The
Catholic Weekly
Online
Sydney
21 September 2003
Home
Archive
Subscribe
Links
Contact
Heaven
scent floral feast
Welcome
strangers’ call
Bishops:
Fight racism
Bishop
Mayne dies at 75
Senate
‘yes’ to gay bid
Benedictine
nuns gather in Sydney
Tears
of joy at Marriage Sunday Mass
Donor
club
His
Holiness, the poet
Concert
to mark Pope’s jubilee
It’s
‘weakness of faith’
Still
a need for Catholic voice: Dr Pell
Editorial:
Spectre of fear
Letters:
Christian values
Conversation:
Amanda McKenna, Catholic singer and songwriter - ‘God’s messenger’ on a journey
of faith
Opintion:
‘Good mother of all ...’
Voice
of Youth: ‘Most wonderful day’
Insights:
Biblical ancestors?
Religious:
Spirit-ualities are everywhere
North
American, Irish, Australian sisters in historic Loreto reunion
Education:
Decade a day at school
Social
Work degree course at Strathfield
Balmain
kids hit right note
Catechism:
Daytime course
New
bishops ‘help God’s light shine in darkness’
Capacity
to forgive ...
‘Heroic
witness’ to the Gospel of hope
‘Kids
worth dying for’
Inspirations:
‘Schoolies’ faith patrol
Opinion: ‘Good mother of all ...’
By Sr Gwen Tamlin
As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the death of Bl Frederic Ozanam, it is important to remember the role that Sr Rosalie Rendu played in the formation of the St Vincent de Paul Society, back in 1833.
An added cause for celebration is the fact that on November 9, 2003, Sr Rosalie will be beatified in Rome.
Rosalie, born Jeanne-Marie Rendu, was the eldest of four girls born at Comfort in France in 1786.
Her father died when she was only 10, leaving her mother with three surviving girls to care for.
It was during the time of the French Revolution that her family experienced danger by giving refuge to priests.
This aid was extended to the Bishop of Annecy, who took refuge in the Rendu house and became for Rosalie, ‘Peter the gardener’ - her friend and mentor. It was from his hands that she received her first Holy Communion.
From an early age, Sr Rosalie, with the help of her family, cared for the sick and needy who called at their home.
She became a member of the community of the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul founded by St Vincent and St Louise de Marillac in France. It was a congregation of lay women who assisted the poor
I am also privileged to be a member of this community.
Upon leaving the seminary (novitiate) Sr Rosalie was sent to the Mouffetard neighbourhood. It was one of the most miserable and poorest districts of Paris. Here she served the poor for 53 years.
While there, she practised nursing, was a justice of the peace, a catechist for the street children, and at the same time, at the risk of her life, she came between the revolutionaries who intended killing a military person saying: “Here there is no killing!”
Sr Rosalie was the ‘good mother of all’ without distinction of religion, political persuasion, or social status. With one hand, she received from the rich, with the other she gave to the poor.
To the rich, Sr Rosalie gave the joy of doing good works. Often one could see her in the parlour ofthe house with bishops, priests and prominent members of society including Donoso Cortes Ambassador of Spain, and the Emperor Napoléon III with his wife.
Students of law and medicine at the great schools came seeking information from Sr Rosalie, tapping into her significant experience with, and love for, the poor.
Frederic Ozanam, the principal co-founder of the St Vincent de Paul Society was one of these students.
Frederic, putting his faith in action, sought Sr Rosalie’s guidance before visiting the poor.
It was Sr Rosalie who encouraged Frederic and his friends, to not only provide material assistance to people in need, but friendship and love. This practice remains fundamental to the Society today.
Sr Rosalie said to Frederic: “God has already given you spiritual wisdom or you would not be sacrificing your precious free day. Because you see Christ in the poor, I know you will approach each one you visit with humility, as his servant. Always remember, messieurs, that if we had been through the hardships they had to meet - if our childhood had been one of constant want - perhaps we too, would have given way to envy and hatred, as I must admit have many of the poor in this quarter. Be kind and love for love is your first gift to the poor. They will appreciate your kindness and your love more than all else you can give them.”
Sr Rosalie died on February 7, 1856. On her tomb at Montparnasse Cemetery, which is always covered in flowers, are the words: “To Sister Rosalie, from your friends the poor and the rich.”
Sr Rosalie was instrumental in the formation of the St Vincent de Paul Society.
This month we remember her wisdom and love for the poor.
Keep smiling and God bless.
Sr Gwen Tamlin is spiritual adviser for the St Vincent de Paul Society’s NSW/ACT state council