Manizales (Colombia), 04/05/2023, Interprovincial novitiate.- The novices share that they are fortunate because the Lord has looked at them and has called them to follow him in this Congregation: Dominican Sisters of Charity of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin, which more than 325 years ago was founded to live the exercise of the charity. And this year also celebrates the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the first six sisters in Colombia.
But not just for the celebration but also working on new projects such as restructuration, to continue responding to God's project from the charism of Marie Poussepin. The memory of the life of this great woman is made; so inspiring, itinerant, innovative, that she, impelled by the Spirit, began the work of our Congregation.
LET'S GO TO THE ROOTS
CHILDHOOD OF MARIE POUSSEPIN
Dourdan, a small town in France, on October 14, 1653, saw the birth of a girl in Poussepin family. Her parents Claude and Julienne named her Marie. They could never imagine the purpose that God had for their daughter. Marie, she would change not only the history of her family but that of many people around her.
VALUES LEARNED IN FAMILY
Her family raised her in the faith with solid Christian convictions. Marie's Christian life was nourished by accompanying her mother to visit the sick, filling her heart with tenderness and compassion in front of the misfortune of many people.
FACTORY AND PARISH
She is dedicated to serve her family without neglecting her responsibilities in the parish from where the service of charity is organized. Inspired by Providence, she accepted the responsibility of the factory of the family as a means to teach young people to work and thus dignify their lives.
EXODUS AND MISSION
In January 1696, Marie Poussepin was convinced that God was calling her to fulfill a mission, she decided to leave Dourdan, her place of origin, to settle in the village of Sainville. She sets out on her path in the company of her cousin Agnès and a young woman. The population of Sainville was surrounded by misery, ignorance, lack of education and health; Because of this, Marie Poussepin is willing to care for the most disadvantaged, especially the sick poor and children.
ENTRUSTS HER COMMUNITY
On May 4, 1737, Marie Poussepin, exhausted by her age and aware of this, wrote a handwritten will, it was the Mother's farewell to her daughters. She did it full of simplicity, humility and poverty. It was her last call to persevere in the exercise of charity that had filled her whole heart. Although she died six years later, she entrusted the community of charity established in Sainville to her cousin Agnès Revers. Marie Poussepin was a superior until her death.
REALITY
How good it is to remember the life of Marie Poussepin, but the story does not end here because there were women willing to continue this work inspired by Providence, becoming her successors.
MOTHER GENERALS
- MÈRE AGNES REVERS (1744-1762)
She consolidated the community on a spiritual and material level, also in fidelity to the original spirit, expressed in the General Rules.
- MÈRE LA CROIX (1762-1801)
First Superior General elected in a Chapter. The Congregation grew in number of sisters and in foundations.
“AFTER THE FRENCH REVOLUTION”
- MÈRE AUGUSTIN (1803-1809)
Her mission was to sow the religious spirit of Marie Poussepin in her sisters again, to start the work again.
- MÈRE POTENTIENNE (1809-1816)
She convoked a Chapter on economic affairs in 1810, the only case in the Congregation. She moved the seat of the Congregation from Janville to Tours. The name of the Congregation was changed.
- MÈRE ADELAIDE (1816-1821)
She was concerned with maintaining the original spirit of the Constitutions of the Congregation within a great purity.
- MÈRE SUZANNE (1821-1824)
During her generalate the community reached a financial equilibrium.
- MÈRE ASSOMPTION (1824-1843)
She lasted 18 years as superior general. She continued the two missionary axes of health and education. She engages the community in new missionary ways.
- MÈRE SAINT PIERRE (1843-1858)
Animated by faith, she made many foundations for the service of charity, she opened paths for the formation of the sisters and knew how to carry the cross of misunderstanding and humiliation.
- MÈRE DU CALVAIRE (1858-1887)
Her generalate lasted 29 years. She continued the construction of the Grande Bretèche until it is finished. She was the one who started sending circular letters to the communities. She took the Congregation beyond the borders. She sent sisters to Spain, Iraq, Italy and Colombia. Impelled by the Holy Spirit, she sends six sisters to Colombian territory, to spread the charism of Marie Poussepin. The sisters, upon receiving obedience, launched themselves without hesitation or retreat until they achieved victory in the Lord in the conquest for souls.
Final song: "The seed grew." (La semilla creció).