth fcrtiU; meadows and vast
tiehln of oats and harh'v, hedged at intervals by
lines of shruhs and thickets. Towards the north
the level soil rises by degrees, until the low hills
seeni to meet the sky and form the boundary of the
horizon. The bauics of the river are rather low,
but at the same time so broken and diversified as
to be of an agreable aspect. A large island rises
from the water in front of the village, and with its
crown of verdure, its gray }tatches of shingle and
boulders, and above all the anticpie light-houses
that are still to be seen on its heights, it forms a
landscape which the weary traveller looks upon
with pleasure and interest.

The greater part ot the inhabitants of Lavaltrie
are farmers, and although not rich, yet they are
fairly well-to-do and enjoy the moderate comforts
which arc the just reward of their labor. The
sturdy faith and virtues of their forefathers are
their most precious inheritance, and many a time
has God found among their children His chosen
ones, to abide in His sanctuary and become the
instruments of His mercies to man.

Such was indeed Marie Rosalie Cadron, the future
foundress of the Sisters of Misericorde. Her father

THE ORKHN OF THE SISTERS (»F MISERICORDE

Aiitoiiie Ca<lron, or Caderoii, lived on tlio produce
of liis fields and her mother, Rosalie Roy, was the
daiigliter of an honest farmer living in the same
j»arish. Both were sincere and generous Christians
of a type which, God he thanke<l, luis not entirely
disapi»eared from our rural districts. God held the
l>lace of honor at their fireside, and His holy law
was the rule of their dailv actions. We are told
that Antoine Cadron was a model of patience and
suhnnssion to the will of God, whilst his young
wife was remarkahle for her energy, her moral
strength and lier grea prudence.

God hlessed their u lion by the birth of three
children : Marie Kosalie, whose biography we are
now attempting to write ; Sophie, who outlived her
pious sister several years, and a boy wlio died
while joung.

Marie Rosalie was born on the 27tli of February,
1794, and her pious parents had her regenerated in
the sacrament of Bajttism on the same day. The
venerable parish priest, M. Lamothe, infused into
her young soul that grace of christian life which
was one day to bloom forth in such beautiful flowers
and produce such excellent fruits of righteousness.
Did a supernatural light enlighten the pastor's
mind, as to the child's future life, during these holy
ceremonies? 'Tis more than we can say. However

MliTUKU I)K LA NATIVITK ANI>

that iiiav bo, later on, lie told Madame (^^idroii to
carefully watch over Marie Rosalie, declaring llial
she was destined to aecuiiiplish great thingn in the
service ol' God.

" Facts have Justified this presentiment," sai<l
the saintly Hisliop Bourget ; " she was truly a chi 1
" of predilection, not only in virtue of tlic graces
" with wliich she was endowed, but also through
" the virtues which she practised from her infancy."

From lier earliest youth Marie Rosalie showed
forth unequivocal marks of the hoi}' life she was
one day to lead. Would it were given us to pene-
trate under the liundde roof tliat sheltered her
youthful days and revive some of those charming
family scenes enlivened an<l sanctified ))y the Joyous
innocence of tlic child, but time which respects
notliing, has destroyed this modest dwelling and
effaced avorx trace of its existence. We are tlius
reduced to general evidence unadorned by any par-
ticular object or fact : this evidence, however, is itself
of great value. According to her mother's testimony
Marie Rosalie had not the faults generally seen in
children of her age, but from her earliest childhood
was a model of obedience, piety and industry, and
such was the harmony of the virtues to be seen in
her, that she was looked \\\)or\ as a "perfect" child.

Above all she was full of charity for the unfort-

THE ORIGIN OF THE 8I8TBR8 OP MI8ERIC0RDE

uiiato. The very sight ot th'jin moved her soul to
pity and nhe <lid everytliing iti her power to help
them witli u motherly tenderness. Oiten wu.-; 8he
to he seen deprivin<:: lierselt" of u part of her own
elotliing, in favor of the indigent. Did she liappen
to learn that any of them were siek, slie immediately
hastened to their l)edside, to lavish on them tender
care and eonsoling words. It might have been said
even then, tliat the poor were " lier most intimate
friends." We shall seo this B\nr\t of eompassion
and eharity increase with her years.

Endowed with an intelligent mind and sound
judgment, Marie Rosalie soon mastered tlieelenients
of instruction, such as then taught in country
schools, and her parents decided to gWe her a better
education, by jtlacing lier under the care of tlie
Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Drnie. Con-
vent school life did not agree with her natural
activity, and lier father was soon obliged to take her
from the convent for fear the constraint might
seriously injure her health.

On lier return home, Marie llosalie recovered her
health and spirits and soon resumed her former
way of life in the parish where she was known and
loved for her virtues.

She had attained her seventeenth year when her
; :ents thought of marrying her to Jean-Marie

Jettc whom she luid known .since ()ill<lli<x»«l- The
marriage was celebrated the 7th of Octolier, 1811.
The young man was an excellent matcli. Of a
generous and good disposition, aniniati.tl by strong
faith ami fervor in the practice of chrii«tian dntiefl,
Jette was capable of appreciating the virtues of his
young wife and worthy of seconding her in her
good works. The marriage did not caui?e a separa-
tion in the Cadron family. Marie Kosalie continned
living with her parents, who gave up u jjart of
their house to the newdy married couple. His
health beginning to fail soon after, Mr. Cadron gave
up to his daughter and her husband the house and
their portion of his estate, conditioned on their
undertaking to care for* their parents until the end
of their life. He died the next year and Madame
Jette grieved long over his loss : her mother
remained to her and was still to be her consolation
for the next twenty-iive years ; she was also to lie to
her the occasion of many sacrifices and much merit
on account of the infirmitie.. with which she was
stricken in her old age.

Those who knew Marie Rosalie during her girl-
hood, could easily surmise what she would l>e in
her new state of life. A loving and devote<l wife,
a tender and watchful mother and a1>ove all a fer-
vent Christian, vigilantly consecrating all the leisure

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE

rgirl-

Ih? in

wife,

a fer-

eisnre

moments of her laborious life to works of zeal and
charity, such was her daily life during the twenty-
two years she lived in the iriarriage state. Eleven
children were given her; six only, — two girls and
four hoys, — grew up. Gotl claimed the five others
while yet they wore their bapti:snial robe of innocence.

Madame Jette wa^j deeply impressed with the
sense of her duty towards her children. Looking
upon them as a deposit confided to her watchful
care by divine Providence, she brought them up
rather for God than for herself, wishing above all
things to make them gofnl Christians To succeed
in this difficult task she had only to infuse the
sentiments of her own soul into theirs, and this was
one ot the greatest objects of her sollicitude in life.

Whilst teaching them the elements of religion,
she endeavored at the same time to form their
hearts to piety, and to imbue their souls with that
strong faith that sees and blesses the hand of God
in all the events of life.

We shall often have theopportunity of remarking
this disposition of iilial trust in divine Providence,
which was the predominant feature of Madame
Jetto s whole life and sustained her amidst the
trials she had to undergo. After her death, one of
her daughters wrote : " Mother never ceased (jiviuc:
" us an example of resignation, no matter what

^i^^Sk

MOTUER DE LA NATIVITE AND

. t Uffli

■»

•li'l

" happened ; she always remained calm in time of
" trial, and resigned and submissive in adversity ;
" her only words were : 'Tie God's will, — blessed be
" His Holy name. Nothing seemed to afflict her
" more than to see others wanting confidence in
" God's goodness. How often '^ have heard her
" upbraid persons wlio gave way to murmurs
" against the divine Will !"

While she taught her children to receive with
txie like gratitude both the good and the ills of life,
as they came from the hand of God, she was no less
solicitous to instill into their youthful hearts great
charity and gentleness towards their neighbor.
Hence she often recommended to them never to
nourish feelings of resentment towards any one.
" Even though they may have done you the
" greatest possible wrong," said she, " never take
" revenge ; we must forgive if wc wish to be
' forgiven ourselves. Let us endure for the love of
" God, all that others cause us to sufi'er, those that
" insult us know not what they are doing."

Madame Jettc practised faithfully herself what
she thus recommended to her children, and lived
always in perfect harmony with her neighbors. She
would never suffer or listen to backbiting and those
slanderous reports that circulate so freely in the
world ; her charity enabled her to explain and

1 Ik'

1 !i-

I! 'M'

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE

excuse everytliing, and if it became necessary to
remonstra.te with those who forgot tliemselvcs in
her presence, she liesitated not to do it. Slie always
gave tlie lesson with so much diarity and mildness,
however, that it was accepted without a murmur.
The charity that she showed tow^ards the unfort-
unate in her childhood was far from diminishino;
Avith time ; on the contrary it became more intense
as she advanced in years. Moreover, Mr. Jette
was a precious auxiliary to her. This excellent
man loved the poor, and the door of his dwelling
was open day and night to them. The village ot
Lavaltrie being on the highway from Montreal to
Quebec, many were the poor families and workmen
that passed through it, on their w^ay to Lhc city in
quest of work, especially during those early years
when railways had not yet facilitated the means of
communication between towns and cities. The Jette
homestead was ever wide open to all the poor and
infortunate ; not only were they received when they
themselves sought hospitality, but it was most
generously offered to them before they had expressed
a wish. Madame Jette especially was always on
the look-out. Her sister Sophie said : " I have often
seen her go to meet indigent families who were
seeking a shelter, and offer them hospitality for the
night, if it was during the summer season, or for

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

several days and even weeks during the rigorous
Canadian winters. Once especially, a poor Indian
family was housed for a whole week. The appear-
ance of the guests thus received was at times suspi-
cious, and Madame Jette on such occasions made
known her fears to her husband, hut that courageous
Christian invariably made light of her anxiety and
silenced his own repugnant feelings. "Fear nothing,"
he would say, " God will protect us, it is better to
watch all night than to refuse hospitality." We
may well believe that such words as these did not
fail to quiet the apprehensions of the noble hearted
woman.

The poor never asked her help in vain. One
day she had just taken from the oven a nice cake
which was to have been a treat for her own children,
when there appeared on the scene a poor beggar,
whose emaciated face told )f long fasting and sutfer-
ing, asking for a piece of bread for the love of God.
Without a moment's hesitation Madame Jette gave
him the warm cake. Her christian spirit had
triumphed over her motherly love. At other times
she did not wait for the poor to knock at her door,
but went forward to meet them and solace them in
their cruel suiferings. nnd in her visits to the homes
of the indigent she never went empty-handed.
Now she carried them fresh eggs or vegetables

:*.

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE

from her garden, and at another time chicken or
fruit, knowing well that the joy produced in the
heart by a friendly word is never cc^mplete, unless
accompanied by those charitable deeds that take
away all anxiety for bodily wants from the minds
of the poor and needy. She was most solicitous
for the sick and especially- when tlieir recovery was
despaired of. Her sister writes : " 1 have often
" seen her pass hours beside the bed of dying per-
" sons, talking to them of the joys of Heaven and
" the mercies of God, in order to increase their
" confidence and alleviate the sufferings of their
" last moments : nor did she fear to speak of God's
" vengeance and the everlasting punishment due to
" sinners, when she judged it tiecessary to do so in
" order to excite contrition in their hearts and pre-
" pare them worthily to receive God's pardon."

When any of the neighboring families were visited
by death, Madame Jette was always the first to
render fill the services required in such cases : she
helped lay out the body for burial and often furnished
the material from her own resources. After having
thusaftbrded material aid, she poured into the hearts
of the atHicted family the sweet balm of pious con-
solations so much needed and appreciated in time
of bereavement.

One of the spiritual works of mercy dear to

Tsmm

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

li '&

1 M

Madame Jctte's heart was to instruct young ehiltlren
preparing for tlioir First Coninuinion. After ques-
tioning them carei'ully in the Catechism she would
give them a few short and impressive explanations,
striving ahove all to inspire them with the love
of God and virtue. What a charming sight to see
her surrounded hy a dozen of her young pupils:
what emotion in her voice when she strove to inspire
them with a horror for vice and especially for sacri-
legious confessions and Communions. With what
penetrating unction did she not exhort them to place
Iheir confidence in the mother of God and to pre-
serve their hearts pure from the stain of sin ; and
with what accents of gratitude mingled with desire
did she not tell them of the joys of Heaven, and
remind them of all that God has done and still
does daily for our salvation ! She taught them also
pious hymns and sang wath them herself. Thanks
to her zeal and patience the children were well
prepared for the great day of their First Communion,
and the good parish priest was never obliged to
refuse admittance to the Sacred Banquet to any of
those sent to him by Madame Jette. Not only did
she care for the souls of these little ones ; she also
provided for their exterior needs by making cloth-
ing for those that belonged to poor families.

She was remarkably skilful \.i needlework. Like

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE

ill ; and

tlie valiant woman wlione portrait is admirably
traced in the book of Proverbs, she knew bow to
make good clothes for those of her family, and her
bands alone sufHced to keep them clad with neatness
and decency. The interior of her household rellected
the peace and order that reigned in her own soul.
Simplicity and neatness were visible everywhere.
" There was a place for everything and everything
in its place," and according to her sister's words
" the most captions critic would not have been able
to tind fault with anything."

One of the most striking features of Madame
Jettc's moral character was her unchanuinu' u'cntle-
ness. Never did the smallest cloud overshadow
her iireside ; ever tender and obliging towards her
husband, mild and patient with her servants, she
always managed to banish even the most trivial
cause of dispute or bitterness. When she was
obliged to correct her children, she did it firmly,
but also with mildness and prudence. So rarely
was she heard to utter an impatient word, that she
seemed to be almost perfectly free from those
weaknesses, from which no liuman soul can be
completely exemfjt. Trials and tribulations did
not disturb her admirable serenity of mind, she
received them meekly from the hand of our Hea-
venly Father and joyfully went her way without a
shade of ill-humor.

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

If we pay attention wc shall see later on, her
tranquillity in tribnlationn, lier meekness in suft'er-
ing, and her serenity amid hnmiliiitions, increase
and grow stronger and linally reach the proportions
of true heroism.

But there was nothing stiff and repulsive in
Madame Jette's virtues. She was naturally amiable
and lent herself easily to the relaxations and annise-
ments required in educating youth. She was fond
of fishing, and in her leisure moments she often
gave herself up to this imiocent pleasure with her
oldest children. "What impressions nuist not her
noble and delicate soul have experienced at the
sight of the mighty St. Lawrence, with its many
verdant isles adorned with trees of every possible
variety, and its majestic stream hastening onwards
ever towards the darkening cast, while in the west
the setting sun seemed to linger for a moment on
the horizon and cast a regretful look backwards,
over its course before yielding up to night the rule
of the heavens. "SVe are here reduced to conjectures, .
but is it not natural to think that God, who makes
all things work together for the good of those souls
as to whom he has special designs, made use of
those great spectacles of nature to raise his servant's
heart to Ilim, to manifest to her some inkling of
His own infinite beauty, and draw her to Himself,
by stronger and closer ties?

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE 17

There wan Ji little garden elo8e to the house,
where Matlanie Jette ibund delight in cultivating
witli her own hands the jirettiest of flowers. In
winter she took them inside and continued her
delicate care. She saw in them, no douht, the image
of tlie virtues with wliich she must strive to adorn
her soul ; and moreover, another })ious motive
animated her : at Christmas time she could endjel-
lish the Crib of the Divine Child with flowers and
verdure and adorn her own domestic chapel, which
was spoken of as quite "magnificent" in those times.

This small sanctuary was dear to her. When
her domestic occu^jations, or the stormy weather,
kept her away from church, Madame Jette would
kneel in prayer before her modest statue of the
Virgin Mother, or commend her loved ones to
St. Joseph, the head of the Holy J'amily. She loved
to sing, as we have already said, and she had a
sweet voice, but never were those frivolous and
profane songs indulged in by wordly persons heard
on her lips. She found a particular charm in the
old-fashioned hymns she had, no doubt, learned
during her childhood,— those in honor of St. Gene-
vieve, St. Alexis and St. Joseph being her favorites.
In this Avay did she follow the advice of St. Paul,
" speaking to herself in psalms and hymns, and
spiritual canticles, singing and making melody in
her heart to the Lord."

'»■

h •

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

- n : j'i'v!

She nourished her i»iety uinl chsirity by tVe(jueiit
visits to Our Dear Lord in the most BUfssed Saeni-
iiieut and by fervent eoinniiniiotis. What joy for
her soul, when amidst her many oeeupations Machime
Jetto conhl find a leisure moment to devote to
prayei, and with what eaijerness did she hasten
<U)wn the narrow path, lined with trees, winding
alonu; the banks of the St. Lawrence to the church.
The building no longer exists, but we know it was
situated on the bank of the river. The incessant
erosion of the water threatened to carry away the
sandy ground on which the church was built, so it
was demolished in the n\iddle of this century, and
a new one erected, Thus, are we deprived of the
hap])inoss of seeing the baptismal font where this
jtrivileged soul was born to the supernatural life, —
and of kneeling at the foot of the altar, whore every
Sunday, and often on several successive week days,
she received her God in the Sacrament of love.
Fortunately those who witnessed her piety have
recorded their impressions, and thus has the remem-
brance of it come down to us. From her childhood,
Madame Jette was penetrated with the deepest
respect tor our holy mother the Church and obeyed
her injunctions with religious tidelity. Her sister
tells us that she would rather have died than eat
meat on a day of abstinence. But obligatory

THE ORKIIN UF TIIK HLSTKKS OF MISKIUOOIIKE

jK'iiMin'cs (lid not surtiio to qnoiicli her thirst of
nioititicjition, and she practiscMl otliers which iiiijirht
liavo injured her health, "What is done lor God,"
she said, " never causes deatli, on the coTitrary, the
more we do i'or Ilini tlie liajtpier we are," Such
solid virtue united to precious qualities of mind and
iMart, the charm attached to a simi)le and noble
character and her eagerness to ren<ler service, with-
out exceeding the limits of discretion, had not failed
to earn for Madame Jctte, the respect and affection
of the whole parish. The pastor of Lavaltrie
esteemed her most highly, an<l Madame de la Nau-
difere, (') whose large estate formed a considerable
part of the parish, took great pleasure in holding
irequent intercourse with her. Meantime, thanks
to the industry and intelligent care of Madame Jette,
the prosperity of the family became more tirmly
established as the years went by.

Everything therefore seemed calculated to attach
Madame Jette to her native village and retain her
there for the remainder of her life. But the increase
of the family, and the anticipation of its coming
needs, and above all these motives, the secret designs

(1) The manuscript does not tell us who this Madame de la Naudidre
was. We arc inclined to think that she was Elizabeth de la Come, born in
1744, and married in 17tiO, to Charles Louis Tarieu do la Naudidre, Seignior
of la P6rade ; eldest son of Charles Francis, who distinguished himself at
Carillon and who died in 1811, a member of the Legislative Council.

ij I

>i .J,

MOTHER DE LA NAT1VIt6

of God, wIjo conducts everything to ita end with
strength and suavity, nmdc her hu8])and determine
to huy a hirgcr farm near St. Ilyacinthe.

' ' !■

I'll

■ wi' ■

olh_ »^ »t' ■'~'h_ '!<t") »f^ «** _»J»i idK «Ji «lh ^ J't<.^

^-^ ^ t^ ^ '4' «^9 *j^ «^ '^ »^ «^ ~^^ ^ ifi if

CHAPTER II

Trials and Good Works.

Confidilinvitcor viriaui (Pfiov. xxxi.
11.)

The lionrt of her husband trusteth in
her.

fn dii: tribulatiitnis nicm Deum exqui-
aivi. (Ps. LXXVI. .'t.)

Ill the day of my trouble I sough t Qod .

mi HE year 1825 is an important date in
v^f^ the life of Madame Jette, if it be
true as we cannot doubt, that God
prepares souls which are destined to
accomplish a great mission in the Avorld
by visiting them with sufterings, and
marking them as it were with the sepl of the cross.
From this date a new career is opened to the
pious woman. Until then, her existence had been
tilled with happiness and honor in her birthplace,
where she lived free from care or trouble ; hence-
forth she is to see but days of adversity and mourn-
ing. Kevertheless, God, who is always the same

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITB AXD

1 I ■';'!' ill'

good Fatlier, afflicts our nature only to secure the
triumph of liis grace, and we bIuiII «ee Madame
Jette as calm, as self-possepsed, as full of courage
and gaiety, in the midst of trial?, as she ever was
in time of prosperity. Her first step on leaving
Lavaltrie was marked by tribulations. By mis-
chance it happened that the house which was to
receive the family, near St. Ilyaciuthe, was not ready
at the date fixed for the surrender of the house at
Lavaltrie to its new possessor. Madame Jette and
her children were thus several davs without a home.
In this extremity she sought hos}«itaHty from her
sister, who lived in the same village ; but she met,
strange to say, a harsh refusal, and wa* obliged to
seek a refuge in an abandoned hovel, open on all
sides to the wind and the heavy rain» of that season
of the year. Fortunately another neighbor, moved
with pity at seeing the family in such wretched
quarters, came forward and removed them all to
the shelter of her own home. Tliis was onlv the
prelude of more painful trials. Scarcely two years
had passed since the Jette famil3' had taken possec
sion of their new property, wlien they found them-
selves forced to surrender it. The farm was found to
be subject to mortgages whose exit^tence they never
suspected, and was claimed by the creflitors of the
dishonest seller. They had, of coun^e, to give it up.

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE

It was 8urrc'ti(U'riii*r the fruit of long years of work
and economy. This loss was a cruel blow for
Mr. Jette, Uneat^ines-x for the future of his family
took possession of his mind. What could they do
henceturth ? AVhic-h way should they turn ? ]Iow
could lie i)rovide for his cliildren ? Troubled by
these preoccupations, he lost liis appetite and his
sleep. Under these painful circumstances, it was
his wite who consoleil him, and by considerations
grounded on faith, brought back to his soul peace
and confidence. " It is God's will," said she,
" and we must be resigned and submissive. He
" will not abandon us ; lie will take good care
" of us, and we can eani our living anywhere."
She also persuade<l him to pardon the man who
had so shamefully deceived them and caused
their ruin, and to refrain from prosecuting him,
lest his family should be dishonored. The vir-
tuous wonum's trust in Providence was verified.
At Montreal where they went to live, they met
sympathy and protection from Mr. Jette's family,
and through hard work and severe economy they
succeeded in ]iroviding for all their needs. Madame
Jette was deeply impressed with gratitude towards
God, who never abandons his children when they
are in need, and endeavored to instil the sentiments
other own heart into the hearts of her household.

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

|:|

■ifr

i;l|;illiV!

" You see that God does not abaiulon us," she
wouhl say to her husband ; " let us rejoice in our
" poverty. We liave good children and they can
" earn their living, even while young. They will
" be protected from poverty, because they are
" trained to work. " She would say the same
" things to her sons : " My children, the good things
" that God gives us, do not belong to us ; lie takes
" them away when lie pleases : let us rejoice ni all
" that hapi)en8, and let us thank God l)oth in pros-
" perity and adversity. — It is the secret of liappi-
" ness." These admirable sentiments raised her
soul above the trivial events and perishable goods
of this world, and rendered her superior though not
insensible to the trials of life. For her they were a
source of strength in the accomplishment of her
duties, and inspired her wnth fervor in the service of
God. But a much heavier cross than all the former
ones, now awaited her. Madame Jettd had been
living in Montreal but seven years when her hus-
band was suddenly taken from her. The cholera
which was so fatal in 1832 carried him oft* in twenty-
lour hours. Mr. Jette, at the hour of death,
although quite resigned to God's Avill, could not
help shedding tears on thinking how his dear family
would sufter from poverty after his death. He
exhorted his children to be faithful in the service of

■V.

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE

IS," she
iQ in onr
they can
'hey will
hey are
tie same
id things
:Ie takes
ice m all
. in pros-
»f happi-
ised her
le goods
)ugh not
y were a
t of her
ervice of
e former
lad been
her hus-
3 cholera
1 twenty-
f death,
)uld not
ar family
ith. He
ervice of

God, and to take good care of their mother. He
confided her specially to his youngest son, Pierre,
then seventfen years old, and already eminent in
virtue. " I depend on you," said Mr. Jette, " to be
" the family's support ; proniise me that you will
" always assist and never abandon your mother."
The weeping youth made the solemn promise to his
dying father, and Mr. Jette closed his eyes in peace.

The afflicted' widow, in spite of her deep sorrow,
kissed the hand that smote her, but she long
remained inconsolable and never could be persuaded
to put off mourning. " The world is no longer
" anything to me," she exclaimed, the day after the
painful separation. We shall hereafter see how
she kept her word. The rearing and education ot
her younger children, works of charity, prayer, and
works for the conversion of simiers, became more
than ever the occupation of her life.

No sooner have we begun to look beneath the
surface of this well-spent life, than we see a funda-
mental disi)Osition inspiring all her actions, and
holding them in marvellous unity. This disposition,
— at once the fruit and tiower of divine charity, —
was an ardent desire, a craving need to spend lier-
self and give herself for God and her neighbor.
" Greater love hath no man than to give up his life
" for his friends," says the Apostle. Happy the soul

■''SiWBi

tli!

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

1...-!!

■kin'--

mm,

A'l"

that IB filled with that noble passion, and capable
of relishing its austere delights ! Its life even when
wholly spent in obscurity, derives from this complete
8elf-dei»ial a dignity and nobility, whicli partakes
less of earth than of heaven.

Madame Jette devoted herself to the relief of
suliering in others, and to bearing humiliations for
herself. She soon found, close at hand, an oppor-
tunity for practising those divine* virtues. Her
aged mother was stricken down witli paralysis and
became childish. Madame Jetti' received her into
her own home and, during seven years, gave her
the kindest and most attentive care.

For three winters, she sheltered under her roof
the sister (and her children), who had so harshly
refused her hospitality on the occasion of the
removal from Lavaltrie. She acted thus generously,
notwithstanding that she knew she was dealinii' with
a person of a captious and peevish disposition, wIki
was indifferent to her manifold acts of kindness,
and made her no return but disdain or even abuse.

These cares were not sufficient to satisfy her desire
of helping the unfortunate. No sooner was she
informed of any neighbors being sick, than she
would visit and console them, and render all the
assistance in her power. She was always willing to
help to lay out the dead. In 1832, and the following

mH\

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE

I capiible

^'eii wlien

complete

partakes

relief of
at ion 8 for
an oppor-
les. II cr
alvsis and
1 her into

T lier roof

harshly

1 of the
enerouslv,
aling with
ition, who
kindness,
:en ahuse.
her desire
■ was she
than she
or all the
willing to
following

years when those contagious diseases, the cholera
and small-pox hroke out, Madame Jette waited on
the sick with great charity and assiduity. "While
taking care of their hodies, she did not lose siglit of
their immortal souls. Her advice and good example
were particularly winning, and hecame the moving
cause of many conversions. We will mention ])ut
one example. — It was in 1832, when the cholera
made so many victims. She was one of the first to
offer her services to help nurse the sick. During
her charitahle visits, she noticed a voung man wlio
for two months had entirely devoted himself to the
poor suffering ones, working uncoasingly, night and
day, in the sick wards ; hut at the same time, she
noticed that he had no sense of religion and that
his conduct was disorderly. Madame Jette could
not see all this without trying to remedy it ; she
resolved to make his acquaintance in the hope of
heing useful to his soul, and after gaining his con-
fidence enough to permit her to speak opeidy, she
said to him : " You must l)e very unhappy, living
as you do ; but you arc too good-hearted and chari-
table for God to abandon you." " What shall I do ?
" answered the young man. " As to God, — I do
" not know Ilim ; I was brought up in the midst of
" vice, and have had no example but evil. I have
" only heard about the devil and I fear him no more

■-I

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

"than the God you want nio to know." "Be
" careful, young man," returned the pious widow,
" the God you retuHC to know will one day bring
" you to reason." — " I don't fear Ilim," said he. —
" But would you do something for me ? " she asked.
— " Oh ! willingly, " replied the young man. —
" Well, promise mo that you will think of God
" now and then, and, every day say one Ave Mario,
" or tliis invoeation : " My God, have mercy on my
" soul." The young man promised all, and quickly
learned the Ave Maria, which he had never been
taught before. Soon after he started for the Rocky
Mountains. When he left Montreal he was almost
a giant in stature, well-built, and full of life and
energy ; " as strong as any four ordinary men,"
remarks the Sister who reports this story ; " he had
" so much confidence in his own strength, that he
" thought nothing could subdue him."

Nevertheless, within the space of two years, his
disorderly life entirely shattered his robust constitu-
tion, lie then fell sick. During his sleepless
nights, he would often think of Madame Jette, and
finally resolved to sec hor again. He returned to
Montreal and soon knocked at the door of Madame
Jette's modest dwelling. He was nothing better
than a living skeleton, and she did not recognize in
him the vigorous youth she had attended two years

■'"'1
I

■i
&

w \-MS

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE

" "Be

widow,

ly bring

d he.—

e asked.

man. —

of God

2 3Iaria,

y on my

quickly

ver been

e Kocky

18 almost

life and

y men,"

" he had

that he

ears, his
constitu-
sleepless
ette, antl
nrned to
Madame
lo- better
)gnize in
wo years

before. " I am Joseph Label le," said the visitor,
" God has brought me to reason, as you said, though
" I luul no fear of anything. I have been faithi'ul to
" the promise I nuide you, however. I am very
" weak, please lind me a place in the hospital.''
Madame Jelte was much affected at this [)rodigal
child's return. Through her means, he was admitted
to the hospital, aiul no sooner was he admitted
than he called for a priest and in a loud voice com-
menced liis confession. The priest told him to
speak lower, but his answer was : " No, Father, no
" penance is too great for my sins, I am the most
" guilty man on earth." Then turning to those that
surrounded his bed, he re<iuested them to pray lor
him that he might obtain pardon. Thus did ho
open his soul to true repentance, and soon after
receiving absolution, died the death of the just.

One of Madame Jette's favorite works was to try
and reconcile witli one another tlie mond)crs of
divided families. Her presence alone suihced to
banish hatred, her words won over all hearts and her
prayers doubtless finished in secret, what her ikt-
soiud influence had alreadv begun. ITavinij: learned
that the head of a family, whom d(miestic sorrows
luul led to abandon his religious duties, was danger-
ously ill, she visited and consoled the afflicted man
so etfuctually, as to make him at last consent to accept

'*m

llllll:

■I
11

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

tliG o;oo(l offices of tho priest. lie died shortly after-
wardn, but liis lust aii;ony was somethint^ so frightful
that not even his wife and children could endure
the sight of it. Every one left the room in great
terror, excepting Madame Jette, who remained
perfectly self-possessed and assisted the dying per-
son until the last, exhorting him to be resigned to
the will of God, and frequently sprinkling his bed
with holy water. Her efforts were crowned with
success, the terrible conflict ceased and the man's
death was calm and peaceful.

Her charity embraced every kind of misfortune.
Often was she seen hurrying from house to house
in quest of employment for some poor laborer. At
other times she strove to find situations for poor
orphans, in good families where they would find,
not only the necessaries of life, but, — what is still
more precious — good christian principles. To suc-
ceed in these undertakings she was obliged to
make advances, and often to suft'er refusals and even
reproach or abuse ; all of which must have been
very painful to a person of so timid and retiring a
disposition as Madame Jette. But she awaited her
strength from God and well might she have said, with
the great Apostle of Nations : " I can do all things
" in Him who streiigtheneth me." (Phil. iv. 13.)

She gathered this energy, which raised her above

!i :i'km

THE OUIOIN OF THE SISTERS OP MISERICORDE

rtly after-
3 frightful
Id endure
1 in great
remained
lying per-
L'signed to
ig his bed
Mied with
the man's

lisfortnno.
e to house
lorer. At
i for poor
^ould find,
hat is still

I. To 8UC-

)bliged to
} and even
have been

retiring a
ivaited her
jsaid, with
> all things
V. 13.)

her above

the strongest repugnances of nature, and gave her
courage to sacrifice herself for others, from her sin-
cere piety which edified all who knew her.

Morning and evening she made long visits to
Notrc-Bame Church, and often spent hours in suc-
cession on her knees before the altar of the Blessed
Virgin, towards whom she always entertained a
special devotion. One evening she stayed so long
that the sexton when about to close the church,
after having tried in vain to attract her attention by
making a noise, had to approach and speak to her ;
so absorbed was she in her devotions that she had
heard nothing.

Alter the death of her mother in 1836, Madame
Jette was free to give hers^^lf up more entirely to
piety. Her children, in view of her delicate health,
tried in vain to repress her ardor. " Piety never
" kills one," she would reply. Three times did she
make, on foot, the pilgrimage to the Calvary on
Mount St. Ililaire, erected in 1839, by the Bishop
of Nancy, Mgr. Forbin-Janson. These long journeys
were necessarily followed by extraordinary fatigue,
but what strength does not the love of God give
even to the body ! " Love feels no burden, when
" weary, it is not tired," says the pious author of
the Following of Christ. " It performs and effects
" many things, where he that loves not faints and is
" cast down." (Im. b. iii. c. 5.)

CHAPTER III

Madame Jett6 bestows attention on fallen girls.

Ni»i inlm villi viir(trijuiitoH,a)dj)ccca-
toriM. (Matt. ix. 1.'!.)

I am nut come to call the just, but
sinners.

1^' OTIIING less than that charity wliicli
J.iJ^ knows no bounds was needed, to

induce her to undertake the work
'(t>i which Avas henceforth to consume her
m ^j whole life. There is a certain class of
persons for whom society has no word of
pity : we mean those young girls who, through
ignorance, seduction, or a moment's blindness, have
fallen into the abyss where honor and virtue perish.
— Frail flowers in their fresh bloom blighted by vice !
Alas ! how numerous are they not in the midst of
cities, where, in tlic struggle for life, human beings
are crowded together in a close and exciting atmos-
phere ! The world displayed all its charms before

TlIK ORIGIN OF THE SISTKRS OF MISERICORDE

girls.

ntl>ll,g(tlpCCC(l-

tho just, but

•ity which
iceded, to
the work
nsumo her
II class of
lo word of
), through
ness, have
tue perish.
3d hy vice !
le midst of
nan heings
;ing atmos-
nns before

tlieir eyes, when it knew them to })e innocent ; l>nt,
once it has corrupted and ruined them, it huighs at
their fall, and repulses them with horror ; reproaches
them with a crime of which it is itself the real
author, and naught hut dishonor and despair remain
to the unfortunate victims. What is to become of
them? AVhere will they go? What asylum, what
retreat will throw an impenetrable veil over their
sin? How terrible their anguish, how bitter their
despair ! Blessed forever be the friendly hand
stretched out to the young girl during these mo-
ments of agony, to save her from utter shanu' and
rehabilitate her soul before God an<l His Angels.

Such was the mission to which the rest of Madame
Jette's life was to be consecrated. For years luid
God prepared her for it by the exercise of zeal and
charit3^ AVhile at Lavaltrie she had already as a
prelude to this work of mercy, taken into her house
a poor illegitimate child that had been, with diffi-
culty, rescued from the criminal fury of its own
mother. For several years the child lived under her
hospitable roof and motherly care, and when neces-
sity compelled her to part with him, Madame Jette
shed many tears of keen regret.

Later on, while the family were living in Mont-
real, they were one night startled by a loud knock-
ing at the door and a pleading voice crying out :

MOTIIKU I)K LA NATIVITK AND

''*<:i'

" Open tiiiifkly and Have from tho ninrdcrers."
Moved l>y compassion, Mr. dette opened the door
and a<lmitted an unfortnnate girl who wan heing
pursued hy two druiiken Bailorn. He had barely
time to hide lier in the cellar when the two mad-
men began to ntrike the door with an axe ami strove
to l)reak it in. In vain did Mr. Jette try to calm
them l>y gentle words. Further resiBtance becoming
dangerous, lie ojiened the door and invited them in
to search tor their victim. His kindness at length
appeased tlieir anger, and they left after having
themselves repaired the <himage they liad done. —
Snatched from certain death the poor girl avowed
that she had led a life of sin until then, and expressed
an ardent desire to do better. Touched l)y her sad
story, Madame Jette offered her a home in her own
house, and did all in her power to bring her back
to the practice of duty. God blessed her charity,
for the young girl was well nuirried some years
later, and from her new home in the United States,
wrote *o the charitable Ijenefactress to whom she
owed the life of both l)ody and soul, telling of her
happiness and exjjressing the warmest sentiments
ot gratitude and affection.

This work of rescuing fallen women became more
familiar to Madame Jette when she entered upon
her widowhood. God led her by degrees towards
the accomplishment of His holy will.

•vj

THE ORIOIN OF THE SLATERS OF MISEHKORDE 35

vers.
(' door

Iteing

)arely
) rnatl-

strovo

o ciihu
L'oining
lieiii "m

longth

having
(lone. —
avowed
cpressed

her sad
her own
:ier back

charity,
lie years
d States,
horn she
ig of her
jntimentB

ime more
red upon
8 towards

One winter's evening the pious woman was on
her way to the church as ussual, when she met «i
young girl weeping as it' her lieart would break. —
Madame Jetto stopped and questioned her kindly
as to lier grief. The poor girl rejtlied : "I am
" without a home, and I know not where I am to
" i)ass the night," Examining her face closely,
Madame Jette easily saw what kind of a person she
had to deal with ; nevertheless, moved with pity,
she took her liomc with her, and during a whole
montli supplied her every need and endeavored to
inspire licr with good sentiments. But Madame
Jette's oldest daughter, suspecting tor some reason,
the intentions of this young woman, determined ti>
watch her. One night, she saw the girl crec^)
stealthily to the bedside of her sleeping mother and
bend over her as if she were going to stiHe lier;
then straighten herself up, nesitate and finally go
back to her own bed. Informed of what had passed
Madame Jette questioned her protegee, who frankly
owned up to having had several violent temptations
to kill lier benefactress, notwithstanding that she
really loved her. It was evidently not prudent to
keep such a person in her house any longer, so Mad-
ame Jette sent her away, but not until she had given
her one more good meal and exh(>rted lier to lead
thenceforth a better life.

I -

MOTHER DE LA XATIVITB AND

The piou.s widow's zoal wa« not always so unfruit-
ful. One (liiy, while takinjr a walk with two of
her neighbors, slie met tw'> uiitortiinates who had
just been figlitini; witli a young man. The liandd
of tlie uidiappy creatures were torn and cut, and
dripping with blood, and out* of them was uttering
terrible oaths. Madame Jette'j* i-onipanions turned
away with horror from the wretched women, but she
herself, doubtless inspire«l from alw^ve, turned to-
wards them, saying in lier heart : " Wlio knows, if
" a single kindly word may not bring them back to
" God?" She then affably approached them, and in a
gentle and compassionate voice asked them if they
found hap[)iness in leading such a life? On hearing
these charitable words tlie unfortunates were touch-
ed, and the youngest at once madeanswer: "I am
" very unhapp}', I had not lived in this way for two
" weeks when I would have wwhetl to give it up.
" But who would he willing to receive us now?
" Alas w(! can hope for nothing hut scorn and con-
" tempt." Madame Jette replieil : •• If you sincerely
'• wish to give up your evil way.*. I will show you
" the means of doing so." J>he then advised them
to go to Notre-Dame Church, tt* the confessional of
a holy priest, who had already, she knew, helped
persons desirous oi" abandoning a disorderly life.
They promised to do as she wished, and the next

> unfrnit-

I two of
who had
he haiuld
cut, atifl

i uttering
US turned
n, but she,
nrned to-
knows, it"

II hack to
, and in a
'Mi if they
n hearing
erctouch-
r : "I am
ly for two
jive it up.

us now?

I and oon-

II sincerely
show you
ised them
fssional of
w, helped
(U'rly life.
I the next

Kic.HT Ri:v. ICNACr: lOrRCKT

S«cx>n<l Bi'hop of M<iiilrt;il.
Koiiiulfr of the onlcr of Mist-ricorde.

I ■:i

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE

day one of Marlame Jette's daughters made sure
with lier own eyes that they had been faithful to
their promise.

Tliis /ea] for the conversion of persons wliose
condition places them outside the reach of ordinary
charity, was soon to be afforded a wider field and
receive approbation and encouragement from one
who, in virtue of his sacred ministry, was the pro-
moter and sui»porter of all good works in Montreal :
the Right Reverend Ignace Bourget, who was at
the time bishop of Montreal. Every one knows the
virtues and great works linked with the memory
of that illustrious prelate. All the institutions of
the Rome of America, — as Montreal is often called,
— bear the impress of his powerful hand, and many
of them, in fact, owe to him their very existence.
His watchful eye discovered all the needs of his
flock, and his untiring activity and charity enabled
him to create beneficent works, and to multiply
the sources of relief by judicious and fervent ap^teals
to the well disposed. His name is written in indeli-
ble characters in this city of Montreal, much as it
is changed and greatly as it has increased since the
days of his episcopate, and even if that name could
be wiped out from the memory of men, the walls
ot the houses of education an<l charity which were
created through his instrumentality would never
cease repeating it. 4

• ; i

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

Bishop Bourget was also to take part in the
foundation of the work of "La Misericord e."
Before his elevation to the episcopate, he was well
acquainted with the Widow Jette, and God had
destined him to make known to her His divine will.
In his quality of Father Confessor, he had learned
the secret of her good works and directed her hy
his w^ise counsels. After becoming a Bishop he
more than once sought her intervention in matters
requiring delicate handling. Before the asylum of
St. Pelagia was opened, he time and again entrusted
to her the task of securing a refuge for poor girls
who had confided to him the story of their sad
position. Madame Jette took them to her own
houHC or placed them with her children, who over-
came their natural repugnance in order to please
their mother. She herself carried the new-born
infants to the Grey Nunnery, and spared no trouble
to bring about the conversion of the guilty mothers,
before sending them back into the world.

But what were these few isolated conversions in
face of the vast number of victims destroyed by
human passions ? After the first faH, many poor girls,
seeing nothing but dishonor before them, rushed
headlong into the abyss of vice. What shall we
say of the unfortunate children that shame deprived
of motherly care ? Alas ! they were often exposed

U H

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDS 39

I in the
'icorde."
was well
:Jo(1 had
,rine will,
i learned
id her by
ishop he
a matters
isylum of
entrusted
poor girls
their sad

her own
who over-
• to please

new-born
10 trouble
f mothers,

;ersions in
troyed by
poor girls,
ni, rushed
t shall we
e deprived
in exposed

to lose both the life of body and soul. In fact it
was no rare thing to find the bodies of new-born
infants lying in the streets, or on the banks of the
St. Lawrence.

The worthy P^^stor was greatly grieved by this
crying evil, and prayed to God from the depths of
his heart to send him the means of relieving it.
His zeal had already caused him to form the project
of a special institution destined to receive fallen
vv men, bring them back to a better life, and secure
baptism and a Christian education for their children.
Madame Jette seemed to him to be the person chos-
en by God to lay the first foundation of this new
institution destined to relieve so much suiFering.
However, he did not at once make his plans known
to her, but he urged her to pray for his intentions.
At the same time he recommended the affair to
God, during the holy sacrifice of the mass, and
requested the members of the Archconfraternity
erected in his Cathedral, in honor of the Holy and
Immaculate Heart of Mary for the conversion of
sinners, should join their supplications to his and
beg for light from heaven in abundance.

When he thought his project sufiiciently ripened
by prayers and refiectioi.s, His Lordship sent for
Madame Jette. The pious widow at once called at
the palace without having the least idea of His

'''"Mimgg

'^\MM

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

Lordship's intentions. With his customary gravity,
illuminated by a sweet smile, the Bishop said to
her : — " As it has pleased God to make use of you,
" in the past, to do much good to these poor chil-
" dren, Avould you not like to continue and extend
" this 'vork, by founding a Community, which
" would multiply and perpetuate the good you
" have so happily commenced ?"

We may well believe that this proposal alarmed
the humble woman, and in fact how could it l)e
otherwise ? How many obstacles to be met with
on every hand ! Where Avas she to find pecuniary
means? The Bishop was poor, and the pious widow
had hardly anything save her good will — could
they rely on public charity in favor of a work that
must, from its very nature, necessarily be carried on
in seclusion and kept in the shade ?

And yet such were not ths difficulties tha
weighed heaviest in the humble woman's mind.
She relied on the foresight of her Pastor and the
Providence of God, for exterior wants and resour-
ces. " But how," she said to herself, " could a poor,
" ignorant, unqualified woman, destitute of virtue,
" as I am, carry out such an important and diflicult
" undertaking ? " She was then fifty years old : —
how could she embrace a state of life that would
completely change her habits and mode of living ?

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE

gravity,
)p said to
je of you,
poor cliil-
id cxteiiil
y, which
rood yon

1 alarmed
uUl it he
met with
pecuniary
)U8 widow
,Mll_could
work that
carried on

Ities tha
m's mind,
or and the
md resour-
uld a poor,
e of virtue,
lid difficult
sars old : —
that would
! of living ?

Looking into the future, she saw herself at tlie
head of a Conmninity, ohliged to direct some, to
form others, and give to a' m example of devoted-
ness and of every virtue hecoming in a religious.
These considerations made her unworthiness appear
more manifest and raised up in her mind a thousand
ohjections. The Bishop did not stop to discuss
each question with her, hut simply replied with his
tone of mild authority v ich nothing could with-
stand. " God wills it ! Go>i wills it ! my daughter ;
" He will give you the graces you staiul in need of
" to succeed in this work. But continue praying in
" order to assure yourself of llis holy will."

When .at hast Madame Jette took leave of him,
she was entirely overcome. How could the Bishop,
she asked herself, think of her for such an important
work? She begged God to take from her a burden
that seemed too heavy for her to bear. Little by
little, however, she recovered her wonted calmness,
and with that inward peace came down from heaven
a sweet and tranquil light, and Madame Jette felt
that she must give herself up wholly and witliout
further anxiety, to the grace of God.

A few days later she returned to the Bishop and
placed herself entirely at his disposal.

It was at once decided that Madame Jette
should leave her home and children as soon as pos-

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE

sible, after having found a house whicli would ansAver
her purpose. This was done secretly, so as to
avoid as far as possible any opposition from the
family. Once the house found and rented, Madame
Jette made known her intentions to her children,
and entreated them to be as submissive as she her-
self was, to the will of Divine Providence. — But at
the mere idea of being separated from their mother,
they could not restrain their grief and left nothing
undone to induce her to change her mind. Madame
Jette was greatly affected by this resistance, but
she was firmly determined not to give way ; never-
theless she wished it to cease before saying farewell
to her loved ones, and following the Bishop's advice,
she took her children to see him, and His Lordship,
by exhorting them in accents pregnant with faith
and charity, induced them to submit to the painful
sacrifice, and on the 1st of May, 1845, the sacrifice
was consummated.

lid answer
BO as to
from the
I, Madame
r children,
as she hor-
;e. — But at
sir mother,
eft nothing
1. Madame
istance, but
vay; never-
ing farewell
lop's advice,
is Lordship,
t with faith
^ the painful
the sacrifice

CHAPTER IV

The Foundation.

fnfirnin viundi eleqit Ihun ut confitn-
thiifort'iii (1 Cor. i. 27).

Hilt tliR weak thinfrs of the world
hath God ohosen, that He may con-
found the 8trong.

ISENGAGED from family ties, Ma-

dame Jettt' was free to give herselt
wholly to God, and devote tlie
remainder of her life to the salvation of
fallen souls. A celestial attraction drew
her on towards this work, and henceforth
she would be able to satisfy the passion of self for-
getfulness and devotedness that had long tormented
her heart ; she could now say with the Psalmist :
" Lord, Thou hast broken my bonds asunder : I
" will otter unto Thee the sacrifice of praise."
(Ps. cxv. 7.) — Animated with these fervent disposi-
tions, she took possession of the house which was
to be the cradle of the new-born Community.

■'TT'

MOTHER DE LA NATIVIT6 AND

Hum])ler Loginning.s can scarcely be imagined.
The lionso in which Madame Jcttc was to begin
her new life was on 8t. Simon Street, now called
St. George, and wliat a house it was ! A wretched
hovel, built entirely of wood, old and lialf sunk into
the ground. Morever, she had rented oidy the
upper story, which was a kind of garret; the only
means ot ingress and egress being a ladder. This
apartment was large enough, but very low and
exposed to all variations of temperature ; — in short
it was an ice-house in winter and an oven in sum-
mer ; — the winds passed freely through the gaping
joints to bo seen on every side. In a word, it was
an installation tit to manifest to the world the
strength and power of Divine Providence, for God
does not need riches in order to accomplish great
works.

Full of hope in the future, the pious Bishop gave
this poor house the name of " Hospice Sto. Pelagic"
in honor of the holy penitent who bore that name.

The furniture was in keeping with the building.
It consisted of a few beds and chairs, a table and a
stove, with the other indispensable kitchen utensils.
The furniture was in great part the generous gift
of an eminent Christian, Olivier Berthelet, whose
name will often be heard in the course of this his-
tory. That apostle of all good works had placed

THE OKIOIN OF THE SISTERS OF MLs6rIC0HDK 45

i to begin
low culled
. wretoheil
'sunk into
only the

; the only
(ler. This
; low and
; — in short
on in Huni-
the gaping
ord, it waH

world the
:'e, lor God
[►lish great

ilshop gave
e. IV'lagie''
that name.
G building,
able and a
en utensils,
nerous gift
elct, whose
of this his-
had placed

his fortune at the disposal of Bisliop Bourget a>id
seconded his views with the most adnurable zeal.
The Bishop had only to make known the needs of
any particular W()rk, — a sinipli' word or sign was
sufficient, — an<l the good man hastened to help
those in distress ; among others the work just begun
bv Madame Jette. From him she often received
aid, — furniture, food, fire-wood and money.

Ma<hnne .Jette ojiened her new institution, with
but one " penitent," — as the women cared for in
the Institutions ol" the h5istcrs of Misc'ricorde are
called. During tlie first m<»nth two others were
received, and the number increased until she often
luul five, and sometimes eight at a time during
the rest of the year. The pious woman gave her-
self up entirely to her work. Bishop Bourget said
later on : " I admired her unshaken confidence in
" Divine Providence; I sent her all those who came
" to me for assistance, and I gave her very little
" Uioney, but she never complained. Slie worked
" with the penitents to provide for their needs, and
" slie often deprived herself of her own bed in favctr
"of the sick ; at such times she herself slei»t on
" the fioor, with a log of wood for her pillow."

It would be hard to give an idea of the hard-
ships and }»rivations that the devoted woman
cheerfully underwent. Manv a time did she jro

•1"

MOTHER DE LA NATIVIlis AND

without food that lier " poor children," as she
termed them, miglit not sufter from hunger.

Kesohite in tlio face of trials, she never looked
back, and all the trials, privations and anguisli she
had to suifcr, never caused her to look back with
regret to the peaceful life she had hitherto led.
Her Bishop's words : " God wills it! God wills
'\it ! " were ever ringing in her ears, like a command
from above, and she would have walked on burning
coals to obey it.

In spite of the poverty of her institution, Madame
Jette could never make up her mind to send away
tlio persons who sought a refuge with her. One
evening, a charitable lady living in the neighbor-
hood, brought her a basket of provisions hidden
under lier long cloak. Madame Jette did not
recognize her on account of the darkness, and think-
ing she was a new penitent, gave her a motherly
welcome and promised to keep her whether she
could pay her way or not. We may easily imagine
her confusion when she perceived her mistake,
but her benefactress was greatly edified by her
disinterestedness.

Meantime her children were greatly afflicted by
her destitute condition, and tried in vain to persuade
her to return to her home with them. Her son
Pierre attempted one day to constrain her to do so,

TAE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MIS^RICORDE 47

' as she
;r.

ir looked
i^uish she
ack with
lerto led.
iod wills
command
II burning

, Madame
end away
ber. One
neighbor-
US hidden
; did not
md think-
motherly
lether she
ly imagine
• mistake,
ed by her

ifflicted by
;o persuade
. Her son
;r to do so,

by taking possession of her clothing, but this heroic
woman said to him : " Take all tViat belongs to me,
" if yon wish, but know that I shall remain here."
The family were also keenly wounded by malicious
reports circulated in regard to the new work. The
kind of charity practised by Madame Jetto was
well adapted to invite criticism on the part of
worldlings, and their malicious comments filled the
air. Home accused her of being a nuisance to society
and of dishonoring herself by supporting low
degraded creatures. Others, more indulgent, declared
openly that she was acting through an ill-judged
charity that only served to encourage vice, (ireatly
disturbed by these allegations, the family accused
her of disgracing them publicly, and one of her
sisters-in-law went so far as to reproach her with
being "the shame and dishonor of the family."

Madame Jettc remained perfectly calm amid the
storm, and never was she seen to have lost even for
a single instant her customary peace of mind and
serenity. In truth, her mind and heart were far
more concerned about the sad fate of so numy
unfortunates, driven without mercy from honest
dwellingB, and obliged to seek a refuge in places
where both body and soul of the new-born children
were exposed to the greatest dangers. Moreover,
fihe was working for God and the judgments of the

MOTHER DE LA SATIVTTB AND

world gave her little trtmble. She might have
8ui(l with St. Paul : " It' I yet iileased men, I
" shouhl not he the servant of Chris^t." (Gal. i. 10.)

Others tried to oonvinee her tliat lier efforts to
t'ouiid a lasting work were u«ele«f». and bluntly said :
" You will never sueeeeil in founding a Ct>njmu-
" nity," or " Why take so rnnch trf>uhle with those
" wicked u-irls ?" Madame Jetti' listened to all this
in silence. No one was ln'ttcr convinced than her-
self that she was unahle to found or direct a Com-
munity. She realize<l fully her own weakness and
incapacity, liut was she not doing the vs^ill of
God ? And wh«. can tight against the Most High ?
ller oidy answer was: '* Go<l has confided this
" undertaking tome, can He not insure its success ?
" The world's contempt matters little to me, and will
" not prevent me from striving to «lo Goil's work
" with courage. Tlie \v<»rhl is nothins: to me, for
" what is to be found in it but falsehood and
" calumuv?"

J low utterly <'ommon place and trivial are argu-
ments used by worldly i»eople in opposition to the
works ot God ! Kach one in tuni adopts them as
his own, and retails them with an air of profound
wisdom. The answer of faith is invariable in its
simplicity : " God can do all things, I n'ly on Him."
Madame Jette had daily (u-easion to repeat these

THE OBIGIX OF THE .SLSTERS OF MISERICORDE

liglit have
5cl men, I
3al. I. 10.)
r efforts to
untly sa'ul :
a C'Onnuu-
with those
1 to all this
(1 than hor-
•ect a C'om-
»akne86 aiul
the will of
^ost High?
iitiiknl this
its success ?
lie, and will
joil's work
to me, for
sehood and

lal are argu-
r^ition to the
)pts them as
of profound
iriahle in its
ly on llim."
repeat these

words. At limes a celestial ray of liglit showing
a momentary glimpse of the veiled future, seemed
to accompany her an.*ivverH. To a lady who, like
many others, had lieiMi remonstrating with her and
giving her (as she tliought) good advice, the pious
widow replied : "The day will come, and is ju»t far
" distant, wlu'H this Conmiunitv will do a great deal
"of good, and yon yourself may he glad to avail
" yourself of it« services." This prediction was i'uUy
justitied later.

Madame .lettt' was not long ahle to accomplish
alone the task of caring for the iiujrcasing numhcr
of penitents. Jiisliop Bourget, who »vatched with
jealous care over this new institution, procured her
the help of an intelligent widow who had already
taken part in founding the work of the Good
Shepherd in Montreal.

Sophie Desrnarets was horn in 1705, at Louise-
ville, o" Ri'Mere i.u Loup, as it was then called.
Her pious parents instilled into her youthful heart
love for God and lier neii;hhor, and tauurht her to
practise those simple and modest virtues which are
hecoming to liumble country people. While still
young, she went to live in Montreal, where slie
eariie«l an honest livelihood hy sewing. At the
age of twenty-two years she was married to Michel
Ivaymond, and Ijccame tlie mother of seven chil-

-rp^

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITB AND

(Ireii ; six of tlieni died young. Tho oik- survivor, a
boy, cost his mother many a tear. Her life was a
continual warfare against her son's misconduct and
her husband's prodigality. Left a widow, she gave
herself up entirely to good works and, in conjunc-
tion with another devoted woman, took the first
steps to establish the work of " Le Bon PaHtonr."
AV^hen the Sisters of the order came out from France
in 1844, Madame llaymond returned to her family,
as she did not deem herself called by Providence to
live in that Communitv.

Then it was that Bishop Bourget conceived the
i<lea of associating her with Madame Jette.

Obedient to the voice of her Bishop, she bade
her loved ones adieu and turned her steps towards
the humble Hospice of Ste. Pelagic. The foundress
received her with open arms, and she was indeed
worthy of taking part in the founding of the good
work. By her industry, skill, and self-sacrifice,
she was destined to render immense service to the
house. Xaturally of a lively disposition, gay and
open-liearted, sho charmed all who knew her by
her conversation ; at the same time, she was mild
and patient, and endowed with great energy and
capacity for work. Her past trials, mori'over, ma<le
her ect)n()mical and far-sinhted in business matters.

Such a recruit was indeed precious. Her entry

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE

urvivor, a
life vvuH a
luUu't and
, she gave
II conjunc-
z tlio first
Pasteur."
m\ FraiK-e
ler family,
videiice to

ooived the
te.

>, she ])ade
)S towards

tbiindrosB
vas indeed
f the good
t'-sai'ritice,
vice to the
n, gay and

w her by

was iniM
nergy and
iver, nuule
88 matters.

Her entry

took place the 20tli ofJuly. She was wi'll known
and liighly esteemed by Olivier IJerthelet, who had
witnessed her efforts and saerifices in the first days
of the Good Sbopherd AsyUim. — Through her
influenee his sympathy and interest in the poor
refuge on St. Simon Street was greatly increased.
]Ie nuide up his mind to visit it, and moved to tears
at sight of the extreme poverty of its inmates, he
forthwith sent in a generous supply of necessary
and useful articles, and, up to the day of his death
continued to be, in the words of our chronicles,
" the visible Providence of the house. " Other
eliaritable persons heli)ed these two courageous
widows from time lo time, and thus they were able
to get through the winter.

Not the least of Madame Jette's trials this year,
was being obliged to go out alone during the night
to get the priest or the doctor for the sick or dying.
Montreal was not then lit up by electricity, as ac
present. It was d.angerous for a woman to pass
unprotected through tlie dark and deserted streets,
on account of the tramps or vagabonds by whom
great towns are infested. Armed with her rosary,
however, and full of confidence in the protection ot
tbe (iueen of Heaven, the courageous woman matle
her way through the darkness to tlu' point where
duty called her. No accident ever happened to

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITB AND

! ii

lier. Hut, on one occas'um, a tow days before her
death, in a moment of tender eonverse with one of
her penitents, she related that in one of her
noeturnal journeys to the presbytery of Notre-Dame,
she was followed twice by an enormous blaek dog,
who, [)ressini5 his nostrils to her heels, tried to
friiihten her by his noisy breathing. Her impres-
sion at the time was, that the evil spirit under that
strange form luul tried to cc^ol her zeal by fear, and
turn her away from the paths of <luty.

Meantime, the house on St. Simon Street was
getti'.ig too small for the increasing number (»f
penitents, and the time soon came when they were
obliged to move clsewliere. Larger and more eom-
Ibrtable quarter.'i (not very hard to find) w^ere rented,
on Wolte Street, consisting of one half of a <h:>uble
house which is still standing and bears the numbers
207 and 200. The building is a large wooden
structure, of a good substantial ajtpearance, and
two stories high ; in the doubli' piti'hed roof, on the
street, side, are four attic windows ; below are six
windows in the second story, while the lirst lias
onlv four, two doors being in the middle. Hack of
the house is a yard, surrounded by sheds on all sides.

Ste. Pelagic was located in the tenement which
is now numbered 200, — the house fartliest trom
St. Catherine Street, which is only a short distance

before her
•itli one of
10 of her
)tre-l)aine,
hhiek (log,
s, tried to
ler iiupres-
uiulcr that
)y fear, ami

Street was
innnher of
n they were
1 more eoin-
A'l-re rented,
■ of a double
the numbers
ri^e wooden
mrance, and
roof, on the
)elo\v are six
the iirat has
0. liaek of
on all sides,
ment which
irthest troni
hort distance

/XBH^H

- x • ,

^S^^B^I

■ - ' ,f

* ^ - ff ^^^^1

Ik'-"*.*** •^ ^ '

a. ' ■._ .-

«.

^ f\ « ^B?i@

- ^imirr-^-:^ . Mm

il >^

'Wk

W V ,\

1 1

^ ■'^^'" '*' ** ".ts-2

5ii.£ :

I T.

'—I

%■

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE

away. On the first floor were the refectory, kitcli-
eii, etc. ; on tlie secoiul the Coninmnity-rooin and
the Cliapel ; while the garret was used as a
<h)rniitory for all the inmates.

It was a hetter and larger building than the
first, hut still much too small, if we remember that
gs many as eleven penitents were received at the
same time. ] it if tlie place was somew^hat too
small for its iimiates, there was ample compensation
in the assurance of being protected against tlie
severity of tliC weather, and the inestimable liappi-
ness of having a chapel.

This chai)el was not a richly ornamented sanc-
tuary; the little wooden altar was trimmed with
wall-paper, and adorned with four small jugs for
vases (covered with the same material) liolding
bouquets of paper-flowers, and, on feast-days, a like
tuimber of glass or brass candlesticks stood beside
the tabernacle. A modest wooden crucifix com-
pletctl the outfit of this poor chapel, which was to
the inmates of the refuge what the oasis is to tlic
weary traveller in the desert. Twice a week, —
f^unday aiid another day, — the pious women were
able to assist at tlie celebration of the Holy Myste-
ries and to partake of the " Bread of Life " come
down from heaven to nourish and strengthen our
si)uls , every day they could, in union with our

• IP I III tf

MOTHER DE LA NATIVIt6 AND

DiviiK' Saviour, visit the stations of the Borrowful
way of the ( VosH, remw tliuir courago und forget
their (jwii Bufferings in the eonteniplation of our
dear Kedeenier's jtassion. What more was needed
to make them love the little sanetuary? Was it
not, moreover, in their eyes, the pledge of that
larger and more magnificent sanctuary, which the
God of the Holy Eucharist would one day make
His own, and in which lie would abide permanently
in their midst? The cradle inspires as many hopes
as the tomb evokes memories, and this chapel on
"Wolfe Street, — so small, so humble and so poor —
. was the cradle where the spirit of the new-born
community was developed and strengtheni'd. Hence
we may well fancy that getting a glimpse of the
future in the bright light at times vouchsafed in
prayer, Madame Jette must have many a time
humbled herself before the Almighty, for having
chosen her to lay the foundations of so nolde an
undertaking.

Meanwhile Divine Providence brought associate
workers to the two pious widows. This was needed
in order to enable Hisliop liourget to organize the
religious life in the house. Klisabeth T.'iilleur, of
St. BenoTt was the first to enter. She, however,
did not persevere. Lucie Benott and a widow,
Madame (/lenient Montrais, nee Genevibve Salois

THE OllKJIN OF THE SI.STERS OF MISEKICOIIDE 55

orroM'ful
1(1 fortjct
i\ of our
s needed

Was it
3 of that
,lnch the
lay make
nianently
iiiy hopes
uhapel on
BO poor —
ncw-horn
(1. Hence
^se of the

isafed in
y a time
or having

nohle an

ap^sociate
w needed
anize the
aillenr, of
however,
I widow,
;ve Salois

were tlie next. After a few nionthn' trial, the lat-
ter's health seemed to fail and sho was not permitted
to enter tlie new Order, hut as a speeial favor,
stayed with them until her death. It was altogether
ditlerent with Miss IJenoit, whom we shall find a
religious later on, and who remained faithful to her
first vocation.

She was twenty-eight years old when she hade
adieu to her family, and gave ujtthe world in order
to share Madame Jette's life of self-sacrifice and
liclp lier in lier undertakings. Until then lier life
lia<l been spent under the shelter of the paternal
roof, which was only separated from the new liospital
hy the width of the street. She saw and appre-
ciated the work with her own eyes, and well knew
all the sacrifices awaiting her, hut her courage
enabled her to meet trials without fear, and the
cheerfulness of her disposition, united to the most
amiable simplicity of character, constituted a price-
less adjunct to a life in which thorns and crosses
were to be, as it were, her daily bread.

This association of five persons desirous of conse-
crating tliemselves to God, and serving Ilim in one
and the same work, permitted Bishop Bourget to
draw the outlines of tlie new rule. On Sunday,
July 2()th, 1840, His Lordshij. celebrated Mass at
the home, made known the rule to be followed

5(J

MOTHER DK LA NATIVITK AND

tlieiicotbrtli, and at tlic Kaiiu' time ostubliHluMl and
o[»onod tlio Novitiate. There being as yet no
rroressed Sistei's, he was comiielled to cIioohc a
Superior from among the new novices, and Madame
Raymond was the one designated to perform tliat
duty " pro tempore.'^

The Penitents were not forgotten. As early as
the preceding month of March, the 15ish(j}> liad hiid
down for tliem tlic first rudiments of a rule which
he finished on this same day, without, however,
making it obligatory and binding forthwith.

About the same time. His Lordship confided tlio
spiritual direction of the institution to Kev. Antoine
Rey, an aged French jyriest, residing at the episco-
pal i)aUu'e. This venerable ecclesiastic, a man
austere in appearance and of a still more austere life,
was in reality, mild, kindly and full of zeal ; he
reminded one of the French clergy of by-gone days :
— dignified in manner, amiable, yet self-restrained,
— sincerely devoted, but imbued with that spirit of
extreme severity with which Jansenism had, so to
speak, poisoned the very air.

A resolute advocate of fasting and abstinence, he
himself never ate meat and ii, fact took but little
*ood of any kind. Perhaps, in his great ardor for
the i)ractice of mortification, he did not make suflS-
cient allowance for the painful circumstances in

THE ORIOIN OF THE SISTERS OP MIsfiRICORDE 57

as v«.'t no

cllOOKl' Jl

(I Miuliimo
srtbrni that

/Vs early as
opliad laid

rule wliieli
, however,
^ith.

jnfuled the
L'v. Antoine

the episco-

,ic, a nia»
austere lite,
of zeal ; he
•gone clays :
-restrained,
hat spirit of
n had, ho to

stinenee, he
ak but little
!at ardor for
make suffi-
nistaiices in

which the community lived ; but nevertheless, it
must he admitted that, by his attentive and ashiduous
care, his pressing exhortations and good examj)Ie,
he contril)uted greatly to the formatioti of the spirit
of the Institution. Could anyone, in truth, carry
farther the virtues of humility aiKlsi'lf-forgetfulness
than «lid the pious chajtlain? One night, when he
was at the Gray Nuns' Hospital, he fell asleep
while reading, and his lighted candle set the bed-
curtains aiire ; he awoke half stitled by the smoke
and, without permitting the Nuns who had hastened
to his help to enter the room, he put out the fire
with his own hands, burning them both severely.
The danger once over, he made light of the intense
pain his burned hands caused him, craved forgive-
ness from the Sisters for having exposed the house
to a great <-alamity, and in the morning, with the
liishop's permission, went as usual to the Chapel of
8te, IV'lagie, there to offer up, with his luaimed
hands, the holy sacrifice, in gratitu<le and thanks-
giving to the Almighty for his wonderful escape.
Under the influence of tlieir fervent .L;ector, the
rtious novices vied with one another in generosity,
and the penitents, in whom he took a truly paternal
interest, opened their souls to the grace of God
and were ins}»ired with a desire to amend their
lives. We have in our possession the original

K M

MOTHER DE LA NATIV1t6 AND

iimmiscrijtt of two sots of rules drafted by him, under
the inspiration and control of Bishop Bourget, one
for the Sisters and another for he Benitents. A
glance over these pages will give a better idea of
the spirit and life of the little community than any
possible description.

The manuscript opens with a table enumerating
the qualities with which a [(crson must be endowed
who wishes to become a member of the " Congre-
gation de Sainte-Pelagie." The rule requires of
her : regularity, mutual forbearance, the desire of
attaining perfection, obedience, the avoiding of
familiarity, the cordial accepting of such admonitions
as are deemed necessary.

After having set forth the particular end for
which the Institute was founded, to wit ; exercise
of spiritual and corporal mercy towards fallen
women,— the author dwells at length on the virtues
essential to the religious life, — aiyl in particular
fraternal union, poverty, obedience, humility. The
" associates " are each year to make an eight days'
retreat, and devote one day every month to prepare
themselves for death. Weekly confession and
Comnmnion, daily meditation during a half hour,
the recitation of the Rosary and spiritual reading,
are also required by the Rule.

The order of exercises for each day is about the

THE ORIGIN OF THE SKSTEKM OF MItifiRICORDE 51)

him, under
uurget, one
litonts. A
tter idea of
y than any

iiumeratin<!;
)e endowed
c " Congre-
re([uire8 of
e desire of
voiding of
idmonitions

lar end for

it ; exereise

irds fallen

the virtues

particular

iility. The

eight days'

1 to prepare

"ession and

half hour,

lal reading,

IB about the

name as in tlie majority of religious comnnniities :
the hour for rising is five o'clock ; at halt past live
meditation ; at six mass ; breakfast at seven ;
reciting of tlic beads at eleven and at half past eleven
dinner. The interval between seven and eleven is
devoted to work which is continued in the after-
noon from one o'clock to six, — the hour for supper
— with no interruption save the spiritual reading.
A little before eight o'clock work is resumed again
until nine, thereafter strict silence is observed till
after breakfast the next morning. This rule, with
a few slight modifications, is that which is still
followed by the Sisters of Misericorde, so we need
not refer to it again.

The rule laid down for the penitents in its leading
features, is the same. Piety and work fill uj> their
day, but they are not obliged to take part in the
exercises peculiar to the religious life. They must
obey and respect their superiors, maintain peace
and charity among themselves and observe, within
certain limits, the rule of sijji.ce, without which a
community life would be an impossibility. Amoag
the rules concerning them there are some wliicli
are really touching ones, so instinct are they with
the delicacy of faith and charity. Take for instance
this rule : — " The penitents shall each adot»t a
" jtseudonym in place of her family name,(') so as to

(1) In 1851, the pauudonyni was obanged to u Saint'n name.

MOTHER DE LA XATIVITE AND

" safoffuard tlieir own honor as well as that of tlieir
" relatives."

Another rule reads as follows: "Eacl person
'' admitted sha-l put aside all jewelry and other '^fmi-
" nients conducive to vanity, and iihall ilress niodcsily
" and in a manner hefittin^ a true penitent." The
Sisters strove above all tliiiigH to infuse into their
hearts the spirit of true i>eniteiice, and ao help them
lay the foundations of a new life. Hardly had these
rules been inaugurated al the Institution on Wolfe
Street, when the following i»ostulants presented
themselves for admission : diirin;' the month of
September, Lucie Leeourt<»i«i, and a widow by the
mime of Joseiite Galipeau ; and in October, Justine
Filion. AVith these ]»o»tulantii came three others
who did not i)er8evere. The noviciate was then
composed of twelve mend>er8. The first new postu-
lant, Lucie L'-^courtois, wa« Ixjni at I'Assomption in
1810. After a youth spent in piety and the practice
of virtue, she came to Montreal to reside, and chose
for her H[>iritual director. Bishop Hourget, whose
counsel enabled her, as it did so riiany other souls, to
(scover the will ,)f G(m1. Hers was a soul endowed
with st 'ong faith ami tender piety, a so.il firm and
courageous in all trials, filled with unlimited con-
fidence in Divine Providenceandatlcttionate charity
for her neighbor. The qualititri^ most <litterent in

tiat of their

%c\ person
other ^ma-
ss nioilcsily
ent." Tlie
e into their
help tlieni
i hud these
II on AVolt'e
presented
month of
U)vv Ity the
)er, Justine
lireo others
( Avas then
new postu-
lomption in
ho praetiee
, and chose
•ijjet, whose
ler souls, to
id endowed
al firm ai;d
imitcd oon-
uite charity
littcrcnt in

THE ORIUIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE

a[»pearance were thus liarmoniousiy united in this
richly end(»wed nature, and all these gifts were
crowned h}- a truly filial devotion towards the
lilessed Virgin.

When Maduuic Galipeau, then forty-sevon years
old, tirst entered Ste. IV-lagie, she had known the
vicissitu<les of life, and had acquired an amount of
experience in the management of att'airs that was
destined to he of great henefit to the community.
Tall h \d rohust in stature, with a countenance stately
and dignified and a quick and penetrating eye, her
wli(»le appearance announced a superior wonuin,
well fitted for organizing and commanding. Never-
theless, the poverty and ditficulties inseparahle from
a new foundation had alone attracted her to the
refuge. When, after an eight days' retreat at the
convent of the Sisters of Trovidence, she declared
to liishop liourget that slieliad a decided preference
for the poor house on Wolfe Street, she was douht-
less far from anticipating the important part she
was to take in the new foundation.

Endowed with humhler ipudities, Justine Filion
was also destined to render eminent services to the
community. A pupil of the convent of the Sisters
of the Congregation, at T.-rrehonne, her native phioe,
she received from tlmse excellent teachers, together
with a solid education, the spirit (»f order and reli-

MOTIIKR DE LA NATIVITK AND

gion which were tlio most distinctive fcaturcH of
lier cluiractcr. Tlic ruling motive of lier life was
oxi»reKBe<l in the words which were always her
motto: "Serve (lod and for love of Him <lo good
" to your neighhor." She at tirst taught a country-
school, hut eoon gave up that position in order to
devote herself to rearing her orphaned nephews.
She pertornu'd this task with a mother's <levoted-
nt'ss. Later on, carried away hy zeal an<l set ting
hunum pru<lencc aside, she opened her house to tlu'
poor and unfortunate, whom she taught, fed, and
tlothed. In this undertaking her small means soon
vanished, and at puhlic charity did not fulfil her
hopes nor respond to her appeals for help, she had
to give up the attempt, hapjiy nevertlu'less in
having sacrificed all "for (Jod and His poor." Then
it was that she turned her attention towards Madame
Jette's institution. The new work attracted her,
for it promised to satisfy her thirst for self-sacrifice,
hut what 'lumiliations, privations and sacrifices, did
it not invcdve I The nuilieioun and evil-minded,
always greedy for new scaiulalp, criticised without
reserve or mercy these poor defenceless women,
who said not a woid in rejily hut went on
with their work, anxious only to please (Jod.
Mi-antime a toniru'twasgoing on in Justine Kilion's
heart. Tired of this state of uncertainty, and worn

TUB ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MIS^RICORDE 63

e featiires of
r lier life was
? always lior
Him do good
;ht a country-
I in order to
iH'd lu^pliews.
liur'H <levoto«l-
il and hi'tting
r houno to the
ight, fed, ami
ill means soon
not fuHil her
u'lp, she had
ivcrtlu'less in
« poor." Then
k'ardn Madame
at tract e<l her,
r welf-saeriiiee,
saeritices, did

evil-minded,
iciwed without
eelesB women,
l)Ut went on

pli'ase tJod.
iistine Kilion'rt
iiity, antl worn

out with anxiety, she one day took refuge in the
(Cathedral and prostrating herself hefore the altar,
consulted God in prayer. What passed between
the Divine Prisoner of the Tabernacle and Ilis ser-
vant, no one ever knew, but certain it is that the
pious woman rose to her feet calm and resolute, and
Joined the little group in that humble "guest
chiindtcr " whore, in silence and prayer, the future
order of the " Sisters of Misuricorde " was being
fornu'd. This was on Octidn-r 8th, 1846.

A few (lays previous to that <late. Bishop Bour-
get had started for Home, leaving to Bishop rrince,
his coadjutor, the care of the administration. Bishop
Prince was not only a distinguished theologian, ho
was also an enlightened director and a zealous
patron antl promoter of every species of good work.

The religious of the Good Shepherd and the Sis-
ters of Providence had already found in him a safe
and devoted guide; but they were not thi! oidy
ones to iienetit from his directio)» and care, — Ste.
Pelagic was also about to profit greatly hy it.

The coadjutor Bishop visited the house on Xo-
vember tUh, and, after having offered up the Holy
Sacriliee, pro«'eeded to hold a general election for
the several otHces in the house. "After having
" invoked,"' says the otHciai record, "the light of the
" Holy Ghost and the protection of the Blessed Vir-

MOTHER DE LA NATIVIT^ AND

" gill, wc liave taken tlie votes of the present twelve
" members of tliis Community, and we iind tlie
" nominations to the several offices to be as follows :
" Madame Jette is elected superior ; Madame Gali-
" peau, assistant; the remaining offices are divided
" among the others."

The Jiishop signitie*! his approval of this election
hy aji authentic deed, which is carefully kei»t in
the archives of the Order. It is wt)rthy of note
that he gave to the new associates the name of
" Ladies of Charity ;" also, tint he refrained from
naming a Mistress of Novices "as they are all in
" the novitiate, the Bishop and the Director of the
" house will, by their advice and instructions, do
" what is needed in that behalf."

Jiishoji Prince watched over the work of the new
comnuinity with fatherly solicitude; he often in-
quired about the i)rogress of the novices in the
l>ractice of the religious virtues, and rejoiced when
he saw their fervor and piety. Towards the end of
November, Judging that it was time for them to
change their worldly garments ibr the religious
habit, he visited the house and gave its inmates an
instruction re]>lete with solid doctrine and unction
in relation to the religious habit, and the interior
dispositions it imjtlics: he then tilled the hearts of
the Superiors with Joy and delight by telling then),

THE ORIOIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISKHICOUDE

esent twelve
wc iind tlie
e as follows :
adame Gali-
are divided

this election
ullv keiit ill
■thy of note
;he name of
['raine<l from
y are all in
rector of the
ructions, do

k of the new

lie often in-

tvices in the

L'joiccd when

Is the end of

for them to

he religions

s inmates an

and unction

the interior

the hearts of

telling tliem,

that after having reflected a long time hefore God,
he was persuaded that they should delay no longer
in clothing themselves with the garfiieiits of the
Sjiousea of Christ.

lie himself indicated the form and color of the
new hahit and fixed the date of the reception for
the first day of Decemher. This simple costume
was to consist of a hlack hahit and cai)e, with
a white cap and a collar of the same color. The
novices accepted it lovingly as a heaven-sent gar-
ment. Detained elsewhere hy important husiness,
JJishop Prince could not come as he wished at the
time appointed, so the Reception took i)lacc without
the usual ceremonies. Nevertheless the novices were
hai)py and joyous and from their hearts rose hymns
of thanksgiving, at the thought of the innumerahle
hlessings showered upon them. The Holy Hahit
seemed to them a sufficient recomiiense for all the
trials and bitterness of the past and a sure pledge
of future happiness. Ten of the novices received
it. Two of the " Associates " had left, a short time
hefore, not l)eing fitted to this kin«l of life, but
hefore long they were replaced hy two new can-
didates : — A<lelaVdeLan/,on and 8o[ihie Uihean, who
later on became excelk^it religious.

Yielding to the suggestions of her great love for
her dear penitents, the venerable Mother Superior

6t;

MOTIIKH DE LA NATIVITK AND

Kolicit(Ml and ()l)tniiie(l for tliciii, not indoi'd u ((Hii-
plt'to coHtmno, Imt at IcjiHt a f'ow diHtinctiv*! parts of
one; i\wy were given a white cap and veil, alwo a
nu'dnl of the Blessed Virgin fastened to a blaek
ribbon which they wore around their neek ; but
these articles were expensive, and after a short time
they were laid aside and black caps and veils were
adopted.

In the meantime the Novitiate went on as usual.
It was, in truth, an excejitional novitiate, very far
from being in conformity witli the idea that the
word awakens in the mind I Who does not picture
it to himself as a place of retreat, a peaceful solitude,
where the trouble and noise of the world are un-
known, where the soul alone with her Cio' lives a
life of silence, meditation and pray»'i ? Ami sn.'h
is, in reality, the (»rdinary and nornuil ; of the
novitiate in religious communities.

But, under the unavoidable jiressiire of necessity,
altogether difterent was the spectacle aftbrded by
the little novitiate on Wolfe Street. There were,
as we have said, hours t'or prayer and recollection,
i)Ut was it not also necessary to provide for the
ever increasing wants of the ('ommunity? Were
the novices to give up, for a time, the practice of
works of mercy for which the institution was
foundi'd ? Sucli a thing could not be thought of ;

THK ORKUN OF THK SISTKK.S OF MISKIl!n>HI»K

r.7

let'tl !i «'»mi-
jve juirtrt of
1 veil, ulrto 11
to a black
• iioek ; but
a abort tiino
1 veils wore

on as usual.

lite, very far

lea tbat tbe

H not picture

,'ful Holitude,

orld are un-

CJo' Uvea a

Ai)"l si'i'li

^ oi tnc

of nt'oesrtity,

att'onU'd by

Tbere were,

rocoUei'tion,

vide for tbe

tiity? Were

practice of

titntion wan

tbougbt of;

HO witb tbat bearty good will wbicb beaven blesHcs
and filial eonlideiice in (Jod, tbe novices witb tbeir
venerable Motbcr for tbeir guide, witbout a nio-
1 ment's besitalion and tbeir bcarts in peace, accepted
for tbeir sbare tbe twofold part of Nfartba and Mary.
And we can say witb certainty tbat if Martini's
was not tbe better part, it was in no way less con-
sidi'rable or less arduous tban Mary's. If we for a
moment reflect upon tbe insulKcicnt size of tbe
bouse for ho many inmates, tbe niany kinds of work
to be done and tbe extreme poverty wbicb reigned
witbin its walls, we sball bave no trouble in torming
an idea of tbe activity neeiled to supply all wants.
Tbe most spacious apartment on tbe groinid
floor bi'came on one and tbe same day, by turns :
kitcben, refectory, laundry, soapdiouse, drying and
ironing-room. An oM cooking-stove placed in tbe
centre of the room, served to cook tbe poor victuals
for tbe bousebold, boil tbe water, beat tbe flat-
irons, etc., and on <'ertain days to melt tbe wax out
of wbicb Justine Filion's skilled bands made tbe
tapers tbat were to burn on tbe altar. Need we be
surprised then if tbe dinm-r was sometimes burnt?
On sucli occasions Lncie Henolt usually made
known tbe fact to ber fiitber. wbo lived just across
tbe way, and tbat cbaritabb' neigbbor wo Id sbare
witb tbe poor community tbe food prepjired .>r bis
own family.

motiii;k J)K la nativitk and

At i\\ght tlie commuiiity-rDOin, on tlio hocoimI
floor, was clmnt^od into a dormitory t'ortlic juMiitcMitrt
and tlie SisterH bi-took themselves to tlic garret.
Tliis distressing state of things histed several
months. To alleviate it, Hishoj* Prinee rented tlie
gronnd floor of the other half of the house and
placed the penitents there. Being theneel'orth «)Ut
of the way of general supervision, they required u
Bpeeial direetress.

This eharge was given to Lueie Lccourtois, who
aceeptcd it with fear and trembling. But Madame
Jette reassured lier, saying : " These poor ehildrcn
" are better than you think, go and be without fear."
Experience jtroved tliat her eonfidence was not
exaggerated. The penitents were obedient, and in
regard to piety and industry their eonduet was all
that could well be hoped for. The sight of the
great jtrivations which the novices gladly iTnjn)scd
upon themselves, in order to lighten the burthen
for their penitents, touched them to the hearf.
They became greatly attached to the house, and
many of them manifested a heartfelt desire to
remain and share the life and labors of those to
whom, next to (Jod Himself, they owed tlu'ir return
to virtue and honor. But the house was so snuill I
In fact there was barely room for those who already
belong ed to the household there. There was nothing

THE OKIOIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICOHDE

the secontl
tin' iH'uitontrt
» tlic garret.
Htcd Heverul
CO rented the
le house un<l
I'ueetorth out
•y reciuired a

conrto'iH, who
But Mathiiue
poor chiUlreu
wit^ out feur."
Mice was not
lulient, aiul \n
)inluet was all
> sight of the
;latlly imposed
i the hurtheti
to the heart,
lu' house, ami
folt desire to
rs of those to
i>d thi'ir return
was so small I
se who already
re was nothing

i'or it, therefore, hut to send tlie poor girls hack into
the world where, in not a few eases, tlu-ir irreproach-
able eonchiet was rewarded by an honorable mar-
riage ; or ilan irresistible attra<!tioi\ retained tiiem
in that solitu<le of the soul whieh is the fruit of
penanee and prayer; they bade adieu to their bene-
factors and resumed their life of reparation in the
cloister of the (iood-Sheplienl.

About this pericxl it was that the penitents, by u
spontaneous act on their part, began to give to their
directresses the name of " Mother.'' They had
hitlu-rlo addressed them as " MademoiselU," but the
word did not express the sentiments of their hearts;
so they agreed amongst themselves to replace it by
a sweeter one, by that name whieh is the syndjol of
the strongest, highest, most generous and disinter-
ested love to be found on eaitb. This usage has
been faithfully perpetuated in the Community,

' wlu'rc all the professed nijnw are called " Mother "

s by the penitents, Magdelenes, etc.

Such marks of love an<l gratitude were a great
consolation to the novices in the midst of the con-
stantly recurring sufferings resulting from poverty.
They lived with the strictest economy, A little
hread and butter and a few potatoes often tbrmed

/ their whole bill of fare ; and yet this frugal numner
of living did not always enable them to avoid con-

MOTIIEU DE LA NATlVIlfi ANU

tructiiig <U'l)t8. But CJod never abaiuloiirt His little
oiu'K ; and in their groateHt neeesHitieH some ^enor-
ourt soul would ahvayw eonie torwanl when the
time eame to settle their aeeounts. Hirthop Jiour^et
had authorized Mr. IJenoit to assist thoC'omniunity
in its neeeswities whenever ho himself tailed to do
so. That ^ood ehristian on every oeeasion accpiitted
himself of the task witii /eal eidianeed by his
I'atherlv love.

Other wealthy and charitable jiersons soon beeaino
inscribed as benefactors of the new-born Institution.
We have already mentioned Olivier lierthelet, to
whose name and memory no words of ours can do
justice ; we must not omit the IMnsonnault family,
and in particular one of its most illustrious mem-
bers, the future JMshop (') of London, at the time a
Sulpician priest.

As it will readily be believed, tlie Cathedral clergy
were not the last to ^ive a helping hand to the little
Comnninity. What consoling memories and at the
same tinje what sentiments of gratitude are linked

(1) rininnnnult, (Mur. Pinrre-Adolpho 1H15-l8K:t). bnrn at St. PhUippe,
P.Q., WH8 educntfJ at the College of Montreal, wont to Pnrifi. whero ho
Ktuiiicd thooloBv and wns ordained prieiit in 1K4U. IIo loft the Society of
St. Sulpicc in iHj'.t to untir the Itiahop'g paliine iif Montreal, where he bo-
on me titular oannn in ISSl. Promoted to the ncwiy-crcoted See of Iitindon,
he wn» conaecriiled Bisliop hy Mgr. do Charbonnol, in 1Hr>tS. lie removed
hii* See to Sandwich in IK/)') and rvsiKned in IHtit), From that time he lived
a retired life at .Sault-au-H((collet, and later at the Episcopal renidenco in
Montreal.

THE ORKIIN OF TIIK SISTEUS OF ML^KKlCoUUE

•IIH lI'lH little

some jxencr-
il when the
liop liourgel
! Coniniunity
tailed to <lo
ion iic(iuitto<l
need by his

Hoon becuino
u Institution.
IJertlielet, to
'ours ean do
iiiault family,
Ktrious n»enj-
at the time a

hedral clergy

id to tlic little

es and at the

Ic are linked

rn lit St. rhilip|>e,
;o IMrio. wluTO ho
hft the Society oi
renl. where he bo-
oted See of Iioiidon,
IK'it). lie rouioved
that time he lived
Rcopal reHidenco in

with the names of Fathers Tiutoau (') and IManion-
doii ; hothofthem titular canons, and tlietirnt named
tlcHtint'd to become Vicar-General of tlu' Diocese.

To the Birond, Bishop Hourgt'* intrustod tho
admiiustration of the temporal affairs of the hoiisr.
The duties ot Ins now position were not very com-
plicated and consisted rather in giving than in
nnuinging, as the following incident will show. One
Sunday, the Hishojt, accompanied by Father Tla-
mondon (), paid a visit to the house, and when they
were going through the refectory, tlu' latter iioticocl
that only a small pieci- of butter remained for the
comnnniity breakfast ; he mentioned the tiict to tho
Hislio[t, who said : "Have you no money with you,
"Canon?" at tlie same time i»utting his hand in
his own pocket. Iloth contributed according to
their means, ami that day, Justine Filion, who was
the provider of the house, was enabled to nuike
an extraordinary purchase, having receivetl tive
shillings.

Canon Tiuteau used to say jestingly : " There is
" no such thing as entering this house without

(1) Triitcau (Alcxin-FrM^riu 1H(IH.1H7;1). alliT having flninhcd hi8 courgo
of ftudiex lit the Collego of Montreal, remained in that insfitution as a
l'roft'»»<)rand at tho eame time ntudio I theology. Wim ordained priest in
h.'U), callod ti> the Epixcopal residence the next year by Mgr. Iiartiguo ;
beoame fccretary in Ix.ts and Vicar-(9oneral in 1817.

(2) L.-T. Plamondon (IKI'J-IHHJ), horn at St. Hyiicinthe. made a ooiirse of
studies at Montreal College, was ordained |>rioBt in I8l.'t,and made I'roour-
iitorof thodiocoie; canon in IHAI : retired into private lite in i'uo Ilotcl-
nieu in 1S»1, where ho died in 1HH2.

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MOTHER DE LA NATIVIlfe AND

" paying." Its poverty was indeed great, and help
was mucli needed. The Hotel-Dieu nuns and the
Sulpician Fathers deemed it their duty to help the
house and secure for it means of support.

Even the poor man's mite was not wanting.
And in particular that of one who had chosen
voluntary poverty for his lot, and who died about
thirty years ago. He was well known to the people
of Montreal by the name of " Thre Beaudry." Ilis
life, if written, would form one of the most beautiful
pages in the history of " private charity " in Ville-
Mario. Having distributed all his money to the
poor, and given his lands to the Seminary of
St. Sulpice, Mr. Beaudry took up his abode at the
Seminar^' on Notre-Dame Street. He started from
the Seminary every morning, with his wallet on his
back, — after having heard two or three Masses, —
and begged throughout the city and specially on
the market-place, where he was well known by all.
The butchers used to give him shanks of beef, cal-
ves' or sheep's heads, and renmants of meat which
was sometimes anything but fresh.

" Pere Beaudry," his cane in one hand, and
steadying his well-filled wallet on his bent back with
the other, would then Avend his Avay to the house
on Wolfe Street, or, at -limes, towards some other
community in like distress. If at times the sensitive

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE

hiB

feelings of some novice suft'erecl from his blunt and
abrupt manner wliicli in truth, the good old man
put on in order to avoid that vain complacency to
which the very purest souls are exposed uncon-
sciously to give way in face of gratitude, the Com-
munity itself, on the other hand, was greatly
indebted to him for his charity and devotedness.

Thanks to the help thus received, the winter of
1846-1847 was not as hard as the preceding one.
The Sisters still had, it is true, to clear away the
snow which had gathered around the house during
the night ; saw and split with their own hands the
fire-wood for heating and cooking, and do many
other tasks of a like nature ; but they performed
with cheerful hearts whatsoever necessity imposed
upon them, and in short all were happy to submit
and adopt themselves in all things to the will of God.

Superior and Infirmarian, at one and the same
time, Madame Jette gave the example of activity,
courage and all the other virtues which her new
position demanded. A holy emulation reigned
among the novices ; all were eager to take part in
sitting up nights with the sick or doing the hardest
and most repulsive work. This was also to be seen
in their numerous journeys to Notre-Dame Church
where they carried the new-born infants to be bap-
tized. Nothing: could be more humiliating and

■ .■',.. I'

itii

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

mortifying than tlie treatment inflicted on those
who performed that heroic work.

The i>ublic seemed to have a settled antipathy in
regard to tlie new work. At the sight of one of
the Sisters, passers-by turned their heads aside,
others insolently laughed, while some, more daring
than the rest, laid hands upon the burden, which
those pious women tried to conceal, and over-
whelmed them with abusive language. On Sundays
and holydays the task became more difiicult and
more humiliating still, on account of the crowd.
The Sisters were often obliged to elbow their way
to the holy font, and there they sometimes had to
wait several hours on account of the great number
of infants to be bai)tized. This was not sill. Once
baptized the infants had to be carried to the Grey
Nunnery, so that the poor novice must set out
again with a prospect of enduring fresh insults and
humiliations. At such times the relatives or
friends, who had done all in their power to prevent
the novices from entering the new Community,
would meet them with scornful and angry looks
and even with bitter or sarcastic words. One of
the novices stated that on one such occasion she
had nearlv fainted ; another was so terrified that
she was tempted to leave the poor screaming infant
on the roadside an<l run away. In spite of all

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE

these sacrifices so peculiarly hard and crucifying for
human nature, these journeys to Notre-Dame created
a noble rivalry between the novices, for like the
Apostles, they rejoiced that they were accounted
worthy to sufier reproach for the name of Jesus.

I;- I

Ii*i

111. •

ir. ■

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,'>o«='^j€T

CHAPTER^ V

New Trials.

Olortnnivr in trihulattotiihus : ncientcs
qtiod trihuliitio piitientiiim ojtrratnr :
Ititlientia atitem prohiiliotiKni (KoM. v.
3-4).

We glorjr also in tribulations, know-
ing that tribulation worketh |!atience ;
and patience trial.

YEAR had passed since tlie day
when Madame Jett^ established her
little colony on Wolfe Street. Al-
though far from sharing the malevolent
feelings of many persons towards the new
Communit}', the proprietor of the house,
feared that discredit would also fall on his property
and diminish its value ; ho therefore notified the
Superior that she must seek quarters elsewhere.

On being made aware of the notice to quit, Bishop
Prince instructed Rev. Mr. Rey to look for a house
suitable for the Community. During two weeks,
the devoted chaplain travelled all over the city,

■m

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MI.'?EK100aUb'E

t t

but it was useless ; every one had a homtrfyfthe
hospital, its neighborhood was shuiinexl aiiwl the
owners of houses considered that thev "wonjy incur
public disgrace by furnisliing quarters lor itiuor insti-
tution. Sharp criticism and hard wor<l# were,
moreover, unsparingly lavished on the poor ■eluaplain
and the devoted and courageous wonieo. *- Whj
" did not they leave these wretches in the «)tre«t?"
" Was not misery and suftering more lik*]ir to e»>r'
" rect them than pity ? And what cominasmm^ are
" such persons worthy of?" In the eyes, **i the
world, it was simply encouraging vice to tlarow the
mantle of charity over these poor girln, -nho. cttfcier
through a sudden impulse, through wcakm<M» or
the enticement of strong passion, had fallieBi mto
the abyss of shame. All doors were i>iti]ei*4y *liBt
against them, as of old the inns of BethWlihe'nni in
view of the poor and humble aspect of Marv an»I
Joseph.

Touched to the heart by this want of ^'U'CtCT&fflf in
so many quarters and above all by th<.^fs«e affronfi*
ofl'ered to holy charity, and whi(.h imperilled the very
existence of the hospital, Bishop Prince -Kent Mnni-
self to the house on April 0th. After ceMiiraitting
Holy Mass, he called the Sisters together atwl rair;2«.i!i
them to solicit, by fervent prayers, the liKeBii- of
Divine Providence for their institution. "TLf |xc«»i-

■•:■■■ •■'■'.'1

Wl -'

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITY AND

111;

" tion ill wliich you are now placed, he said, is a
" very difficult one ; you have no refuge ; your
" Community will perish if God does not come to
" your assistance ; you must pray with fervor.
" But God will not abandon you ; He does not for-
" get all you have done for love of Him. Let us
" entreat Him to help us, through the intercession
" of St. Pelagia. This very day we must begin a
" novena in honor of your patroness, so that we
" may ask her to secure for you a home where you
" may carry on your work. You know what peo-
" pie do when in danger of perishing : they cry out
" for help with all their strength ; do the same,
" pray with faith and confidence, say from the bot-
" tom of your hearts : St. Pelagia, pray for (/s .' "
And the Bishop, falling on his knees, in the midst
of the poor Sisters, whose hearts were saddened by
the prospect before them, (and how could it be
otherwise ?) but full of hope in Him who holds in
his hands the hearts of men ; commenced the novena
by reciting aloud a chaplet of invocations to the
holy Patroness of the Hospital.

Continued with entire confidence, the novena
ended on April 14th, with, as yet, no apparent result,
and there was but little time left. The next day,
Bishop Prince went himself to see a proprietor in
the neighborhood, Mr. Donegani. The success of

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE

his undertaking surpassed all his hopes, for that
gentleman not only consented to let the Sisters have
his house, but to give it up to them free of charge,
and for an unlimited period of time !

On receiving this good news, the Community gave
way to transports of delight and the next day, at
the suggestion of His Lordship, they began a novena
of thanksgiving to the Saint whose helping hand
had been so manifest in their deliverance.

From that day forth also, devotion to St. Pelagia
increased wonderfully in the little Community. The
Sisters invoked her with tender and confiding piety,
and it would be impossible to say how many spiri-
tual and temporal favors were obtained through
her intercession, more specially in behalf of the
poor penitents.

The house to which the Hospital was about to be
removed was on the south-east corner of St. Catherine
and St. Andre Streets. It is still standing, but so
changed that the visitor, who would fain discover
some vestiges of a holy and glorious past, can today
see but a common restaurant.

The aspect of the new Hospital was quite as
modest as the first, perhaps e%'en less regular in out-
line and less pleasing to the eye. But it was much
larger. On the first story, there was room for the
parlor, the Community hall, the refectory, the

' r

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it'!

I-

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I..

MOTHER DE LA NATIVIT^ AND

I'r

kitchen mid even the laundry. On the second floor
was the Chapel, the penitents' room, the Siwters'
dormitory, and even a small office for the clergy.
The third story was set apart for the penitents'
dormitory and the inflrmary. Adjoining the house
was a garden.

The Community moved into their new quarters
on April 26th. There was more room than in the
old house, but how much weary work had still to
be done to render it fit for use ! The trials of the
Sisters during the first few weeks were extremely
severe, on account of the many privations they
endured. All their previous sufl:erings were as
nothing compared to what they now endured. What-
ever little meat they were able to procure, and all
that was sent in by charitable people, was given to
the penitents. The Sisters were reduced to living
on bread and water ; and it is not surprising to
read that they were on the verge of sinking under
the strain of their incessant labors.

During this general distress, Madame Jette gave
to all an example of courage and confidence in God.
She knew that it was one of those trials to which,
by a special permission of Divine Providence, such
new undertakings are subjected, and wliich, when
generously endured, but serve to cause the spirit of
self-denial and sacrifice to take deeper root and

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICOUDE

gain strength. Wlio could liave been better quali-
iied than she to iml)ue with these Hentinients the
minds and lioarts of her companions? Slie thanked
God from tlie depths of her heart, when she saw
that they too were brave and resigned in face of
such a discouraging position.

But these courageous women did not give way
to useless fear and repining ; tliey knew the [troverb :
" Ilelji thyself, and heaven will lielp thee " and
worked hard for their living. While Madame
Raymond and some others were sewing, Madame
Jette herself made soles for several shoemakers, or
took in washing. As they were often not well
paid for their work, they had recourse to begging.
Each morning one of the Sisters went to the market ;
but how many bitter words and foul taunts accom-
panied the feeble alms she received, God alone knows !

Things had come to this point when Bishop
Bourget returned from the eternal City, in May
1847. One of his first visits was to his afflicted
daughters. The extreme poverty in which he
found them touched him greatly. lie laid it upon
them as a duty, for the future, to let him know
their wants should tliey ever again fall into such a
state of constraint and poverty. To meet tlieir
most pressing wants, he gave them all the money
he had with him, which amounted to eight dollars.

fi:

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

'I
.5

Iff : - .1

I: '1

It ii

'51 .-■

1 1! ■

On returning to liis residence he gave micli further
aid as showed that lie did not forget those whose
need ho had just ascertained. No sooner did lie
receive some gift or present which could he used in
the Hospital, than he immediately sent it to the
Sisters, and many a time disposed of the collection
taken up at the Cathedral on Sunday, in favor of
this work so dear to his heart.

Meantime, the hour had come when God was to
call upon the community to make one of the most
meritorious sacrifices which it could then offer Ilim.

Borne hither by the unfortunate Irish emigrants,
mercilessly banished from their island-home by
English eviction, the typhus fever had cast its
baneful pall over the city of Montreal. The poor
emigrants, wasted by the pangs of hunger and
exhausted by all the sufferings of a long sea voyage,
perished by thousands on the shores of the St. Law-
rence, where the ships had landed them. With
that quiet heroism born of charity and trust in
God, the clergy, the religious communities and
even a large number of pious lay-people went to the
help of those unfortunate victims of the plague.
Eight priests and ten Sisters proved their courage
and devotedness by the loss of their lives. Among
the first stricken down were Bishop Bourget and
his coadjutor ; they, no doubt, owed their recovery

'■«.

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORUE

to the ardent prayers oft'ered up to the Almighty
entreating Ilim to spare thowe two precious lives.

The Sisters in charge ■:.' 'te. Pelagic were also
eager to join the ranks oi" those who were fighting
the dread disease, but the Bishop informed them
tliat tliey must not think of doing so " on account
" of their penitents." Their chaplain, the venerable
M. Rey, replaced them on the field of honor, on
which he was doomed to fall.

From Point Rt. Charles, tliat is to say, the western
extremity of the city, where he was stationed in
attendance on the sick, he daily came on foot to offer
up the Divine Sacrifice at the Hospital ; then,
without taking any of tliose precautions which
prudence dictates under such circumstances, without
relaxing in the very slightest degree his practice of
mortification regarding his food, he went forth to
face all the overwhelming labors of his ministry,
and the poisonous atmosphere in which sickness
and death held sway. Ilis strength soon gave out.
The last time he offered the Holy Sacrifice in the
Community Chapel he was so feeble that he was
hardly able to stand. Completely exhausted by
the effort he made in saying Mass, he fainted away
during his thanksgiving. Madame Jette, justly
alarmed, wished to send liirn home in a carriage,
but he would never consent to it ; lie made his way

"^-'VH

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MOTIIKll DE LA XATIVITE AND

U ij

on foot to the Cathedral, and from thence proceeded
to the IIotel-Dieu, which he was never to leave
alive. He died a holy death, on July 27th, 1847.

Diirinc^ his sickness, which was short, Madame
Jetto and Madame Galipeau went to see him, hut
this holy priest, whose soul seemed alrea<ly to he
tilled with that heaven it wasalx>ut to enter, refused
them admittance to his room ; he, however, sent
them his thanks for their visit, assurinj^ them that
he would rememher their "work" hefore God;
and commending his soul to the pious prayers of
the Community.

Soon after, the terrihle plague threatened to
secure victims iii the Hospital itself. Tv-'o of the
novices were taken sick. If the tlisease spread it
meant the ruin of the institution and the complete
destruction of a work most necessary in a growing
city such as Montreal. The Bishop resolved to have
recourse to supremo means to arrest the progress of
the disease. lie sent to the venerahle Superior of
tlie Community hy the handsof their new chaplain,
the Rev. Louis Sache, S.J. ; a relic of Blessed
Beatrice d'Este, a gift of His Holiness, Pope Pius IX,
and in order, no douht, to incite the Comnmnity to
jiray with greater fervor, he sent them word that
he would give the relic to the Providence nuns, it
the Saint did not work anj- cures in their Hospital.

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTEKS OF MISBRICORDE

The relic was exposed in the Chapel with all the
solemnity possible, and the Community immediately
began a nov^na. The result was soon manifest,
and a few days afterwards, the two novices had quite
recovered, their rapid restoration to health being
looked upon as truly miraculous. One of the novices
thus cured was Lucie Benoit, of whom we have
already spoken in this history. Through gratitude
for the Saint she decided to adopt her name at the
lirst profession and place herself under her special
patronage. The devotion to St. Beatrice was from
that time forth in great repute in the Community,
and whenever a contagious disease broke out in the
city, and seemed to be about to invade the Hos-
pital, the relic was exposed amid fervent prayers
and supplications, and the conlideuce thus exhibited
was never found to be misplaced.

The joy over these unhoped for cures was still at
its height when a fresh trial cast the shadow of
death over the house. During the same summer,
1847, Madame Montraia was taken away. Eminently
pious, and gifted with an amiable simplicity and
goodness, combined with entire devotedness to duty,
she had accomplished much for the Community,
and had won the esteem and aftection of her com-
panions. A few months before her death, her
health began to fail, so that she felt herself unable

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MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

to continue her novitiate and after seeking the
advice of her director, she decided to give it up.
Nevertheless, she asked the Bishop and Madame
Jette, as a special favor, to permit her to end her
days in the house she loved so much. The favor was
granted, and this pious lady, who could have lived
at ease and comfort, at home, shut herself up in
the poverty of this obscure anddiscredited establish-
ment, there to devote herself to the most humble
duties, until the day when the Divine Spouse invited
her to enter into the glories and splendors of Ilis
kingdom.

A Jesuit, Father Louis Sacho ('), succeeded
M. Rey as chaplain. He was filled with the zeal
of a true apostle. His goodness and charity, as we
read in the annals of the Good-Shepherd Convent
of Quebec, were inexhaustible, but veiled under a
cold and placid countenance, which no passing
events, it would seem, ever sufficed to disturb. He
was naturally of an austere temperament. The

(1) Louis-C^faire Snch6 was born in a village of La Touraine, (Ftance),
in 1813, entered the Society of Jesus in 1840 and came to Montreal in 1845.
Three years were devoted to the work ol the ministry in the city or at La-
prairie. In 1848 he was named director of the College at Ste. Th^rdso. The
next year, he founded the residence of Quebec, was called to the post of
Master of Novices at Sault-au-RCcollet in 1853, remaining there until 1862
when he was a|)pointcd Rector of St. Mary's College (lH()2-t;5); was sent
back to Sault-au-R^collct in 18t)6; in 1871 was ^eiit to the United States
and in 1881 to Quebec. Celebrated his golden Jubilee in 1888, and died in
Quebec October 24th, 1889. His memory is still cherished by many in that
oity.

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE

Community hoped much from his zeal and his spirit
of faith, and he was hecoming attached to the work
just in proportion as its many needs impressed
tliemselves upon his mind, when his Superior's
orders called hira elsewhere.

He was replaced by a priest, who, although young
in years, was distinguished by eniinent qualities.
Bishop Bourget had recently called him to the
Cathedral and bestowed on him the title of Canon.
Venant Pilon (') was a man of God. In accepting
the mission confided to his care by the Bishop he
did not hide from himself, either the importance of
the task ho was about to attempt, which was to
form privileged souls to a life of perfection and the
spirit of their order ; or the criticism to which he
would be ex'^osed on account of his youth and the
peculiar charu.; jr of the work intrusted to him.

Many priests still entertained doubts about the
Hospital. In the first place, they said, it was a
new Community, — a capital grievance in the eyes
of some, — and then, to say nothing of its object,
which seemed to be of uncertain utility, — how could
it possibly get out of the poverty in which it had

(1) Pilon (Venant) (1822-1860), wac born at St. Geneviiivo, P.Q. After a
brilli int course of studies at the College of TAssomption, ho remained in
that eatablisbment as a professor, while pursuing also the study uf theolo-
gy. Ordained priest in 1845, he was for a time direotor of the College 6f
Chambly; named Canon in 1847, he divided his time between preaching,
and the Chaplaincy of the Community of Mis^ricordc, until his death.
His body lies in the vault of the Community Chapel.

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been struggling for tlio last two years, especially at
a time when so many other rising instituti*»ns,
unquestionably more useful, were appealing to the
charity of the faithful ?

Tho«e objections must also floubtlesshave occurred
to M. rilon, but, remembering that " the thoughts
" and ways of men are not the thoughts and ways
" of God," he gave himself up to his duties with
that zeal and devotedness derived from motives
elevated high above the things of earth and time,
which are proof against the assaults of the one and
the inconstancy of the other.

He saw from tlie first that, in the then state of the
Community, — with no definite rules, no vows,
customs or traditional spirit, he must not confine
himself to the work of a director of souls, but, in the
general interest of the house he must also become
Master ot Xovicea. It was a great undertaking
with his feeble constitution, but the future of the
Community depended on it and M. Pilon did not
for a moment hesitate. lie presided over all the
daily exercises and taught the novices how to
ac(|uit themselves of those that seemed most difficult,
such as : the chapter of faults, fraternal correction
and direction. In order to surround those exercises
with all the respect inspired by religion, he wished
that the novices should perform them in presence

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Ri:V. CANf.X V. I'lI.OX,

Cliaiikiiii I'miii 1^17 to i^fiu.

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THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MIMJBJCOB&E

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of the Holy Eucharist, a sure way <»f awrcompUshiug
them with a fitting spirit of faith a««l luniniiHtj.

To these weekly exen-ises, which art- iriOabeerved
in the Community, were added a few odlneTS which
have since heen abolished. The aninak tell as of a
liabit the associates had of avowing to nine J^aperior,
each "vening, all violations of th<? mle ♦•omrnitted
during the day, also giving her an itfxmmnt of the
manner they had occupied their riiiiiiKli. Fasting
on Friday was then observed, but am ^-iewr of the
difficultes and drawbacks it occasioinwl. the prac-
tice was, a few years later, given up-

Thus was the new family with whicL Goel wished
to endow and gladden His Church, Utnu^l in the
shade, in prayer and in the exercise <*f tW hnmblest
offices of charity. Two years had now }><een spent
in laying, amidst humiliations of everj llcimL the
deep, solid and immovable foundation* of that true
and sincere humility which St. AugiusSiiuc- deems
essential for ever}' spiritual structune tliiat in to
escape ruin : " Do you aspire to l>ecoiJjie great ? —
"' tlien begin by being little. Do you whrh to raise
" a great and noble edifice ? — then let ymr Hirst care
" be the solid foundation of humility;" *ay* that
illustrious Doctor of the Churcli. Tljue gTa<e of
God had accomplished all this in the sonik of those
who formed the Conmiunity of Ste. Pelagie. For

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MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE

over a year, they had given up their worldly attire ;
having long before renounced the spirit and maxims
of the world. And now, not only were they clad in
the religiouH habit, but, better far, their souls were
adorned with the virtues and interior dispositions
of which it is the emblem.

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CHAPTER VI

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Profession and Religious Life.

Dominui pars hrreditatit mrtr.. (Ps.
XV. h.) . .. et hxrediUtK men super mil et
fnvum. (EnOL. xxiv. 27.)

The Ijord in the portion of my inherit-
ance. .. and my inheritance is sweet
above honey and the honey-oomb.

ISIIOr Bourget now felt that the
time had at last come to execute the
project he had for so long cherished,
sf^ of erecting into a regular congregation
the Community created and fostered by
his care and under his patronage. He
came to the Hospital on November 1st, 1847, and
inaugurated a thirty days' retreat, in order to decide,
by the light of recollection and prayer, who where
those that should be admitted to religious profession.
It would be difficult to describe the joy of all when
they heard this welcome news.

The day had at last come, when their most ardent

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MOTHER DE LA NATIVIlfi AND

aspirations would be realized, when they were to
give themselves up wholly and unreservedly to the
Divine Spouse of souls ; when they would bind
themselves to Him by that " triple tie " which in
the words of Holy Scripture, " cannot be broken,"
by those " glorious chains " the religious vows, and
this not only for a day, or a year, but forever !
What a beautiful dream ! Or rather what a precious
reality ! We can easily understand, therefore, with
what fervor and what transports of joy the retreat
was begun by all. It went on amidst the every day
occupations of the Community ; but more time was
given to meditation, every eftbrt made to preserve
recollection, and the chaplain's impressive and
heart-stirring appeals opened their souls to the
effusions of divine grace. As often as he could,
during the retreat, that is to say, in the brief inter-
vals left by his many 7 essing duties, the Bishop
failed not to visit his dear daughtero. At such times
bespoke to ihem of God; of their duties ; of the
spirit of their vocation ; of the honor which it had
pleased Divine Providence to confer upon them ;
of the increase of humility and self-denial by which
they should strive to make return for these benefits ;
then he would confer M^ith Madame Jette on details
respecting the government of the future Community.
What name would they give this new Order?

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISEUICORDE

His Lonlwlnp decicled to fall it : " La Misericorde "
and that the religioim were to take the name of
" Sceurs de Misericorde." " This name," say« the
Episcopal Mandate instituting the Order, " tells
" you all that you must be in your now state ; and
" it is of itself alone a full indication of tlie line of
" important duties you have to fultill." The Bishop
fixed the IGth of January of the coming year, the
feast of the Holy Name of Jesus, — as the date for
the canonical erection of the Community, What
were the motives of that choice ? The pious Bishop
tells us himself in his Pastoral Letter in these words :
" Remember well, that it is on the solemn day con-
" secrated and devoted to honoring the Holy Name
" of Jesus that the Church confers on you a glorious
" title. Now, since Our Lord, in order to merit
" the sweet name of Jesus, has deigned through an
*' excess of mercy, to sacrifice Himself in order to
" save sinners, — so must you, in order to become
" true Sisters of Mercy, devote yourselves generously
" to the work of saving the greatest of sinners."

It was then decided that only the eight older
novices should be admitted to pronounce theii ows.
— We give their names in the order in which they
were admitted : Marie Rosalie Jette,the foundress;
Sophie Raymond, Lucie Benoit, Lucie Lecourtois,
Marguerite Gagnon, Josephte Calipeau, Justine
Filion and Adelaide Lauzon.

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Having entered tlio novitiate later tlian the
otliers, Sopliio Bibeau, notwitliHtanding her most
ardent desires, liad to wait until later for the happi-
ness of being received among the Spouses of Jesus-
Christ. Slie was appointed, with two postulants,
to take charge of the penitents and do the daily
work of the house ; in a word, she was to fill the
part of Martha, while her sisters, taking " the better
*' part," left aside all worldly occupations in order to
listen, like Mary, to the voice of God and prepare
themselves, by an eight days' retreat, to pronounc
their holy vows. As she was skillful at sewing,
she was chosen to make the habits of those who
were about to be professed.

This habit was none other than the one the novi-
ces already wore, but completed and embellished
by the emblems proper to religious. The black
dress and cape were retained, witli the addition of
the stomacher and the band of white linen ; a
black veil fastened on the head, fell on either side
and covered the shoulders ; encircling the waist
was a black cord with tassels of the same color ;
lastly the cross with the monogram of the name of
Jesus, the espousal ring, and the beads, — the emblem
of filial confidence in Mary, — completed the costume.

While these outward garments were being pre-
pared, the grace of God fell more abululantly on

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THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OP MIsfiRICORDE 95

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their souIh, and imlmcMl tliem witli the sentiincnts
ftiid virtues of that " now man, who according to
" God, is created in justice and holiness of truth ('),"
of whom tlie Apostle speaks, and who is none
other than Jesus-C'hrist himself, as he shows else-
where (•) ; a garmeiit wliiter than snow, more
rosplendant than the sui. , a garment of honor and
glory, such as it hecometli the King of heaven to
bestow on His beloved Spouses on the day of their
blessed union.

The day so long desired dawned at last; that
16th of January, 1848, which must henceforth be
surrounded with a halo of unequalled glory in the
annals oi the Sisters of Misericorde. What deep
gratitude tilled the hearts of the happy novices
when Madame Jctte, lier voice trembling with
emotion, awoke them at dawn of day with the
invitation to bless the Lord : " Benedicamus Domino!"
and with what transports of joy and thanksgiving
did they not answer : " Deo gratias ! " Each and
everyone of them might then appropriate to herself
these words of the Holy Ghost : " This is the
" Lord's doing, and it is wonderful in our eyes.
" This is the day which the Lord hath made, let us
*' be glad and rejoice in it (^)."

(1) Ephk. IV. 24.

(2) Rom. xin. 14.

(3) Ps. cxvii. 23-24.

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Bright and early the chaplain was at his post.
The Chapel ami the Commiinitj-roora had been
pre[»ared and decorated with the utmost care. His
Lordship himself, accom[tanied hy some of the
priests of his household, soon appeared and while
the Bishop was being arrayed in his pontifical gar-
ments, tlie novices were assembled in the Oommu-
nity-room in deep emotion, silence and recollection,
preparing to enter the Chapel when all at once, in
ac(!ents at once joyous and grave the venerable
chaplain intoned the anthem : " Pnidentes Vir-
" gines ; " " Prudent Virgins, prepare your lamps,
" the Spouse is coming, go forth to meet Him ;" a
touching and appropriate invitation to the spiritual
nuptials about to be celebrated. The novices answer-
ed by singing the 121st Psalm, which expresses so
admirably the sentiments of the J ewish pilgrims at
the sight of the Holy City : " I was glad at the things
" that were said unto me : We will go into the house
" of the Lord. Our feet were standing in Thy courts,
" O Jerusalem." A moment later all were kneel-
ing in the Chapel, and the Bishop began Holy
Mass. After the gradual, the prelate, wearing the
insignia of his office, toe. the seat prepared for
him, the novices kneeling in a semicircle at his
feet; the following dialogue then took place.
" My daughters, what do you ask for? My Lord,

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE

" we ask for the grace of consecrating ourselves
" entirely to Jesus-Clirist, by making the three
" vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, in this
" Holy Congregation of the Sisters of Misericorde."
The Bishop then asked in grave and solemn
accents, whether thoy had seriously reflected on the
" sublimity of the union " th<'y desired to contract,
and after having heard their answer, recalled to
their minds what virtues they must practise, and
what obligations they must fulfill, if they would
remain faithful to their vocation. — " However weak
" we may be," answered the novices, " we rely so
" firmly on the infinitemerciosof God,that we hope
" always to Avalk in His divine presence and never
" lose His holy fear, which will be our safeguard
" amidst the dangers of this world."

His Lordship then interrupted the ceremonies to
address these valiant women, in an allocution
wherein he gave full scope and expression to the
sentiments of a heart inflamed with the love of God
and zeal for souls. Then filled with anxiety and
seemingly disturbed at the thought of the long train
of crosses and sacrifices involved in their under-
taking, if they were resolved to be faithful to their
engagements, and terrified, morovcr, on account of
human weakness, he questioned them a last time
saying : " My daughters, do you still persist in your

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" request?" With a firm voice all answered : " Yes,
" My Lord, we are resolved to persevere." Reassured
by this answer the Bishop tells them to accomplish
their sacrifice, saying : " Since you persist in your
" good resolutions, my daughters, accomplish now
*' what you have resolved upon." After a moment
of silence each novice, in her turn, then pronounced
aloud, in due form, the sacred vows which united
her forever to the Divine Spouse.

The Community of the Sisters of Mi8(5ricorde wn-^
founded. Heaven seemed to have opened its portals
and filled this humble Chapel with rays of glory
from above, or rather to have shed upon it the
abundant dew of benediction and joy which casts
the Saints into inpflfable transports of delight.

We will not try to describe the sentiments which
filled to overflowing the hearts of the new Sisters
at the close of the ceremony. All their past suffer-
ings vanished amidst the joy of being united to
God forever ; they were blotted out from memory
or remembered only to increase the happiness of
the present. Bishop Bourget, his soul at peace, his
face radiant with a sweet light, gave thanks to God,
from the bottom of his heart, for having so
graciously heard and answered his prayers, blessed
his daughters most tenderly, and wished them a
prosperous future.

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE

All but one of the witnesses of that memorable
scene have now passed away. The sole survivor
was at the time a young ecclesiastic ; he is now a
venerable old man, whose head has grown gray
under the rudest labors, and in the eyes of all who
know his history, his white locks are radiant with
the halo of a half century's apostleship in the Ca-
nadian North-West, and his memory is blessed
throughout the Church in Canada. He bears the
honored name of " Pbre Lacombe." Let us hear
him, fifty years later, describe in a letter the
impressions of those days of the gGcd-time. He
writes : " Invited by the Bishop to accompany him,
" I was far from anticipating or imagining the scene
" that I was to witness. How amazed then was I
" on entering that humble room, which was your
" first Chapel, to see a group of women in religious
" habits, kneeling before the altar. I learned from
" the Bishop's sermon that I was in presence of the
" heroic band who founded the Community of the
" Sisters of Miscricorde.

" How can I give you an idea of the eloquence of
" the holy Bishop on that day ! The deep sense of
" conviction with which he spoke ! Like a prophet
' unveiling the future he foretold to these valiant
" women all the trials awaiting them. After all
" the years that have passed, I can still hear him

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MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

" telling them, in a voice trembling with emotion, of
" all the courage, devotedness and self-sacrifice
" they would need in order to bear up '^nder the
" world's mockery. ' They will call you ^ools, but
" remember that your divine Master was first
" treated thus and that He conquered the world by
" the folly of Hie Cross.'

" For my part, " continues the venerable mis-
sionary ; " in my simplicity and ignorance of the
" things of God, I said to myself: ' What audacity !
" and yet what courage ! ' ' You will be subject to
" many contradictions,' continued the Bishop, ' you
" will undergo many trials, you will have to bear
" many insults before you accomplish such a mir-
" acle ! ' 'It is tempting Providence ' people will

" say Meantime I prayed for these brave

" women and I thought to myself; ' Does not God
" sometimes make use of means apparently sense-
" less in che eyes of men, to operate the greatest
" wonders? These devoted foundresses, — their act
" of consecration in hand, in the presence of Our
" Lord in His Holy Sacranent, before their Bishop
" and the Rev. M. Pilon, their protector and guide
" in the religious life, and lastly under the eyes of a
" future missionary to the western wilds, pronounced
" their solemn vows. During all this time, the busy
" life and stiii'e of the city had not been interrupted

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THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE 101

" for a moment ; this little spot seemed forgotten
" amidst its unceasing turmoil ; but it was far
" otherwise with the heavenly city ; its portals
" opened wide to this declaration, or rather this
" proclamation, which endowed Montreal with a
" new Community. The divine contract was signed
" and accepted by heaven and earth, and the
" Church had produced another religious family."
If the world ignored the sublime act of tlicse
privileged souls, the Church contemplated it and
applauded it with joy. Bishop Bourget resolved to
consecrate this 16th of January, 1848, by a solemn
and authentic document which would perpetuate
forever the remembrance of this first profession.
To that end, His Lordship addressed to the Com-
munity an Episcopal Letter replete with counsels of
wisdom and considerations derived from faith, im-
bued throughout with the spirit of paternal charity.
Then after having set forth and clearly defined the
end for which the Institution was founded, he
dwelt on the beauty and grandeur of this under-
taking which, in some sort, he declared, will cause
those consecrated to it to participate in the exercise
of God's mercies towards sinners. The very name
they were henceforth to bear, he said, would
unceasingly recall this to their minds ; and if, in
order to exercise worthily this ministry of com-

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MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

passion, condescension, and goodness, they had many
times, and perhaps, every day, to trample under foot
their natural feelings of repugnance, they should
remember that all the graces and strength necessary
to enable them to accomplish their task were to be
found in the Cross they wore. " Every morning,"
said His Lordship, " v^'hon arming yourselves with
" this cross, you will press to your lips with respect
" and affection the image of your Jesus, — the image
" that will remind you that there is no other name
" under Heaven whereby we can be saved than the
" holy name of Jesus ; that this same Jesus was during
" his life the friend of sinners ; that lie was pleased
" to visit them and sit at table and eat with them ;
" that He scorned the taunts and carpings of the
" proud Pharisees ; that Jesus performed a long
" and weary journey to Samaria to convert a single
*' sinner, — an adulteress ; that He allowed Magde-
" lene, the sinner, to remain at His feet and dismissed
" her only after having pardoned her her many sins.
" Each time that you look at this cross, hanging
" from your neck, you will hear an interior voice
" saying to you in the eloquent words of Holy
" Scripture: 'Thus hath God loved men.' From
" the life-giving cross that henceforth you will never
" lay aside, will unceasingly emanate a salutary
" virtue that will inflame you with zeal for the

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MI*ERirORDE 103

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" Balvation of souls. At the si^Lt •r»f tbi» cross you
" will weep and mourn over tht- manj scandals
" which prevail everywhere and •wim-h sw^nt Jesus to
" Calvary. Jesus will say to y<*iu ni^lut and day,
" from the cross : ' If you will come after me, deny
" yourself, take up your cross and f<rjtlll«f>w me.' Surely
" this will he for you a most eloijiifmit invitation to
" bear with courage on every oci^arfon the trials of
" the religious life. Aniniatt^i w'nh these sen-
" timents you will say to yourR-Jvn-* ramceasingly :
" ' We can never do enough for Jt«w*, who lias
" done so much for us.' "

The love of the Cross, — the ]or*t of Jesus cannot
exist without a filial devotion tovi.sinh Mary ; and
the Bishop ends his letter b}' exhorting hi* daogliters
to practise the most tender piety towards the
Blessed Virgin.

In pronouncing their vows the SiifterB had given
themselves entirely to God, and in Mrder that they
might belong to Ilim alone, they ha*! renounced
the world, its trappings, its spirit ami its false
goods ; and in order to annihi]at<-, ««> to speak, the
remembrance of the rank and [►o^ition they once
occupied in the world, they had given up their
family name and adopted a religiou* one. Madame
Jette selected that of Sa'ur de la Xativite. doubtless
because she had presided over the hirth of the

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MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

Community; Mudame Raymond was named Sd'ur
St. Jean ClirysostAnie ; Lucie Bcnoit, Su'ur Ste.
Beatrix ; Lucie Lecourtois, Sa'ur Marie des Sept
Douleurs ; Madame Galipeau became Sceur Ste.
Jeanne de Cliantal ; Justine Filion, Sceur St. Joseph ;
Marguerite Gagnon, Sceur St. Fran(;oi8 de Sales ;
and Adelaide Lauzon, Su'ur Ste. Marie d'Egypte.

On the <lay after the itrofession the election to
the various offices of the Conmiunity was held.
His Lordship himself presided on the occasion.
The title of Superior seemed to belong by right to
Sister de la Nativite, she being the foundress of the
institution. And without doubt she would have
been unanimously elected had she not, through her
lowly opinion of her own worth, and her dread of
the bare idea of being elected, judged herself inca-
pable of governing a community, and begged the
Bishop to have pity on her weakness and not to
impose her .so heavy a charge. The Bishop tried
to allay her fears ; but it was all in vain, he had to
yield to her persistent humility, and Mother de la
Nativite congratulated herself and was much rejoic-
ed at being able to follow her leaning for the
hidden life.

Sister St. Jeanne de Chantal was elected Superior ;
the position of Assistant wjis given to Sister St.
Frangois de Sales ; that of Mistress of Novices to

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THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISHRICORDE 105

Sister Marie des Sept Douleurs ; Sister St. Joseph
became Treasurer ; Sister St. Jean Chrysostdme,
Mistress of tlie Maternity ; Sister St. Marie
d'Egypte, Mistress of Penitents ; while Mother de
la Nativite and Sister St. Beatrix were named
Councillors.

Mother Ste. Jeanne de Chantal governed the
Community during fifteen years. Of an imposing
personal appearance, and a firm and straightfor-
ward character in all her dealings, she showed
sound judgment and keen insight in managing
ter.iporal affairs, and great skill in the art of judging
of men and things ; such were the qualities of the
new Superior, who was to do so much towards the
development and prosperity of the work which
Divine Providence intrusted to her care. If she fell
short in any one point (and who can blame her for
it?) it was in the difficult art of directing and form-
ing souls to a religious life. Pious and full of char-
ity, but having herself received but an imperfect
training, and that at an age when habits have
become a second nature; little instructed in the
ways of religious perfection and withal deeply
absorbed in the management of temporal matters, can
we wonder that she was of herself unequal to the
task of training her Sisters to the great virtues of the
spiritual life? Happily God had provided for their

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MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

needs by giving them Eev. Mr. Pilon for spiritual
director. Tlic devotedness of tliis good priest was
boundless and unfailing ; but his health began to
fail, and now and then he was compelled to absent
himself for a few days ; but the disease gained a
footing and he had to take frequent journeys
which sometimes seemed very long to the (^oni-
mimity.

Meantime, the priests of the Cathedral did all
they could to provide for the spiritual needs of the
Sisters. Time and again at this period, did Bishop
Bourget himself come to the house, eitlier to say
Holy Mass or give religious instructions. lie often
took possession of the small room provided for the
chaplain and spent the day in the house. He was
then at the disposal of any of the Sisters who desired
to see and converse with him. At times, he resorted
to the house, which was only a short distance away
from his own residence, in order to escape from
visitors and devote himself to some pressing work,
without fear of being disturbed. The good Shep-
herd always visited the penitents first and was in
truth to them what ho strove to be, a living image
of our Saviour. These poor souls were ever deeply
moved by his great charity and did their best to
respond to it by their piety and docility. Often
did the charitable pastor come himself to administer
the last sacraments to penitents in danger of death.

It'

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THE ORIGIN OP THE SISTERS OF MIsfiRICORDE 107

X''

''■H

By his geTitlonosH and liis consoling words lie
calmed the fears awakened in their souls hy the
rememhrant'e of a deplorable past ; by representing
to them the infinite mercies of God, their confidence
was restored, and deei>ly penitent for their faults,
they breathed their last in the bosom of their
Saviour. — " My child," said he to a dying penitent,
" you will see Our Lord in a few moments ; take
" your sins in one hand and in the other your
" crucifix, and say to Ilim : " O my Saviour,
" here are my sins and there is Thy mercy ;
" Thou canst not refuse to forgive my sins, since
" Thou hast shed all Thy blood to efface them."
Having beside them a counseller capable of in-
spiring suCii sentiments, how could these poor
girls fail to be reassured and die in peace !
Some, however, were found to be so hardened in
vice as to resist even in the face of his great charity.
The heart of the good Pastor was then a prey to
the most cruel anguish, and he shed tears in abun-
dance. Such instances, let us hasten to say, were
very rare ; and as a rule the Sisters had the conso-
lation of seeing them die in the peace of God.

At this period, the Sisters themselves treated
and took care of the sick. Doctor Trudel ('), the

(1) In ihe bcRinning of the year 1H")(), foUowinK the advice of Doctor Tru-
del, towards whom the Sisters had reasons to be grateful, and having
obtained the consent of the Bishop, the doors of the Maternity were opened

108

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

pi'

■ 4 " - -

til
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first physician employed in the establishment, gave
them free lessons. The Sisters also attended sick
women in the! own homes. They had calls at
every hour of the day and night. This continued
until 1862, when certain medical men having raised
objections, the Bishop advi-sed the Sisters to abandon
this outside work, though he did not absolutely
forbid the practice.

But, four years later, the Holy See itself inter-
vened, and prohibited the attendance of the Sisters
on such cases. By way of a set-off for this. Bishop
Bourget charged them with the duty of visiting
the women's prison, and of attending to the spiritual
welfare of the prisoner:?. The Sisters discharged
this ministry for several years, until the day when
their ever increasing labors in the Community
obliged them to remain at home.

The number of penitents had rot ceased to
increase since the foundation. In 1848, their num-
ber reached eiiihtv-seven and while in the two
following years it was a little lower, in 1851 it
increased to ninety-seven. The births were also
proportioned to that number. During the first six
years the Institution served as a refuge to 436 peni-
tents, procured the grace of Baptism, and perhaps

lu medical students that they might more easily initiate themselves to the
practice of their profession. Special regulations were then adopted and
Btrictly unforced witli a view to obviate any posaible dispute or ditiioulty.

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE 109

also saved the life of 390 new-born infants. These
figures alone are a sufficient eulogy of the Commu-
nity and enable us to appreciate the extent of its
services to families and to society.

It was becoming evident that the house on St.
Catherine Street would soon be too small, and the
Sisters began to consider by what means they might
procure themselves a well-situated site, appropriate
for a definitive foundation. Divine Providence,
ever attentive to the wants of its children and
faithful in following up its designs, was soon to
show them the place chosen for the Mother-house
of " La Misericorde," and towards the end of 1851,
they were to be in a position to establish their
dw^elling there.

Previous to that date, Sister St. Fran9ois de Sales,
one of those professed on the IGth of January, 1848,
had left the Community. Discouraged on account
of certain trials to which she had been subjected in
view ot a somewhat stiff and haughty character,
she asked to be released from her vows. Her
request was granted by the Bishop. A short time
afterwards she returned and begged the Superior to
receive her again into the Conmiunity ; but the rule
then and ever since enforced was not to accept anew
any religious who shall have left the institution.

Ay
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CHAPTER VII

The present Mother-House (1851).

Stnt ocul! tui finerti tiuper huncdomtitn

U tin anvrtmuper hn
di>' ac. node. (.'5 Rko. viii, 2!l.)

Let Thine eyes, Lord, be upon this
house day and night.

T was Imrely six years since the clay
when Madame Jett<?, alone and
without other resource than her
r?^ own stout heart and a firm confidence
in God's help, had opened the refuge on
St. Simon Street, and lo the grain of mus-
tard seed liad become a tree, young indeed, but of
sturdy growth and full of promise for the future.
As a growing child casts aside, from year to year,
the garments it has outgrown, so, in its progressive
development, tlio Institution had migrated succes-
sively from the garret in which it first saw the
light to the larger houses on Wolfe Street and on
St. Catherine Street. These were but temporary

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE 111

^ ■-■•Sir

installations. A permanent and lasting abode was
soon to be found. It had become a necessity.
The Community had been tried in every possible
manner and stood the test without flinching. There
was good reason, humanly speaking, for thinking
that it would live and in fact assume larger propor
tions. The public had, to some extent, conquered
its aversion and began to see the great utility of such
an institution, It was manifest, from the daily
increasing number of unfortunate creatures who
sought a refuge in the house, that divine Providence
had blessed the new undertaking. The advisability
of extending the work of the Community was a
thing upon which opinions might differ, but was it
right or possible to refrain from relieving the mis-
eries of the every day increasing number of victims
of vice ? The question was answered in the neg-
ative, and Bishop Bourget and the friends of the
house, and notably Olivier Berthelet, decided to
secure a site for the building of an establishment
suited to the object and special needs of the Com-
munity. An excellent opportunity soon presented
itself. Close by, towards the river, lay a piece of
land, well located, large enough for present needs
and with adjoining land available for future needs.
The property v.as sold by auction, and purchased by
Mr. Berthelet, on behalf of the Bishop, for two

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112

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

ilii •

thousand five hundred dollars. It faced Dorchester
Street on the North, Lagauchetiere Street on the
South and Campeau Street on the East; on the
West side it adjoined sundry small private proper-
ties, which could be purchased, from time to time,
so as to enable the Comn\unity, when the require-
ments of the institution rendered it necessary, to
extend their limits as far as St. Hubert Street,
parallel to Campeau Street.

On the property purchased stood two houses.
One of them, designated in the Annals as " la mai-
" son de brique,"^ stood at the angle formed by
Campeau and Lagauchetiere Streets. It was the
larger and more convenient of the two, and was to
be the home of the Conmiunity for a time. Repaired,
whitewashed and adorned with a verandah or
"gallery," this house afterwards became the resi-
dence of the chaplain. — The second building, which
was a more unpretending structure, and was called
" la moison grise" stood on Campeau Street, some
distance from the other. It was used for a time as
a wash-house and afterwards taken down to make
room for larger buildings.

No sooner had the purchase been eftccted than
Mother de Chantal put forth every efiort to prepare
the buildings for the reee})tion of the Community
as rapidly as possible. The work of repairing histed

■•flip.

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTEKS OF MISERICORDE 113

until the end of November. And earlvin December
the " mawon ^77se " was occupied by tlie penitents
and the brick building by the Sisters. The latter
sufl'ered much from the damjiness of the rooms.
The plaster was not dry, and the heat of the stoves
did not suffice to overcome or obviate completely
the evil effects as regards the health of the inmates.
But no one complained. They well knew that
suft'ering ever accompanies the beginnings of all
works undertaken for God ; and souls truly detached
from the world are never happier herebelow than
when they have to endure pain or inconvenience.
Moreover, even in the new quarters there was over-
crowding, and the novices who lived in those heroic
days remember, with that speciallj' intense joy
which clings to the memory of trials nobly endured,
the close and cramped dormitories located ever the
bakeries and stables and the rough hard beds on
which they slept for many a year.
. The year 1852 brought no change whatever in
this state of tilings. But the Superior was con-
sidering as to the means of enlarging the buildings
already existing. The number of penitents was
increasing every day : to let things remain as they
were would be to reduce themselves to the sad
necessity of closing their doors to many unhappy
creatures.

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MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

1-1 :

Mother de Chantal was busy witli this problem
when the memorable eouilagratioii of July 8th
dostroyed eighteen hundred houses and reduced to
shelterless penury over nine thousand persons.
The (^'athodral and Bishops' residence were destroy-
ed. The Sisters were for a time anxious as to the
fate of their own house. It was in imminent danger.
The lire caught and was extinguished twice.
While the vast, whirling body of flame, driven >)y
a tempest of wind laj»ped up the adjoining houses,
and burning brands fell in showers, on their roof
and in the garden, the Sisters quickly carried some
of their effects to a place of safety and l)uried the
rest underground. The liery element spared their
buildings, however. Their liouse remained un-
scathed when the storm of flame had done its
worst, and the Sisters were able to return to their
Chapel which they thought they were never to see
again, there to return heartfelt thanks to divine
Providence for the escape of the institution.

This catastrophe compelled the Mother Superior
to put oft' for the following year the carrying out of
her plans for now buildings. So soon as the season
was sufliciently advanced work was, however, begun
on the building which now stands between the
Chapel and the wing on Campeau Street. Its
dimensions were sixty-five feet in length by fifty-five

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THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTEEf? OF MI.-fEKICORDE 115

in width, thus aiibnliiig to the CV>minnnity a hirger
amount of space than any building they had as yet
occupied.

Sister St. Jean Chr^'sostome never entered the
new quarters. Exhausted by hier laliorw and sacri-
fices, she was drawing near the end of her career.
The ilhiess which brought lier U* the grave made
manifest to all her admirable strength of soul.
Unable to stand, she never reujaine*! nnoccupied
even when in bed, and, up to her \ast day on eartli,
gave an example of courage and indnstry. She
might well say, as she gave up her «onl to her Lord
and Master : " I have finished my course, I have
" kept the faith, there remains for me now but to
" receive the crown which will Ite granted me ))y a
" just Judge." She was burie<l in the garden until
such time as a vault was prepared for her remains
in the Chapel basement.

The institution was still located m the " nuiison
" tie briqiie,^' when Rev. M. Trutean, Vicar General
of the diocese was appointed eoclejiasrtical su{»erior
of the Community. His many <ci^-ea|wition3 else-
where rendered it impossible to foJSow up na closely
as was needed and as he would ha^e wished the
work placed under his i-are. He hj»ved it, never-
theless, and held it in high esteem, and whenever
any distinguished strangers vii?ite«l the palace, the

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116

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

Superior never failed to bring them to the humble
house of Misc^ieorde. Thus it happened that Mgr.
Bedini, Nuncio to Brazil, was received as a guest
by the Community. That distinguished and most
amiable prelate, when the Superior bogged him to
make allowance for the poverty of the institution
smilingly replied : " Dear Mother, it is just because
" you are poor that I am glad to visit you."

Meantime the buildings begun the previous year
had been completed. In the month of October,
1854, the Sisters took up their abode in their new
quarters. During the first few weeks they suf1:ered
somewhat from damp and cold, but the improve-
ment resulting from the increased accommodation
in the size and number of rooms, and the distribu-
tion of the various offices of the household was more
than sufficient to compensate them for any tem-
porary suffering or discomfort. Their hearts must
indeed have been grateful for the steady growth
and development of their institution, manifested by
the successive enlargements of their buildings.

Mot b or Nativite, in particular, saw with heart-
felt delight, the designs of Providence in her regard
unfold themselves, day by day, with an unfailing
fidelity wh'eh confounded her humility. But yes-
terday, fiiU of faith an<l trust in Providence and in
the Avords of her Bishop, she had rushed blindfolded

THE ORIGIN OF TUE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE 117

into a path from which there seemed to he no issue,
a. life of devotedness, of poverty and of sacrifice ;
and to-day the light was shining, the tree which
had heen planted amid the darknoss had grown up,
and hecome strong and was destined to live. Hence
did the humble foundress feel the need of humbling
herself, of hiding herself, of annihilating herself.
Another lield tlie title of Superior, and passed, in
the eyes of the public, for the foundress of an order
wliose usefulness was at last admitted by all ; this
moved her but little ; and while others were con-
cerned at it in the interest of truth, she would
gladly have applied to herself the words of St. John
the Baptist in relation to Our Lord : " ITo must
" grow ; as for me, I must diminish and grow less
" and disappear. '' And in very truth did she
disappear, as we shall soon see, under the veil daily
growing thicker and more dense, of humiliations
and of sufferings, in which it pleased God to enfold
her in order to sanctify her life, augment her merits
and prepare her soul to enjoy tlie pure delights of
our heavenly country.

The buildings which had hitherto sheltered the
Community were not at once completely abandoned.
They continued to be used for several years longer
by the novices or the penitents. The " maisov grise "
was used for boarders, some of whom made gen-

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118

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

erous giftH to tlie Comnmnity. In the Btraiglitcned
circumstances of the institution this aid was most
acceptable. In order to increase the revenue of
tlie ConiTnunity, the Sisters devoted their spare time
to doing needle work for the city shops. The
articles made consisted of men's clothing, linen and
the like. This work was well paid for, and it
would seem that the Sisters worked too hard at it,
if we are to believe the record in the Annals, which
tells us that it proved to be injurious to the health
of the workers.

With the same object in view, the increase of the
resources of the Community, Mother de Chantal
bought a piece of land on the other side of Dorchester
Street, opposite the Sisters' house. A dilapidated
building stood on this piece of ground. It was
repaired at great expense with a view to keeping
boarders. The name of Ste. Fran^oise Romaine
was given to the new institution, but the undertaking
was not a success. After five years of persevering
trial it had to be given up.

Meantime the city having at last overcome its
prejudice, began to take an interest in the institution.
On several occasions money grants were made l)y
the corporation, and about this time a large building
on Campeau Street opposite the Community garden
was conveyed to the Misericorde for a term of a

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MIsSrICORDB 119

few years. The building is still stan<liiig hut in a
ruinous condition. It was three stories higli, and
its high-pitched roof rining in pyramid form and
especially its square, massive and unadorned frame
denote its ancient origin. After extensive repairs
had been effected the Maternity was installed in
this building. Its vast, airy and well-lit rooms were
a great improvement on the accommodation hitherto
available for the inmates ; and no doubt the penitents
would have been most nuitably domiciled therein
but for the close proximity of the ntreet. The
ordinary noises from the street were nothing, for it
was not much frequented ; but, too often, it was
fiupplemented by shouts which had a special mean-
ing, an organized tumult, an indescribable charivari.
Sometimes it was necessary to cross the street in
order to attend the offices of the Community, and
then to gratify an indiscreet, morbid and foul
curiosity, two rows of men with sardonic and im-
pudent looks and uttering low and sarcastic taunts,
would gather close up on either side of the hapless
penitents. With their faces hidden under a coarse
brown veil, and their shoulders covered by a red
cape, the unfortunates endured without a word of
complaint the shower of taunts and winks and foul
epithets. Many a scene of this kind was witnessed
during the four years of the occupancy of the
" Corporation Building."

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Happily this p.^rt of the Coniinuiiity ]nu\ heon
l)liiced under tlio spiritual care of a cliaplain, a
priest of veuerahle cliaractor tillod with the spirit
of God, whose fervent exhortations aroused the
courage of the defenceless inmates, fostered piety
and good-will amongst them and urged tliem on to
the practice of every christian virtue. To a sincere
and prudent zeal, M. Villeneuve (') joined a heart
filled with houndless compassion. Hence it was
that at this period he was given charge of all
undertakings which nohody hut himself wanted to
take in hand. He poured out upon them the
treasures of his charity and devotedness, hoth in
spiritual and in temporal matters. lie had heen one
of the first to befriend the Community, and he
remained its friend to the last. For four years he
faithfully administered to the spiritual needs of
the penitents. His wisdom and, above all, his
condescension and his fervor worked wonderful
transformations in these poor souls. Many of them

(1) Leonard Vinoeut Ldon Villeneuve, or de Villcriouve (1808-1873), was
born at Tulles in France, became a priest of St. Siilpicc in 1830 and en mo
to Canada in 1838. Was eight years Director of the " College de Montrdal "
and subsequently held sundry most important positions in the Company.
He was in all diflioult matte' ri<;ht hand man of M. Billaudble, then

the Superior of the house. .Hod in architecture he designed and

built the Churches of ?•■ .Jacques and Notre-Dame de Qr4ce8.

Deeply versed in the ^as president of several learned societies.

He was taken sudd .enreturninRfrom the Hotel-Dieu and entered

the refuge for the a St. Urbain Street, where he received the last

sacraments. Thu.<! he unded his life while engaged in one of those works of
charity to which it had over been devoted.

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THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE 121

formed the desire ofli'uving the world mid reiiuihi-
ing forever hidden from ita eyes in tlie Conimunity
which liad opened itH <h)or8 to wlielter tlieni. Thus
originated witliin the Order, ii legion apart, wholly
composed of former penitents : — the Magdalenes,
of whom we shall have something to say later on.
At the close of the year 1858 the Community
numhered twenty-four Sisters. Its services to society
were now evident to all. The yearly number of
penitents had reached one Imndred and thirty ; a
year or two afterwards it was to reach one hun<lred
and sixty and before many years, two hundred.
In view of this development of an institution whose
usefulness he felt to be so great, Bishop IJourget ielt
the necessity of looking for himself more closely
into the affairs, the spirit and regularity of the Com-
munity. He came, therefore, into the midst of his
spiritual daughters, conversed at length with each
one of them, and en(|uired into every thing. His
fatherly and pastoral eye scanned their souls and
the exterior conduct and management of the house.
lie compassionated with every grief and sorrow
and shared in all their sufferings ; but he stood
firm in face of all abuses, watchful and vigilant
where he saw negligence, and eager for good ; he
insisted on tho exact observance of the rule,
encouraged all in the generous practice of the reli-

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MOTHER DE LA NATiVITE AND

gioiis virtues, of mutual forbearance, of silence, the
safeguard of the life of a community, of abnegation
and self-sacrilice. Of a certainty the Sisters had
practised these great virtues, joyfully and lovingly ;
but we all know that habit benumbs the best pos-
sible dispositions and relaxes the will the most
energetic ; hapitily we also know that there is no
more eftectual agent for inspirir fresh courage and
energy than the word of cue clothed with authority
from on high.

His Lordshij), of his own motion held a new
election. He took this course in view of the small
number of Sisters in the Community. Besides, no
rules had been adopted to settle the mode of carry-
ing out elections. But it was now decided that for
the future the elections should be conducted as in
other ct)mmunitic8. Mother de Chantal was retained
in her position. She had as Superior done much
for the Community. Her talent for business was
well known outside, and the public looked upon
her as the foundress of the Sic'urs de Misericorde.
It may be also that a certain number of the Sisters,
Avho had not witnessed the inception of the Order,
and in whose eyes Si.ster Xativite, so humble, so
retiring, besides being sickly and aged, seemed a
very ordinary })erson, or ratlier a person hardly to
be noticed at all, — it may be that some of the Sisters,

THE ORIGIN OP THE SISTERS OP MIsfiRICORDE 123

then were led to give to the Suiierior a title which
the latter did not take the trouble to decline. In
order to dispose of the legend which seemed to be
about to usurp the place of truth, Bishop Bourget
declared, in presence ot the assembled Community,
that the title of foundress devolved of right on the
person who had begun the work, and hence it
belonged exclusively to Mother Nativite. "You
" shall all," he added, " for the future give her the
" name of Mother ; it is the only suitable name for
" her." lie also decided that the foundress was
to rank next after the Superior, and that the Sisters
might in fullest confidence seek her counsel and
advice.

The good Bishop then revised, modified and
perfected the rules as he deemed necessary, and
exhorted all the Sisters to edify one another mutually
by giving an example of that regularity whicli is
the mainspring of a religious community. Knowing
well how much instruction and good reading help
to sustain piety in the soul, he caused all the books
scattered throughout the house to be gathered
together to form the nucleus of a library, which was
destined to increase from year to year.

But the pressing need of enlarging the building
began to assert itself. It could not be hoped that
the " Corporation building " would be left much

124

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

.f. •>•■.

longer at the disposal of the Community. Besides
the annoyances connected with it had long been a
source of suftering to the inmates and every one in
the institution. But how was it possible for the
Sisters, in their utter poverty, to think of building?
Would it be wise to take upon themselves the
burden of a heavy debt ? True, His Lordship had
given them permission to go through the parisliisof
the diocese to solicit aid from the charity of the
faithful ; and equally true that the generosity of
the catholic people was beyond all praise, and
manifested itself in every possible way, in tlieir
eagerness tf) help the many religious anr charitable
works attracted from elsewhere or set on foot
tbi-ough the zeal of Bishop Bourget. But would it
be prudent, in view of this vast number of new
undertakings appealing for aid, to go on witli their
undertaking, relying on human charity whose
resources are of necessity limited ? These questions,
pregnant with doubt and anxiety, were pressing
heavily upon the mind of ^lother de Chantal, when
Olivier Berthelet, crowned his many acts of liberality
towards the (Community by offering to construct at
his own expense the buildings required.

In the summer of 1850 ground was broken, on
an extension of the buiUling occupied by the Sisters,
for the foundations of a new editice of like dimen-

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THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE 125

sions. Between the two was to stand the Chapel,
with its entrance facing Dorcliester Street. It was
begun the same year. In spite of all the energy
and activity displayed, the building was not tinished
when winter set in. Early in the following year
work was resumed ; and on the 30th June, Binhop
Bourget, surrounded by many of his clergy, solemnly
blessed the new buildings, which were not occu[>ied
until the autumn.

The i»enitents removed to their new quarters on
the 12th October. Mr. Berthelet himself put them
in possession. His charitable heart was filltil vith
joy at being the means of furnishing the poor
creatures with a suitable refuge, ile t(»ok part in
the work of removal to the new home. When ho
saw the wretched furniture up to that time used by
the penitents, his heart was moved to pity, and he
gave orders for bedsteads, chairs, tables and other
articles to meet every need of the household.
" When he saw that anything was needed," says
the Chronicle of the house, " his kindness of heart
" overpowered him, and he had to give.'' Many a
time was his generosity api)ealed to, and many a
time did he himself forestall the wishes and needs
of the Sisterhood !

Fifteen years elapsed without further enlargement
of the buildings. However, provision was made to

126

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE

tliat end, by the purchase, in 1862, of tlie remainder
of the ground required in order to extend the
Sisters' property to St. Hubert Street, with the
exception of a strip, still occupied by private houses,
on Dorchester Street. Before speaking of the
successive additions made to the Mother-house, we
have to record the important events, which occurred
during these years and cast a shadow over the life
of the Community or filled with joy the hearts of
its members.

^ >«3— c&r'-oi

CHAl^TER \^II

Death of Mother de la Nathrite (1864).

PrtHifMin im I'mmpeetu Domini morit
Saaiit'jrmm ■'imt. (Ps. CSV. 15.)

Freei«iK» m che eye^ of the Lord iB the
deiilii «4 kiic ;$h»tat«.

ITE year 18(*0 ended in mourning and
sorrow. On the la*t day of November
ill that year dme*l the eartlily career
of Canon Pilon, \\'h*Me devotedness had
been of such great i»ervice to the Commu-
nity for fifteen year?. His example, no
less than his wise counsel and fervent exhortations,
had helped to enkindle and maintain in the hearts
of the Sisters a holy emulation in striving for the
perfection of their calling. He was^ moreover, in
every sense of the word, a con^rding angel. " You
" felt," we road in a note, ** when you approached
" him, that there emanate<l froin his person sonie-
" thing of the goodness and cliarity of Our iSnviour

128

MOTHER DE LA NATIVIlfe AND

#■•■

U;f,

" Himself." His love for the Blessed Virgin and
his burning zeal for God's house, were among the
traits of his character which most deeply impressed
the Community. His death fell upon them like a
bolt from heaven. Though often indisposed, he
was young, and it was hard to realize that his end
had already come.

The funeral service, which was celebrated in the
new Chapel, was presided over by Bishop Bourget
in the presence of a large number of clergymen,
friends of the deceased and of the house. The body
was interred in the basement, under the sanctuary,
and to this day the mortal remains of the venerated
chaplain lie resting beneath a special monument in
the midst of those for whom he gave up his life.

He was succeeded by Canon Pare ('), who besides
the title of chaplain held also that of ecclesiastical
Superior, and subsequently became also the Director
as to temporal matters. His great wisdom and his
burning zeal bore much fruit. Besides the special
and often hidden results of his ministry during the
two years it lasted, the Community were indebted
to him for many important modifications of the

(1) Joseph Octave Par« (1814-1878), a (rradnate of St. Hyacinth College,
who also pursued his theological studies there, fieini; ordained in 1838, ho
spent the remainder of his lifetime at the Bishop's Palace in Montreal.
Becoming Secretary and subsequently one of tlie Canons, he was in-
strumental in securing Home's approval of the constitutions of the Mont-
real Chapter, and in procuring the requisite funds for the erection of the
present Cathedral.

Ami

■t \^.

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE 129

rules, modifications which were of value in that
they brought the letter of the rule into closer con-
formity with the spirit of the Order.

Mother St. Jeanne de Chantal was a party to
these modifications of the rule which the good ot
the Community required. It was one of the last
acts of her administration, which was then nearing
its end. Those fifteen years had been a period of
development and in fact of prosperity, if we compare
the condition of the house at the time when she
first took charge with that in which she left it at
the close of her administration. When Sister St.
Jeanne dc Chantal became Superior the work was
in its infancy and barely .able to stand on its feet ;
and now we find it well-formed and vigorous.
The excellent worker could now rest from her
labors and return to the obscurity of the common
life of the Community ; her name would henceforth
be inscribed in letters of gold in the Annals of her
Community.

Nevertheless it is only true to say that her
government had become a burthen to the Sisters
and for more than one reason. The firmness of her
character, which was not always counterpoised by a
corresponding mildness, had the eftect in the long
run, so closely did it simulate harshness, of warping
the minds of even the least prejudiced members of

■.•i;;J

130

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITK AND

the Community. Ne<j^ligcnco or even abuHes, whicli
are the natural consequences of human weakness,
invariably creep in under cover of routine, or it may
be of habits contracted, from which there seems to
be no escape for those who remain too long in
authority.

Mother St. Jeanne de Chantal's a<lministration
was no exception to the rule. Its long duration
alone sufficed to make a change desirable. Besides,
many of the religious longed for a superior, who,
without neglecting temporal matters, would watch
more closely over their spiritual interests and take
more effectual means to infuse the spirit of the Order
into the young recruits and maintain it in the pro-
fessed. In short, notwithstanding her excellent
qualities. Mother St. Jeanne de Chantal seemed to
be no longer suited to govern the house in view of
the period of development it had now entered upon.
At the time when, with a view to secure aid, she
had to bestir herself actively to make herself
known, to mingle with outsiders and exert an
influence over people in order to interest them in
the work she had at heart, she seemed to be the
providential person appointed to accomplish all this
exte/ior work, a difficult task that no ordinary person
could have accomplished ; a meritorious one if we
only consider what self-denial, what mental energy

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OP MIsSrICORDE 131

and unceasing activity, were required : it was a
task full of perils also, on account of the tendency
it might impart to the Community, and it is hut
just to acknowledge that the Sui>erior throughout
all this, was only animated by a sense of the neces-
sity and the duty of opening up the way for the
new-horn organisation.

The Bishop presided over the elections which
were the first held in accordance with the usual
forms. Sister St. Joseph was elected Superior,
while Sister St. Jeanne de Chantal became first
Assistant. This new position was far from being to
Sister St. Joseph's taste ; she accepted with a heavy
heart the burden which the will of her Sisters, in
her eyes the expression of the will of God, — imposed
on her. Her feeble health was, moreover, hardly
compatible with the duties of her oflSce, and often
did she have to rely on her Assistant for business
matters.

It was during Mother St. Joseph's term of office
that the venerable foundress gave up her beautiful
soul to God, on April 5th, 1864. In pursuance of
the plan adopted for this work our attention has
been directed towards the exterior development of
the Order of Misericorde, and thus it happens that
we have lost sight, for the time being, of the noble
woman who was its life and soul from the very

'■■'iT

132

MOTHER DB LA NATIVITK AND

tJl

beginning, and who beyond a doubt and in Hpite of
all appearances to the contrary, continued to bo its
creative and vivifying principle before God. It i«
with religious communities as with the truly Christ-
ian soul : her eyes are fixed on the one hand upon
the world in which she lives, and on the other upon
heaven to which she eagerly aspires ; she holds out
one hand to her follow mortals to draw them to
God, with the other she takes firm hoklofGod
Himself, the source of all light, life and strength.
Among the members of a community, there are, it
would seem, some who, by the very nature of their
office and still more, by a special call from above,
seem destined to fill a larger measure of either one
or the other part.

While by a special vocation of divine Providence,
Mother St. Jeanne de Chantal hud been their guide
in all earthly matters, by an equally providential
disposition Mother de la Nativite had been the link
which kept the work closely attached to God.
Her life is almost completely hidden from the eyes
of men. Occupied in performing humble duties,
she buried herself in a blessed obscurity, where she
found all that she loved : Jesus and Mary. There
also she found humiliations and sufferings in every
form, — the cross with all its anguish ; but must not
the grain of wheat fall to earth, disappear and be

li;!l

THE ORIflIN OF THE SISTERS OF MIsfilUCORDE 133

(lissolvod ill order that it may reappear, in due
season renewed, innltipliod and transti^nred into the
heautiful ear, fit to he earessed hy the rays of tlie
sun and tlie soft hreath of the sunimor hreeze. Is
it not also a divine hiw tliat life springs from death,
as light from darkness? Since Our Lord Jesus-
Christ suffered and died, heforc lie entered into Ilis
glory and recovered his heavenly kingdom, is it
not a law amongst us, that we must undergo all the
keen and poignant pangs of inmiolation in every
part of our being, before we can liope to feast our
eyes on the eteriuil splendors of heaven? And
tlien, is it not from its fiery bed on the burning
embers, that the incense exhales its most fragrant
and penetrating perfume? For all these reasons
suggested by faith and strikingly confirmed by our
daily experience of the ways of divine Providence,
Mother de la Nativite was subjected during the last
years of lier life, to numerous tribulations of body
and soul. The five years which preceded her
death were a long martyrdom. She spent tliem in
the infirmary, or rather, — for there was no infirmary
— confined in .a poor cell, apart from the Commu-
nity, where she often had to sufl:'er tlie painful or-
deal of solitude.

Sickness and infirmities without number afflicted
her body, which she had never spared. Her feet

184

MOTHER DE LA NATIVIxfi AND

r ' i

grew lioavy and refused their services ; dropsy of a
painful and ominous kind appeared in all her mem-
bers ; an inveterate and almost unceasing cough
had settled on her chest, causing frequent and
distressing attacks of suffocation. The sufferings
which followed these attacks were most severe and
unremitting. But, far from complaining, the pious
foundress humbled herself under the hand of God,
and with resignation and even with thankfulness
pressed her lips to the chalice of Gethsemani. " I
" asked God to grant me sufferings here below,
" and spare me the torments of purgatory," she one
day said confidentially to the Rister-infirmarian
"and 111' has grantt-il my prayer; blessed be His
"holy Name!" At times her sufferings became
intolerable, and then the poor invalid would raise
her eyes and hands towards heaven, as though in
mute prayer, and then lower them again and remain
for long intervals recollected and as if absorbed in
realizing and relishing at leisure the bitterness of
her sacrifice, or perhaj* in gathering up all her
strength to meet the onslaught of suffering. " My
" Saviour have mercy on me!" would she say at
times, when the pains became too keen and violent :
or: " O my Jesus, accept all !" AVhen the paroxysm
had passed away, the countenance of the poor
sufferer at once recovered its usual expression of
goodness and serenity.

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MIsfiRICORDE 135

At times she was left without proper attendance
and nursing, for the Sisters were few in number and
overwhelmed with work. In fact, as no one had
been Bpoeially appointed to look after her wants, in
the beginning of her illness it sometimes happened,
by a special permission of Providence, that she
spent an entire day witliout receiving any care or
attention. Never did a W(»rd of complaint fall
from the lips of the venerable forsaken one. She
would then unite herself to Jesus abandoned in
the garden of Olives and on the Cross, and fidl of
confidence in Ilim who sustains here below those
who are stricken down and sinking under sorrow,
she took delight in suffering for His love. While
she did not suffer from hunger, the food offered her
was often unsuited to her failing appetite and her
worn-out constitution. The doctor had ordered
fresh eggs and certain rare and expensive delicacies*
but the house was very poor ; and who will ever
know the many privations the venerable foundress
had to endure? She bore everything with perfect
cheerfulness. When the Sister in attendance ex-
pressed her sorrow at not being able to give her
better food, she smilingly held out her crucifix and
said: "Our Lord did not always have what was
" necessary."

Much more painful to her heart so full of love for

136

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

hi:

God, were the spiritual privations she endured.
Her little room was far from the Chapel, and she
was thus deprived of the consolation of assisting at
the Holy Sacrifice, and often even of confession
and Holy Communion, Ilcr soul tlien fell into an
agony, hut no complaint ever escaped her lips ; she
resigned herself Avholly to the ever adorable will of
God and repented, with the agonizing Saviour in
the Garden : " Father, Thy will, not mine, he done."

Bishop Bourget visited her often during this
long ])eriod of illness ; her suiFerings and moral
trials were such, that he hesitated not to declare to
the assembled Sisters that " they would have been
" too much for any one of less solid virtue than
" that of their Mother."

In the spring of 1864, she grow suddenly worse,
and fresh complications were feared. Phe had
until then been able to sit in a chair by the window ;
she was now compelled to take to her bed. The
physicians declared that she was threatened with
an attai'k of acute bronchitis, which there was but
little hope of controlling, on account of her extreme
weakness. The venerable Mother grew more feeble
every day, her appetite completely disappeared, and
the Sisters saw to theirdisiniiy, that the fatal disease
had reached an<l sap]te<l the inmost citadel of life.

Mother de la Nativite had lost none of her sweet

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE 137

serenity. She smiled at the sight of Death, as on
meeting a dear friend. What else liad she desired
on earth, if not to see and possess God for whom
she had always lived ? The thoughts of Heaven
and eternity fascinated her soul with increasing
power, in proportion as the bonds which still
detained her in this land of exile, were severed by
the hand of disease. »

A priest from the Cathedral, while visiting her,
asked her if she feared death? "Oh! no," she
quickly replied, " for I liave to do with a merciful
" God. " The Bishop found her in the same
dispositions, and liimself administered to her the
last sacraments of the Church. The invalid received
them with a lively faith. She already seemed
standing on the shores of eternity, only awaiting
permission from her Bishop and father to enter into
the promised land. " My Lord," she said to him,
" henceforth I am useless to tlie Community ; permit
" me to leave tbis valley of tears." "My daughter,"
answered the Bishop, " wait a while, God's time has
" not yet come." lie then announced to the Sisters
that their venerable Mother, who edilied them daily
by her courage and cheerfulness under her harrow-
ing trials, would remain with them sometime longer.
Tliis forecast was fulfilled. Tlu' disease took a
milder form, and the patient was evidently better.

138

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITK AND

Ere long all immediate danger had seemingly
disappeared.

But it was only in ajipearance. It was but a last
effort of life against death, which was surely and
mercilessly advancing, step hy step. Forty days
had elapsed since the Bisliop administered the last
rites of the Church to Mother de la Nativite, when
a sudden return of the most alarming symptoms
took away all hope of recovery. The end was fast
drawing nigh. Kev. M. Iluberdeau, Chaplain to the
Community, again administered Extreme Unction
to the sufferer and told lier that her exile was nearly
over. She was ready and the news tille<l her soul
with raptures of joy. Well might she have said with
the Psalmist : " I rejoice at the things that were
" said to me : we will go into the house of the
" Lord ; soon my feet will be standing in thy
" courts : O Jerusalem, city of my God."

Before parting from her Sisters, whom she so
dearly loved, she called them all once more around
her in order that she might bid them a last farewell
and give them her supreme reconnnendations. " I
*' entreat you," she said, " for the love of God, to
" strictlv observe all the rules of this house, and
" not to take as your model this unworthy servant of
" Jesus-Christ who is about to leave you in order to
" appear before the throne of the Almighty Judge.

TIIS ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE 139

" I carry with me the sweet hope of seeing you all
*' in heaven." After having asked their forgiveness
for all the pain she might have caused them, she
recommended herself to their pious prayers and
gave them her last blessing. In the evening the
Bishop came to see her and said : " My dear daughter,
•' now you may die in peace, and go to heaven to
" receive the crown which God in his goodness has
" prepared for you, as a reward for all the sacritices
" and good works you have accomplished for
" His glory." lie then asked her to watch over
him from ahove, blessed her for the lust time,
saying that he hoped to meet her soon in heaven,
and begged her to ask that grace for him. — " I will
" do no such thing, my Lord," replied the dying
Mother, "you are still necessary for the welfare of
" the diocese ; and when God wills to call you, it
" will be time enough."

In the meantime her death was rapidly drawing
near, and her streni^th was visiblv failinij her.
Her breath was getting short and broken. Kneeling
around her bed, the Sisters were praying and await-
ing the supreme moment in deep recollection.
Towanls two in the morning the veniTable Mother
slowly made the sign of the cross, and turning her
eyes towards the Sisters, asked them to say the
Litany of the Blessed Virgin. After having joined

140

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITfe AND

in these pious prayers, she said aloud : " O my
" Jesus ! " These were her last words. Slie had
fallen asleep forever. She died thus without the
slightest struggle or agony, and gave up her soul to
God, on Tuesday, April 5th, 1864.

During that same night the inmates of the pen-
itents' iniirniary were suddenly awakened and saw
an aged Sister, whose features were unknown to
them, enter the room carrying a light in her hand
and go around among them from bed to bed. AtTter
completing her rounds, she made lier exit by a
different door from that by which she had entered
the room, but not until she had spoken to one of
them, who was dangerously ill, and told her that she
would soon recover. From the description given
by the penitents, in the morning, the Sisters were
inclined to think that God had permitted Mother de
la Nativite to visit and console the poor penitents,
whom she had so dearly loved during her life,
but they were fully convinced of it by the speedy
recovery of the sick penitent.

Bishoi) Bourget did honor to the pious foundress
by himself presiding at her funeral service. A large
luimber of priests and members of other religious
communities were also present, to pay a last tribute
of respect to the noble woman, whose earthly career
had borne abimdant fruit, because it had been
wholly consecrated to God's service.

1!^'

THE ORIGIN OF THE i^IFTEBd OP MISERICORDE 141

Before the last [(rayers. Hi* Lonliship, in a brief
allocution, enumerated the manv virtues of the ven-
erable Motlier. He spoke oi the hamble beginnings
of her work, the daily i-^acrifice^ which she had
been obliged to make, coifi|iaring her to the valiant
woman of Holy 8crii>turei^, and spoke more espe-
cially of tlio humble and hid<i«L-n lile^ joyfully accept-
ed, which had been her lot for the fiast few years, and
which, before God, was {tcrltafjus her highest title to
an eternal reward. Her rernaiiisf were laid in the
vault under the Chapel ; there she lies in the midst
of her spiritual children, auahinj^ the great day of
the Resurrection.

" Precious in the eyes of the hffTtl i?* the death of
" the Saints " because it \» the eeho of their life.
We have seen in looking over these pages what
Mother de la Nativite's life was : humble, active,
wholly given up to God, and *aerifieed to tlie sal-
vation of souls. From the day when ^he gave up the
direction of her work in order toiianctify herself, far
from human eyes, she ahno«t diafap[>ears from this
history. But inasmuch as the virtnen she continued
to [tractise and the example she thiisi gave, contri-
buted to the founding of her Institute, quite as much
as did her active work in the l«eginning, it is but just
to cast a retrospective glance o%-er this* noble life, of
which we have just seen the elotse, and gather up

I 'If I

f. ■■■*'.:

i .-

•fc .i

t?.'

142

MOTHER DE LA NATIVIxfi AND

for our edification, the crumbs fallen from that
" perpetual feast" wliich a pure soul offers to her
Creator. This we shall do at the close of this
history.

Meantime, before going any further, let us note
that tlie Community was composed, at tliat time,
of twenty-three professed Sisters, eleven novices
and postulants, and twenty-five Magdelenes and
girls in the preservation class ; also that nearly two
thousand three hundred penitents, besides a large
number of orphans, had found a refuge in the house
founded by Mother de la Nativite, and we shall be
able to form some idea of the singular blessings
showered down by God on his servant's undertaking.
If we call to mind, moreover, that our divine Saviour
teaches us to "judge n tree by its fruits," this simple
enumeration of human miseries succoured and
relieved, and of virtuous souls led to sacrifice their
liberty in the religious state, will be sufficient to show
what treasures of piety and eminent virtue were
hidden in the heart of the foundress of the Sisters
of Misericorde.

•» f- — g)''-'^^r^ a ^

BOOK II

(1864- 1898)

Development of the Work

UP TO THE END OP THE

FIR8T HALF-CENTURY

VIRTUES 01^' 'XilEJ I^^OUNURESS

Benedtj-it eta et tiiultiplicuti lunt
(Ps. CVI. 38).

And »' e Lord blessed them and
tbey weremultipliedexceedingly.

I.-

f'f^li

MDST RIvV. KIiolAKI) CII.\RI,i;S I'ABKI-;

l-'if<t Arclitii-lKHi nl' Mniitrfal.

I fl ■

^^.*iil^^l5^

; m; .

CTIMTEU l8t

Revision and Approbation of the Constitutions.

Quirunniiie hitnr rrgulum tecvti fur-
rlnt, piix miper illim it mini'rieitrilia
((Ul,. VI. 16).

And wbosoevur (ball follow this rule,
peace on them and mercy.

j'Cy

T tlie hour of her death Mother de la
Nativito had enjoyed one supreme
consolation : tlie poor girls for whom
she had worked and sacrificed herself
fJjKgj unceasingly, throughout the last twenty
hos^ years of her life, were not to be forsaken.
An asylum was open to them in their misfortune,
and in that asylum, — whose existence seemed now
to be assured, — devoted, tender, self-sacrificing and
charitable liearts would welcome tlieir return to
virtue. God, we may well suppose, gave her a
glimpse of many generations of Sisters, animated
by her spirit and her zeal and heirs of her virtues,
extending and multiplying throughout time the

146

MOTHER DE LA NATIVIt6 AND

I;:

|:-V

good v/c .z she had commenced. From the soil
ploughed and seeded down with so much labor and
watered so freely with the sweat of her brow and
her tears, a promising harvest had already sprung
up ; and like unto the laborer after his day's work
is done, she could enter joyfully her eternal home,
singing the praises of Ilim who had " done great
things for lier."

A short time after the death of the Foundress,
Bishop Bourget, accompanied by the chaplain of the
Community, M. Iluberdeau {'), started for Rome.
Doubtless the choice of his companion was made
in view of the intention the Bishop had of submit-
ting the Rule of the Order of Misericorde to the
Sacred Congregation of Bishops and Regulars. He
could not have made a better one.

Abbe Iluberdeau wap a priest of .\t learning,
intelligence and energy, besides beni^ perfectly con-
versant with the idles, traditions and spirit of the
Community. After having examined the constitu-
tions and the several rules of the Order, the Sacred
Congreerotion indicated certain modifications in
matters of detail and some amendments to be

u) Huberdean, GM^on (1823-1887), born at Chambly, ordained in 1840,
employed flrgt at the Cathedral, afterwardi charged with the parishos of
St. Andr^ d'ArKenteuil, St. Athanaae, Chi.mbly, St. Hubert, St. Vincent
do Pivul, St. Zotiquc, and the French Church in Albany, N.Y. In 1852, he
founded a hou»c ol the Sisters of Prcridence in Chili. Died at Longuo-
Pointe in 1887,— buried at St. Th^ri««.

«r

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MIsfiRICORDE 147

made, and formulated notes on the constitution and
rules. All this was communicated directly to the
Community by the devoted chaplain himself, or
made known indirectly, through the medium of
Canon Hicks ('), who was twcii ecclesiastical Superior
and Chaplain " pro tempore."

On his return to Montreal, M. Huberdeau, still
impressed with the ol)8ervation8 he had heard
made, at Rome, by the eminent persons appointed to
examine the constitutions, resolved to go to wo, k
at once and fashion the Community in conformity
with the ideal he had brought hai'k with liim.
Two circumstances seemed to favor his plans ; the
Bishop's illness, and the election of a Superior
who was young, and cousequently timid and
inexperienced.

The fatigue of his voyage joined to the incessant
labors of his office, had been too much for
Bishop Bourget ; and, for a time, the state of his
health prevented him from looking closely after the
Community. — ?4other Marie do la Misericordo, the
new Superior, was only twenty-eight years old.
She was intelligent and full of energy, but in no

(1) Hiokx, Etienne Ilyppolito (182.'l-lHHn), be: m at St. Marie ile la Beauce,
•tudied at Nioolet College, ordnincd in \XW. occupied difTerent po«tR until
Wu when called to the E|iiRcoi>al Uexidence. Named Canon in IMiO. Wa*
charxed with leveral oommiinitieR, eRpeciiklly " La M's^ricorde." Ketirrd
in 1KT!», died January 12th, IMH'.>.

He had been named Honorary Canon of Chartrcs, Franoe.

148

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

!?.:';

•i'-y

way prepared, by exi)eriem*e or training?, to under-
take Hucli a responsible position ; thus she tiaturally
had a great deference for M. Jlnbenh'au's experience
and knowledge, and hoof course availed biniselfot'it.

Zealous and daring, indifferent to blame or praise,
lie was clearsighted, impartial and well-intentiotied,
but little versed in the art oftem[)orizinga)id waiting
for favorable opjiortunitics to realize liis projects ;
moreover, not making sufficient allowance for men
and things, he carried out im[>rovements and reforms
with a degree of ardour and energy that compelled
submission, without imparting con\iction. lie was
lacking in that moderation, that wise deliberation,
that tact, which are so necessary to one who under-
takes to direct his fellow-beint-i without crushing or
infringing on human liberty.

One of his first measures was to forbid the Sisters
taking charge of the sick, on the ground that it
was work ill-befitting their calling and their vows.
•Some of the Sit'ters offered their protest. The older
members of the Community looked upon this point
as essential to their vocation. The chaplain held-
out. The Bishop woidd have j»refcrred slower
measures, "but M. Ilubcrdeau went straight on"
as the Annals tell us, and when the Bishop's sen-
timents were (pioted, he replied: "Yes, but the
*' Bishop is in reality delighte*. with what I am

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MIS^RICORDB 149

" doing." This brancli of the work wan kept up
for a time, however, by two " Consecrated " pen-
itents, that is two penitents wlio, tearing the sediio-
tions of the world and yet liaving no taste tor the lite
adopted by the Magdalenes of tlie house, undertook
to serve the Sisterhood in tlie domestic work of tlie
Convent.

About this tiiue the Chapel was rlosed to
the public. It was barely large enough tor the
Community, and owing to a steady increase in the
number of outsiders seeking admission, it was fouiul
impossible any longer to admit them without
enlarging it. This measure was alsoM. lluberdeau's
work. Tlie zealous chaplain desired to sejiarate
the IJeligious as much as possible from the people
of the world. For tliis same reason, he restricted
the number and the duration of visits tt> tlie jtarlor,
and even undertook to make sundry alterations in
the Rule. This latter was going beyond his poweis,
and the Superior referred the matter to the IJishop.
The result was that M. ITuberdeau was instructed
not to touch the Rules without having tirst consulted
the diocesan authorities.

He was shortly afterwards rejilaced by a new
chaplain. Rev. M. Martin had the same zeal as his
predecessor for tlu' sauititicatiou of souls, and
showed great ability in dciiling with temp(jral affairs.

160

MOTHER DB LA NATIVIxfi AND

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He rendered service to the Community by toacliing
them book-keeping, and systematizing the records
of the Institution. lie also applied himself to
training the Sisters in singing for he was convinced,
and rightly so — that nothing is better calculated to
maintain piety and add to the dignity of divine
worship, than well-executed singing, lie was not
the first one who had insisted on this important
point, for from the very origin of the Community,
the Sisters had been taught the Gregorian chant.
When the cliaplains were unable to teach them,
the Bishop himself became their teacher, so
eager was ho that they might sing the praises of
God in a seemly manner. He even gave them the
first liturgical books which they possessed. M. Va-
lade, a priest from the Cathedral, had also, a few
years earlier, rendered great service to the Com-
munity in this respect.

Nor did M. Martin overlook the Magdalencn,
who up to that time had contiinied to live with the
penitents and followed one and the same rul(( with
thi'm. This state of things could not continue to
exirtt without nuiny disadvantages on both sides.
To the young Superior belongs the merit of i)erceiv-
ing and removing the difticulty. The Magdulenes
were placed apart, and formed, as it were, a separate
Conmmnity, and a novitiate was opened lor the

THE ORIGIN OF THE 8ISTER8 OF HIS^RICORDE 151

trainin|]r of recruits for their ranks. They wore at
first jtermitted to make but temporary vows, but
erelong — 1860, — three of them pronounced perpet-
ual vows. This work succeeded as well as could
be expected, for in 1872, when Mother M. de la
Mi8«5ricorde eeased to be Superior, the number of
Magdalenes was twenty-two.

This continuous and uniform development of the
essential work of the Order, soon compelled the
Sisters to give up certain accessory works which
they had theretofore ])een enabled to take in hand,
but which it had become impossible for them to
carry on. About five years previously they luul
undertaken the work of sheltering poor homeless
orphan girls, who, in a large city, are but too often
destined to become a prey to vice and corruption.
It was a good, a niost meritorious work ; it had been
undertaken most (cheerfully, and gladly indeetl
would the Sisters have* continued to carry it on, but
it was utterly impossible to accomplish so much.
The Community must work within the sphere of
its providential mission. The orphans were, there-
fore, placed with respectable families, where they
would have the benefit of good example aiul a
christian training.

The Sisters also at this time gave up another
work which, through certain circumstances, iia<l

152

•MOTHER DE LA NATlVIxfi AND

(U'volved upon the Community. When the Sisters
left the " Corporation house," it was taken by Miss
liissonnette, a pious woman, who liad taken eharge
of a certain number of unfortunate girls who had
fallen frojn virtue, or whose reputation had sutl'ered.
in the hope of leading them back to a better life.
Following the Bishop's advice, the Sisters consented
to lend a heljting hand to Miss Bissonnette. The
latter at tivst desired it, but divergence of views
and the unyielding character of the directress,
rendered any united action impossible. A heavy debt
and an utter lack of public sympathy and supjiortj
soon brought the work to an end. Happily for the
unfortuiiate inmates, the Community came to the
rescue, and gave them a home, thus saving them
from falling back into the ever yawning abyss of
vice. On being received into the Comnnniity, they
took the name of " Daughters of St. ThaYs," in
honor of the illustrious Egyptian [lenitent of that
name. They were placed in the brick house jmr-
chased from Mr. Lacroix in 1802, and situated near
the corner of Lagauchetiere and St. Hubert Streets.
Thanks to the influence and earnest prayers of the
Sisters, the great majority of these unfortunate young
women were sincerely converted. They formed the
nucleus of the class now called the " Consacrees."
Those who were found to be incorrigible, were placed

THE OIUUIN OF THE ^liTEIkii OF MIsfeRICOUDK 153

in the IijukIh of the city authorities* and committed
to prison.

The whole Rtroii<;th ot the Community waw then
centered on tlie work for u'lii< h Mother de hi Nati-
vite liad foun«U'd it. A re^»rganization of the
adniiniHtrative ('oiineil wa* then felt to be a matter
of neeessity. The relativel}- »mall nnmberot religious
luul rendered it necesBarv to admit therein the Mis-
trenHCH of Novices, Mag:dah'fi<«, and I'enitenta, and
it was decided tliat this should no longer be the
case. Tlie costume now worn by the religious was
a«lopt('d about this same |<*ri«»d. Th»^ earlier dress
resend>led too closely that m'om by the IIotel-Dieu
Sisters, a cloistered order, for whom they were often
mistaken by outsiders.

Finally, Mother M. '^'' '• "*'' --ricorde took at^tive
measures for the liq» ' i \ja of the debt of the
(community. It anK>unte<I to $20,000, — a large
sum, considering that the <'ommnnity was then
nearly destitute of resourct*?., \\y goo<l numagenient
and economy, the genci<»sity (»f friends und the col-
lections taken up veurlv b\" the Sisters, within the
diocese, and often outsi<lc it# limits, the entire sum
was paid off within the r^iiac* of snx years. During
this interval, theComnjunity mmte*] a farm near St.
Anne du IJout de Tile, in the hope of creating a
revenue tor the Community ; Init the experiment

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164

MOTHER DE LA NATIVlxfi AND

h-.

was not a Buccess, and the farm was given up after
a year's trial.

The liouse was thus on tlie road to prosperity
wljen the news of tlic approval of the Institute
arrived from Rome, on the 7th of June, 18G7. Soon
afterwards a laudatory Brief emanating from the
Sacred Congregation appointed to examine the
constitutions, was received by the '^ perior. These
favors caused an immeiise joy among the Sisters.
They could now work an<l devote themselves with-
out fear, since God, }v the voice of His Vicar on
earth, had accepted and blessed their labors and
their sacriiices. God was, indeed, with them ; the
future seemed to smile on them more kindly, and
they faced it with increased ardour and confidence.
The Community had steadily increased from year
to year, and at the end of 1872, there were fifty-six
professed Sisters; the average number of candidates
in the novitiate was ten. The number of Penitents
was continually on the increase ; in that year three
hundred and twenty-three were received, and there
were two hundred and thirty births in the Hospital.
These figures show, better than any possible
description, the state and position of the house when
Mother M. de la Misericordc's term of office expired.

The Community was preparing for the new
elections, when their generous and devoted protector,

T7!E ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MIsfiRICORDB 156

Mr. Olivier Bcrthelct, died. (September 25th, 1872.)
His death was the faithful echo of his charitable
and self-sacrificing life. The Sisters mourned for
him as for a friend and a father : the services he
had rendered the Community, for over twenty-five
years, were such, that God alone could fittingly
reward him. His memory will be forever cherished
and blessed in the Order.

A few days after this sad event, Bishop Bourget
visited the house and presided over the elections,
which gave to the Community for Superior, Mother
St. Rose de Lima. Mother M. do la Misericordo
was too young to be re-elect- d ; for the limit of age
required by the constitutions approved by Rome
was then thirty-five years and she was but thirty-
four. She was, however, elected Bursar.

The new Superior had until then lived in the
shade, and consequently was but ill-prepared to
undertake the direction of the house. Firm and
energetic by nature, she insisted on a strict obser-
vance of the rule, and herself g.ave the example.
But the fear of losing her authority made her sus-
ceptible and suspicious, and she acted with a degree
of severity not counterbalanced by any eminent
qualities, and which caused many a difficulty in the
Community.

Nevertheless, the work prospered. The yearly

156

MOTHER DE LA NATIVIT^ AND

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coUootioHS oxtotidcd over a vaster fioM ; tlio Sisters
went beyond the limits of Lower-Canada, and made
their appeal tor aid in Ottawa, an<l also in Portland,
wliere the liishop received tlieni witli great cordiality
and interrupted a call tor help in behalf of his own
diocesan works, in onler to leave more abundant
gleanings for these new Knths. — A few years later,
in lH7'i, we lind them in Toronto, and then in
New- York, where the •; tempted wit bout sticcess to
tnund a tirst mission or branch of the Order. In
the following year they went throngh the dioceses
of S[>ringtlel«l, Kingston and San Fraiicisco. The
harvest increased in j>roportion asthetield widi-ncMl,
and the collections reached snecessively : three, four,
and even five thousand dollars.

In 1H74, the Community was in readiness to
undertake the construction of a large wing, west of
the building erected by Mr. lierthelet fifteen years
before. It was Hnished twoyears later, and dedicated
by Bishop Hourget. The same day, April Hth, 187(5,
the worthy prelate had the consolation of distri-
buting to all the professed Sisters, sifter luiving bless-
ed it, the nevvlyi>rinted book of the Constitutions.
" It is a very simple volume in ap[(earance," said
he to them, "but one which you should consider as
" a book of lifi'. On receiving it, you will kiss it
" with respect and alleclion, because it nuuiifests

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THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MIS^RICORDE 157

" tho will of God to you : at'tor the Now TeHtuinetit,
" no book should bo dearer to your beartH."

A tew days later, Sister St. .Jeanne <le Cbantal,
who bad wbared in tbe early wtrug^lert of tbe Coin-
niunity aiul «;(>verned it during tifteen years, peace-
fully departed tins life, aged seventy-seven years. —
Sbe was at tbe time a member of tbe Couneil.
Sbe was an Inunble and submissive religious and
editied ber companions, cbeerfuUy accepting a life
of <d)scurity, after baving filled tbe most important
ofKees in tbe Order. Sbe suft'ered greatly during
ber last illness, but was wbolly resigiuMl to tbe will
of (Jod, strcngtbcned hy tlie liread of Life, and too
anxious to please ber Heavenly Spouse to tbink of
complaining, slie made ber last sacritice witb
generosity. Her deatb was rigbtly dei»lored by
tbe Community, to wbioli sbe luul rendere«l great
service, liisliop Fabre, tben recently consecrated co-
adjutor to IJisbop Bourget, presided over Ikt funeral
service, at wbicb a large imndtcr of priests attended,
in onler to pay a last tribute of respect to tbe
venerable ri'ligious.

MeantinU' Jiisbop Bourget, broken down by baitl
labor and years, and desirous, njoreovcr, of pn'paring
bimself, in recollection and soliludi', to give an
account t< (iodof bis long administration, bad taken
tbe resolution of retiring to a country bouse at

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MOTHER DE LA NATIVITB

Sault-au-Recollet, where several aged and infirm
priests already resided. Once, and once only, did
he again visit the Convent in his oflicial capacity :
to preside over the election of a memher of the
Council, in succession to Sister St. Jeanne de Chan-
tal. From that date, June 6th, 1876, until his
death, nine years later, the venerable prelate visited
his spiritual daughters only at rare intervals, and
but for a few moments on each occasion ; but his
heart still watched over them, he wrote to them
and gave them the benefit of his advice, and received
them with fatherly affection whenever they visited
him in his retreat. But, above all, he prayed
unceasingly for the success of their work and the
sanctification of their souls.

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MOST RKV. J. T. DIHAMKL, D.D.,
Archbishop of Ottawa.

'• "t".

CHAPTER H

The First Mission.

Ego elegi vog. . . potui vo», . . ut eatit,
et/ructum afferatit. (JoAN xv. 16).

I (have chosen you. . . and have ap-
pointed you, that you should go, and
should bring forth fruit.

OTHER St. Rose de Lima was not to
see the end of the term of six years
in office. Her weak constitution and
nervous temperament were soon worn
out, by the daily cares and solicitude of
government. She sank under the burden,
in the month of September, 1876, and she was never
to rise again. Her illness continued throughout
the winter and was accompanied by cruel sufferings,
amidst which all were compelled to admire her
patience and moral strength. A few days before her
death, she called her Sisters around her bed and
begged them to forgive her for all the pain she may
have caused them, in the discharge of the duties of

160

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

her office, and for the faults which she had herself
committed. She recommended to them the practice
of regularity, fraternal charity and zeal in striving
for perfection. "At the hour of death, we do not
" regret the efforts we may have made," said she,
" and at that hour, we judge of things very
" difterently from what we do during life." This
occurred during Holy Week, of which according to
all appearances she was not to see the end. On Good
Friday, she was so weak, that it was easily seen
she could not pass the day. " Mother," said the
Assistant to her, "you are going to die to-day with
" Our Lord, in order to rise speedily from the dead
" with Him." " What happiness ! " she answered,
with a heavenly smile. — Those were her last words.
She expired peacefully at about three o'clock in the
afternoon.

Sister St. Therese de Jesus, who was elected to
succeed her, was of a gentle and timid disposition.
Her preference was for humble offices and rude
labors. Greatly alarmed when she learned that the
Community were thinking of her for the office of
Superior, she begged of them, in pity, not to lay
such a burden upon her ; but no attention was paid
to her earnest pleading. Her rule was an exceed-
ingly mild one. She was greatly helped in her
administration by the chaplain, M. J. M. A. Brien,

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE 161

and under her management, the Community attained
a degree of profperity it had never before known.
Mother St. Ther^se de Jesus had been Superior
only a few days, when a fire broke out in the soap-
house and soon endangered the entire Convent.
However, the firemen arrived in time to conquer
the destructive element and preserve the house
from a catastrophe. This was not the first time
that the Comnmnity had been threatened by fire,
but Divine Providence watched over its own work
and no serious loss was ever incurred.

The work of erecting new buildings was con-
tinued. The Chapel built by Mr. Berthelet had
become too small, and the Community resolved to
build a new one. The present Chapel with its
portico opening on Dorchester Street, was the result
of this project. The Very Rev. H. Moreau, V. G.,
blessed and laid the corner-stone of the edifice, with
all possible solemnity. Bishop Bourget was not
present at this ceremony, but he wrote as follows to
the Superior : " I shall not fail to take part in spirit
" in all your joys and hopes," and in another letter :«
" I pray the Mother of Mercies to enable you to
" carry-out successfully your holy undertaking."

The undertaking was completed as the venerable.
Archbishop had desired, and a year later — August
31st, 1879, — Bishop Duhamel, of Ottawa, dedicated.

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MOTHFH DE LA NATIVIT^ AND

the new sanctuary, and in eloquent terms voiced the
sentiments of joy, love, and gratitude that filled to
overflowing the hearts of his hearers. In the course
of his remarks. His Lordship had been able to speak
highly of the Community upon good grounds, for
he had had, for several months previously, an oppor-
tunity of witnessing its eminent services, in his own
episcopal city. — He was, as we have stated before,
one of the first to open his diocese to the mendicant
Sisterb, and soon afterwards conceived the idea of
establishing them at Ottawa. Eev. M. Bouillon,
then treasurer of the Cathedral at Ottawa, was del-
egated to deal with the matter. The conditions
were easily settled, and in fact the Sisters saw no
serious difficulty in Ihe way of this project, — God
had blessed them, and there were now seventy-two
professed Sisters, and such a foundation would be
doubtless the source of new vocations. Bishop
Bourget was consulted, and from the depths of his
retreat, he applauded the scheme and wrote to the
Superior as follows : " I have long prayed that you
*' might found a new mission." Six religious were
selected to go forth and take possession of the house
and property, bought from the episcopal corporation
of Ottawa, for the new establishment. Bishop
Fabre celebrated Mass in the Community Chapel
and blessed the first missionaries on the day of their

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THE ORIGIN OP THE SISTERS OP MIsfiRICORDB 163

departure. The Ottawa house, known as " House
" of Mercy," was opened on May 19th, 1879, and
in the month of August following, Sister St. Stanis-
las arrived at Ottawa, with the title of Superior.
She was accompanied by three Magdalenes.

The beginnings of the new work were not accom-
plished without trials, and we know, from one of
Bishop Bourget's letters, that, but for the help of
God, the little colony would have given way to
discouragement. " Far from being discouraged,"
wrote the pious Archbishop, " you should be more
" courageous thin heretofore in the discharge of all
" your important duties. Trials are always a good
*' sign, and there is less danger of being lost then,
" than when everything is prosperous. — Take cour-
" age then ! Your foundation in Ottawa will prosper
" only when it is on Calvary, at the foot of the
" Cross." The clouds dispersed little by little, and
brighter days soon dawned. — The following year
the Federal Government granted an annual subsidy
to the house, thus recognizing its public utility.
Enlargements were soon needed, and in 1883 a
large wing was added to the buildings already in use.

Meantime the number of inmates at the Mother-
house was continually increasing. The census of
1882 gives seventy-seven professed Sisters ; ten
novices ; forty-one Magdalenes ; thirty-one Con-

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164

MOTHER DB LA NATIVIlfe AND

Becrated girls and six nurses. As to the penitents,
whose number varied from day to day, it is safe to
say that often as many as a hundred were to he
found in the house at the same time. There was,
therefore, an urgent need of again enlarging the
house, and it was decided to build a large wing on
Campeau Street that would be joined to the older
part of the buildings and match with the west wii -
inaugurated in 1876. Work was immediately begun,
but the Sisters had not counted on the opposition
of the City corporation who purposed widening
Campeau Street, by taking a strip of land off the
garden of the Community. Permission to build
was refused ; — requests were unsuccessful. A peti-
tion to the City Council, signed by a large number
of influential citizens and proprietors was also
rejected. All work had, in the meantime, to be
suspended.

• The Sisters had recourse to St. Joseph in order
to obtain a favorable settlement of the difliculty.
Many prayers were offered up in the Community,
and the statue of the Saint was placed in a, niche
close to the intended site. Heaven's action accom-
plished what man's influence was powerless to do.
On January 23rd, 1884, the City corporation in
Council assembled, rescinded the resolution order,
ing the widening of the Street, and left the Sisters

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THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISiiRICORDE 165

in full poseession of their ground. If was on a
Wediiesday and the Church celebrated that day
the feast of the Eip ^als of the Blessed Virgin.
St. Joseph's protection was evident. In thanks-
giving, the statue, which had passedpart of the Fall
and Winter outdoors, was brought in and installed
in a place of honor in the Sisters' choir, during
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, at which tlie
Te Deum was sung. The ceremony ended witli a
procession through the corridors of the house. Tlie
statue of St. Joseph, after having been borne in
triumph, with lighted tapers and the clianting of
pious hymns, was replaced in the choir and from
thence removed to a place of honor over the entrance
door of the new wing, where it is still to be seen.
This prosperity was the fruit of many trials and
sufferings, and Mother St. Therese was sometimes
quite disheartened. Interior difficulties were joined
to exterior trials, and the Superior was overcome
with grief w^henever she was forced to adopt
energetical measures of repression. " Do not be
" cast down," wrote Bishop Bourget to her, " if the
" enemy of all good seeks to take away your peace
" of mind and soul, — which is the greatest of bless-
" ings, since it is a foretaste of the peace of heaven,
" — hold fast, and despise the illusions of the
" devil. — Do not forget that God is always ready

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MOTHER DE LA NATIVIT^

" to help US in our greatest needs, when He sees
" that we feel our incapacity and unworthiness ;
" for, the more useless we are, the more pleasure
" He takes in making use of us to do good, provided
" we place our confidence in Him alone and seek
" only His greater glory. Serve this Gcd of f^ood-
" ness, therefore, with holy joy." Such encourage-
ment always quickly imparted courage to the
Superior, and she went to work again with fresh
energy and ardor.

"When her term of office expired, she was
delighted to return to the obscurity of the ranks,
but the confidence her Sisters had in her was such,
that they did not leave her entirely at rest. At
the elections which took place on August 31st, 1883,
she was selected to fill the office of Assistant to the
new Superior, Mother St. Zotique.

These elections were followed by important
reforms. The number of Councillors or Assistants,
which had until then been six, was reduced to four.
— The practice of consulting in all important matters
the Capitulary Sisters, that is to say, those ten years
professed, which had until then prevailed, was
abolished. But twelve among them were chosen as
advisors, with the privilege of electing the Superior.
Lastly, it was decided that before being admitted
to *akG perpetual vows, each religious should make
temporary vows for five years.

v',

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CHAPTER lit

I' I

Relations of Bishop Bourget with the Community.

Menientote jyrrrpositorum vjstrorum
guivohis locuti aunt verbum Dei ; Quo-
rum inttientea exitum convenationii,
imitamini fidem. (Hrb. xiii. 7.)

Remember your prelates who hare
spoken the word of God to you : whose
faith follow, considering the end of
thoir ooDTer.-ation.

,,.„URmG Mother St. Zotique's teinire
^?' of office, Bishop Bourget, the founder
of the Community of the Sisters of
Misericordo, died, at his residence at
Sault-au-Recollet. This aged and illustrious
prelate was struck .down by what ho felt
to be a fiital disease, on the feast of the Immaculate
Conception, 1884. — Bishop Fabre administered to
him the last Sacraments of the Church, towards the
end of December. — At the sight of his God, who
deigned thus to visithim, the venerable Archbishop
exclaimed : " My God, this is probably the last
" time I shall receive Thee upon earth ; I bow to

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168

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

" Thee as my Creator and 1 cast myself into the
" arms of Thy divine mercy." After having asked
pardon of all those he might in any way have
offended, and prayed for his Church of Montreal, he
added: "My God, I hope that Thou wilt soon
" show me mercy and admit me to contemplate
" Thee, face to face."

It does not enter into the plan of this w^ork to
describe the death of the saintly bishop. The story
of his last hours and of his entire life, belongs to
the history of the diocese of Montreal. But we
cannot, in this rapid sketch of the origin of " La
" Misericorde," refrain from recording those touch-
ing appeals to Divine Mercy, which fell from the
lips of the illustrious prelate on his deathbed,
because it seems to us that among the many works
of his long episcopate, none perhaps could have been
better calculated to dispell the apprehensions of his
last moments than this work of the Misericorde ;
for according to our Saviour's own words : "Blessed
" are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."

He died June 8th, 1885. His funeral was a
triumph.

Having reached the closing point of this glorious
career which will henceforth occupy so important a
place in the history of the diocese of Montreal, it
will not be useless to turn back for a moment and

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE 169

cast a glance over the relations of Bishop Bourget
with the Community of Misericorde. There, with-
out any intention on our part, we shall see once
more the countenance so simple, and yet so dignified,
of the illustrious prelate, together with his eminent
qualities of mind and heart, his piety, his spirit of
faith, his ardent zeal for the conversion of sinners,
and his firm confidence in Divine Providence.

We have seen that the work of " La Misericorde "
was born, so to speak, of the heart of this charitable
pastor. For over five years he cherished the
thought of it, without declaring his mind to any-
one ; waiting patiently, praying and watching for
the providential hour. And when his penetrating
eye discovered in Madame Jette, Heaven's chosen
instrument for the accomplishment of his long-
cherishea '. i^ign, he seized upon her with all the
authority of his apostolical mission, solved all her
diflftculties, cut-short the hesitation inspired by her
humility, helped her to decide and urged her forward.
" God wills it ! God wills it ! " were his inspiring
words. Soon, however, came days of trial and
difficulty : in the interior of the house poverty and all
its consequences ; — outside, contempt and reproaches.
The Bishop taxed his own means to the utmost to
relieve the most pressing needs of the house, but he
was poor himself, and the suiierings of his struggling

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MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

children grieved him to the heart. He was accused
of imprudence, and the sublime inspiration which
produced an institution most useful to society and
Jionorable to the Church of Canada, was called a
caprice and a whim ; the good pastor let people
talk as they pleased and strove to sustain Madame
Jette's courage ; for he knew that words pass away
but deeds and works remain.

Later on when the work developed itself he took
steps to provide resources for it. He appealed to
the charity of the faithful ; he applied to generous-
hearted christians favored with worldly possessions ;
he gave, himself, also, — little if he had but little, and
muoh, whenever Divine Providence placed large
sums at his disposal. When the house named St.
Fran^'oise Romaine was bought, the Bishop wished
to be the first to contribute towards it. He had in
his possession only eight dollars, but no matter ! he
gave that much, feeling sui'ethat Divine Providence
would provide the rest. When he could not give
money, he lent it, without charging interest. Thus,
on two different occasions when the house was in
need of large sums of money to meet payments, he
handed to the Superior, first, four thousand dollars
and then twelve hundred. He did not wish the
Community to be rich, but he did all he could to
provide what was necessary. He long retained the

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OP MISBRICORDE 171

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direction of the house in his own hands ; but when
its development became such that it required more
time than he could well dispose of, he appointed an
ecclesiastical Superior to look after the material
interests of the house.

However, this is not the most beautiful or striking
part the great Bishop played in the foundation
of this house. A community is a living body,
whose distinctive mark, whose principle of life, is
its mind — its soul, and needless to say, also that
which is most important. Bishop Bourget under-
stood this, and with the help of God, he endeavored
to form and fashion, with his own hands, the soul
of the new Community. And as the soul of a com-
munity is, in some sort, the outcome of the souls of
all those who are its members, he did not fail to
give close and special care and attention to certain
souls in need of it, — -judging rightly, with St. Fran-
cois de Sales, that one single soul is a diocese vast
enough for a Bishop.

One of the first chaplains, M. Pilon, was frequently
absent from his post on account of poor health, and
on such occasions the pious Bishop, whenever it
was possible, gladly took it upon himself to dis-
charge the duties of his office. — He would set-out
alone and on foot from his residence, which was
but a short distance oft', and make his way to the

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MOTHER DE LA NATIVITK AXD

Goiiveiit in spite of rain, mud or snow. He often
arrived without beins: expected by the Community,
said mass, heard confessions, gave instructions to
the Sisters or the Magdalenes, visited and consoled
the penitents ; sometimes even he would shut him-
self up in the Chaplain's modest room and there, in
tranquillity and sure of being undisturbed by any-
one in his quiet Bethany, finished writing some
Pastoral letter or other work of the kind, com-
menced and too often interrupted at his own
residence. When the bell rang for the Community
exercises, he would leave his work in order to preside
in person over the sacred office or otlier function :
" But does it not inconvenience you, my Lord ?" said
the Superior to him, on one occa^sion : " No, my dear
" daughter," he replied, " it is an agreeable relaxa-
" tion for me to see you pray." At such times, the
Bishop's meals were necessarily of a most frugal
kind, and the Sister who waited on him, one day
apologised for the humble fare : " Do not worry
" about me, my daughter," he replied, " I act in this
" way in order to avoid being overcome by sleep."
Usii -^ the words and following the example ol
the Divine Master, he would sometimes say as he
entered : " I came not for the ju.st, but for sin-
" ners," and then he would visit his dear penitents.
Such was then the goodness animating his words,

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THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE 173

the gentleness of his countenance and his manner,
that many of them would burst into tears. The
Bishop, much affected himself, would console these
unfortunate girls, and bid them hope for God's
mercy and forgiveness. He assisted several of
them at the hour of death, and by the charm of his
conversation and exhortations, mitigated the terrors
of the passage from time to eternity. One day, he
wnnt so far as to condescend to become himself
their guardian. The Sisters were anxious to gain
the indulgence of the Jubilee granted by the Holy
Father in 1853. One of the conditions being the
visiting of several churches, the Bishop said to them :
" Go, my daughters, and visit the churches, I will
" watch over these poor children until your return."
His fatherly heart was filled with joy whenever
he learned that some one of them, touched by grace,
had resolved to break forever with the world and
shut herself up, in the blessed solitude where she
had found once more the God of her youth and her
innocence. — He spared no pains to secure this happy
result. The zealous pastor taught them their
catechism, delivered formal instructions and sermons
for their benefit, .*nd gave wise counsel in abundance
to the Sister in charge of the penitents, prepared
rules and regulations for them, and in short left no
stone unturned to ensure their conversion and their

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MOTHER DE LA NATIVIT^ AND

perseverance. "We read in a manuscript note that :
" It was a touching sight to see this holy Bishop
" discharging in all simplicity the humble functions
" of a catechist. One day, during the tenancy of
" the " Corporation house," he crossed the street
" wearmg his rochet and camail, followed by all
" the poor girls, whom he was so eager to instruct.
" It was truly ' the Good Shepherd, bringing back
" the lost sheep to the fold.' "

His great solicitude was not fruitless. The num-
ber of Magdalenes soon increased sufficiently to
permit the establishment of a separate group within
the Community, with its own particular rules and
customs. The Bishop wished to inaugurate it him-
self and consecrate it to God from its foundation,
with his blessing and his prayers. — He did even
more, for he often went so far as to visit the inmates
himself and give them instructions on the duties
and virtues of their state. Later on, he consented
to preach to them in their yearly retreat. From
what has been preserved of his instructions to this
part of his flock, it is easily seen that he was fond
of presenting Mary Magdalene to them as a model
for their imitation. He recurs to her over and over
again, and draws the most precious and consoling
lessons for his hearers from the life of the saint, "to
" whom nmch had been forgiven because she loved

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MIS^RICORDE 175

" much," " The good Master," he would say to
them, " has looked upon you, in the same way that
" he formerly looked upon Magdalene ; in his sight
" your sins no longer exist, and if they are recalled
" on the day of judgment, it will be for your glory."
He visited them on their feast day, and his tender
and compassionate heart was filled with 1: ; piness at
the sight of their joy, and deeply moved by their
fervor. " I was so much affected," he one day said,
" on seeing them kneeling before me to renew
" their act of Consecration to St. Magdalene, that
" I was unable to speak to them. I seemed to see
" Mary of Bethany at the feet of our Saviour."

When the Community was definitively constituted
and a Chapel built which permitted divine service
to be celebrated in the house, it became necessary
to form a choir of singers chosen from among the
Sisters. Some few of them were familiar with pro-
fane music and singing, but all were ignorant of
plain chant. Bishop Bourget wished to prepare
them himself for the first oflSces they were to sing.
It was a few days before Palm Sunday in 1860, and
they were to sing on that day the hymn " Gloria
" tibi rex" and the Vespers of the day. The Bishop
taught them how to chant the psalms, and after the
practice said : " Sing with confidence, and I will
" send Canon Plamondon to officiate for you." The

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Canon was an excellent man, as wo have seen, but
it must be owned that he was anything but a
musician. During Holy "Week, the devoted founder
privately visited the Convent and presided at a
practice of the chant and the Offices for Easter;
High Mass was to be celebrated for the first time,
on that day, in the Community Chapel. These les-
sons were continued afterwards. It was deeply
touching to see the venerable Bishop filling the
humble office of singing-master, and none of those
who heard him could ever forget the words inflamed
with zeal for the glory of God, that fell from his
lips, as he exhorted his daughters to acquit them-
selves with piety of the function of singers.

" Do not forget," said he, " that you are fulfilling
" the office of the Angels. When you enter Heaven,
" the Virgins will come to meet you and say :
" 'Here, we sing the pr; es of the Most High.'
" You will answer them : ' We are quite accustomed
*' to that, for v. is what we did on earth.'" He
availed himself of the words contained in the liturgy
to inspire them with good thoughts, or suggest
pious practices. One day during the pascal time,
they were singing the versicle : ^'- Mane noUscum,
" Domine," etc., " Stay with us Lord, because it is
"towards evening, and the day is now far spent,"
— words of the disciples of Emmaus to our Saviour,

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MIS^RICORDE 177

— and the Bishop said to one of them : " My
daughter, is it ever night in your soul ?" — " Alas !
" yes, my Lord, sometimes." — " Well," said he, " at
" such times, repeat the prayer of the disciples."
The Sisters once asked him to allow them to omit the
Commemoration of the Saints, at Vespers, on the
ploa that the music was too difficult to he sung. —
" No, my daughters, you should omit none of the
" commemorations, for we need to be protected by
" the Saints, and you yourselves need it more than
" any other Community." A short time after, the
Bishop, perceiving that the Sisters had but one
plain chant book, took secretly a Gradual and a
Ve&peral from the Cathedral choir and gave them
to the Community with the injunction to say
nothing about it to anyone.

While the venerable Bishop strove to train the
Sisters in that exterior chant, which St. Augustine
calls "an almost divine science," '•'' scientia prope
" divina" he was more anxious still to teach them
that interior harmony which results from the perfect
conformity of the soul with every manifesta*^ion of
the divine Will. For this end, he spared neither
exhortations, advice nor letters. lie preached no
less than four annual retreats, and it would be
impossible to tell how many sermons and instructions
to the Community. Many of the latter have been

178

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITY AND

preserved ; and in looking them over, we arc
Burprised at the appositeness and readiness with
which he avails himself of any special circumstance
to inculcate forcibly some essential point of the
religious life. These instructions have thus the
double advantage of being appropriate to the
occasion and circumstances and hence exceedingly
varied, and of tending towards the one end —
religious perfection. Their doctrinal importance is
thus singularly enlarged and they are at the same
time characterised by a true unity.

The bonds which attached the distinguished
prelate to "La Misoricordo" had been strengthened
and drawn closer with his increasing anxiety for
the future welfare of the work. Shortly after the
reception of the papal Bull approving of the
Institution, he spoke openly of his fears. " I was
" not without uneasiness," said he, " as to the future
" of your Community. — So many obstacles had
" arisen on all sides, at its inception, that I feared it
" would be abandoned after my death. But God
" himself has put an end to my deep anxiety. I
" sent your Constitutions to Rome to be revised,
" but I had not asked for and dared not ask for,
" the approbation of your Institution. Judge of
" my surprise, then, on receiving, with the notes
" and corrections on the Constitutions, the Decree

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MIs6rIC0RDE 179

" approving of your Institute. I could not help
" seeing therein a special favor and protection of
" Divine Providence ; and I can now betake myself
" to my rest without the smallest anxiety in your
" regard, and feeling sure that, after my death, the
" work that Home has C Mgned to approve will
" continue to be protected." '

Among the diiferent practices of fraternal piety
suggested by the holy Bishop, to the Community,
we read of one which is peculiarly touching. — After
the death of a Sister there is drawn up, under the
title of necrology, a clear and forcible summary of
the virtues practised, the several offices held, and
the obstacles overcome by the deceased. This
short notice is read in the refectory on the anniver-
sary of the death, and recalls to those still living,
the memory of their predecessors, appeals to them
to pray for the repose of their souls and is a continual
incentive to the faithful practice of their rule. —
How often on leaving the refectory, where they
have listened to the enumeration of the virtues of
the early pioneers of the Order, must not the Sisters
apply to themselves the words of St. Augustine :
" Can I not do what this one or that one has done ? "

During his numerous visits to the Community,
the Bishop took special pleasure in peaking of the
early difficulties of the work he now saw so pros

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180

MOTHER DE LA . ATIVITE AND

perous. In replying to the address presented to
him on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee, October
18th, 1872, His Lordship said : "Your work is one
" of those that touch my heart most deeply, for it
" seems to me to be preeminently God's own work.
" Your eftbrts seemed barren at first, but you knew
" these words of Our Lord : Fear not, Utile flock,
'^ for it hath pleased your Heavenly Father to give
" you a kingdom. — That kingdom is the develop-
" ment of your Institution, — it is the souls you
" bring back to the path of virtue, at the cost of
" unnumbered sacrifices. How many souls have
" been regenerated in this holy house ! They were
" precious pearls trodden under foot : they have
" been raised out of the dirt and filth in which they
" lay and cleansed : and now they arc shining
" pearls that Heaven and even earth admire."

After 1876, the visits of the venerable Bishop
become rare. lie had gone into retirement at the
Residence St. Janvier, at Sault-au-Recollet, where
he lived in solitude preparing himself for the passage
into eternity. — He did not cease, however, to render
service to the works created and sustained by his
zeal. His advice ar 1 direction were frequently
asked for, and freely given in admirable letters,
redolent of faith and charity, filled with wise coun-
sels and that practical spirit which rendered his

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE 181

administration so fruitful in good results. "We
shall cite only one of the letters. He had been
questioned as to the line of conduct to be held in
regard to the penitents in order to obtain their con-
version : " Sacrifice yourselves with all possible
zeal," said the saintly and venerable Bishop,
for the perfect conversion and perseverance of
your dear penitents. To that end, make use of
the following means :

" 1st. — Instruct them as thorougly as possible in
all christian duties. Teach them to love Our
Lord, the God of all goodness, and Mary the
Mother of Mercies. Impress upon them and
make them understand, that their happiness in
this world and in the next depends on this.
" 2nd. — Be careful to prepare them well for the
retreats that they are accustomed to make during
their stay at the Maternity. — The more piously
they make these retreats, the bettor they will un-
derstand the happiness to be found in serving God.
" 3rd. — Use all possible means of inducing them
o make good confessions and communions, and
instill into their hearts a lively horror of sacrilege.
" 4th. — Put them on their guard against the
scandals of the world, bad company, and the
proximate occasions of sin, which are always the
cause of their relapsing into evil.

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MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

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5lh. — Endeavor to induce them, when they
' leave the Maternity, to go to service only in
' respectable families, where good example will be
' given them.

" 6th. — Teach them to pray every day for
' perseverance in well-doing ; and admonish them
' often that they should continually beg for that
' grace, in all religious exercices, especially during
' Mass and after Holy Communion. — Those who
' are in the House should pray for the perseverance
' of those who have left it. Make them all under-
' stand well that their honor as well as their happi-
' ness are at stake and depend on their not being
' obliged to return to the Maternity.

" 7th. — When they are about returning to the
' world, give them a short rule of life, the principal
' article being the obligation to go to confession
' every month, and receive Holy Communion often,
' following their Confessor's advice."

Here we have a detailed programme of the niode
of dealing with the penitents, in order to change
their dispositions and bring them back to the path
of duty. From the precision of his counsels, it is
easy to see that the saintly Bishop had been in
direct contact with the penitents, that he knew the
inclinations and weakness of their souls. He points
out the remedies to be used, with the contidence of
a physician who has closely studied the malady.

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE 183

The Sisters often consulted him on the virtues of
their state in life, or as to what they should do in
order to realize in all possible perfection his ideal
of a Sister of Misericorde. The Bishop would
thereupon remind them of their pious foundress and
repeat to them again and again : " Behold your
" model ; imitate your Mother." We have before
us a memorandum in his own handwriting entitled :
" Portrait d'une vraie Sneiir de la Misericorde." It
begins with these words : " To recognize her, it is
" sufficient to cast a glance over the life of the
" venerable \[other de la Nativite." After a rapid
sketch of the virtues practised by this " valiant
" woman," — humility, patience, mortification, blind
submission to the good pleasure of God, ardent zeal
for the salvation of souls, contempt of the world,
meekness and charity towards her Sisters, — after
having depicted, in sober hues, but in sharp relief
the character of that soul " so intimately united to
'' God, delighting in prayer and pious exercises,
" ever ready to sacrifice herself for the glory of
" God and the conversion of sinners," he concludes
as follows : " By contemplating night and day the
" beautiful character of their Mother, the Sisters
" will become true Sisters of Mercy, for that good
" Mother was a perfect model of regularity, or
" rather, a living rule."

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MOTHER DE LA NATIVIT^ AND

Towards the end of the year 1879, a biographical
notice of Mother de la Nativite and her work, was
communicated to the Bishop. The wor had been
written under his own eye ; he had imparted his
own recollections and furnished some of the in-
cidents, and in doing so said : " You must make
" known the virtues which your mother hid so
" carefully : she is no longer in need of humility
" now." — His Lvyrdship read with lively interest
the little biography, and said it was " a faithful
" mirror wherein the admirable qualities of that
" noble soul are marvellously reflected." He wrote
the Sisters a long letter, setting forth his satisfaction,
and exhorting them to walk in the footsteps of their
venerable Foundress : " The conclusion you shall
" draw from these interesting details, will doubtless
" be that you must strive generously to follow her
" example, to imitate her virtues, embrace with cour-
" age all the crosses sent you by Divine Providence,
" and carry on the Work of Misericorde, which cost
" her so great a price, with renewed zeal and courage,
" to meet fearlessly the insults and mockery of the
" world, to place all your confidence in God who has
" never failed you in time of need, to Icve simplicity
" in all things, to sacrifice all for the sake of peace,
" to love one another like true Sisters, and the
" daughters of so good a mother, to practise unceas-

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICOKDE 185

" ingly that blind obedience which excludes mur-
" muring, and lastly to be living copies of your
" Foundress, in order that we may recognize her by
" seeing you."

Not only does the Bishop urge the Sisters to take
their Mother for their model, but he also advises
them to have recourse, in private, to her intercession.
He himself composed a prayer to that end. — " It is
" not forbidden to invoke her," said he, " and you
" should do so every day, although she is not honored
" publicly." — " I advise you," he wrote, " to invoke
" your good Mother in your private devotions, in
" order that you may obtain through her interccs-
" sion, that the good spirit which animated her
" may be bestoyv^ed on you. You would also do
" well to wear some little relic of her, or things that
" she had in use."

In suggesting these pious practices to the Sisters,
Bishop Bourget manifested the sentiment of pro-
found veneration with which Mother de la Nativite's
virtues had always inspired him, as well as his
ardent desire of seeing her daughters advance day
by day, with ever increasing fervor, in the path of
religious perfection.

The venerable Archbishop paid his last visit to
the Community on March 29th, 1881. His brow
was crowned with the double halo of age and

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MOTHER DE LA NATIVITB AND

misfortune. It was the period when the venerable
octogenarian niad^ a personal appeal throughout
the diocese to solicit charitable contributions in aid
of fund for the Cathedral of Montreal. He was
received by all with transports of joy. Sisters,
Novices, Magdalenes, and " Consecrated '" gave
expression to their gratitude, their submission and
aft'ection, in special addresses. The Bishop replied
with the "simple, quiet and dignified kindness, that
never forsook him. He was struck by the contrast
apparent from an involuntary comparison of what
he then saw, with the condition of the house thirty
years before. — " The humiliations and sacrifices of
'' former days," he said, " have brought down upon
" you God's blessing and earned for you the prosper-
" ity you now enjoy." He then urged them each
and all to practise great fidelity' to the grace of God,
and after having invoked a supreme benediction on
the house and Communitv, which were the fruit
of his own zeal and charity, he left them, never
more to return

The memory of the great and saintly Bishop is
still living in the hearts of the Sisters, who pride
themselves upon being his daughters ; and with his
memory, his spirit of charity, his compassion and
his tenderness for sinful souls, — and, if after the
lapse of years, one wished to fathom the full extent,

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISKRICORDE 187

and divine ardor of Bishop Bourget's commiseration
and love for the lost sheep of the fold, it would be
sufficient to enter his convent, and witness the good
accomplished therein.

CITArTER IV

New Buildings. — A new Branch house.

Benedictio patrin firmat domum fili'o-
ritin. (EccL. III. 11).

The father's bloffsiiiKostablisheth the
houses of the children.

'$'^)x'\ ^^^ since the death of Bishop Bour-
)^ get, the work of the Community

has steadily grown and developed
itself, to the benefit of society and of
souls. Large additions, rendered necessary
by the increasing number of its inmates,
have been made to the Mother-house in Montreal,
while a promising branch establishment has been
founded at New- York.

In the summer of 1885, the old " Lacroix house,"
which had been used as a Maternity Hospital for
several years, was demolished, and on its site was
erected a large building known later on by the
name of " The Work-shops " or " Dependencies."

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THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE 189

It corituined the laundry, drying-room, shoo-shop, ''Mi

spinning and weaving-room, and other rooms used

for the various industries needed in a Com- ' l:,. 1

munity, to meet its own wants or to supplement

its resources by working for outsiders. These

" work-shops " have since disappeared, or rather

they have been blended with a much larger building

begun in 1897, and known as the " Infant Asylum,"

which will be spoken of later on.

In the same year, on the feast of the Exaltation
of the Holy Cross (September 14th) the corner-stone
of the present Maternity Hospital was laid. — This
edifice designed with the utmost care and provided
with all modern improvements, has aftbrded to the
penitents a healthy abode. It was dedicated by the
Chaplain of the Institution, Rev. M. Brien, on April
20th, 1887. It fronts on St. Hubert Street, on which
is its principal entrance. This ])uilding is connected
with the Convent by means of the Infant Asylum,
with which it forms a vast square, enclosing nearly
the whole extent of the Community garden.

The Maternity is a four story building with base-
ment. On .the first floor a private Hospital under
the direction of Dr. Brodeur. It was opened to
receive patients who had need of the physician's
immediate and continual care. It lasted but three
years. The apartments are now occupied by lady-

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MOTHER DE LA NATIVIT^ AND

boardere. The penitents sick-wards and the nurses'
apartments are on tlie second floor. The third
contains large wards for hotli the French and Eng-
lish speaking penitents, an oratory for retreats and
several rooms. The dormitories are on the fourth
floor-
To meet the expenditure on these large buildings,
the Community liad no other resource than public
or private charity. We have already spoken of
collections taken up iji different dioceses of North
America. The time has gone by when pastors
refused to tolerale among their flock, under pretext
of scandal, the humble servants of God commissioned
to solicit alms. Their work is now better under-
stood ; they are heartily welcomed ; those who once
showed repugnance, now receive them most cordially
and charity triumphs at last. At Montreal, bazaars
were organized, through tho help of kind friends^
and from time to time generous souls, on whom
God had bestowed earthly goods in abundance, were
moved to render aid.

We would fain speak of their devotedness, their
sacrifices, and write their names in letters of gold
in the annals of charity, — but how can we " sound
" the trumpet " before them, when they themselves,
docile to Our Lord's teachings, " let not their left
" hand know what the right doeth." They do not

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE 191

seek their reward in the vain praiscri of men,
but from God, the eternal remunerutor, wlio rewards
even a cup of cold water given for His love ; their
names, inacribed in the Book of Life, will shine
throughout the ages of eternity. But we feel
bound to proelahn their lib rality and blesji their
inexhaustible charity ; and when we see them always
so lavish of their gold, their time and their pains in
favor of all the works of mercy of which Montreal
may well be proud, we are reminded of the words
of a famous general, which are eipial in themselves
to a long })anegyric : " It is always the same that
" get killed." — Yes, in the warfare organized by
Catholic charity against human miseries, the same
good souls are always the first to man the breach,
and the first to open their hands to give, their
hearts to console and their lips to encourage. — " I
" bring you the sum I promised," said one of these
generous benefactors, " but that does not mean that
I will not give you more than I promised ; on
the contrary, I shall be always happy to help you
according to the measure of prosperitj' granted
" me by Divine Providence." — Divine Providence
must have multiplied his resources, for he often
visited the Community bringing with him on every
occasion a generous ottering. — His invariable reply
to the Reverend Mother's grateful acknowledgments

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192

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

Avas : " Do not tliank me, thank God for giving me
"• the means and the will to help you a littla."
May his charity and disinterestedness find many
imitators ! To aueh persons may surely be applied
the words of God addressed to the Patriarch Abra-
ham : " I am thy protector and thy reward infinitely
" great : Ego merces tua magna nimisy

The most important event of the year 1887 was
the foundation of a mission or branch at New- York.
Dr. McQuirk, rector of St. Paul's Church, had
founded a year before, at Clifton, Staten Island, a
Maternity for the poor, and had placed it under the
direction of a Community who had already in the
City of New-York, a Foundling Asylum and a
Maternity available only for those able to pay. At
the end of the year, not being able to agree with the
Community as to certain conditions, he conceived the
idea of entrusting the \vork to the Sisters of Miseri-
corde, of whom he had heard a favorable account.
He came to Montreal to open negotiations with the
Community, and at the same time. His Grace,
Archbishop Corrigan wrote to Archbishop Fabre
on the subject. The aftair w\is soon brought to a
favorable conclusion. Sister St. Stanislas who was
appointed Superior, left on September 1st, for the
new mission, accompanied by four Sisters. The
new premises at Clifton were of a character to

¥.

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.MUST RI'V. M. A. eoRKIC.AN, I). I).

Archlii'^hoi) dI Nc.v York.

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE 193

remind the Sisters of the early days of the work at
Montreal : the building was a wooden one of large
dimensions, too large in fact for the number of in-
mates, and so old that many of the rooms were unfit
to live in. The result was a winter of much
discomfort and suft'ering. It was impossible for the
Sisters to remain there any longer, and in the
spring Dr. McQuirk rented a house for them in the
city, on West 123rd Street. The house at Clifton
was retained for the children, as the site was good
and the air pure and bracing.

Several other Sisters were sent to the new mission,
under the direction of Sister St. M. Madeleine.
They saw at once that the success of the work
depended greatly on its being recognized by the State
as useful to society, and measures were immediately
taken to attain that end. As Dr. McQuirk's ideas
differed somewhat from theirs, and difiiculties
seemed inevitable, the Archbishop, taking the house
under his own immediate protection, appointed one
of his Vicars-General, Mgr. Donnelly, ecclesiastical
Superior of the Community. A new era now
dawned for the work : the refuge was incorporated
under the laws of the State of New- York, November
22nd, 1888, by the name of the " New- York
" Mothers' Home of the Sisters of Misericorde."

In the following year, 1889, the house at Clifton

194

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITfe AND

was given up, the Sisters of Charity having agreed
to receive the children, and as the house on 123rd
Street was now too small, a more suitable house
and several lots of land on East 86th Street were
bought. The Archbishoi» dedicated the new Hos-
pital and his blessing was a pledge of its coming
prosperity. Before five years had elapsed, the
Sisters were enabled to record in their Annual Report
that 717 penitents had been admitted gratuitously
since the foundation of the mission. — The Report,
it is true, went on to say that : " None have been
" refused, whenever it was possible to find space
" for a bed." Moreover, no discrimination had
been made as to tlic religion, color, nationality or
residence of applicants, and the poor had always
had the preference over those whose means enabled
them to select any institution they pleased.

After the general elections of 1889 at the Mother-
house in Montreal, Sister M. de la Misericorde was
appointed Superior of the mission in New- York.
This house luid soon become much too small, and it
was absolutely necessary to build. On November
12ih, 1898, His Grace, Archbishop Corrigan formally
opened and blessed the new ''Home," which it
took just one year to build and complete at an
expense of nearly §100,000.00. It furnished accom-
modation for one hundred and twenty poor patients,

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE 195

and forty rooms for private patients, and was provid-
ed with all modern conveniences and improve-
ments. The undertaking, of course, burdened the
Community with a heavy debt, but they relied on
Divine Providence and the generous charitv of the
citizens of the vast metropolis. Nor was their con-
fidence misplaced. Subscriptions, voluntary dona-
tions from individuals and charitable Associations,
supplemented the efforts of the Sisters and facilitated
their task by keeping them above want. We read
in the Annual Report for 1896: "It would be
" ungrateful on our part not to acknowledge the
" great kindness and boundless generosity of all our
" friends, who have been so liberal to us in the past,
" and without whose assistance we could not have
" succeeded." And further on : " There are manv
" words and deeds of charity that can be suitably
" praised and rewarded only by the Father of Mer-
" cies Himself, whose choicest graces and blessings
" we implore for all our benefactors." Thanks to
the zeal and generosity of its numereus friends, the
New- York Mothers' Home was soon able to render
eminent services to society. The Official Report of
1894 stated that 284 poor creatures in search of a
refuge to save their honour and the good name of
their family, had found shelter and care in the
Home during the year. Several of them were so

196

MOTHER DE LA XATIVITE AND

'■;'■, )*

destitute that even clothing had to be provided for
them. Seventy-seven poor women, whose husbands
were out of work, were taken in and cared for :
some of these women were accompanied by children
from one to throe years of age.

Such results are consoling, and it is not surprising
to find that Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washing-
ton and other large cities in the United States, have
manifested a desire of being provided with similar
establishments.

The foundation at Xew-York took place during
the administration of Mother St. Zotique, who was
Superior general until September, 1889. — She was
then replaced by Mother M. du Sacre-Coour de
Jesus. Under the new Superior an eftbrt was made
to establish an Orphan Asylum in the country,
where the air is so beneficial to children. A large
house and farm were bouglit at St. Ililaire, in the
diocese of St. Hyacinth. But the expenses for
maintenance and working the farm were so great,
that the enterprise was given up a few years later,
and the farm and houses rented to private families.

Mother M. du Sacrc-C«eur de Jesus endeavored
especially to dispel the prejudices which still existed
against the work of the Community, in the minds
of many lay-men and even some ecclesiastics.
Without prejudice to the virtue of humility so

1^.

■n

'J.

•Si

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTEHS OF MISERICORDE 197

becoming to a religious community, and with the sole
view of removing the obstacles hampering a good,
work, she wanted that that work should be better
known, being convinced that no one could know it
well without appreciating it highly and loving it,
and, as a natural consequence, promoting its success
and its extension. Such was the predominant idea
she had in view during her administration.

She was Superior when the last surviving mem-
bers of the ('ommunity who made their profession
on January 16th, 1848, died. These were Sister
St. Joseph, Sister St. Marie d'Egypte, and Sister
M. des Sept Douleurs. — Sister St. Beatrix had
preceded them, having died in 1870, after a life of
humility, self-sacrifice, obedience and poverty, and
so dominated by love of the Blessed Sacrament, that
these words of the Royal Psalmist might well be
applied to her : " How lovely are Thy tabernacles,
" O Lord of hosts ! my soul longeth and fainteth
" for the courts of the Lord (')." She left this earth
with the same feelings of joy and satisfaction with
which an exile returns to his native country.

Sister St. Joseph gave up her soul to her God
on March 10th, 1890. Withdrawn for a moment,
and in spite of herself, from the hidden life, in
which she placed her delight, to govern the Gom-

el) Ps. 83.

; f:.r

• h

198

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITK AND

munity, she never ceased to long for tlie day when
she might return to obscure and subordinate labors.
She was very clever at carpenter work, and several
pieces of furniture, such as desks, step-ladders, &c.,
which bear witness to her skill, are kept as relics in
the Community. She was also most successful in
teaching catechism to the penitents, and they,
themselves, said of her : " She speaks like a priest."

A few months later the earthly exile of Sister St.
Marie d'Egypte came to Ji close. Her life had
been sown with so many sufferings of all kinds,
that she had felt that "weariness of living, — tcedium
" vitcr." of which the Apostle speaks, and longing
for a better life, she often exclaimed with the Psal-
mist : " Woe is me, that my sojourn is prolonged ! "
She died after two novenas made in honor of the
Blessed Virgin, to obtain her deliverance. After
finishing these pious exercises, as she was still in the
same state of suffering, she was heard to say :
" Although I have prayed well, good Mother,
" nothing has yet come of it ! " The following night
she fell suddenly ill and while the Sister who was
watching with her ran for help, she gently breathed
out her soul to Him who gave it.

Lucie Lecourtois, — in religion Sister M des Sept
Douleurs, — still remained. After having seen her
companions of the great day of profession precede

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE 199

her into eternal life, it seemed to her that she too
might well sing her '• Nunc (limittis." She had
Avell earned her crown. Her life had been a hard
one, if we can so qualify a life wherein everything,
— joy, sorrow, pleasure and pain, — had been imbued
with a most tender devotion to the Mother of God.
Though weighed down by the infirmities of age, she
would crawl to the foot of Mary's Altar, and spend
the greater part of her time in sweet converse with
her Blessed Mother. Her soul took its flight for
the eternal hills on the feast of the Purity of the
Blessed Virgin, October 16th, 1892. She was then
eighty-two years of age She had always desired
and asked for the grace of dying on a feast of the
Blessed Virgin

In the year 1895, Mother M. de la Misericorde, —
who as we have already seen, governed the Com-
munity from 1866 to 1872, — succeeded Mother M.
du Sacre-Cceur de Jesus, as Superior-general. — In
the interval, she had occupied important posts at
Montreal, and since 1889 she had most successfully
directed the New- York House. The building of
the Infant Asylum — of which we shall speak later
on, — and the enlargmont and restoration of the
Chape', will stand as the principal works of her
administration.

Even with the galleries where the Magdalenes

•111';

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200

MOTHER DE LA NATIVIT^ AND

and penitents were accommodated, the Chapel had
become too small for the ever increasing number of
inmates, and the Sisters soon saw the necessity of
enlarging it, or closing the doors to the large number
of seculars who crowded in to attend divine worship.
The wall at the back of the sanctuary was thrown
down, and behind the altar was built a second Chapel
whicli is an extension of the former one and equals
it in size. These two Chapels constitute but one, in
reality, and form a quadrilateral 180 feet in length.
At equal distances from each end, the ceiling, slightly
arched on each side, is rounded into a cupola.
Underneath it rises a Roman altar, in the center of
a circular sanctuary surrounded by a railing. The
old nave, which opens on Dorchester Street, is still
set apart for the use of seculars, and the new one is
reserved for the Religious, who are thus, as it is
proper, more c >mpletely separated from the world.

The great work of Mother M. de la Misericorde's
second administration, was the erection of a Chapel
which not only meets a long felt need of her Com-
munity, but which al' ^ mi this year of golden jubilee,
rises Heavenward-^ lanifestation of gratitude

for half a cen* ^.lotection and benefits.

On the grau ^lorch of the Chapel which is now
being built, no human name will be engraved, for it
is the house of God ; but the friends of " La Mise-

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MIsfiRICORDE 201

" ricordc " will manage to read thereon the names
of Rev. Canon Loclero and Rev. M. Charpentier, —
the latter of whom han for nearly nine years, placed at
the service of the inmates of the Convent all the devo-
tedness of his priestly heart, and the other, in his
capacity as ecclesiastical Superior watches over,
and directs by his wisdom and experience all tlie
undertakings and progress of the Community.

ic8-:>-^S}>-=°-<{S>-»'>-<a>-ofti V (&»— <{3t>— oo-^Jj—ooHBG'-o*^

CHAPTER V

Magdalenes —Consecrated girls— Penitents — Children.

Converiii est rili-omum et viJit Jeaum
stttntem. . . converna ilia dtcit ei: Rahhoni
(quod dicitur Magiater) (Joan. xx. 14-16).

She turned herself back and saw
Jesus standing.... she turning saith
to Him: Rabbonil (which is to say
Master).

EFORE finishing this history, it will
doubtless be of interest to east a
glance at some of the verdant boughs
which have sprung from the trunk of
this tree of charity. Some of thera have
already been mentioned, but we could not
have given a description of them without interrupt-
ing the course of our narrative.

During the first years of the Community, there
were only two classes of persons in the house : — the
devoted Directresses of the work, who were soon
to become Religious ; and the unfortunate creatures
who were the objects of their charity, and who

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDS 208

were called the Penitents. Thanks to the zeal and
self-denial of the former, and above all to the bless-
ing of Heaven, several of the penitents were in-
spiied with the idea, which soon became the desire,
of dwelling far from the world on the new" shore
where their souls breathed an atmosphere so fortify-
ing and so pure. — The house was then too small to
enable the Sisters to entertain iheir request. Those
who were most persistent in pleading for admission
found safety and the means of loading a blameless
life, behind the grating of the Good-Shepherd Con-
vent, established at Montreal in 1844. But the
happy contagion increased, cases became more
numerous from year to year, and the Sistere saw they
could no longer resist what seemed to be the will of
God. Successive enlargements of the buildings
had been made in proportion to the needs of the
work. In 1859, it was found possible to open a
class for those penitents who desired to remain in
the house and peisovere in tiie life of expiation and
reparation they had entered upon. Their model
and patroness was easily found in the Gospel.
What more salutary and consoling example could
be proposed to their imitation than Mary Magdale-
ne, canonized by the wordh* of our Saviour himself :
" Many sins are forgiven lur, because she hath
" loved much."

204

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITB AND

ill

Thus was founded, under the name of " Magda-
" lenes," a secondary order recruited among the
penitents. Its members were at first allowed to take
annual vows, and a few years later, in 1866, to bind
themselves to God for life. They were seven in
number in 1859, when Bishop Bourget consecrated
their foundation as a religious order, by his author-
ity, and gave them a Rule to follow. — This number
rapidly increased and one of Mother M. de la Mise-
ricorde's first acts as Superior was, as we have seen,
to separate the professed Magdalenes from the
novices ; since that time, about 1866, the' . novitiate
has always formed a kind of separate Community.
— The room where the novices unite for their
recreations and spiritual exercises, is called the
Magdalum and the room of the professed, St. Baume.

The end aimed at by the Magdalene Sisters is
" to honor the infinite mercy of Our Lord .Tesus
" Christ and the tender compassion of His Blessed
" Mother for the greatest of sinners, by devoting
" themselves to works of penance, under the pro-
" tection of Mary Magdalene, whom they desire to
" reproduce in themselves, by the faithful imitation
" of her virtues." This we read in their Constitu-
tions in the very handwriting of Bishop Bourget
himself. Each Sister should reproduce in herself
the mortified and penitential life of that holy friend

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MI8ERIC0RDE 205

of Jesus, and as a continual reminder of that obli-
gation, each and everyone of them is to bear the
name of Magdalene prefixed to her religious name ;
and it is to be their " first and principal name."
Their duties are all to be deduced from the con-
templation of the model proposed to their generous
efforts. " They should strive to conquer self and
" destroy in their hearts all inordinate afifections.
" Their solitude will be like ' a battlefield whereon
" they must fight until their last breath.' " The}'
shall endeavor to realize in their hearts the heinous-
ness of sin and the nothingness of earthly things.
They must constantly bear in mind such maxims as
will remind them of the emptiness of life and the
world with ut God, and of the ineffable splendor
and unspeakable happiness of the heavenly king-
dom. In union with their holy protectress, they
shall love to remain at the feet of Jesus, to weep
over their past offences, and compassionate the cruel
sufferings of their Saviour, listen to his tender
words, and pour forth their hearts in acts of adora-
tion and love. — In short they have the Rule laid
down for them and the daily opportunities for the
practice of virtue, which is facilitated by good
example, to lead them, as it were by tlie hand,
along the path of perfection.

What u consoling sight^in the eyes of God and

206

MOTHER DE LA NATIVIT^ AND

His angels, is not this humble Community, wherein
these poor flowers blighted and crushed by the
world, begin to live and bloom once more in the
full light of faith, under the vivifying breath of the
Holy Spirit and the sweet dew of the Precious
Blood. The world may look down with pity on those
whose life passes in obscurity and silence, far from
its noisy and pompous feasts ; it may pity these
souls who renounce its joys after having tasted,
alas ! their deadly poison ; but the world does not
know that in this enclosure, which appears so sad
and gloomy, the air is purer, God and heaven are
nearer; and what more is needed, even here below,
to render life sweet and happy ?

Among the penitents were some who trembled
at the thought of being again launched on the stormy
sea of the world, where their frail bark had already
been wrecked, but who, nevertheless, felt no attrac-
tion towards the mode of life followed by the Mag-
dalenes. — Must they, in spite of themselves, be
sent out into a world where they see only pitfalls
and precipices which, as new recruits under the
standard of virtue, they naturally, anticipate with
' dread ? And did not charity suggest that they be
kept away from the scandals of the world, since it
would be preserving them for God and virtue?
There could be but one answer to the questions, and

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OP MI8BRIC0RDE 207

this idea was the origin of the Preservation class or
" Consecrated girls." In this class are placed former
penitents who, under the influence and attraction of
grace, remain in the Hospital to consecrate, (as
their name implies) the remainder of their days to
spiritual and corporal works of mercy. — Some of
them remain all their lives in this class, but the
majority, after a certain lapse of time, solicit admis-
sion to the Magdalene Novitiate. It must also be
said that many among them, after persevK.i: ^ a
year or two, return to the world. However, short
though it be, their sojourn in the house contributes
greatly to strengthen them in their good resolutions ;
and on their return into the midst of society their
conduct, in most cases, affords the consoling spectacle
of a regular and edifying life. The first Consecrated
were received in 1859; since 1878, their number
has varied from twenty to thirty.

Before 1866, the Sisters themselves, as we have
seen, attended the sick penitents. This usage had
been faithfully kept u[t and transmitted ever since
»the foundation. They had given up, it is true,
visiting and attending the sick at their homes ; but
the work of attending the sick of the Hospital
seemed to some of the Sisters to be closely connected
with the vocation they had embraced ; and the
authority of Bishop Bourget and of Rome itself

208

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

were required to overcome the reluctance and pain
with which they consented to give up that duty.
Once the matter decided, it became necessary to
procure nurses wIk), under the direction of a Sister,
woukl bestow on the penitents the care and attend-
ance which the religious were no longer allowed to
give. By a happy and providential coincidence a
pious widow, Madame Terras, mother of the Superior
of that time, lived retired as a boarder in the Con-
vent. Being accustomed to treating this kind of
sickness in the world, she generous*iy offered to
instruct in the art a certain number of trustworthy
women, on whom the Sisters could fully rely for the
care of the sick penitents. In this way originated
the group known as " Nurses," in the house, their
number varying from ten to fifteen. The spirit
with which they should be animated is clearly
shown by the words of our Divine Saviour, on
which they often meditate : " I was sick, and you
" visited me." Having freely entered the Commu-
nity, they discharge their duties with a degree of
self-denial and devotedness that cannot be tocv
highly praised. They are also instructed to carry-
out to the letter the directions of the ^jhysicians, to
use the greatest discretion with regard to those
committed to their care, and take every possible pre-
caution to secure the safetv of tlie new-born infants.

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE 209

Tlie household also includes a group, few in num-
ber, however, known as " Filles de conjiance " or
Trusted maids, attached to the various departments
of the house and enjoying the advantages of the
religious life, without assuming its obligations.
They are employed in the house, in various duties,
with the religious, and receive no other salary for
their services than their food, clothing and lodghig;
but they are glad to devote their lives to the work
of God in this house, where they enjoy peace and
retirement, and can more easily work out their
eternal salvation far from the perils of the world.

There would still remain to be spoken of, those
persons who are admitted into the Hospital under
the name of penitents, as well as their children,
had they not been already often referred to in the
course of this history. It is well, however, to bear
in mind that the end and aim of this Institution, —
inspired ])y charity and religion — being to save not
only the honor but also, and more especially, the
souls of the unfortunates who find a refuge within
its walls, it would be a mistake to look upon it as a
mere hospital, to be entered to-day and left to-mor-
row. It is that without doubt, and even that of
itself is a real charity ; but there is something more.
— Solicitude for the salvation of souls prevails over
and absorbs all other considerations ; it is the mani-

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210

MOTHER DE LA NATIVIT^ AND

feat spirit of the rules laid-down for the penitents.
Their very name " penitents" is a clear indication
of the sentiments the Sisters strive to instill into
the souls of these unfortunates. " They are to bear
" in mind," says their rule, " that they have entered
" this house in order to learn to know, to love and
" to serve God, and begin an entirely new life."
This is the great point : — to make them conceive
the desire, adopt the resolution, make the attempt
to lead a better life. For this end, a three days'
retreat is given them as soon as possible after their
admission into the house. — Amid silence, solitude
and prayer, whereby their souls are as it were, made
to stand alone and trembling before their God, they
are enabled to reflect seriously over their past con-
duct, to fathom the depth of the abyss to which
they were hurrying, and with the help of grace,
conceive a salutary shame, which soon bears fruit in
tears of repentance and the accents of sincere con-
version : " Surg am et ibo ad Patrem meum

" I will arise and go to my Father."

All are not in the same degree of need. Many
of those admitted are unfortunate young creatures
whom a moment of passion or sudden impulse has
plunged into the abyss of shame, and who, in spite
of their fall, have still retained the love of virtue.
The Maternity offers a refuge against shame and

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MIS^RICORDE 211

despair to these poor victims. Soon Avill they be
able to return to their accustomed place in society,
without dishonor for themselves or their families.
Their sad experience will render them more circum-
spect and reserved in the future, and in some cases
their misfortune imparts to the remainder of their
life a degree of earnestness and gravity they would
never have known otherwise.

Souls more familiar with vice, whether through
ignorance, a bad education, or temptations against
which no exterior vigilance has protected them,
find in the religious instructions given them, in
meditation on the last things and on the eternal
truths, and in the example of virtue afforded by
those with whom they have taken refuge, reasons
for seeking a change of life, and an invitation to the
practice of piety, — all of which, under the influence
of grace, soon results in true conversions. On
returning to their homes many become models of
virtue ; and their Pastors, touched by the happy
transformation, write to the Sisters letters expressing
profound and heartfelt gratitude Some of the
former penitents, in order not to forget the good
resolutions taken at the Maternity, but to remain
firm in the midst of the seductive snares for their
virtue, write regularly to the Sisters, until the day,
(and sometimes even after) when an honorable mar-
riage puts an end to their struggles and dangers.

\"i

212

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

Open to the poor as well as to the rich, like the
Divine Mercy itself, the Institution founded hy
Mother de la Nativite endeavors to insure to all
alike the henefit of a life of holiness and reparation.
Penitents whose means permit are allowed to enjoy
the advantage of a private room, hut they are not
in any way exempt from the observance of the
general rule. The greater part of the places are,
however, reserved for the poor, for it was in the poor
and humble class, it will be remembered, that the
pious Foundress took most interest, as being, in her
eyes, most worthy of pity.

As regards admission, no distinction is made
])etween Catholics and Protestants. Charity opens
her arms to all with equal tenderness, and if she has
taught the Sisters to recall to the former their
baptismal promises and the divine character with
which their souls had been stumped for eternity, to
the latter she makes them repeat our Divine Saviour's
teachings and the conditions without which none
can hope to enter the kingdom of heaven. Many
of these poor girls, l)rought-up in the school of error,
are touched by the kind and disinterested care
lavished on them, and finish by opening their eyes to
the true light and renouncing heresy.

Over eighty have thus made their abjuration since
the foundation of the house. The greater part of

'Hi

IR !

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THE ORIGIN OP THE SISTERS OF MIS^RICORDE 218

these conversions were duo to the impression made
by the charity of tlie Sisters. Convinced that a
Church which inspires its votaries with so much
goodness, sincere devotcdness and self-denial, can be
neither bad nor false, these poor girls soon experience
tbe desire of sharing in the religious belief of their
benefactresses, ask for instruction, and ere long to
join in their prayers, and finally, the grace of God
finishes what the heart had begun. — Several of these
converts have remained in the Community, in the
quality of Magdalencs, to weep over their past life
and give unceasing thanks to God for having called
them to the true faith.

The children born at the Maternity were, imme-
diately after Baptism, carried to the Grey Nunnery
and received in the Foundling Asylum connected
with the General Hospital. Things went on this
way until about the year 1880. At that time the
number of children having considerably increased,
— it was nearly four hundred, — and the Grey Nuns
receiving a large number from other sources, their
asylum became too small, anc 'hey were obliged to
confide a number of these poor little ones to nurses,
to whom a small monthly allowance was given.
This system was expensive, and the children did
not always receive the care and attention their tender
age required. On this account the Grey Nuns

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214

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

resolved to receive in future only so many children
us could be kept in their Asylum, and from that
date they became more strict in their conditions
for admission. — Finally, in the spring of 1889, they
declared that they would no longer receive children
born in the Maternity. •

Being thus obliged to provide, themselves, for the
rearing of the children, the Sisters improvised forth-
with an Infant Asylum on the third floor of their
Hospital, and readily accepted the new work laid
upon them by Divine Providence. But it was
evident that they had not sufllicient room to carry
on the work, and without additional space, many
inconveniences and much suflering were inevitable.
The Sisters themselves were long since accustomed
to sutlering of this kind, but the sufferings of the
children must be prevented if possible. In short,
the construction of a new Asylum was resolved
upon, and no time was lost in beginning the work.
The edifice is now nearly completed. — It extends
from East to West in rear of the Mother-house, and
measures 185 feet in length. The western end is
joined to the Maternity and the eastern to the Cha-
pel. It is a vast and imposing four-story building,
fire-proof, well ventilated and lighted, and laid-out
with the greatest care. The first story is devoted
to the laundry, drying-room, shoe-shop, &c., and

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE 215

replaces the former " Workshops. " The second
contains, besides tlie ironing-room and children's
linen-room, several apartments for the class of Con-
secrated girls. The third and the fourth are destined
for the children's wards, infirmaries, nurses' rooms,
bath and operating-rooms, &c. — In a woid, the
work thus undertaken is entirely new and highly
important. It will be remembered that the germ
of this undertaking was eml)odied in the idea of
the work as conceived b}' Mother de la Nativite.
Did she not say to her Sisters : " The children will
" one day be your crown in heaven?" It is mani-
fest that while this work involves a great increase
of labor and expense, it will also be the source of
fresh and abundant blessings. On receiving each
new-born infant confided to their care, the daughters
of Mother de la Nativite will hear the voice of God
whispering softly, as an encouragement and a pro-
mise, these words of Pharaoh's daughter, confiding
the infant Moses to the unknown mother of the
child " saved from the water : " " Receive this
" child and nourish it for me ; and I will reward
" thee for it."

f — •-'vi/a^ •i^s»_*^|- .^^/M^-> — I

CHAPTER VI

Virtues of Mother de la Nativity.

_ Venite, audite et narraho, omnei qui
timeti* Drum, Quanta fecit nnimm mem
(Ps. LXV. 16).

Come and hear all ye that fear God ;
and I will tell you what great thingB
He hath done for my soul.

HIS history would rem»i:: incomplete,
if after having narrated the life of
Mother de la Nativite, theb'rth and
progress of her work, we considered
the object of her career accomplished and
our task comi>leted. The persons for whom
this book is written ask us for more than this.
Their piety would fain commune with the truly
pious soul, with the tender and most loving heart
of Mother de la Nativite. May ihe Virgin Mary
enable us to gratify their legitimate desire.

God alone, it is true, can penetrate into the in-
most recesses of a soul and contemplate all the
generosity and love hidden therein. The eye of man

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE 217

which sees hut the exterior need never hope to
fathom its depths, often ilhiininated by rays of light
from above. But he need not complain, because he
can judge only by the exterior — by works and
words — for "Out of the abundance of the heart,
" the mouth speaketh " and often some one word
or action throws a flood of light on the inner life of
the soul.

1st. — Love of God.

If we consider Mother de la Nativite's life as a
whole, if we consider its leading features, the iirst
thing to strike us is her devotedness, her tender-
ness, her compassion for the unfortunate. Even
when a child, she opened her heart to temporal
miseries ; later on, corporal necessities were not
excluded from her charity, but she extended it also
to spiritual miseries, in order to relieve and remedy
them, and sometimes, with God's help, " whei'e sin .
"abounded," prepare a place for superabundant
grace.

Such devotedness cannot exist without a great
love of God ; for He alone can raise the soul above
this world and render it capable of performing the
acts of self-denial, and self-devotion, and calm and
persevering heroism we admire in this noble life.
" The noble love of Jesus impelleth us to do great
" things," says the author of the Following of

218

UOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

Christ. " Love feeleth no burden ; when weary it
" is not tired ; when frightened is not disturbed ;
" but like a vivid flame and a burning torch, it
" mounteth upwards, and securely passeth through
" all.'* " Whosoever is not ready to suffer all things
" and to stand resigned to the will of his Beloved,
" is not worthy to be called a lover." By these
exterior marks, it was easy to know that the glow-
ing embers of divine charity burned in this venerable
Mother's soul. She nourished that sacred flame by
means of a strong and tender devotion towards the
Holy Eucharist. None rejoiced more heartily than
Mother de la Nativite on the day when Bishop
Bourget, yielding at last to the entreaties of his
daughters, granted them the inestimable privilege
of possessing the Blessed Sacrament in their Chapel.
The house was then located on St. Andre Street.
The Divine Master's temple was small and poor, but
what did it matter, when He was there ! And these
drawbacks would not detract from the fervor of
their love and adoration. Mother de la Nativite
spent whole hours kneeling at the feet of her
Saviour. The moment her occupations loft her any
spare time, she would quietly retire to the Chapel ;
and there, immovable, her eyes fixed on the taber-
I'itcle, insensible to all that wan goine: on around
her, completely absorbed in her sweet vision, her

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MIS^RICORDE 219

Boul tasted the happiness of divine love. One of
the greatest trials of her long illness was, that she
was deprived of these visits, the source of her
strength and consolation.

We can easily imagine what pure delights flooded
her soul when she received Holy Communion. In
a note on this venerable Foundress we read that :
" Whenever communion was announced her heart
" was filled with pure joy, and from her face seemed
" to shine forth a ray of that heavenly fire with
" which her soul was inflamed." On such days
she was more absorbed in peace and fervent recol-
lection. What passed between her and her Saviour ;
what communications she received from her Beloved
during her long and fervent thanks-givings, none
will ever know. She scrupulously hid all that con-
cerned herself from human eyes, and never divulged
the secrets of grace. At times, however, her heart
overflowed with love and she smilingly said : " What
" a grand visit I received this morning ! " Her face
was then illuminated with satisfaction and joy.
When she was deprived of holy communion by
illness or otherwise, she was deeply afilicted.

Her only consolation at such times was the
thought that it was the will of God. That was her
true source of strength. For, to plca&e God, whe
would have suftered anything. It will be remem-

220

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITi AND

bered that Bisliop Bourget, in seeking to overcome
her difficulty in undertaking the foundation of the
work, had only to say these words : '" God wills it."
Faithful in considering all events as directed by
God, she overcame her natural repugnance and
remained indifferent, though not insensible, to all the
painful and humiliating reverses which constantly
beset her life. She strove in every way to infuse
this disposition, which is the fruit of the love of
God, into the souls and hearts of her Sisters, know-
ing it to be the shortest if not the only way to
happiness and peace, amid the ceaseless trials of this
life. Presiding at the breakfast-table, one day,
when there was very little to eat on the table, she
said to the assembled Sisters : " My daughters, let
" us make the will of God our nourishment," recall-
ing to mind the words of our Saviour to His disci-
ples by Jacob's well : " Aly meat is to do the will of
" Him that sent me."

How many times, during the early struggles of
the work, when on all sides, insults, slander, disdain,
contempt and abandonment were showered on the
new Order, did she not arouse the courage of her
daughters by these words : " My dear Sisters, let
" us bless the adorable will of God ! " Sustained
by that spirit of love and faith in her God and
Father, she was to taste with her Saviour the bitter-

^'1

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MIS^RICORDE 221

ness of Gethsemani, and repeat with entire resigna-
tion in the midst of her suiFerings : " Father, Thy
" will, not mine be done."

Another proof of her love of God w*a8 the attrac-
tion she felt for prayer. Some of the Sisters, faith-
ful witnesses of her daily life, said that she never
ceased praying, even during work. Her soul felt
the need of being united to its Creator. "When she
prayed aloud, a sweet and penetrating unction
seemed to flow from her lips, and stimulated the
piety of the least fervent heart. What can be said
of her practice of meditation ? It was her favorite
exercise, and she often spent in mental prayer a
longer time than the rule prescribed. It was said
of her that : " She spoke little, but prayed and
" meditated a great deal."

She united spiritual reading, which is the food of
the soul, to prayer. Next to the Gospel and the
Epistles, of which she every day read a passage, she
preferred in a special manner the " Following; of
" Christ," "the most beautiful book written by man,"
and the " Lives of the Fathers of the Desert."
Her piety enabled her to see God behind the veil
of words ; and in this way these spiritual lectures
became a celestial and strengthening manna for her
soul.

After having nourished her soul, they became

. w

-■

222

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITi^ AND

the subject of her conversations. The Sisters loved
to hear her, during recreation time, relate the lives
of the "Solitaries of Thebaid ;" falling from her
lips they seemed to have new charms. The moral
drawn corresponded so well with the original and
charming story, that her companions were always
eager to hear her and urge her on. " We are far
" from loving God as these holy Fathers did," she
would say ; " -vhat great works of penance they
" performed to atone for their faults ! What heroic
" virtues they practised ! In very truth, dear Sisters,
" if we now sacrifice something for God, we shall
" one day rejoice for having done it." Passing then
quite naturally, from the life of the Saints to that
of her Sisters, she would sum up the graces with
which the Community had been favored since its
foundation ; and filled with deep gratitude for it
all, she would exclaim : " How good God is ! "
" How good God is ! " and beg Him, in conclusion
to sanctify the Community and to render all its
members agreeable in His eyes.

The yearly retreat was for Mother de la Nativite
a precious opportunity of renewing her fervor, and
no one rejoiced more than she when the time drew
near to make it. Bishop Bourget, with unwearied
zeal and devotedness, had himself preached several
of these retreats, which thus brought double happi-

THE ORIGIN OP THE SISTERS OF MIsfiRICORDE 223

ness to the pious Foundress ; for she venerated her
Bishop as she would a Saint. Hence these blessed
days were to her, we may well believe, a source of im-
mense benefit and increase in charity. During the last
few years of her life, she was deprived of the benefit
of the sermons and instructions addressed to the
Community ; but sometimes the preacher would
kindly give her a summary of the subject matter of
his discourse to the Sisters. At the close of a retreat
preached by Bishop Larocque ('), since Bishop of
St. Hyacinth, the Superior told him that all the
Sisters had made it excepting Mother de la Nativite.
— " Do not worry about that," replied His Lordship,
" your Mother has made an excellent retreat, she
" has followed all the exercises, and I myself heard
" her confession."

Mother de la Nativite loved the house of God no
less than she loved His word. — Great was her joy
when, after long years of waiting, the Sisters were
able to build a sanctuary not wholly unworthy of
the Divine Majesty. Up to that time, they could
offer the King of Angels but an humble shelter,
only too much like the stable of Bethlehem in its
littleness and poverty. Mother de la Nativite had,

(1) Joreph Larooque. (1808-1887). born at Chambly, ordained in 183.5.
After linving filled soveral poiitiona in the diocese of Montreal, he wai
consecrated Bishop of Cydonia and coadjutor of Bishop Bourget, in 1852.
Transferred to the See of St. Hyacinth in 186U, resigned in 181)5, died
November 18th, 1887.

224

MOTHER DE LA NATIVIT^ AND

however, invariably caused it to be kept bright
with the gold of cleanliness. It was a sight most
pleasing to watcli her, with her own hands, cleaning
the candlesticks and dusting the poor little Chapel.
One day wlien a young Sister oftered to take her place
at this work. Mother foundress thanked her for her
kind offer, but would not consent to be deprived of
wliat she termed her " pearls." " You will also have
" pearls, my dear child, when your turn comes,"
said she.

Through the same pious motive, she manifested
the deepest reepect and boundless confidence to-
wards the Pastors of the Church. She suffered no
one to speak depreciatingly of them in her presence,
even in ever so trifling a matter. — " A Sister of
" Misericorde," she often said, " should never utter
" complaints against a priest." She prayed for the
Clergy, and frequently begged of God to raise up
holy priests for his Church.

The persecutions which the Sovereign Pontiff*
had then to endure, sorely afllicted her heart ; she
heartily compassionated his sufferings, and prayed
without oeasing for the exaltation of our Holy
Mother the Church. — Some one having given her a
picture of Pius the Ninth set in a gilt frame, phe hung
it up in her own poor cell. Shortly afterwards the
Bishop came to visit her, and remarked that tlie

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MIsfiRICORDE 225

picture- frame was perhaps somewhat of a luxury ! —
" It is none too nice for the Holy Father," she
quickly replied. — Thus did she voice her piety, and
reverence for the Holy Father, but the spirit of
poverty had its turn next and triumphed of course :
— the gilt frame was sacrificed.

2nd. — Charity towards her neighbor.

True love of God cannot exist without a cordial
love of our fellow-creatures. The Apostle St. John
writes : " And this commandment we have from
" God : that he who loveth God, love also his
'' brother (')," and elsewhere he says : " Whosoever
" is not just is not of God, nor he that loveth not
" his brother (-)." It may be asserted without fear
of error, that the distinctive mark and touch-stone
of the true love of God, is love for our neighbor.
We have already seen how Mother de la Nativity
cherished that virtue from her childhood. It was
the motive power of her whole life and the princi-
ple of her vocation. In her religious life it attained
a marvellous growth, or rather, it took hold of "11
the faculties of her soul. Hence no one ever saw
even the shadow of failing in her conduct, in regard
to this virtue. Charity had become, as it were, a part
of her being.

(1) ISt. John,iv-21.

(2) 18t.Jobn,in-lO.

226

MOTHER DE LA NATIVIT^ AND

The evidence of all the Sisters who shared her
life and labors for years, agrees perfectly on this
point, and they all say she was never heard to pro-
nounce a word that could throw the slightest shadow
over her neighbor's reputation. She sometimes
endured from seculars unmerited blame and even
atrocious insult, but never in replying did she show
the smallest sign of ill-will or bitterness.

She was most skilful in turning aside uncharitable
conversation, and if one of the Sisters happened to
indulge in light banter or raillery during recreation,
she immediately excused her with charity, saying:
" Our Sister has made a mistake to-day, who knows
" but it will be our turn to-morrow ! " She could
not bear tale-telling, which always has the sad eftect
of disuniting hearts and causing a coolness, and
she always mildly reprehended any of the Religious
who failed in that respect. — " The more united we
" are," she would say to them, " the more good we
" shall do to our penitents." She sufl'ered greatly
when any one showed a want of charity at the
exercise of mutual correction. " When shall we be
" truly charitable ?" she exclaimed. "Oh ! if I have
" any power before God after He has called me
" from this world, I will ask Him that this duty
" especially, may be performed Avith charity."

The goodness of her heart shone forth especially

TUB ORIGIN OF THB 8IBTBRS OF MIsfiRICORDB 227

towards those of the Coinnniiiity who were in afflic-
tion. — She seemed to have received from God a
singuhir gift for illeviating siirtering, qnieting
fears and uneasiness, and restoring [>eace and serenity
to troubled souls. The Sisters opened tlieir hearts
to their beloved Foundress with perfect confidence,
knowing how much slie sympathized with them,
and what grace God liad given her for consoling
and strengthening them. After they had heard
lier, with that impressive and persuasive unction,
the fruit of her close union with God, set forth how
much suffering increases our merit, how effectually
it tends to develop and strengthen virtue, how pre-
cious it is in the sight of God and how salutary,
through the blessings it brings with it for one's self
and for the whole Community, they found their
hearts filled with the sweet spirit of resignation
and courage to accept tribulations.

She had a kind of predilection for the novices, in
whom she saw the hope and the future of the Com-
munity, and she was fond of conversing witn them.
She was perfectly at ease with her" children ; " and
ahe had only to let her own heart speak, in order
to instruct and form them. On various occasions
she was called upon to address and instruct them ;
and she performed her task with so much ardor
and application, that she often, without perceiving

228

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITIs AND

vif exceeded the time allotted to the exercise. The
novices who had the happiness of listening to her
(several of them are living still) love to re-call to
mind those vivid instructions, wherein they saw, as
in a mirror, the whole soul of their Mother.

The penitents had a like share in her affection.
She loved them all the more in view of their pitiable
condition. "We are Sisters of Mercy," she said,
" chiefly for the most miserable, and we should show
" the greatest kindness to those who are the most
" incorrigible." — Nothing pained her so much as the
dire necessity which sometimes compelled the house
to refuse admission to some poor girl, for want of
room or some other reason. — " We ought to
" take in these unfortunate children," she would
say, " the house is for thorn. God v ' ^>iovide for
" their needs, and we should deuriv^ ourselves in
" some way, sooner than refuse them." She herself
practised faithfully what she taught. — We have
already seen that more than once she gave up her
own bed to the penitents. This she did repeatedly
."•ven after her religious profession. One of her
companions relates that she saw her once deprive
herself of her bed in favor of a poor girl for whom
no other bed could be found. Mother de la Nativity
often urged upon the Mist'' ^bs of Novices the neces-
sity of cultivating a love for the penitents in the

THE ORIOIN OF THE BISTERS OF MISERICORDS 229

hearta of the future Religious ; and whenever she
had an opportunity of addressing them lierself, she
insisted strongly on th; ^ ^oint. " A Sister of Mise-
" ricorde," Hhe said to them, "should sacrifice her
" life and strength, and e\ an he ready to die, for the
" penitents." She even went the length of saying :
" Do not remain here, if you do not love the pen-
" itents. — We must pray for them, help them in all
" possihle ways, — take the very bread from aur
" own mouths to give it to them, if necessary."
" We ourselves can manage not to die of hunger,
" but these poor children might suffer."

The good Mother's heart could not bear to see
those around her in suffering, and especially her
" dear penitents." She desired that they should
be spared all trouble, for she considered their poni-
tion painful enough in itself, without anything
being done to make it worse, even in such small
matters as a lack of attention or care. She was
greatly displeased when she saw anyone so act :
" It grieves me personally," she said, " for I carry
" the penitL»nt8 in my lieurt." She called them,
" the treasures, the jewels of the house." At other
times she would say : " The penitents are my heart,
" and if it were the will of God, I Wv^uld not hesitate
" to begin over again, for their salvation, a life still
" more painful and laborious."

^^m

230

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

These words were i«»irnply a faithful echo of her
feelings in regard to these unfortunates. This was
♦•asily seen when she was in charge of the Hospital
of St. Pelagia. What motherly solicitude and
forethought ! What tenderness in her relations
with them I How great her fear of wounding
them by word or deed ! During the winter she
herself rose early in tlie morning to light the fire,
so that the penitents might not suffer from the cold
on rising. The huilding they lived in was separated
from the Community by the whole length of the
garden, and the path to it was often filled with
snow on a winter's morning. Long before daylight
Mother de la Nativite was up a at work cleaning
out the path with a shovel and a broom, so that
her dear penitents might go to the Chapel to hear
Mass, without danger of wetting their feet.

The venerable Foundress was never more at her
ease than when with her penitents. " God treats
*' me like a spoiled child," she sometimes said. —
" He inspires my Superiors to place me where I like
" best to be, that is with my dear children." She
was most sympathetic and affectionate in her deal-
ings with these unfortunates ; sue easily won their
confidence and their affection, and as a consequence
ha<l a great deal of iiiHuence for good over them.
One of these girls, who became a Magdalene later

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDS 231

on, writes : " I was very wayward and committed
" a great many faults ; I shunned the good Mother's
" company, but she used to seek me out and
" remonstrate with me, not with severe reproaches,
" but witli kind words, saying that I wouhl become
" a good girl, that aftir all, my faults were not so
" serious ; that she herself, without the grace of
" God, would commit more grievous ones, and that
" many Saints had been greater sinners than I."
Further on she says : " I was thou a Protestant,
" and the dear Mother's [irayersand good example
" were in great part the na-uns of my conversion."
WluMi Mother do la Nativitu had won a penitent's
heart, she endeavored to impart to her a true spirit
of compunction ; and while she liked to see her
children gay and contented, she would not permit
them to indulge in noisy or boisterous games.
When slie had to deal with individuals of a more
worldly disposition, she gradually brought them
round to better sentiments, and induced them to
observe the rule, however hard it miglit seem to
them, with the object in view of atoning for their
past faults. Some of them tried her patience greatly
by their intractable character and their whims.
Far from showing irritation on such occasions.
Mother de la Nativito always treated them with
kindness and forbearance and patiently awaited the

232

MOTHER DE LA NATIVIT^ AND

action of grace on their rebellious hearts. "Since
" God endures us with patience," she often said,
" should we not endure these poor creatures in the
'' same way ? In a single instant, we might fall
" lower than they."

Words cannot do justice to the impression that
80 much amenity and devotedness produced. Many
of the penitents were so deeply moved that they
conceived the idea of remaining in the house to do
penance. — This was the origin of the Community
of Magdalenes as wo have already stated.

Mother de la Nativito's charity was also extended,
as will readily be believed, to the new-born infants. —
As long as her strength permitted her to do so, she
took pleasure in carrying them to the Church of
Notre Dame for baptism. After the ceremony, she
was in the habit of offering them to the Blessed
Virgin and anking her to take them out of the
world, if they were one day to sully their baptismal
robe of innocence. " Those little ones," said she,
" will one day bo the Sisters' crown in Heaven."

3rd. — Humility — Poverty — Mortification.

Love of God and our neighbor ounnot flouriHh in
a Boul, without a great fund of abnegation, self-
contempt, and hunnlity. Hence it is that our Divine
Saviour says to those who winh to follow Him, that

THE ORIGIN OF TUE SISTERS OF MIS^RICORDE 233

they roust first learn to deny themselves, A soul
will vainly strive to love God, if she does not begin
by forsaking herself : her ettbrts will be fruitless,
and her love illusory. — " Let me know Thee, Lord,"
exclaimed St. Augustine, "and let me know myself :
" let me know Thee to love Thee, and let me know
" myself to despise myself." " Then only," the
illustrious Father of the Church seems to say, " then
" oidy shall I love Thee as Thou art worthy of
" being loved, when I shall have understood Thy
" greatness and my own nothijigness."

Mother de la Nativito had begun to lay this
indispensable foundation or condition of charity, —
which is humility, — in her childhood. — We have
already seen how she always cherished the hidden
life. But God specially loves that virtue, iloubtless
because it will one day serve to manifest more fully
His glory, since lie has sai*! that those who humble
themselves shall he exalted ; an<l in order to promote
the gro'.vMi and increase of that holy virtue in the
heart of His faithful servant, He permittt'd her to
bo strangely humiliated.

After having twice refnsi'd the ofticc of Superior,
Mother de la Nativit«5 sought only to be cIussikI
with the rest of the Sisters and tri'ated as the hast
among them. When any of the more attentive
Sisters eagerly sought to render her some humble

284

MOTHER DB LA NATIVITB AND

servioo, in u moment ot lUfd, she would gently chide
them, Haying : " 1 am the servant of the Lord, and
" 1 should not he served hy His memhers." Her
great wish was to he unknown and esteemed as
nothing. A life of ohscurity and ohlivion was her
choice. She had given it up with great regret in
ohedience to her Bishop, and as soon as she could
do so without sinning against her duty, she joyfully
returned, or rather threw hei-self hvnvdlong into this
blessed life of ohscurity.

God makes u\\ things work together for the
sanctificution of those predestined to glory, and this
alone explains the neglect and indifference, nay, even
the disdaiii and aversion, tlie humhle Foundress
sometimes encountered. She was treated as the least
of the Sisters, without the consideration or respect
due to her age and the serviees she had rendered
the CVnnmunity : she drank often and deeply of that
cup of sorrow — which for the Saints is true delight
— thedelight, luimely, of heing accounted as nothing
and suffering at the hands of those she most dearly
loved. Kven lier right to the title of Foundress
was at one time contested, and soon it was refused
to her. — Nothing short of the i}ishoi>'s intervention
sufficed, as we have stated, to cause it to be restored.
In the midst of these affronts, which sometimes
bordered on insult. Mother de la Nativite always

TUE ORIGIN OF T)I£ SISTERS OF MIS^RICORDE 235

remained meek and undisturbed. To hear her talk,
one would think she deserved juHt such treatment.
The greater jiart of the Religious, nevertheless,
venerated her as their Mother, in spite of all that was
said or done, and when one of them compassionated
her sufferings. Mother de la Nativito would wmile
sweetly, as much as to say, " You pity me on account
" of what makes me tnily happy, and what is per-
" haps my strongest claim before God." A« to her
title of Foundress, she would not have lifted her
hand or made the smallest effort to retain it.
" What difference does that make," she said, " I
" was only the instrument ; it was the Bishop w);o
" did everything."

"When her infirmitie .. n^er allowed her to

attend the Chapter, Si.o .. as set aside comi>letely
and lived an entire fltranger to all that was going
on in the house. Far from being displeased or
grieved by this neglect, she rejoiced at it, for it gave
her more liberty to give up her mind and her heart
to God. She dreaded for herself any prominent
oflBce, and her humility made her shudder at the
thought of becoming Superior. She often said :
*' The ruin of worldly }>eople is love of riches and
" independance ; but tor us, Religious, it is pride
** and self-love." Hence her daily and ceaseless
struggle against that root of all evil.

236

MOTIIEK DE LA NATIVIT^ AND

. When she was AssiHt&nt, she never presided over
the Chapter of faults or mutual correction, until
after she had first taken the lead in going through
the ordeal herself. She sometimes carried her love
of humiliation no far as to ask [)ermission to perform
works of penance imposed on others. When severely
reprehended hy the Superior for some involuntary
fault, she never showed the least sigii of annoyance,
hut always suhmitted humbly to whatever was
prescribetl. On one occasion it happened that a
secular person, who often visited the Community on
businesH, went so far as to address her in grossly
insulting language. Mother de la Nativite answereii
not a Word, and moreover, two days later, when the
same person again called at the house, she received
lier with a serene countenance and kindly smile, as
if nothing had happened. *

Full of humility and contempt for herself. Mother
de la Nutivite also gave her Sisters an example of
the practice of poverty, by contenting herself with
what was strictly necessary, and of mortification, by
retrenching something even from that. vShc never
complained of wanting for anything. '• If I had
" remained in the world," she used to say, " I might
" not Imve had what is given me here." It required
but little, in truth, to supply her wants. This
venerable Foundress always strove to economize the

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MIS^RICORDE 287

Community's goods, for the benefit of the unfortu-
nates who sought a shelter within its wriUs ; and after
having worked unceasingly, and without ever wil-
fully losing a moment of time, she deemed herself
unworthy of tlio poor food she received to sustain
her strength : Such was always Mother de la Nati-
vite. We must also mention that during her long
illness, she was often deprived, on account of the
great poverty of the house, of the diet and remedies
that might have relieved her.

She manifested simplicity and the spirit of poverty
in her clothing and other oVjects provided for her
use, as she did in regard to her food. When, by
her infirmities, she was obliged to remain in her
room, a plain board served her as a table. In vain
did the infirmarian try to replace it by a less primi-
tive and rudimentary piece of furniture ; she suc-
ceeded at length in overcoming the good Mother's
repugnance, only by representing tliat the board
was not suitable to bear the Blessed Sacrament, on
occasions when Holy Comnmnion was administered
to her. Extreme ]»overty, which excludes neither
care nor neatness, was ever the sole ornament of
her dress. Even when living in the world, she never
cared for dress, and on becoming the Spouse of
Jesus-Christ, slie also embraced the poverty that
surrounded our Divine Saviour from Bethlehem to

288

MOTHER DE LA NATIVIT^ AND

Calvary. She never nt any time had more than
one habit. When it was worn out, she could not
be prevailed upon to accept a new one, but would
make another out of material which had already
been in use. '

One of the Sisters desiring to dress her in a more
becoming manner, on a particular occasion, was
obliged to borrow a cape and other jiarts of the dress
from the Sisters. — Her shoes were entirely worn
out, but she would manage to hide them lest she
should be given new ones. When she died, she had
but one old dress, entirely worn out, which was
used to bury her in. Blessed indeed was her poverty,
which doubtless earned for her more glory in
Heaven, than she could have attained with all the
riches of earth !

4th. — Regulakity. — Obedience.

One of the principal virtues required in a member
of a Community is regularity. Fervor cannot long
be maintained without this faithful observance of
the rules, fatal relaxation slips in by degrees where
order first reigned ; and failing the application of
prompt and energetic remedies, individual perfection
is likely to be abandoned, and the good aimed at by
the Community is seriously compromised. Hence
the founders of religious Orders, who were often

TUE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MIS^RICORDE 239

indulgent in other reepeets, were inflexible in regard
to the Rule. They knew that the slightest infringe-
ment of it is often followed by grievous or even fatal
consequences. God had imparted the same convic-
tions to Mother de la Nativite, and she was herself
a living einbodiment of the Rule.

Even before the Rule was formally written out,
she observed it with a punctuality which was never
for one moment relaxed. " We should observe the
" Rule," she said, " although it is not as yet wholly
" written out and weveral points have been only
" recommended orally ; for if we do not now put in
" practice what we know to be the Rule, how shall
" we be able to do so later on, when our Rules are
" completed ? " Xothing grieved her more than to
see any of the Sisters neglectful in regard to the
Rule, and her firm rebuke in such cases, was in
striking contrast with her mild and indulgent
character. She was herself a living example, which
it was not possible to resist. "Our dear Mother was
" so regular," relates a Sister, " that she would
" leave unfinished a stitch already begun, in order to
" obey the first stroke of the bell ; and when some
" one spoke of her scrujiulous regularity, she replied:
" ' God calls us bv the voice of the bell, and we
" should obey llim promptly.' " Sometimes the
Sisters teased her laughingly about her great exact-

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240

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

ness, which made her keep account of every minute,
nay every instant of time. — " 'Tis true," answered
the good Mother, " a minute is nothing, but one
" minute added to other minutes will make several
" hours, at the end of the year." Thus acting ever
in the light of faith, she was always the first at her
post in all the religious exercises of the Community,
in obedience to the voice of God.

She was long entrusted with the duty of ringing
the bell for the various exercises, an office for which
she was admirably well adapted, although it must
have cost her many a sacrifice — As she had neither
watch nor alarm-clock, she was obliged to make
her way through several rooms to look at the clock,
and practise constant vigilance, so as not to ring too
late or too early. After awakening the Community,
she had to cross the garden in order to awaken the
Novices, who slept in a separate building, and this
in all weather, amid the deep snows and icy north
wind of our Canadian winter. This habit of regu-
larity was stronger than the infirmities of nature :
when her limbs began to get stiff and heavy. Mother
de la Nativite would make an earlier start, so as to
arrive in good time for the exercises of the Com-
munity. She was sometimes obliged to make really
superhuman eflbrts in order to accomplish her duty.
— One day, when going to the refectory, she fell

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISBRICORDE 241

fainting to the floor, atid was found by the Sisters
in that condition. And often in the morning on
arising, she was so weak that she could scarcely stand.
The Sisters, seeing her so feeble and exhausted,
would urge her to remain in bed ; " No, my chil-
" dren," she would reply, " I shall be longer lying
" down than standing ; let me work as long as I
" can." At other times she said : " I must do
" something to win souls to God."

There was, however, nothing unbending or rigid in
her way of understanding the Rule. — She was faith-
ful in observing the letter, but she also knew how to
interpret the spirit underlying it. No one could
be, at one and the same time, more attached to the
rule, and more easily induced to surrender it when
charity required. She never hesitated a moment
to break silence, when a young Sister was in need
of advice or help of an}' kind ; for she well knew
that far above all special rules is the great universal
rule of Charity, in accordance with these words of
St. Augustine : " Love and do what thou wiliest."

The observance of the Rule has the happy effect
of making those who observe it love not only the
Rule itself, but also the Community and all that
interests it. Such is the happy experience of all
religious souls, and Mother de la Nativite was no
exception to the rule. — " I have never been happier

,■»

242

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITB AND

" than since the day I entered religion," she often-
times said ; " yes, everything about me is pleasant
"to my eyes, and I love even the very walls that
" separate me from the world." — To the young Sisters
she would say : " Be not of those Religious who find
" life dreary and lonesome in the Community. The
" religious habit should speak to your heart and help
" you to bear joyfully the crosses that Divine Prov-
" idence sends you." During the early years follow-
ing the foundation, some of the Sisters were inclined
to get discouraged on account of their poverty and
the other difficulties to be met with ; but the calm
serenity and confidence in God manifested by their
Foundress re-assured the timid : " The devil is
" doing all in his power to prevent us from doing
'• good," she would say to them ; " but never mind
" him, keep on praying, be good and obedient, and
" these difficulties will disappear and the house will
" prosper." As these financial difficulties might
have been an inducement to facilitate the admission
of novices belonging to rich families, she said to
her Sisters again and again : " Do not receive the
" novices on account of their wealth ; for a poor
" subject endowed with a proper spirit, is better
" than a subject endowed with wealth and void of
" the religious spirit." . . : . .

Such being the sentiments of Mother de la Nati-

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISBRICORDE 243

vite, we need not be surprised to learn that she
herself was most respectful and submissive to her
Superiors in every way. The profound veneration
in which she held her Bishop is well known to our
reader. His slightest desires were sacred laws to
her, and she made it her duty never to transgress
them. All her other Superiors, moreover, no matter
who they might be, were sure to find her filled
with the utmost deference and trusting submission
in their regard. She made it a rule to close her
eyes to their failings, and did all in her power to
palliate and excuse their defects. To the novices
she often said, "Even though you remark some
" fault in your Superiors, that should never prevent
" you from having recourse to them with a submis-
" sive and open heart ; it is a sign of a true vocation
". to do so." " We should see God in our Superiors,"
she would often say, and she never liked to see any of
the Sisters worry or busy themselves about matters
relating to their Superiors. And again: "They
" have the necessary grace for looking after things,
" they receive light from above that is not given
" us ; we have enough to do to attend to our own
" conduct." She always consented to whatever
was decided in regard to herself, without uttering
a word. • ' .

Already suffering from the diseases that confined

244

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE AND

her to her room during the latter part of her life,
she was given charge of the penitents one very
Bcrere winter. The building they occupied was
separated from the Convent and very cold, for a sickly
«id aged person. Mother de la Nativity had a
^reat deal to suffer, and yet, e ery morning, she
made her way to the Community Chapel for mass,
chilled through and nearly fainting. When some
of the Sisters advised her to solicit a change of office,
she replied, that one should not solicit anything
contrary to holy obedience.

During her illness, she always obeyed the physi-
cians' directions with childlike simplicity. The
infirmarian had once received order to change her
clothing at regular intervals ; but when the time
arrived, Mother de la Nativite was enduring such
acute pain and was so weak, that the Sister hesitated
and wanted to wait a while. " No, no," said the
** Mother, " we must obey, and if I die in obeying, you
** need have no uneasiness in regard to me." These
admirable words throw more light on this favored
fionl^ than any words of ours could possibly aftbrd.

Another day, through some misunderstanding,
the chaplain took Holy Communion to her, when
she had not permission to receive. What should
she do ? Her love of obedience triumphed over her
desire of uniting herself to the Divine Spouse of

THE ORIGIN OF THE SISTERS OF MISERICORDE 245

souls ; and with as much joy as she would have
had in receiving Holy Communion, she informed
the priest that she could not do so. We may well
believe that Jesus, who was Himself obedient even
unto the death of the Cross, did not leave his faith-
ful servant without rewarding her amply for this
admirable act of obedience.

For this pious Religions, obeying the rule, trusting
herself to her Superiors, to be employed and treated
according to their good pleasure, was one and the
same thing as obeying and giving herself up to
God. This was what she believed perfection to
consist in ; and her whole life may be resumed in
these words : Accomplishment of God's will through
love, and the sacrifice of her own taste, will and
tranquillity. . .. ,

All this was done in the most unassuming
manner, and without pretension of any kind whatso-
ever. Everything about her w^as plain and simple,
and she had a great horror of singular and extra-
ordinary ways. She made it a point to difter in nothing
from the others in her exterior ; and her modest and
recollected deportment spoke loudly of her closeness
to God, in whose presence she constantly strove to
abide. ■ • ■■ ' ' ' . . ;

A short description of her exterior, will complete
the portrait of the pious Foundress. She was of

y»

246

MOTHER DE LA NATIVITE

medium height and naturally robust, but her con-
stitution had been undermined by labor and priva-
tions. Her features were not soft or regular, but
taken as a whole, her face revealed an energetic
and resolute soul. Her small, black eyes, bright as
diamonds, seemed to read one to the very bottom
of the soul, and you felt that she was a keen
observer. Her large, half-opened mouth expressed
great charity and kindness. She spoke but little,
examined closely and judged with shrewd imparti-
ality, the character of those with whom she had to
deal. — Although she had received but little school
education, she was remarkably polite in her manners,
and her delicacy and prudent reserve made her a
charming person to deal with. Her great grasp of
memory, nourished by continual and serious reading,
furnished her with a quantity of edifying and
interesting stories that were a real treasure for the
Sisters during recreation.

Let us add, to finish this incomplete portrait of
the venerable Foundress, that although naturally
timid and retiring, she was also firm in all that
regarded duty. More than once she would ask for
time to reflect, at a capitular council, and after
having once decided according to her conscience,
she never changed her mind.

JL. J . (_'.

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APPENDIX

EOOLESIASTIOAL SDPEEIORS

op THB

COMMUNITY,

FROM ITS FOUNDATION UP TO THE PRESENT DAY.

Ist
2nd

3rd
4th
5th
6th
, 7th
8th
9th

10th
11th

Rt. Rev. Tgnace Bourget, Bp. of Montreal.
Rt. Rev. Joseph LaRocque, coadjutor

Bishop of Montreal.
Very Rev. A. F. Truteau, V. G.
Rev. J. Octave Pare, Canon.
Rev. Etienne Hicks, Canon.
Rev. Godefroi Lamarche, Canon. '
Rev. Joseph S^guin, Canon.
Rev. P. E. Lussier, Canon.

Most Rev. E. C. Fabre, Archbishop of
Montreal.

Rev. T. F. Kavanagh.

Rev. J. U. Leclerc, Honorary Canon,

248

APPENDIX

CHAPLAINS

let

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

7th

8th

9th

10th

11th

12th

13th

14th

Rev. Antoine Rey, 1846.

Rev. Father L. C. Sach^, S.J., 1847.

Rev. Venant Pilon, Canon, 1847-1860.

Rev. J. O. Pare, Canon, 1860-1862.

Rev. G. Larnarche, Canon, 1862-1864.

Rev. E. Hicks, Canon, 1864.

Rev. G. Huberdeau, 1864-1866. ' "

Rev. C. Martin, 18661870.

Rev. J. A. Martineau, 1870-1871.

Rev. Z. Delinelle, 1871-1874.

Rev. L. H. Pare, 1874-1877.

Rev. J. M. A. Brien, 1877-1889.

Rev. N. A. Dugas, 1889.

Rev. M. II. Charpentier, since 1889.

.' «

APPENDIX

249

GENERAL SUPERIORS

l8t Mother St.

2nd Mother St.

3rd Mother M.

4th Mother St.

5th Mother St.

6th Mother St.

7th Mother M.

1895.

8th Mother M.

Jeanne de Chantal, 1848-1863.

Josepli, 1863-1866.

de la Misericorde, 1866-1872.

Rose de Lima, 1872-1877.

Thermae de Jesus, 1877-1883.

Zotique, 1883-1889.

du Saere Ca3iir de Jesus, 1889-

de la Misericorde, since 1895.

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CONTENTS

Dedication * ''^"''■'

Author's Preface

Book 1st

Life of the Foundress and Origin of the Work

Chapter Ist-Childhood-Mariage - Tlap-
piness

Chapter II-Trials and Good Works oj

Chapter III-Madame Jette bestows atten-
tion on fallen girls

Chapter IV_The Foimdad'on '. '. ' 4I

Chapter V—mw Trials " 7^

Chapter VI_I>rofession and Religious Life 91
Chapter VII-The present Mother-House

(i«^i) no

Chapter VIII-Death of Mother de la Nati-

vite

127

Book TI

Developn^ent or the Work up to the end of the Pi.t

Half Century.

Chapter Ist-Revisior. and Approbation of

the Constitutions

Chapter II_The First Mission .'.V. ' ." .' .' .' * .' .' 159

262

CONTENTS

Chapter Ill—Relations of Bishop Bonrget '*"''
with the Community jgy

Chapter TV-New BuildingB— A new Branch

house 1 0Q

Chapter V-Magdalenes— Consecrated girls

— Penitents— Children 202

Chapter VI— Virtues of Mother de la Nativite 216
Appendix— Table of the Ecclesiastical Supe-
riors, Chaplains and General Superiors
of the Community from its Foundation
up to the present day .—Table of the
Professed-Sisters of Mis^ricorde since
the Foundation of the Institution 247