Page 24 - Michael 2024 January

u consoled his daughter: “Nothing can come but that At the end of her life, Mother said to her daugh-
that God wills. And I make me very sure that what- ters, “My dear Sisters, constantly remain faithful to the
soever that be, seem it never so bad in sight, it shall state which you have embraced: always walk the paths
indeed be the best” (cf. CCC, 313). Saint Francis de of steadfastness, obedience, and mortification—but
Sales wrote to one of his above all, make the most perfect union reign among
correspondents, who was you.” Then she added, “Ah! How happy I would be if I
afflicted with trials: “You saw myself in Heaven with all my Sisters!”
must throw yourself with On December 9, 1771, she suffered a stroke. On
utter self-abandonment the 13th of the same month, she had a second at-
into the arms of Provi- tack. She died on the 23rd, at the age of seventy. The
dence, for this is the de- testimony of numerous individuals worthy of faith re-
sirable time for it. Prac- ported that at the moment when her soul departed
tically everyone knows from her body to enter into Heaven, a bright light
how to entrust himself to shone, in the shape of a cross, above the hospital.
God amid the comfort and Seeing this, and not knowing of the foundress’ death,
peace of prosperity; but a learned and distinguished citizen exclaimed, “Ah!
to commit oneself to God What cross will the poor Gray Sisters have? What is
in the midst of storms and going to happen to them?”
tempests is proper to His
children. I say, to commit Rooted in the Cross
oneself to Him with com- Famine was rampant The holy foundress’ congregation, deeply im-
plete abandonment.” in Montreal. One day, planted by her life’s work, fertilized by her merits,
Marguerite d’Youville’s when the Hospital was has received, through her intercession before God,
confidence would yet short of bread, Marguerite the abundance of heavenly fecundity. It extends from
again bear astonishing d’Youville and her sisters the Atlantic to the frigid Arctic Ocean, and from Can-
fruit. Less than a month came into the dining room ada to southern Africa. It continues today through the
after the fire, reconstruc- and saw several barrels religious communities born of Mother Marguerite’s
tion on the hospital had of fine flour, the origin of initiative and formed in her spirit: the Sisters of Char-
begun. Four years later, which they would never ity of the Montreal Hospital (“Soeurs grises,” founded
in 1769, everything was discover. Providence came in 1737, now approximately 700 Sisters); the Sisters
once again in place, to their rescue. of Charity of Saint-Hyacinthe (founded in 1840, now
and Mother Marguerite about 230 Sisters); of Ottawa (founded in 1835, now
d’Youville was completely free of debt. Many mir- about 840 Sisters); of Quebec (founded in 1849), of
acles followed the disaster, such as the multiplica- Nicolet (founded in 1886, merged with Montreal in
tion of necessary wine in a barrel come across under 1941), of Philadelphia, USA (founded in 1921, now
the debris, and the inexplicable presence of coins around 180 Sisters); and of Pembroke (founded in
in the foundress’ pockets—Providence’s comfort- 1926, now approximately 180 Sisters). Pope Leo XIII
ing responses to the Mother’s total submission and solemnly approved the Congregation of Gray Sisters
confidence. Again through concern for the poor, in on July 30, 1880.
order to arrange means for them, she acquired an im- We firmly believe that God is the Master of the
mense piece of land, where she built a water mill. To world and of history. In eternal life, we will fully know
operate it, she had a three-meter-high barrier and a the wonderful ways of Providence. Here on earth,
canal built in the rapids. During a difficult time in Can- these ways are often unknown to us, but the Word
adian history, while others lost heart and faith, giving of God assures us that all things work for good for
themselves over to discouragement, this foundress those who love God (Rm 8:28). May this certainty
demonstrated through her works the inexhaustible light our path to Heaven, under the protection of the
reserves of Christian energy. Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Perpetual Help!
On the verge of having nothing We will pray to Saint Joseph for all your inten-

A year before her death, Mother Marguerite tions, including your beloved deceased. v
d’Youville wrote, “We are eighteen Sisters, all dis- Dom Antoine Marie OSB
abled, who direct a house where there are one hun- This article is reprinted with permission from the
dred seventy people to feed, and nearly as many to Abbey of Clairval, France, which every month pub-
look after... always on the verge of having nothing, we lishes a spiritual newsletter on the life of a saint in
have everything, or at least we have everything we English, French, Italian and Dutch. Their postal ad-
need. Every day, I praise Divine Providence, which dress is Abbaye Saint-Joseph de Clairval, 21150
wishes indeed to make use of these poor subjects to Flavigny sur Ozerain, France. The website is: www.
do some small good!” clairval.com

24 MICHAEL January/February 2024 www.michaeljournal.org