Sister Mary Magdalene

The second mission predicted for Julie Po Julie Postel Foundress of the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy. stel was the foundation and development of her Congregation. We have already spoken of the beginnings of this work. The primitive rule of the Sisters of Mercy Sœurs de la Miséricorde Religious congregation dedicated to schools and charitable works. consisted of a few fundamental articles drawn up by the Foundress, who summarized them in this sublime maxim inscribed on a simple black cross: *Obedience unto death*. The Superior knew in advance that the definitive rule would be given to her by ecclesiastical authority. Thus, when her Superior brought her the constitutions of the venerable Abbé de L a Salle, she acc abbé de La Salle Founder whose rule was adopted by Marie-Madeleine Postel. epted them wholeheartedly as the expression of the will from above. We then saw this admirable woman renounce, at the age of eighty-two, her own regulations and the pious practices of her entire life, and conform with perfect docility to all the points of the new statutes. These, moreover, were in harmony with the habits, the spirit, and the purpose of the community. The Foundress established as essential the articles relating to the spirit of poverty, self-denial, and simplicity, which still form the special hallmark of the Institute.

The first thirty years of the Congregation were marked by trials of every kind, and were almost barren of vocations. For a long time, the staff consisted of twenty-five nuns. But from the year 1839, the time of the first works on the church, vocations abounded. God thus rewarded the zeal of His servants for His house. A double wonder, which cannot be explained humanly, shone before all eyes. The astonishing restoration of the basilica corresponded to the equally prodigious development of the Institute. In eight years, the Foundress saw the number of her daughters grow from twenty-five to more than one hundred and fifty. This progress has not slowed down since then. The mustard seed has become a great tree. Today (1873), the community of the Sisters of Mercy is the most numerous in the d communauté des Sœurs de la Miséricorde Religious congregation dedicated to schools and charitable works. iocese of Coutances. It co unts nearly one thou diocèse de Coutances Diocese where the congregation is established. sand nuns, spread across one hundred and fifty houses, including nine in Paris and eighteen in Germany. Its goal is the ma Allemagne Destination of Andrew's apostolic journeys. nagement of girls' schools, orphanages, workrooms, nurseries, and infant schools. "To do as much good as possible while hiding as much as possible," such is the ideal that the daughters of the humble Marie-Madeleine strive to realize, by following the example and the maxim of the good Mother.

We have anticipated the events to take an overall look at the two main works of Julie Postel. As her body aged, the life of her soul seemed to grow stronger and stronger. Despite her great age and infirmities, she sometimes remained on her knees during three or four successive Masses. All her life, she would go without taking any food from the evening of Holy Wednesday until the feast of Easter. The fervor of her prayer, her fiery speech, and the outbursts of her love for God embraced all hearts. She nevertheless felt that the moment to join the Bridegroom was approaching, and gave her final recommendations to her daughters. Extreme Unction was administered to her the day before her death. The next day, July 16, 1846, the Holy Viaticum was to be brought to her. What was the general surprise when she was seen dragging herself to the chapel once more, attending Mass, and receiving Communion! Her condition worsened during the day. Her last act was to seek out and point with her finger, as her testament, this passage from Saint Bernard: "The Religious who does n ot work is no saint Bernard Abbot of Clairvaux and spiritual master of Raoul. t worthy of being a Religious." She rendered her beautiful soul to God at the age of ninety. On the headboard of her poor pallet, a large hair shirt and a corset bristling with iron spikes were found. The remains of the pious Foundress rest in the chapel of the Cross. The numerous wonders performed at her tomb attest to the power of her intercession with God. Moved by these facts, the diocesan authority has already conducted several inquiries with the aim of introducing the cause of her beatification in Rome.

The life of Marie-Madeleine offers a consummate model of religious perfection. In addition to the maxims cited in the course of this notice, here are those she repeated most often to her daughters: "If one truly knew the greatness of the priest, one would prostrate oneself to kiss the trace of his footsteps... To obey is to go to heaven on the shoulders of another. I would obey the smallest child, if he had authority over me... One must give God one's whole heart, without reserve, without turning back: the tree and the fruits... Expect everything from God alone; never count on an arm of flesh, however respectable it may be. Immerse yourself in the will of God, like a fish in water... Be in the hands of your superiors like clay in the hands of the potter... Wear with honor the liveries of Jesus, his poverty, his crown of thorns, his cross. People are willing to accept crosses of gold or silver; as for the others, they willingly kick them aside. At the moment of trial, say from the depths of your soul: Come, O cross, let me embrace you... Be mothers to the children; win these young hearts for the good God. Each sister must save at least a thousand souls in her career. When you have prevented the smallest child from shedding a single tear, say: Be blessed for it, my God!"

Edifying Life of the Most Honored Superior Marie-Madeleine, by Abbé Delamare, 1852. — Speech delivered at the consecration of the church of the abbey of Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte, by Abbé Guilbert (now Bis M. l'abbé Guilbert Orator at the consecration of the church and future Bishop of Gap. hop of Gap).