SISTER BOURGEOIS' HAPPY DEATH, AND THE WONDERS THAT FOLLOWED IT.
The earthly mission of this sainted woman was now drawing to a close,
and there only remained for her the task of procuring ecclesiastical
confirmation of the rules of her institute. It will be remembered that
she brought with her from France a formula of the rules drawn up by M.
Jandret, and also those given her by "the Daughters of the Cross," but
she had never arranged them systematically, so as to be able to present
them in proper form to M. de St. Vallier, and to speak frankly, he did
not appear to be in a hurry to approve of them, as _his_ views regarding
the Congregation were for many years unsettled and wavering. But at
last, the great Arbiter of all things solved the question, and his
Lordship began to feel a strong inclination, or rather inspiration, to
inquire more particularly into the nature of the rules, and judge for
himself if they were suited to the community. He accordingly examined
the formulas very carefully, and submitted them to to the judgment of
other enlightened persons who were in his confidence. It appeared to
each of the distinguished examiners that the _compilations_ and
_memoirs_ of the revered Foundress, as also the _practices_ and _usages_
of the Congregation as it then stood, were the real foundations of the
rule under discussion. Therefore the worthy Bishop, in order to have it
more in accordance with _his_ ideas, proposed to change it in nearly
every particular. In fact, he proposed for their observance the rule of
St. Augustine.
The Sisters were panic-stricken, because if this proposition were
carried into effect they would be transformed into cloistered
religieuses, while they desired to be missionary Sisters, who could
attend to the out-door needs of their respective parishes, according to
their original designs and to the spiritual welfare of the people, under
the direction of the pastors. This was a _fixed point_, and the
distinctive characteristic of the Congregation as founded by Sister
Bourgeois. It was next proposed by M. de St. Vallier, that the Sisters
should make only simple vows. But as they had not made any vows in
joining the community, the term, _simple vows_, of which some did not
understand either the nature or the force, was another stumbling-block,
and intimidated a few. It appears there were many unsatisfactory and
protracted disputes on the subject, although the Sisters more than once
made very humble remonstrances to the Bishop, and finding that the
matter did not meet the prompt attention they thought it deserved, the
Foundress determined to write a clear explanation to M. Troncon,
Superior of St. Sulpice in Paris. Not that she intended or meant to set
aside the authority of her Bishop, for whom she and her daughters
entertained the highest esteem, but to receive from the distinguished
Sulpician advice as to how she should act under such peculiar
circumstances. M. Troncon was at the time performing the duties of an
angel of peace, by the King's direction, and at the solicitations of the
clergy of France, by amicably arranging the difficulties that had arisen
between the celebrated M. de Bossuet, Bishop of Meaux, and M. de
Fenelon, Archbishop of Cambray. He answered the communication of Sister
Bourgeois with such sweetness and charity that the hearts of the Sisters
were completely gained, and their minds enlightened, by the care and
minuteness with which he explained the disputed points that caused them
so much disquiet. They now clearly understood the nature of the
engagements proposed to them, and no longer experienced unwillingness to
enter into the views of their Bishop, who undertook a journey to
Montreal, in June, 1698, for the express purpose of giving his episcopal
sanction to the long-disputed rule. He admired the fervor of the new
community, and was exceedingly edified when he found nothing to reform
except a mitigation of austerities which were still rigorously practised
by a great number. It was during this visit that he witnessed (for the
first time) the extraordinary virtues of the famous recluse, Jane Leber.
On the 24th of the month he called a general assembly of the
Congregation, and proposed to them, with a few modifications, the same
rules that were till then faithfully observed, and which Sister
Bourgeois had the honor to place in his hands more than ten years
before. The Sisters received their cherished rules and constitutions
with enthusiasm, being now formally authorized by their Bishop, and
these rules are still observed without the slightest alteration in the
form in which they were that day presented to them, producing
ever-increasing fruit and edification in the community.
The formula of acceptance was as follows: "We accept with all possible
respect and submission, the rules which have been given us by
Monsigneur, the illustrious and Right Reverend Bishop of Quebec. After
having diligently read and examined them, we judge them to be proper for
the welfare of our community, and resolve to practice them with all
possible exactness. In virtue of which acceptance we hereunto affix our
names, on this 24th day of June, 1698." Then follow the signatures of
Sister Assumption, superior, Sister St. Ange, assistant, Sister Lemoine,
mistress of novices, Margaret Bourgeois, and others then assembled, to
the number of twenty-five persons. It may not be inappropriate to say a
few words in explanation of the austerities that were mitigated by the
wise prelate, the _observance_ of which he and others considered too
severe, and the _non-observance_ of which the mortified and penitential
Foundress regarded as a relaxation. The Sisters, including the saintly
woman who founded them, had accustomed themselves to sleep on straw
mattresses, with _pillows_ of the same material, to wear none but low
shoes; to make their simple dress without plaits, and as scant as
convenience for working would allow; not to be ashamed of patches, no
matter how numerous or inelegant; to eat only broken bread; in short to
live in every respect like the poorest classes of society. These, and
innumerable other practices of mortification, were constantly observed
by the greater part of the community from the beginning. But in a severe
climate like Canada, such rigors became _impossibilities_ after a time,
and the Sisters were _obliged_ to mitigate them, in order to preserve
health, without which they could not discharge the arduous functions of
their institute. It was this _unavoidable_ relaxation that Sister
Bourgeois regarded as a falling away from their first fervor. She had so
long lived on the heights of Calvary that she could not endure to
breathe a less crucified atmosphere; but in her Congregation, allowance
had eventually to be made for less gifted souls. To return again to the
rule. The act of profession of the simple vows was made with all
possible solemnity, on the 25th of June, 1698, and was followed by a
most touching exhortation from Monseigneur, exhorting them to persevere
in the glorious work they had undertaken for the benefit of religion,
and the salvation of souls. On the 1st of July following, the Sisters,
in the presence of the Right Reverend Bishop, made their solemn vows for
life, with as much more solemnity as the latter vows exceeded the
former. All the ceremonies and authenticated acts, with the illustrious
signatures attached to them, are carefully preserved in the archives of
the community, and the flight of nearly two hundred years has only
rendered them more sacred in the eyes of the ever young and vigorous
Congregation that to-day fills the place of the glorious dead. Sister
Bourgeois was overwhelmed with spiritual joy during the touching
ceremonials at Montreal, that gave perpetuity and security to her
institute. With the holy old man, Simeon, she might truly exclaim, "Now,
Lord, let thy servant depart in peace, because mine eyes have seen" the
fulfilment of my earthly desires, viz., the solemn approbation of her
rules. She blessed God in her inmost soul, and humbly prostrating
herself at the Bishop's feet, in presence of the Sisters, besought him
with tears to grant her one more favor, which was to permit her to pass
the few remaining days of her life in holy obedience, entirely depending
on her Sisters, and that she might be in future exempted from _voting_
at the community elections, as also from offices of authority. They
acceded _unwillingly_ to this _last_ request of her unsurpassed
humility, but on account of past labors, and her great age (she was
seventy-eight years old), and out of respect for her extraordinary
virtues, all her desires were complied with.
Being thus freed at last from earthly cares, she became a model of
regular observance. She told her director that for a long time she had
asked God to send her nothing but humiliations and sufferings; that in
His wrath He exempted her from these marks of His love, because, she
said, when the occasion presents itself, I am _proud and immortified_,
and I tremble at the inevitable approach of eternity.
She seemed to be in pretty good health until the close of the year 1699,
but on New Year's eve a change came, which proved to be the warning of
the Angel of death. Sister St. Ange, having been confined to the
infirmary for some time, had just received the last Sacraments, and
appeared to be in her agony. The attendants ran to arouse the community,
that they might assist the dying religieuse by their prayers, and have
the consolation to witness the death of the just. A messenger came to
Sister Bourgeois' room also, to apprise her of the expected death of her
old and loved companion. She had ever loved all her children in God,
with more than a mother's love, and cried out, "My God, why do you not
take me, who am old and useless, rather than this dear Sister, who may
yet render you great service." The victim had offered herself, and her
sacrifice was accepted. The Sister in her agony recovered, and the
venerated Foundress fell into a burning fever from which she _did not
recover_.
The previous year also she had a very severe attack of illness, from
which she recovered as if by miracle. During her convalescence, she
complained in a loving manner to the Sisters, that by their attentions
and prayers they were prolonging the days of her exile, assuring them
that she longed to be dissolved and be with Christ. Whether sick or
well, she was a constant model of the most heroic and simple virtues.
The great Apostle says: "That virtue is made perfect in infirmity." And
if the Foundress of the Congregation did not entirely overcome the
weakness of human nature, she constantly advanced in the holy paths of
mortification, obedience, sacrifice of self, and submission to the will
of God. She suffered the most intense bodily pains, which were at times
so sharp and violent that she cried out in agony, but she never uttered
a murmur or complaint. The attendant physician prescribed according to
his skill, and she took his medicines regularly, although she felt
convinced that neither human science, nor the affectionate care of the
Sisters would be of any avail. She had a distinct presentiment that the
hour of her dissolution was at hand, and oh, what exultant joy that
knowledge gave her. She blessed God unceasingly in the greatest pain,
and sang triumphant canticles on her death-bed, requesting the Sisters
to sing them with her, and telling them that the divine harmonies of the
city of God were audible to her at last. She literally burned with
desire to go there, and be at rest forever, and the last twelve days she
spent on earth in a seemingly unbroken agony, were the most jubilant of
her life. The dark clouds of life were disappearing, and the silver
lining of the other side was brightening the death-chamber of the dying
saint. Yes, Margaret Bourgeois, the great and the lowly, the victor and
the victim, literally thrilled with joy at the summons of the Eternal,
and answered, "I come."
On the morning of the twelfth day of her last illness, she received the
holy Viaticum with unspeakable devotion, and immediately fell into a
gentle agony, which lasted exactly three hours, corresponding to her
Divine Redeemer's agony on the cross, then having modestly folded her
hands on her bosom, she calmly surrendered her beautiful soul into the
hands of its Creator, in the eightieth year of her age, January 12,
1700.
She had no sooner breathed her last sigh, than her face, which had long
appeared care-worn and harrowed, as much by the mental sorrows she so
long and bravely endured, as by the excessive pains of her last illness,
began to beam with a celestial brightness, which undoubtedly announced
the beatitude her soul was enjoying. Sister St. Ange, for whom the
Foundress had offered her life, and who was then in perfect health, on
witnessing the extraordinary prodigy, took the name of Sister of the
Blessed Sacrament, which had been the community appellation of Sister
Bourgeois during life.
The bereaved Sisters desired to have the portrait of their dear deceased
mother taken, before the tomb received her mortal remains. She looked
very beautiful in death, so strangely beautiful that they resolved on
having the likeness of the glorified deceased ever before their eyes.
The work was confided to Pierre Leber, who was, however, but an
indifferent artist, and was father of the celebrated recluse Jane Leber.
He feared very much to undertake the painting, but nevertheless went to
the convent and prepared himself by receiving Holy Communion in the
Sisters' chapel. Almighty God was pleased to glorify His servant by a
_second_ prodigy on this occasion, for the painter had no sooner taken
his brush in hand, than he was seized with an excruciating vertigo and
was compelled to desist. Nor would it have been possible for him to
resume, but that he felt inspired to apply to his head a small portion
of the hair of the deceased, upon doing which he was instantly cured,
and completed the picture, which is to be seen still in a good state of
preservation in the convent chapel.
The news of her death had no sooner become public, than people flocked
from all quarters to see the remains of the extraordinary woman, whom
not only the voice of the common people, but also that of the highest
authorities in Montreal, had ranked as a public benefactress. They were
only prevented from invoking her as a saint by respect for the authority
and voice of the Church, which had not yet spoken. An immense concourse
of people, from city and country, came to procure some relics of her.
They asked for scraps of her clothing, or of anything she had used in
life, and as it was impossible to satisfy the demands of all, they
applied to her sacred body medals, rosaries, scapulars, and such like
articles of devotion. Several miraculous cures are related to have been
worked by the use of these articles, and though we will not enter into a
detail of them here, it requires no great effort of faith to believe
them. We need only remember the fervor of her sanctity during life, and
how often she was herself favored by miraculous proofs of the love of
God.
The hour appointed for the burial at last drew near, and the sacred body
of this _child of peace_, became a subject of _contention_ between the
Fathers of the seminary, and the Sisters of the Congregation, each
declaring that they were the legitimate custodians of her precious
remains. The Sisters desired naturally that the interment should take
place in their own chapel. While the Fathers of the seminary declared
that, living or dead, she belonged to the city of Montreal. and that
they could not permit the Ville-Marie of her love to be deprived of such
a treasure. However, M. de Olier, Grand Vicar of the diocese, decided
the dispute, by ordaining that the _body_ should be interred in the
parish church, but that the _heart of Margaret Bourgeois_ should be
deposited in the Sisters' sanctuary, that its silent presence might
preserve in their hearts the odor of her virtues, and it appears that
with the reception of the sacred relic, the Lord bestowed on the
community the spirit of their mother, which has never departed from
them.
The heart of the Foundress of the Congregation, that heart that had
throbbed with a thousand hopes and fears for the glory of God, and the
salvation of his redeemed children, lies enshrined in a silver reliquary
in the convent chapel, awaiting the resurrection morning, when its
life-pulses shall again return to waft it to its appointed place before
the Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom alone it lived, loved, and labored,
during life. This sort of divided burial was not infrequent in Montreal.
For, in 1693, on the death of Jean Mance, the pious Foundress of the
Hotel-Dieu, a similar disposition of her remains took place, her body
being interred under the parish church, while her heart was deposited
with the religieuses of the hospital where it was consumed in the fire
in 1695. Also in 1708, after the decease of Pierre Leber, one of the
first benefactors of the general hospital of Montreal, _his body_ was
interred in the hospital cemetery, and his _heart_ was taken to the
Church of the Congregation Sisters, where his own sister, Jane Leber,
the recluse, was still living. In consequence of the decision of M. de
Olier, the body of the venerable Sister Bourgeois was buried beneath the
parish church, the day following her decease, with such religious
ceremonial and solemnity as Ville-Marie had never witnessed until that
day.
There was an immense funeral cortege, among the pall-bearers being
Chevalier de Callieres, Governor-General of Canada, and Chevalier de
Vaudreuil, Governor of Montreal, who, with other persons of rank and
distinction thought it a religious duty to assist at the ceremony. All
the priests and religieuses of the colony were present in the church of
Montreal, and M. de Olier, himself an octogenarian, officiated. The body
was interred under the entrance of the chapel of the Infant Jesus,
commonly called the Sisters' chapel, the mother in life becoming the
mother also in death, as her sepulture was truly a taking possession of
the future burial-place of the Congregation, a deed of it being given to
them three days after, dated January 17th, 1700. On the coffin-lid was
placed the following inscription: "Here lies Venerable Sister Bourgeois,
Foundress and first Superior of the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre
Dame, established in Montreal for the instruction of young girls; who
departed this life on the 12th of January, 1700. _Requiescat in pace_."
The heart of Sister Bourgeois was carefully embalmed, and respectfully
enclosed in a leaden box--heart-shaped--having been purposely prepared
to receive the sacred relic. It remained publicly exposed in the convent
chapel for one month, during which time the people continued to come in
crowds to apply objects of devotion to it, and also to obtain small
pieces of the linen cloths ensanguined by the blood of the deceased at
the time of taking the heart from the body. But these were distributed
with much reserve. At the end of the month it was resolved to place the
precious deposit in the niche prepared for it, this second ceremony
being quite as solemn and imposing as the first. M. de Belmont
officiated on the occasion, and during the requiem Mass the heart of the
deceased was exposed on a catafalque in the middle aisle of the church,
being covered by a soft white veil, the emblem of virginity. At the
conclusion of the Holy Sacrifice, the prayers of the dead were solemly
chanted, while the celebrant carried the cherished relic in his own
hands to its final resting place, which was a kind of niche, cut in
stone, and placed it in the middle of the long oriental panel of the
choir, where the Sisters usually assembled to perform their religious
exercises.
There the heart of one of earth's noblest and purest daughters was
deposited, with aspergings and incense, after which the opening was
securely closed with a plate of lead, on which were engraven the
following words:--
"The heart that is covered by this stone
Renounced the earth to live for God alone,
It had no other treasure than the band
Of Christian virgins, who at the command
Left home and country for a foreign land."
[Footnote: The above is a free translation
of the original French rhyme.]
There the precious relic rested secure until the night of April 11th,
1768, when both the chapel and house of the Sisters were consumed by
fire, the devoted daughters of the Foundress finding it impossible to
save their mother's heart. But who can judge of their astonishment on
the following day, when, having come to search for it among the debris,
they found the crisped heart in the hollow of the stone, and saw drops
of _fresh blood_ trickling down the wall. It will be remembered that
almost seventy years had then elapsed since the inhumation.
The Sisters being amazed at what they had reason to regard as
miraculous, sent at once for one of the seminary Fathers. M. Havard, who
was confessor to the community, answered the call and bore witness to
the fact. He respectfully gathered the sacred ashes, and its wonderfully
preserved blood, enclosed both in a silver reliquary, and so it remains
to this day, an indisputable evidence of the wonderful providence with
which God watches over the children of his election. Several remarkable
cures are attributed to the relics of Sister Bourgeois. Among others it
is recorded that the porter of the Sulpician seminary was attacked with
inflammation of the lungs, so suddenly that his life was despaired of,
and death seemed inevitable. He had applied a rosary to the body of the
venerable religieuse on the day of the interment, and now laid the
rosary on his breast. The application produced instant recovery, and
robust health. A lady of Ville-Marie, who for many years had suffered
excruciating internal pains, without being able to obtain relief from
the most skilful physicians, was perfectly cured on the application of a
piece of linen saturated with the blood of Sister Bourgeois' heart, on
the day of the embalming. But it will not be necessary to enter more
fully into these details here, than to state that numerous and
undeniable wonders have been effected by praying at her grave, as well
as by the use of her relics. Although these facts have not as yet been
rigorously examined, or juridically proved, yet her beautiful life is a
monumental miracle, and the Congregation she so wondrously founded is
still young, fresh, and strong after two centennials that have seen in
their flight, fire, storm, and opposition, yet leave unscathed (as
indestructible) the enduring labors of her saintly life. If she has not
been solemnly canonized by the Church, whose judgment is respectfully
awaited, she has been proclaimed Blessed by the unanimous voice of
people of all grades of society, among whom she lived and labored.
Therefore, while awaiting the hour in which it shall please God to
manifest her glory, let us confine ourselves within the just bounds of
religion, and suspending judgment, listen to a few short extracts from
the eulogies that were universally paid to her memory by the most
distinguished persons, then living in Canada, who were remarkable for
high social position, and eminent piety, and were in some cases
intimately acquainted with her.
Perhaps no one knew her worth or extraordinary merit better than M. de
Laval, who permitted her to found and spread her Institute in the
diocese of Montreal, of which he was the first Bishop. At the time of
her decease he was leading a humble, holy, _private_ life in the
seminary of Quebec, and on hearing of her death, wrote to the Sisters in
the following terms: "Sister Bourgeois was indeed a precious fruit, ripe
for heaven. She was a model of edification during life, and in death
serves for an example. She was very humble, and God conferred great
graces upon her, which leads us to hope that she will soon enjoy the
beatitude of the saints, and will, by her intercession, procure great
graces for her community."
M. de St. Vallier, on the occasion of her death, wrote: "We cannot help
believing that God treated Sister Bourgeois as one of His dearest and
most faithful servants, as she was replenished with a lively faith and
ardent charity during life, both for God and her neighbor. I do not
doubt that she is now enjoying the glory of the Blessed. But what has
made the deepest impresssion on me regarding her, is the hidden and
humble life she led after her retirement from the office of superior."
M. de Maizerets, superior of the seminary at Quebec, renders her the
following tribute: "I have always recognized Sister Bourgeois as a true
servant of God, being filled with His spirit, and excelling in the
virtues of humility, meekness, obedience to her superiors, and an entire
abandonment to Divine Providence. She had a generous heart, capable of
great enterprises, and I do not doubt that she has left to you, her
daughters, her _mind_ as well as her _heart_. We have prayed here for
the eternal repose of her soul, and I have also asked _her_ to pray for
_me_."
Rev. Father Bovart, superior of the Jesuits at Quebec, writes thus: "I
do not think that Sister Bourgeois has need of our prayers. I have
always felt the greatest veneration for her, and request you send me one
of her relics. I do not ever remember to have met so holy a woman, as
she possessed in an eminent degree the virtues of faith, hope, devotion,
zeal, humility, and mortification. I esteem her happy in having died
full of days and merit."
The Mother of the Sacred Heart, superioress of the Hotel-Dieu at Quebec,
in response to a letter of the Congregation Sisters, wrote: "We have not
failed to pray for your dear and cherished mother, lately deceased,
although I am persuaded she does not need our prayers."
The Mother of the Incarnation, superioress of the general hospital says
in a letter: "Sister Bourgeois was ripe for heaven, and earth has lost a
great treasure in losing her. I pray you to obtain for us, from her
Divine Spouse, her love of humility, poverty, abjection, and abandonment
to the decrees of Providence, virtues that I particularly remarked in
her."
Mme. de Champigni, wife of the Governor of Quebec, bore testimony to the
virtues of the deceased as follows: "Perhaps no one feels so afflicted
as I, at the death of Sister Bourgeois. For you, her daughters, your
consolation must be great indeed, knowing that you have a saint praying
for your community, in heaven. I shall keep with religious respect the
three beads of her rosary you were good enough to send me."
But the renown of her virtues was not confined to Canada alone. There
were in France also many distinguished persons who knew her merit, among
others M. Gabriel Souart, who, as we have seen, was sent to Canada in
1657, by M. Olier, and who returned to France in 1680, on account of
failing health. This gentleman was an eye-witness of the labors of the
illustrious dead, during the first struggling years of Montreal, and
often spoke of the wonders she accomplished to M. de Turmenie the King's
minister. Once, during the war between France and England, that raged so
fiercely in the year 1688, these two gentlemen were conversing on the
probable result of the bloody struggle. M. de Turmenie expressed his
well-grounded fear that Canada would eventually fall into the hands of
the English. M. Souart, on the contrary, said he did not fear the issue,
as he had unbounded confidence in God, and the prayers of Sister
Bourgeois, whom he familiarly styled the little St. Genevieve of Canada,
and hoped through the efficacy of her prayers, that no evil would befall
either the country or the Church. Canada was miraculously preserved at
this time from the bristling guns of a formidable English fleet, as we
read in history. M. de Turmenie wrote this conversation to the holy
Foundress in a letter dated Paris, March 20th, 1691, and concluded with
the following remark: "Your friend pronounced these words at my house a
few days before his death. I do not relate them to you in order to
excite your vanity, from which may God preserve you, but to let you know
by his last words, the esteem and affection that holy man had for you."
Nothing could be more glorious for the deceased than the eulogy of such
a man as M. Souart, who was a holy priest, and singularly enlightened in
the ways of God. Having been her director for a long time, he bore
ocular testimony to her truly heroic life. Sister Bourgeois preserved
the letter, because a portion of it related to the affairs of the
community, of which the royal counsellor took special charge in Paris.
But she took the precaution to efface the portion relating to herself,
yet not so perfectly as to prevent its being deciphered. Such were the
opinions entertained of her in France during her _life_, and as soon as
intelligence of her _death_ reached the wise and holy persons who knew
her at Troyes, Paris, and elsewhere, the most edifying and instructive
letters were sent to her bereaved daughters, by the first vessel bound
for Canada. Among other writers' names we find that of Mother Mary Paul
de Blaigni, superioress of the Congregation at Troyes, which was really
the cradle of Sister Bourgeois' sublime virtues.