Capítulo General 2024

Marie Poussepin, born in Dourdan (France), was baptized on October 14, 1653 in the church of St. Pierre by the parish priest Etienne Legou. She belonged to a family of artisans, dedicated to the work of making hand knitted silk stockings: they were well-off, thriving economically. She lived in a Christian home committed to religious and civic society: her father Claude collaborated with parish activities; her mother Julienne Fourrier was treasurer of the confraternity of Charity dedicated to the care of to the sick poor.  

In 1696, after having heard about the ignorance and misery in Sainville, 17 kilometres from Dourdan, she decided to leave everything to commit herself totally "to the service of charity”, “usefulness in the parish”. How? By forming “a community of Third Order of St. Dominic, to instruct the children and to serve the sick poor of the country side.”  A Community of the Third Order of St. Dominic, to instruct the children and serve the sick poor For this, Marie leaves Dourdan, her securities, and the fame that surrounds her.  She renounces in the spirit of the Gospel all that she possesses, making a donation in an official act on November 13, 1697, to Noëlle Mesnard, a novice from Sainville, first in the long list of the Dominican sisters of Charity. She did it as a Dominican in the presence of Fr. Mespolié o.p who helped her in her spiritual journey and Gabriel Debilly, the parish priest. 

After 90 years of life totally committed to others, marked by suffering and renunciation, according to her own words, she said that her community was solely “the work of Providence.”  Marie Poussepin will enjoy eternal rest in the Lord on January 24, 1744.

One of her many trials was that of having to renounce the Dominican identity for her community; this idea was not acceptable in her time. Both the Bishop of Chartres and the Master of the Order could not conceive of a Dominican life outside the cloister. In 1897, the Congregation will regain its Dominican identity but it will be aggregated definitely to the Order only in 1959.

“Sister Poussepin and the sisters of her Community, saying that, for the common good, Providence having allowed them for more than forty years… humbly implore that there be established a house in Sainville…” “ As Rules and Constitutions are absolutely necessary for good order… present these Rules which a long usage has brought them to believe to be more appropriate to maintain the work to which they are devoted, in which they hope to persevere, with the help of God, throughout their lives” (cf. Request to the Bishop of Chartres).

These texts clearly indicate Marie Poussepin’s founding intention and consequently, the institutional character of her work. In them, we can see the relationship between life and norms, vision and organization, Charism and Institution.

Simplicity, a family trait, appears in the Rule of Sainville and the life of Marie Poussepin as an attitude of humility. It should identify each one of our personal and community attitudes, as well as the whole of our life. It places us in the truth of who we are in front of the Lord and others. It helps us to discover, in joy, that our strength, security and freedom come from God. It makes us value, in truth, our personal and community gifts without ostentation or fear. It encourages us to put them at the service of others.

Love of work, applying ourselves to it with all our strength and according to our possibilities, allows us to assist the poor without burdening anyone. Negligence in this aspect has to be considered as a dangerous temptation (cf. R XXVI & XLIII). 

• A regular form of life: fraternal community.
• A mission: To announce Jesus Christ in the exercise of Charity.

All of it encompassing Dominic’s particular way:

• Fidelity to the evangelical counsels.
• Piety in prayer and in the common celebration of the Liturgy, mainly the Eucharist and the Divine Office.
• Steadfastness in study.
• Perseverance in regular observances.
• Unanimity in common life.

“We recognize the ways of God in the life of each sister who in creative fidelity follows the example of Marie Poussepin, “Social Apostle of Charity”. Led by the Holy Spirit, we are inspired to move forward to a deep spiritual renewal to give meaning and strength to our life. This enables us to create anew our community to follow Jesus Christ and to go beyond borders with audacity and creativity. The Charism of our Mother Foundress roots us in the contemplation of the Word and in the reality of life. With a look of mercy, we want to reach out to the poorest and most vulnerable with compassion in order to search with them new ways of working for human dignity and complete liberation in Christ. (Cf. C 86) The call of God and the response to follow Christ urge us to recognize Him in others, to let ourselves be formed and transformed by Him through prayer and daily life as consecrated women, sent to be living witnesses of the Gospel of the Kingdom and prophets of hope”. (Document of the 55th General Chapter - 2019)