#OnThisDay in 1834: Philippine Duchesne writes to Madeleine Sophie Barat

Philippine was known to sleep under the stairs in
this closet at the convent in Florissant (see below).
The chair is filled with prayer requests left by visitors.

November 9, 1834 ~ Philippine Duchesne writes to Madeleine Sophie Barat: "I am a worn out instrument, a useless walking-stick, fit only to be hidden in a dark corner.  God allows every circumstance to deepen this impression in my soul.  I have never drawn people's confidence and the same condition prevails here at Florissant now.  But here I have more spiritual help than I would have anywhere else in the United States. This is all I ask for the remainder of my life."

Taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

Editors Note:  The above photo was taken in 2011 when I and fellow alums serving on the AASH Board went with Sr. Margaret Munch, RSCJ to tour the convent in Florissant, MO.  More info on the convent in Florissant ~  A closet under the stairs in the hallway of the convent was used by Mother Duchesne as a makeshift bedroom. She reportedly slept on a straw mattress with a ragged blanket in the closet to be close to the chapel.   

#OnThisDay in 1852: Rose Philippine Duchesne, RSCJ writes to St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, "My heart yearns..."

St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha, Nebraska

November 7, 1852 ~ Mother Duchesne writes to St. Madeleine Sophie Barat: "My heart yearns to call up all the dear names of the past, but memory fails me.  My sight, too, is very dim, Reverend and beloved Mother, send me your blessing for a happy death, for death is really chasing me."

Taken from the book: "Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne"

#OTD in 1835: Mother Duchesne writes to Mother Adeline Boilvin, RSCJ

St. Francis Regis
painted by Sacred Heart alumna and artist
© Beverly Zoellner Groneck

November 6, 1835 ~ Mother Duchesne writes to Mother Adeline Boilvin, RSCJ: "All I desire is retirement, silence, the forgetfulness of creatures, and the grace to remain until death near the shrine of St. Francis Regis (at Florissant)."

Taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

Editors Note:  In 1834 Philippine was transferred to Florisant again as Superior and lived there until 1842 when she returned to St. Charles, Missouri, to spend the remainder of her life.  To learn more about the special place that Philippine referred to in her letter to Mother Boilvin - click here 

200 Years Ago: Mother Duchesne, RSCJ writes to Superior General Madeleine Sophie Barat

As seen in Old St. Ferdinand, a Shrine to
St. Rose Philippine Duchesne

November 5, 1818 ~ Mother Duchesne writes to St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, I have found the greatest consolation in receiving the blessing of the Holy Father.  I am persuaded that God had His designs in bringing us here.  Already pictures of the Sacred Heart adorn several churches, for I have revived my old talent for painting and making paper flowers, and we have made decorations for several tabernacles. 

Taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne 

To St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

Painting of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat
The Sacred Heart School of  Montreal
2014 AMASC Congress Host School

July 28, 1819 ~ Philippine Duchesne writes to Madeleine Sophie Barat, "We do not talk among ourselves about our privations in order to express complaints, but to add fuel to the fire of our sacrifice and so renew it." 

Taken from the book, "Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne"

On this day in 1841, Mother Duchesne ...

June 29, 1841 ~ Mother Duchesne left St. Louis for the Potawatomi mission of St. Mary at Sugar Creek, with Mothers Mathevon, O'Connor, and Sister Amyot.  On June 29, 1842, she returned to St. Louis with Father Varhaegan, S.J., then went to St. Charles for the last decade of her life.

Taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

To St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

artwork by Bridget Bearss, rscj

June 13, 1818 ~ Mother Duchesne writes to St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, "The heart suffers from sacrifices whose value is known only to faith and love. But even in distress love cries out bravely: 'My God, gladly have I offered You all things.'" 

Taken from the book, "Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne"

To her cousin Josephine Perier, Baronesse de Savoye-Rollin

The convent at Florissant - for more info

April 15, 1837 ~  Mother Duchesne writes to her cousin, Josephine Perier, Baronesse de Savoye-Rollin, "It seems to me I have outlived myself, and I see the time coming when I shall be good for almost nothing. The children here at Florissant all speak English now; very few know French, and I cannot even teach religion to the little children in the parish school, for although I can read English, it is quite another thing to understand it when it is spoken or to speak it myself."

Taken from the book:  Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

On the Ides of March 1819 - Mother Duchesne writes to her niece, Mother Contance Jouve, R.S.C.J.

Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne
banner as seen at Villa Duchesne/Oak Hill School

March 15, 1819 ~ Mother Duchesne writes to her niece, Mother Constance Jouve, R.S.C.J. "I have been slow about answering your letter, but I love you none the less.  At such a great distance from each other we can meet often only in the divine Heart of Jesus.  How greatly you should love Him, now that He has shown you the extent of His love for you in the grace of your First Communion! Treasure always the fruits of this wonderous act and never be ungrateful to Our Lord.  I love you tenderly in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Philippine"

Taken from the book:  "Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne"

To St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

September 1945 - Sacred Heart Lake Forest, IL

February 15, 1819 ~ Mother Duchesne writes to Mother Barat, " If our Sisters in France imagine us surrounded by savages, they are quite mistaken.  I have seen only a few old ones . . .  But to compensate for our disappointment we have new employments: we dig in the garden, water the cow, clean out her little stable, carry away manure - and we do all this with as much joy as we would have if we were teaching Indians, for God wills it this way."

Taken from the book:  Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

To her sister Euphrosine, Madame Jean-Joseph Jouve

The Chateau de Vizille, a country home of the family of
Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne

January 3, 1812 ~  Philippine Duchesne writes to her sister Euphrosine, "One of the wishes in which I find the greatest joy this New Year is that God may let me be helpful to my dear ones.  The thought of our home at Grane, sheltering so many people and things dear to me, is constantly in my mind,  since I know my loved ones there are suffering and I can do nothing to ease the pain."

Taken from the book:  Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

Prayer to the Infant Jesus

Written by Mother Duchesne in her Office Book ~

Prayer to the Infant Jesus

You sleep, sweet Infant, but your Heart is ever watchful.  O beautiful Lamb of God, what are You thinking about? You answer me: I am thinking about dying for you. My God, what love can I offer You in return for this but Your very own love! O Mary, my sure Hope, love Jesus for me, since I cannot do so as I ought.

Taken from the book:  Through the Year Philippine Duchesne

St. Madeleine Sophie to Mother Duchesne:

St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

December 10, 1805 ~ St. Madeleine Sophie to Mother Duchesne: "Safeguard your peace of soul and sacrifice all else for it, for it conditions the soul for the reign of our beloved Jesus. Grow in His love and you will have peace. Daily I beg this grace for you from our Lord.  Do the same for your friend who is all yours in life and in aerternum."  Sophie Barat

Taken from the book: "Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne"

To her sister Amelie, Madame Constans de Mauduit

As seen in the former convent at Old St. Ferdinand in Florissant, MO

December 4, 1836 ~ Mother Duchesne writes to her sister Amelie, "Our first foothold in America was at St. Charles, beyond the Missouri River; our first permanent convent was at St. Ferdinand de Florissant, where I am living now. The second permanent convent in Missouri was at St. Louis on the Mississippi, and the third was a return to St. Charles, where the convent is built near a very pretty Jesuit Church, so spiritual helps are numerous.  As St. Louis is the chief city in the state, that convent is in every way the most important one we have."

Taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

To St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

part of a collage - as seen at
Villa Duchesne / Oak Hill School

November 30, 1819 ~ Mother Duchesne writes to St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, "So much about material things - but my heart is with you and with the Societies of Jesus and of the Sacred Heart.  When I meditate on the fact that I belong to our Society, my soul expands with joy, tears of gratitude flow, and I see only happininess in privations.  Could God do more for me?  Only one greater favor could He bestow - the privilege of martyrdom.  But on my side, how much more I could do!" 

Taken from the book:  Through the Year with Philippne Duchesne

In Thanksgiving AASH wishes to help our friends at Sprout Creek Farm

Mosaic of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne

as seen in the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis - 
one of the many works of AASH Past President Hildreth Meiere
to learn more about her work and upcoming exhibits click here 

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne was known for her pioneering spirit and along with her religious companions they weathered many harsh winters chopping their own wood, tending to the animals and their vegtable garden.  

Philippine wrote:  "I never have the least doubt as to the will of God and his watchful care for the extension of his work in this country.  My consolations exceed my trials...my prayer is one continuous thansksgiving for the knowledge of that much-desired will of God."

AASH will give 10% of all on-line donations made to us
between now and December 1st to Sprout Creek Farm
click here to donate to AASH and help feed the animals this winter!

Today, I received the Sprout Creek Farm newsletter from Margo Morris, RSCJ. The weather earlier this fall (remember the freak snow storm?) combined with the mysterious removal (theft?) of 80 thousand-pound round bales of hay have created a financial crisis for them. For those that attended the 2011 AASH Conference in Miami you may recall the delicious cheese in the hospitality / boutique room - it was from Sprout Creek Farm! Why not treat yourself and your friends to some delicious cheese this holiday season!  

Please note: Between now and December 1st if you make an on-line donation to AASH we will give 10% back to Sprout Creek Farm. Please tell fellow alums to click here and donate today! Also, did you know that many companies will match your donation!  Please ask your Human Resource department for the proper forms and you can double and sometimes triple your gift!   All Sacred Heart alums let's show Sprout Creek we care and go on-line to donate today and buy some cheese this holiday season!

Wishing all a very blessed and happy Thanksgiving holiday! 

Sprout Creek Farm would love to be a part of all your Thanksgiving celebrations, near and far. Haven't figured out how to bilocate ourselves yet, but how about a wedge or two of your favorite Sprout Creek Farm cheese before dinner? Grate it atop your mashed potatoes, or shave it onto your salad.  Any way you like it, we'll be right there with you.  From today November 22nd until Sunday November 27th, you can purchase 2 lbs. of any Sprout Creek Farm cheese, and get a free tub of our fresh goats' milk cheese, Doe Re Mi. An added bonus. If one of the cheeses you happen to love is Toussaint, little Ruby Toussaint, a calf born on November 3, 2011 says she'd like to give you a whopping 15% off on a wedge of any size. No, you can't take Ruby home -- only the cheese that bears her name: Toussaint.   NOTE:  Market is closed on Thanksgiving Day only.  If you are desperate for cheese, eggs, or anything else we carry in our market, please call the main farmhouse before NOON.  845-485-8438

Death of Rose Philippine Duchesne (1769 - 1852)

As seen in the Original House located in St. Charles, MO

November 18, 1852 ~ "The death of Blessed Philippine occurred at noon on this day as the Angelus bell was ringing."

Taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne


Today, I will be at the Academy of St. Charles to attend mass with the students and on Saturday with the EdeM (Children of Mary) as they make a Pilgrimage to the Shrine.

For the Feast of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne

The above icon was commissioned by Sacred Heart Schools Chicago
and the original hangs in their  Chapel.
by Artist and Iconographer Sr. Patricia Reid, RSCJ

PRAYER:

Gracious God, You filled the heart of Philippine Duchesne With charity and missionary zeal, And gave her the desire To make You known among all peoples. Fill us, who honor her memory today, With that same love and zeal To extend your Kingdom to the ends of the earth. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit , One God, forever and ever. Amen

To St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

Madeleine Sophie Barat
painting originally hung in Lake Forest and
now hangs outside the Chapel at Sacred Heart Chicago

November 10, 1852 ~ Mother Duchesne writes to St. Madeleine Sophie Barat,  "I come to say farewell to you, though God alone knows the moment when death will come.  There is much I should like to say to you about the suffering I have caused you - if you were less indulgent and I were in a condition to express myself better.  But God has humbled my pride by loss of memory and continual forgetfulness.  I humbly beg pardon for all the suffering I have caused you.  I think I shall never do so again."

Taken from the book:  "Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne" 

To St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

 Handmade dolls of Saints for the Feast of All Saints Day
 on display in the Chapel at Villa Duchesne/Oak Hill School
St. Rose Philippine Duchesne
1769-1852

November 7, 1852 ~ Mother Duchesne writes to St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, "My heart yearns to call up all the dear names of the past, but memory fails me.  My sight, too, is very dim. Reverend and beloved Mother, send me your blessing for a happy death, for death is really chasing me."

Taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne