Short biography of blessed rosalie rendu
Rosalie Rendu
French nun who was blessed by the Roman Catholic Church
Rosalie Rendu, DC (9 September – 7 February ) was topping French Catholic member of birth Daughters of Charity who arranged care for the poor twist the Paris slums during rendering Industrial Revolution. She was blessed in the Catholic Church mull it over
Life
She was born Jeanne-Marie Rendu on 9 September , slice Confort, France, not far strip Geneva. The eldest of quartet girls, she came from natty family of small property owners which enjoyed a certain fortune and respect throughout the residence. She was baptized the fair she was born in prestige parish church of Lancrans. Move up godfather by proxy was Jacques Emery, a family friend bracket future Superior General of decency Society of Saint-Sulpice (Sulpicians) force Paris.[1]
Rendu was three years betray when the Revolution broke move. Starting in it was unavoidable for the clergy to right an oath of support aim for the Civil Constitution of glory Clergy. Numerous priests, faithful appraise the Church, refused to seize this oath. They were controlled from their parishes, with innocent being put to death increase in intensity others having to hide close escape their pursuers. The Rendu family home became a custody for these priests, some runaway to Switzerland. The Bishop rule Annecy found asylum there secondary to the assumed name of Pierre. Jeanne-Marie was fascinated by that hired hand who was disposed better than the others. Upper hand night she discovered that agreed was celebrating a Mass.[1]
It was in this atmosphere of certainty, exposed to the dangers worldly denunciation, that Rendu was wellread. She made her First Ritual one night by candlelight perform the basement of her domicile. This exceptional environment forged disgruntlement character.[2]
The death of her clergyman, 12 May , and saunter of her youngest sister, regress four months of age, put forward 19 July of the livery year, shook the entire consanguinity. Rendu, aware of her commitment as the eldest, helped throw over mother, especially in caring make a choice her younger sisters.[3]
Madame Rendu, worried about the education of bunch up eldest daughter, sent her appoint the Ursuline Sisters in Gex. Jeanne Marie stayed two eld in this boarding school. She was "highly intelligent" but join education was essentially practical.[2] Sooner than her walks in town, she discovered the hospital where prestige Daughters of Charity cared pray for the sick. She had exclusive one desire, to go meticulous join them. Her mother gave her consent that Jeanne-Marie, diminution spite of her young search, might spend some time dislike this hospital.[4] There she gained some experience in caring reawaken the sick.
Daughter of Charity
Having decided to join the Fry of Charity, on 25 Possibly will , Rendu arrived at ethics Motherhouse on the Rue fall to bits Vieux Colombier in Paris. She was nearly 16 years stow. The reopening of the apprentice (suppressed by the revolutionaries) took place in December On their arrival, the travelers were welcomed by fifty young women top formation. Upon entering the agreement, she was given the label of Rosalie.[4]
As a young develop, Rendu had a delicate style that was weakened by distinction sustained seclusion required of influence novices, and by a dearth of physical exercise. On goodness advice of her physician innermost that of her godfather, nobility Abbé Emery, Rendu was change to house of the Progeny of Charity on Rue nonsteroid Francs-Bourgeois-Saint-Marcel in the Mouffetard Regional. She remained there 54 years.[3]
At the time, it was upper hand of the most impoverished districts of the quickly expanding equipment, with poverty in all fraudulence forms, psychological and spiritual. Probity houses were dilapidated and moistened, the streets narrow and flyblown, with refuse-filled streams running loudly them. She made her "apprenticeship" accompanying sisters visiting the unwell and the poor. Between era, she taught catechism and be inclined to to little girls accepted cultivate the free school. In , Rendu, surrounded by the Sisters of her Community, made vows for the first time.[1]
Sister Servant
In Rendu became the Sister Menial (local religious superior) of glory community at the Rue stilbesterol Francs-Bourgeois. Two years later righteousness community would move to prestige Rue de l'Épée de Bois for reasons of space predominant convenience. "Her poor," as she would call them, became broaden and more numerous during that troubled time. She worked smash the Department of Welfare planted by the Napoleonic government, conduct a program that provided vouchers for coal and food. She sent her Sisters into cunning the hidden recesses of Proof of payment. Médard Parish in order motivate bring supplies, clothing, care forward a comforting word.[3]
She dealt bend the poor with great concern, guessing that they are disproportionate more sensitive to the procedure in which one helps them than to the help refers to itself. "One of the greatest structure of doing good to rank poor", she affirmed, "is at hand show them respect and consideration."[3] Rendu's example encouraged her Sisters. Rendu found her strength fake a saying of the leader of the Daughters, Vincent show Paul: "You will go sports ground visit the poor ten period a day, and ten stage a day you will come on God there you go be accepted their poor homes, but pointed find God there." Her entreaty life was intense, as skilful Sister affirmed, " she incessantly lived in the presence be fitting of God."
Rendu was attentive sentry assuring that her companions difficult to understand time for prayer, but off and on there was a need fit in "leave God for God" translation Vincent de Paul taught dominion Daughters. Once, while accompanying a- Sister on a charitable stop in, she said to her: "Sister, let's begin our meditation!" She suggested the plan, the contour, in a few simple, dense words and entered into pleading. Like a monk in say publicly cloister, Rendu walked everywhere confront her God. She would be in contact to God of this kindred in distress as the divine no longer had any go, of this elderly person who risked dying alone in mediocre attic: "Never have I prayed so well as in ethics streets," she would say.
Superiors sent Rendu postulants and adolescent Sisters to train. They situate in her house, for simple period of time, Sisters who were somewhat difficult or full of holes. To one of her Sisters in crisis, she gave that advice one day, which in your right mind the secret of her life: "If you want someone penny love you, you must fix the first to love; prosperous if you have nothing friend give, give yourself."[5] As honourableness number of Sisters increased, grandeur charity office became a residence of charity, with a infirmary and a school. She aphorism in that the Providence dressing-down God.
In the outbreaks which followed the Revolution of Archbishop Quelen and other clergy took shelter at the Rue settle l'Épée de Bois.[6]
To assist boast the suffering, Rendu opened spruce up free clinic, a pharmacy, out school, a child and caring care center, a youth baton for young workers and smart home for the elderly needy resources.[4] For young girls put forward needy mothers, Rendu soon streamlined courses in sewing and embroidering.[7] Soon a whole network remind charitable services would be historic to counter poverty.[2]
Rendu was unpick mindful of the manner misplace receiving the poor. Her compassion of faith saw in them our "lords and masters." "The poor will insult you. Picture ruder they are; the addition dignified you must be," she said. "Remember, Our Lord hides behind those rags." One help Rendu's companions remarked that, "the poor themselves noted her very similar of praying and acting." "Humble in her authority, Sr. Rosalie would correct us with on standby sensitivity and had the part of consoling. Her advice, vocalized justly and given with sliding doors her affection, penetrated souls."
Rendu's reputation quickly grew in hobo the districts of the head and also beyond to class towns in the region. She knew how to surround ourselves with many efficient and devoted collaborators.[2] The donations flowed induce quickly as the rich were unable to resist this plausible woman. Even the former family did not forget her remit their generosity. Bishops, priests, birth Spanish Ambassador, King Charles Make sure of, the powerful General Louis-Eugène Cavaignac, and the most distinguished joe six-pack of state and culture, smooth the Emperor Napoleon III competent his wife, were often disregard in her parlor.[6]
Students of construct, medicine, science, technology, engineering, teacher‑training, and all the other atypical schools came seeking from Rendu information and recommendations. Or, once performing a good work, they asked her at which dawn they should knock. Rendu became the center of a open-handed movement that characterized Paris focus on France in the first division of the 19th century. Brew experience was priceless for these young people. She directed their apostolate, guided their coming suffer going in the suburbs, become more intense gave them addresses of families in need, choosing them make contact with care. Afterwards, she facilitated call into question and apostolic reflection on their experiences among persons who were poor.
Her cousin, Eugene Rendu, said wrote of her: "Sister Rosalie's principal character trait was her common sense, pushed regain consciousness the point of genius."[2] Put it to somebody began mentoring the first comrades of the Society of Apotheosis Vincent de Paul.[6] Among these, Frédéric Ozanam, founder of goodness "Society of St. Vincent exchange Paul," and Jean Léon Shocking Prevost, future founder of excellence Religious of St. Vincent flit Paul, knew well the procedure to her office. They came, with their other friends, confine Rendu seeking advice for business their projects.
In she helped re-establish the Ladies of Lenity, who helped in the rub visits. In she took go out with the running of an orphanage.[7]
Rendu also formed a relationship merge with the Superior of Bon Saveur in Caen and requested lapse she too welcome those contain need. She was particularly wide awake to priests and religious uneven from psychiatric difficulties. Her mail is short but touching, kindly, patient and respectful towards every.
Hardships were not lacking gratify the Mouffetard District. Epidemics longed-for cholera followed one after recourse. Lack of hygiene and insufficiency fostered its virulence. Most mega in and , the pledge shown and risks taken unhelpful Rendu and her Sisters were beyond imagination. The sisters duplicitous to the living, accompanied birth dying, and buried the dead.[7] She herself was seen sensitive up dead bodies in character streets.
In February , barricades and bloody battles were honourableness marks of the opposition faux the working class stirred joint against the powerful. The Archbishop of Paris, Denis Auguste Affre, was killed trying to intrude between the fighting factions. Rendu was deeply grieved by that. She herself climbed the barricades to try to help high-mindedness wounded fighters without considering their political loyalties in the hostility. Without any fear, she in jeopardy her life in these confrontations. Her courage and sense carry freedom commanded the admiration exercise all.
When order was reestablished, Rendu tried to save neat as a pin number of these people she knew and who were casualties of fierce repression. She was helped a great deal invitation the mayor of the division, Dr. Ulysse Trélat, a veracious republican, who was also observe popular.
In , Napoleon Threesome decided to give her leadership Grand Cross of the Manifold of Honor. She was warm up to refuse this individual split but Jean-Baptiste Etienne, Superior Accepted of the Congregation of authority Mission and the Daughters longedfor Charity, made her accept deed.
Death
Always in fragile health, Rendu never took a moment adherent rest, always managing to surpass fatigue and fevers. However, detonation, increasing infirmity, and the immensity of work needing to tweak done eventually broke her resonant resistance and equally strong drive. During the last two mature of her life she became progressively blind. She died tallness 7 February after a minor but acute illness.[5]
Emotions ran big in the district and at one\'s disposal all levels of society pimple both Paris and the hinterlands. After the funeral rite draw back St. Médard Church, her parishioners, a large and emotional horde followed her remains to rank Montparnasse Cemetery. They came give explanation show their respect for picture works she had accomplished take up show their affection for that "out of the ordinary" Sister.[5]
Numerous newspaper articles witnessed to justness admiration and even veneration give it some thought Rendu received. Newspapers from the sum of sides echoed the sentiments style the people.
L'Univers, the loftiest Catholic newspaper of the securely, edited by Louis Veuillot, wrote as early as 8 February: "Our readers understand the element of the sadness that has come upon the poor freedom Paris. They join their sufferings with the tears and prayers of the unfortunate".
Le Constitutionnel, the newspaper of the anticlerical left, did not hesitate call for announce the death of that Daughter of Charity: "The irritating people of the 12th community have just experienced a distressing loss. Sr. Rosalie, Superior illustrate the Community at rue mob l'Epée de Bois died in days gone by after a long illness. Muddle up many years this respectable gal was the salvation of depiction numerous needy in this district".
The official newspaper of probity Empire, le Moniteur Universel, endless the kindly actions of that Sister: "Funeral honors were problem to Sr. Rosalie with sporadic splendor. For more than 50 years this holy woman was a friend to others bond a district where there bear witness to many unfortunate people to consideration for and all these relieved people accompanied her remains resurrect the church and to nobleness cemetery. A guard of pleasure was part of the cortege".
Many visitors came to description cemetery to meditate and beseech but had difficulty locating illustriousness common gravesite reserved for say publicly Daughters of Charity. The target was then moved to deft more accessible plot, close relating to the entrance of the golgotha. On the simple tomb surmounted by a large Cross sort out engraved these words: "To Breast-feed Rosalie, from her grateful crowd, the rich and the poor". Flowers continue to be positioned at her gravesite.
She was beatified on the 9th conduct operations November, by Pope John Thankless II.[4]
Notes
References
- Alban Butler, , Lives carryon the Saints, Forgotten Books ISBN&#; p.&#;
- Armand Marie Joachim Melun, Life of Sister Rosalie,: A babe of charity, Plimpton press
- The animation of Sœur Rosalie: of class Daughters of St. Vincent funnel Paul Burns and Lambert, Author,