#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 

"I Want to Thank You Again..." quote from Philippine Duchesne, RSCJ

May 10, 1840 ~ Philippine writes to her sister Euphrosine, Madame Jean-Joseph Jouve: "I want to thank you again for all the pretty things you sent me recently.  The vase is in a gilded case in our parlor here at Florissant and is admired by everyone who sees it.  The percale roses deceive all by their likeness to nature.  They ornament the altar and the parlor on our biggest feast days.  Several ladies have tried to copy in embroidery the bouquet designed on the vase, and we have enjoyed this very much."

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

Written by Mother Duchesne in her office book: "With the Blessed Virgin..."

Grotto at Barat College of the Sacred Heart, Lake Forest, IL
(photo circa 1957)

December 5th ~ Written by Mother Duchesne in her office book...

"With the Blessed Virgin I say with all my heart: Be it done to me according to thy word." 

Taken from the book:  Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

Prayer used by St. Philippine Duchesne

Philippine Duchesne in prayer - Artist unknown

November 19th

Prayer used by Mother Duchesne:

"Lord, You alone are the Center in which I find rest.  Give me Your arm to support me, Your shoulders to carry me, Your breast to lean upon, Your Cross to uphold me, Your Body to nourish me.  In You, Lord, I sleep and rest in peace."

Taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

Philippine Duchesne writes to her sister: "Is Divine Providence as good to you as to us?"

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne
 as seen at
 Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart, Houston

June 16, 1815 ~  Philippine writes to her sister Amelie, (Madame Constans de Mauduit): "Is Divine Providence as good to you as to us? God is always good, but sometimes He gives His justice the right of way, and it is in this sense, also that I use the word good.  Well, whether you suffer the miseries of life or enjoy the more pleasant attentions of Providence, we are all having the same experiences."

Taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

To her sister Euphrosine, Madame Jean-Joseph Jouve

Philippine Duchesne Aboard the 'Rebecca' - undated, oil on panel, 13" x 28",
portrait by Margaret Mary Nealis, R.S.C.J.
location Sacred Heart School in Halifax

December 14, 1817 ~  Mother Duchesne writes to her sister Euphrosine, "I am most grateful to you for your gift and for the good wishes you express for my happiness.  I shall find it always in the accomplishment of God's Will for me, so a change of residence will make no difference.  When I came to Paris I neither expected nor desired to remain here.  I love far more the simplicity of small towns.  Wherever, I may be, I shall always find a way to give you news of myself and to recieve news from you. As yet nothing has been decided. . . Fiat in all!"

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

Second Convent of the Society of the Sacred Heart opened in Sainte-Marie-d'en-Haut, Grenoble

Former convent of the Visitation of Sainte Marie d'en Haut

December 13, 1804 ~ Arrival of St. Madeleine Sophie and two companions at Sainte-Marie-d'en-Haut, Grenoble, to found the second convent of the Sacred Heart and to admit Philippine Duchesne and her companions into the Society of the Sacred Heart.

Taken from the book:  Through the Year with 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

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

December 1, 1822 ~  Mother Duchesne writes to St. Madeleine Sophie Barat ~ "Kneeling in spirit at your feet, dear Reverend Mother, I offer my wishes for you to the Heart of Jesus.  May He bless the year that is ahead of us; may He take care of you, help you bear the burden you carry, and never let me add to it by any fault of mine."

Taken from the book:  Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

To her sister Euphrosine, Madame Jean-Joseph Jouve

Part of a collage of hearts - photo taken at
Villa Duchesne/ Oak Hill School

November 26, 1814 ~ Philippine writes to her sister Euphrosine, "When the desires of one's heart call for separation from a dearly lovcd family, it is not easy to speak of them.  The heart suffers, knowing it must cause suffering to others."

Taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

Funeral Mass of Mother Duchesne held in the old Church of St. Charles Borromeo

St. Charles Borromeo statue located
at the corner of Jefferson and Second Streets
(photo taken from church history website)

November 20, 1852 ~ The funeral of Mother Duchesne took place on this day. Father Peter Verhaegen offered the Requiem Mass in the old Church of St. Charles Borromeo, which stood where the convent chapel now stands.

Taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

Father Peter J. Verhaegen

Father Peter J. Verhaegen was born in Belgium and he came to the United States with a group of Jesuit Scholastics in 1823.  They settled near St. Louis at Florissant where they began an Indiana school and a seminary for the training of Scholastics.  In 1829, at the age of 30, Father Verhaegen was appointed President of Saint Louis College.  In 1832 he applied to the Missouri Legislature to have the college declared a University. 

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.

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

St. Madeleine Sophie wrote to Mother Duchesne:

Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne
the tapestry above can be seen in Los Angels, CA at the
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels

November 1, 1811 ~ St. Madeleine Sophie wrote to Mother Duchesne: "Your short letter tells me much, and I answer: Courage and patience.  Let God have His way.  He will lead His servants to the goal of their desires. If we desire only His Holy Will, I believe I can assure you He will do our will." 

Taken from the book:  Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

Today is the Feast of All Saints and I thought it befitting to use the above photograph of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne that I took while attending the 2009 Cor Unum mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels during the AASH Conference. John Nava is the artist who created the tapestries for the Cathedral.  The most prominent of the three tapestry groups is the Communion of Saints.  This is by far one of the most beautiful Cathedrals that I have ever been in and I highly recommend a visit if you are in the area.  

To: Madeleine Sophie Barat

St. Madeleine Sophie Barat
the above painting is located at
 The Sacred Heart School of Montreal

October 30, 1820 ~ Philippine Duchesne writes to Mother Barat, "The loss of many religious in France may make it more difficult for you to send us the help we ask for, but you will make an effort for your poor American mission which tries to stretch out its arms but cannot reach across the ocean to you. As for myself, do with me just as you wish. All other desire except that of God's Holy Will is extinguished in me, and my recent illness has rooted me still deeper in indifference." 

Taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

Prayer used by Mother Duchesne

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

Prayer used by Mother Duchesne:  Jesus, I live for Thee, I labor for Thee, I desire only Thee.  Thou in me and I in Thee; Thou with me and I with Thee; Thou all mine and I all Thine.

Taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne