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IMAI LAN HAR A ACH 3937109 S.1aVHOIW ‘LS J ALISHAAINN
JOHN M. KELLY LIBRARY
Donated by The Redemptorists of the Toronto Province from the Library Collection of Holy Redeemer College, Windsor
University of St. Michael's College, Toronto
LIFE
OF
MOTHER GAMELIN
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MOTHER GAMELIN,
Foundress and first Superior of the Sisters of Charity
of Providence
OF
MOTHER GAMELIN
FOUNDRESS AND FIRST SUPERIOR OF THE
SISTERS OF CHAKITY OF PROVIDENCE
BY A RELIGIOUS OF HER INSTITUTE.
She hath considered a field and bought it: with the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vine
d. oe Prov. 31, 16.
Translated from the French
BY
ANNA T. SADLIER
MoTHER HOUSE OF PROVIDENCE, MONTREAL, I912.
Entered according tothe Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the year one thousand, nine hundred, by the Sisters of Charity of Providence, at the office of the Ministre of Agriculture, in Ottawa.
J 8
MOST REVEREND PAUL BRUCHEST,
ARCHBISHOP OF MONTREAL. Your Grace,
Our Institute owes its foundation, after God, to your two illustrious predecessors, Bishops Lartigue and Bourget. The first encouraged the charitable de- signs of our Foundress and blessed her earliest efforts. The second gave the canonical erection to our infant Community, which He himself had planned; he pre- sided over its formation and primal development, by his careful direction.
Following the example of those two holy prelates, Bishop Fabre continued to show the same favor to us by his benevolence and his fatherly solicitude. Since
becoming his successor, Your Grace has apparently tak- en to heart the task of consoling us for his loss, by your repeated tokens of affectionate sympathy and un- flagging interest.
We humbly beg, therefore that you will accept this dedication of the Life of our Foundress, respect- fully offered, asa proof of our deep gratitude and _ filial attachment.
Sister Marie Antoinette, Superior General.
Montreal, Mother House of Providence, 1oth of Feb., 1900.
LETTER OF HIS GRACE,
Most REVEREND PAUL BRUCHESI, ARCHBISHOP OF MONTREAL.
To the Reverend Mother M. Antoinette, Superior General of the Sisters of Charity of Providence
in Montreal.
Reverend Mother,
Closely following upon the ‘‘ Life of Mother D’Youville,’’ which has just appeared, comes your offer- ing of that of Mother Gamelin, the pious Foundress of your Institute. It is but just that I should express to you, my joy and gratitude. The volume which you have dedicated to me, exhales fromevery page, the sweet odor of the cloister. The writer has refrained from signing hername. Her work has been done, in the name of all her Sisters : it was inspired and sustained, as I can well believe, by obedience ; while to that arduous task assigned her, has been brought the same devotedness, so often before em- ployed in the relief of the poor and the sick; the work is therefore, presented to the public, as that of your whole religious family, and as their sincere tribute of gratitude and filial piety.
I cannot but rejoice, at the eulogies, so worthily and simultaneously pronounced upon those two women who were raised up by God, at different epochs, to accomplish such great things. Both were humble in their origin ; both, Sisters in piety, the spirit of sacrifice and the love of the poor; both, Foundresses of Institutes, which have been of incalculable benefit to suffering, in its every form, and a signal glory to the Church, and to Canada, Moth- er D’Youville and Mother Gamelin.
LETTER OF BISHOP BRUCHESI VII
I love thus to associate here, those two venerated names. Both are favored daughters of our soil. Our patri- otism, no less than our religion acclaims them, and I most heartily approve, therefore, of the publication of these biographies, which record their virtues and their works. Itis not so many years since Mother Game- lin died. Many of her friends in the world or in the Community still survive her. They, above all others, will find a particular charm in the perusal of her life. They will be able to recognize each trifling detail and render testimony to the scru- pulous fidelity of the author. May we hope to see some day, as has already been the case with Mother D’ You- ville,the introduction of your Foundresses’ Cause of beat- ification. I know, Reverend Mother, that such is your . hope and that of all your daughters. We may be assur- ed that God will not fail to make known His designs in _her regard. The confidence of her religious and of the faithful in Mother Gamelin’s power has been manifested, by unmistakable signs, aud many cures are recorded as having been gained through her intercession. Without seeking to anticipate the judgment of Holy Church, we may say, that the grave of that humble servant of the poor, has been already covered with glory, as with love and veneration.
However that may be, the works of Mother Gamelin are living before our eyes; they are prospering, extend- ing,multiplying in a marvellous manner and making their influence felt to the farthest confines of North Amer- ica. This in itself suffices to enable us to recognize in that supremely charitable woman an instrument in the merciful designs of God. Those who have long admired the zeal and activity of her religious family, will be anxious to know what its mother was like. This book will fully satisfy them. It is, in fact, most opportune
VIII LETTER OF BISHOP BRUCHESI
and I feel assured that our people will extend to it, as they have already done to the beautiful work of Ma- dame Jetté, a truly sympathetic welcome.
And it appears to me, that one conclusion can be safely drawn from these two biographies: that God who manifested His love by giving us for ancestors, all that was purest and most generous in France, still shows that love, by His choice of apostles, to continue those beautiful works of our origin on the banks of the St. Lawrence.
Receive, Reverend Mother, the expression of my sentiments of devotion in Our Lord.
+ Paul, Archbishop of Montreal,
Archbishop’s Palace, Montreal, Feb. 19th, rgoo.
The One Hundredth Anniversary of the Birth of Mother Gamelin.
PREFACE.
eeeEeEOeEeeEeeeeee
We are now presenting to the public, the ‘‘ Life of Mother Gamelin, Foundress and first Superior of the Sisters of Charity of Providence. ’’
The name and life of Mother Gamelin are to a cer- tain extent familiar to the greater number of those, who having had more or less intimate relation with her com- munity, have learned something of its origin and of her foundation. But we believe that many of our fellow coun- trymen, and even some of the friends of her congrega- tion,are ignorant of the very name of the holy Foundress, and still more of her character as a whole,and of the prin- cipal facts of her life.
This book will be a revelation to them, of the humble and laborious beginnings of a Community,which in half a century has taken foremost rank amongst the charitable institutions of our country, at the same time that it brings before their eyes, dominating all those events which it _ tecords,a noble and beautiful figure, deserving of all their _ sympathy and reverence. The friends and benefactors of “a the congregation will no doubt find a sensible satisfac- _ tion in becoming acquainted, with the Foundress of a work, which after God and her own daughters, owes much of its development and of its fruits to them.
mre PREFACE
It cannot be too much deplored, that Mother Ga- melin did not leave a greater number of letters. They would have been invaluable, in revealing the inner depths of her soul. But that woman of good works was by no means of a literary turn, neither was she a letter writ- er. She had little time for writing, and possibly the taste for correspondence was also lacking. She was above all else, a woman of action, of quick and inces- sant action, suspended by night and sleep, only that it might be rendered more vigorous. Even prayer appa- rently served, but as a goad and stimulus to persever- ing and diversified activity. She had neither the temper- ament nor the inclination for a contemplative life ; as may be seen by the outpourings of her spiritual Jour- nal.
Through the whole course of her existence is per- ceptible, a singular note of unity and fidelity to herself. It might be summarized like that of certain great men, by that device, ‘‘ Qualis ab incepto,’’ ‘‘ The same as at the beginning. ’’ Her maturity realized the promise of her spring and developed, in strengthening the predomi- nant tendencies of her childhood and youth. Charity shone conspicuously in the first rank, charity especially for the poor and the unfortunate. Her soul was scar- cely opened to the light and to the vital movements of the natural and the christian life, when it displayed it- self sublimely, as that of a Sister of Charity. In follow- ing the mysterious thread which ran through the full and close knit web of her existence, it is indescribably touching to discover at each extremity, two character- istic traits, revealing the inmost depths of her soul.
A tender child charged to distribute the domestic bounties to the poor, she was deeply moved and her whole heart melted into atorrent of tears, at the sight of a beg-
a aa Le
PREFACE SLT
gar’s bag, in which her modest gifts were swallowed up as in a gulf, and she hastened to bestow, upon the - mendicant, all that she had saved from her own lunch- eons, or from dainties that had been bestowed upon herself. And fifty years later, upon her bed of death, when scarcely able to move her fast stiffening lips, she strove to give a spiritual testament to her daughters, and breathed forth her last breath, between the broken syllables, of that divine name which her whole sancti- fied life had hymned, ‘‘ Charity.”
The life of Mother Gamelin is then a living lesson of Charity. Were it for that reason alone, it must ex- cite the interest, not only of christian readers, but of all those whose compassion is nobly and sincerely hu- man, regarding with affection, the sufferings and the miseries of the disinherited of this world, that in so doing it may heal them.
They shall see there, how a tender and affectionate heart, finds in the light and the inspiration of faith, a wonderful strength to expend a whole treasure of de- votedness, which is at once, measureless and inexhaust- ible, in the service of the poor and the unfortunate. They shall even be enabled to discover, whether benev- olence that is purely natural, philanthropy, altruism— for contemporary unbelief loves to dignify with pedan- tic names, a virtue that is naturally inferior to what is born and nurtured by the graceof Jesus Christ, — can _ produce those acts of abnegation and forgetfulness of _ self, which the single-minded draw from the love of that Man-God, and the assiduous contemplation of the mysteries of Bethlehem and of Calvary.
¥ From that point of view, Mother Gamelin’s Jour- _halof Retreat, which the author has thought proper to
XIV PREFACE
give almost in its entirety, in the appendix to her vol- ume, throws a flood of light upon her whole interior life, and permits the reader to assist at the dramatic struggles, the sanguinary conflicts, which she waged in- cessantly against her nature, to conquer whatever was imperfect and to render her soul more and more con- formable to that of her divine model.
These ingenuous and spontaneous outpourings of her heart, in moments of closest self-scrutiny and deep- est recollection, prove to what a degree she was tor- mented by that supernatural thirst for christian perfec- tion which is characteristic of the holiest souls.
We have no doubt whatever, that the reading of these pages, will prove a powerful stimulus, as well as an exceeding great comfort to religious souls who are consumed by the strength and sincerity of the same de- sire, who have the same rectitude of will, enlightened by a conscience as severe.
It has rarely, in fact, been given to us, in the course of our experience or of our reading, to meet with so perfectly upright a soul.
That admirable rectitude,-if we may venture to say sO, - was even more than her extreme kindliness, the conspicuous and most lovable trait in that beautiful character.
Some readers may, perhaps, be disposed to cavil at the exceeding simplicity, we had almost said triviality, of the incidents, composing this biography. To which it may be answered, that these facts are not invented but simply related, and that from their nature, they cannot always nor even ordinarily,be dramatized,to render them attractive. The foundation of a house of charity, of a religious Community is in itself a relatively simple thing even though ff be not very easy of accomplishment and is carried into execution under difficult circumstances.
PREFACE x
Even a complete summary of the events by which it is attended, does not give room for any extraordi- nary manifestation of the divine action. They take their rise and are linked together, indeed, under the domin- ion of supernatural laws and forces, but attended, by elements, and by collaboration that is purely natural, and with such an appearance of simplicity and of regu- larity, that the superficial observer, might be tempted, to find them common place.
God’s providential action, is indeed clearly display- » edin the foundation of Mother Gamelin, and in the _ beginnings of her community. It breaks forth at times, * into extraordinary happenings that are invested with the character of the marvellous. But such occurrences are rare, like lightnings that rend the cloud, enveloping the Almighty arm of the Author of that nascent work. Sustained by grace, enlightened by faith, the workmen or workwomen, often very humble folk, bind them- selves to labor, to perform all their actions, to speak and to pray, like the ordinary run of fervent chris- _tians, who are sanctifying themselves in the world by the humble and every day accomplishment of the du- ties of their state.
ch ue Te
No miracles are performed, there are no fine speech- es, no striking deeds, but they devote themselves to the daily performance, as simply but as strongly as possible, of that one great thing: to accomplish the or- dinary and common actions, often painful in themselves, _ in a lively spirit of faith, despite the repugnances which they inspire and the sacrifices which they impose. That gives all the interest and value to this as to sim- ilar narratives. It is an absolutely true and faithful tecord of facts, as is shown by its very simplicity. And
DECLARATION OF THE AUTHOR.
If in the course of this work, we have employed the title of saint or venerable, and published an account of favors received through the intercession of Mother Gamelin, we declare that we have in no wise, desired to anticipate the judgment of the Holy See, and that we are in all things conformable to the decrees of His Holiness, Pope Urban VIIIth.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGES DEDICATION TO ARCHBISHOP BRUCHESI...... : V erTeR OF HIS GRACE...... sia. cree pose VL PREFACE BY THE ABBE BOURASSA.....0.000. 7.4 DRCTAWATION OF THE AUTHOR......... ore LX
LIFE OF MOTHER GAMELIN.
Founpress and First Superior OF THE SISTERS OF CHARITY OF PROVIDENCE.
CHAPTER I.— 1800-1815.— Childhood.— Precocious Gomity.— Hartly education....c..cesiccessee :
CHAPTER IT.—1815-1823.—Mlle Tavernier’s Youth. Her Character.— Her Attachment to her fami- ly:— Her’ love. for the poor...... 06.00% cuees
CHAPTER III. — 1823-1828. — Marriage of Mother Gamelin. — Death of her children and of her SE i rt ee ee a
>. O.4 TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER IV.— 1828-1835.— Widowhood of Moth- er Gamelin.— Beginning of the work of Prov- idence. — The House in St. Lawrence St., and that of St. Phillippe St.— Trials and Difficult- ies; Providential Help.— Mgr. Lartigue.—The Ladies auxiliary.— Mlle Madeleine Durand...
CHAPTER V.—1835-1838.—The ‘‘ Yellow House.’’—
The Seminary confides to Madame Gamelin the -
distribution of a portion of its alms.— Political Troubles of 1837-1838. — Visits to the prison. — Serious illness of Madame Gamelin.— Death of Mgr. Lartigue..... era oe ee
CHAPTER VI. — 1838-1843.— Many Bishops visit Madame Gamelin’s Asylum. — The first Mass is said in the oratory.— Tokens of sym- pathy, from the Communities of the City.— In- corporation of the Asylum. — Bishop Bourget and the Daughters of St. Vincent de Paul.....
CHAPTER VII. —1843-1844.— A Letter from Rev. Father Timon.—Foundation of a new Commu- nity.— The First Postulants.— The seven Rosa- ties of Our Lady of Compassion. —’Taking pos- session of the Asylum. —Blessing of the Chap- el. Journey of Madame Gamelin to the United States.— Her Entrance into religion.... ......
CHAPTER VIII. — 1844-1845. — The Novitiate.— Visits to the poor and sick.—Profession of our First Mothers.—Pastoral letter of Institution.— Election of the First Officers. —Foundation of the Work for Orphans and that of Lady Boarders.
23
36
46
73
94
TABLE OF CONTENTS XX
CHAPTER IX. — 1845-1846.— Enlargement of the Asylum. -- Mother Gamelin with her old women and the sick.— First Canonical Visit of Mer. Bourget.—His instructions on the virtues Of; tite religious -state.. 4... 2.0.
CHAPTER X.—1846.— Foundation of the Mission of Longue-Pointe.—Sudden death of Sister Made- leine.— Letter of Mother Gamelin.— Work for aged and infirm Priests.— Foundation of the Mission of Prairie de la Madeleine.—A Conflagra- tion in the Village. — Poverty of the Hospice.
CHAPTER XI.—1846-1847.—Second Episcopal Visit. —Virtues and devotions of Mother Gamelin,— Her spirit of abnegation and self-sacrifice. —The character of her direction. — Her solicitude for the Novitiate.— Her interior trials............
CHAPTER XII.—1847-1848.—Irish Immigration and the Typhus.—The sheds at Pointe St. Charles. — The Irish orphans and the Hospice St. SELOGIe MamivAnds. ¢ o.cs'. os 5 a eae ee
CHAPTER XIII. — 1848-1849. — Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Bonsecours.—The work of the Daugh- ters of St. Blandine. — St. James’ School. — Foundation of the Mission of St. Elizabeth. — Our day schools and boarding schools.— The Exercises of the Carnival Sanctified. — The cholera and the Hospital of St. Camille.—Death of Sister Jean de Dieu and of Sister Augus- tine.—The Third Order of Servites of Mary.— I seid sg vy she ws pe ce ee es
122
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154
188
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LIFE
OF
MotHer GAMELIN
FOUNDRESS AND FIRST SUPERIOR OF THE SISTERS OF CHARITY
OF PROVIDENCE
CHAPTER 1800— 15156
CHILDHOOD.— PRECOCIOUS CHARITY.—- EARLY EDUCATION.
—
“e the foot of Mount Royal, in the beginning
of the last century, stretched a vast domain,
which was known as the Fief of Providence. It compris-
ed a portion of that land, upon which the Sister Hos- pitallers of St. Joseph built the present Hotel-Dieu.
At that period, the city of Montreal formed a species of rectangle, bounded by the River St. Lawrence, De Montigny, St. Hubert and Bleury Sts. and of which the south western side, extended along Notre-Dame and St. Paul Sts. in a double row of houses, with wide spaces between, which formed the St. Joseph Suburbs. Beyond those limits, there was little to be seen, save a few isolated dwellings, inhabited chiefly by poor people, except in the vicinity of the Mountain, where there
2 LIFE OF
was a sprinkling of villas or country houses of the well to do, surrounded by gardens and orchards.
About the middle of the Fief of Providence, above the present Mount Royal Avenue, on a point of land, now occupied by the provincial Exhibition Grounds, stood a modest, two story dwelling of wood, shaded by trees and surrounded by a garden. There was born, on the 19th of February, 1800, our venerated Mother Gamelin.
Her father was Antoine Tavernier (1), who had long carried on the business of wheelwright, and en- joyed the reputation of being a thoroughly good man, pious, charitable, honest and upright in all the acts of his life. Her mother, Josephte Maurice, was frail and. delicate in appearance, but so strong and energetic in character that she brought to her household duties and the education of her children, a zeal and ardor far be- yond her strength.
—_—~
(1) Julien Tavernier, grandfather of Mesdames Nolan, Cuvillier, and Gamelin and head of the Montreal branch of the Taverniers, and a son of Francois Tavernier, a wool merchant, and of Marie Marchand, of the parish of St. Jacques, in the city and diocese of Amiens. He came to Montrealas a colonist, at an unspecified date. He was a sergeant in the Chevalier de la Cor- ne’s regiment of Infantry. On the 15th of May, 1749, he was married, in Montreal, to Marianne Girouard, who had been born in that city, on the 18th November, 1725, of the marriage of Antoine Girouard and Marie Anne Barre. Antoine Girouard was born at Mont Lucon in Bourbonnais, and was the son of Jean Girouard, Comptroller of the depot of Riom in England, and of Petronille Georgeau, also of Mont Lucon. Julien Tavernier was killed in the month of July, 1756, near Lake Champlain, in one of the expeditions, directed from Carillon, by Messrs, St. Luc and Contrecceur, against the English posts in the vicinity.
MOTHER GAMELIN 2
God blessed the union of this truly christian couple. Thirteen children came, in succession, to increase their happiness. Of these, eight died in infancy, while Antoine, Josephte, Julien, Francois and Emmelie, whose life is
now being written, alone survived to their parents.
It seemed as if heaven wished in some sort to fore- cast the destiny of that child. Her very place of birth, the Fief of Providence, foreshadowed that other provi- dence, which name God was later to bestow upon the work of the venerated Mother, whilst the name of Em- melie which had been given to her in Baptism, seemed to summarize the programme of her whole future life. St. Emily had like her embraced the matrimonial state before entering upon the religious life. But our mother had not like her glorious prototype, the happiness of bringing up her children and preparing them, by her lessons and example, to take their places at her side, on the altars of the Church. (1)
The child was baptized on the day following its birth, in the Church of Notre Dame, under the names of Marie Emmelie Eugene (2), by Father Humbert, a priest of the Seminary of St. Sulpice. Her sponsors
(1) St. Emily was the mother of St. Basil the Great, whose brothers were St. Gregory Nyssa and St. Peter of Sebaste, and whose sister was St. Macrima.
(2) She was known by the second of these names. We have retained the orthography of Emmelie, which is that of the Roman martyrology and ofthe Bollandists, although in the baptismal register and that of her marriage, as well as in the baptismal register of her three children it is spelled Emelie.
Author’s Note.
4 LIFE OF:
were her elder brother, Antoine Tavernier and her cousin german, Marie Claire Perrault. The latter after- wards married Mr. Augustine Cuvillier, a merchant of Montreal, who was intimately connected with the po- litical affairs of the country from 1820 to 1840.
Madame ‘Tavernier, who had devoted herself en- tirely to the education of her elder childreu, seemed to lavish a still more tender care and affection upon little _ Emmelie. Either her maternal intuition had permitted her to discern, in that tender child, the extraordinary qualities with which heaven had endowed her, or some undefined presentiment warned her that the last fruit of her love, the youngest and most frail, would be soon deprived of the sweetness of maternal affection and of the joys of the domestic hearth.
The child responded to the partiality and the so- licitude of her mother by gentle-caressing ways, and the most touching attentions. When scarcely four years old, she already strove to help her in her work. ‘‘Go and rest,’’ she said to her, ‘‘I will take your place,’’ and seizing ‘upon a long feather duster, she began gravely to pass it over the various pieces of furniture. The mother, moreover, encouraged that tendency in the child, striving from her earliest years to inculcate a taste for those household occupations, which the Holy Spirit praises in the portrait of a valiant woman: ‘‘ As the sun when it riseth to the world in the high places of
God, so is the beauty of a good wife, for the ornament of her house.’’ (1)
(1) Eccl. 26—a2r.
wae ae ie ee eee wet. Fae ise x
MoTHER GAMELIN 5
She also allowed her to havea share, in her charities, thus developing in that childish heart, a great love for the poor, and the effect of those lessons is happily il- lustrated by the following pretty incident.
Little Emmelie was charged with distributing at the door such food as was set apart for beggars. There was a basket for this purpose, and very often, unknown to any one, the child slipped therein, some fruit or other delicacy, of which she willingly deprived herself in favor of those dear pensioners.
One day, she saw approaching by the steep path which led to the paternal dwelling, a poor old man who advanced very slowly, leaning on his stick. Seizing her basket, Emmelie hurried out to meet him. The old man took off his hat and taking the bag from his shoulders, held it open very wide, indeed, to receive the offered gift. The child eagerly emptied into the bag, the en- tire contents of her basket. But when she perceived that her whole supply, which then appeared so small, was swallowed up at once, and disappeared in the im- mense and almost empty gulf of the bag, she could not
‘restrain her tears, and ran back in great distress to her
mother, crying: ‘‘Oh, mamma, mamma, the bag was’nt full.’’ The mother tried to make her understand, that the beggar’s bag was purposely very big, because he hoped to obtain many gifts, and that it would certainly be filled before evening, with sufficient food for his whole family. But the child’s tears continued to flow, and that wise reasoning had but slight effect upon her
6 LIFE OF
little heart, for the beggar’s bag, continued to be, in her estimation, entirely too large, because she could not put therein all that she possessed. Then ske bethought herself of her hiding-place, her treasure, her big white wooden box, in which she had collected berries gather- ed in the mountain, dainties snatched from her own meals, or some little treat that she was reserving for her brothers and sisters, or some little friends. She gave up all to the poor old man. She brought him to her hiding-place, made him raise the large box and empty its whole contents into the bag ; after which the amiable child was somewhat consoled. The bag seemed less empty, since she had kept nothing for herself, and her tears were dried by the sweet sunshine of charity, which had thus illuminated her heart.
The précocious charity was to become the domi- nant virtue of our venerated Mother. It was the inspi- ration of her whole life, of all her works, and of that foundation which was to render her name immortal.
If the lessons and example of her pious mother had tended to develop that virtue in her childish heart, the trials which so prematurely came into her life, also dis- posed her to compassionate the sufferings of her neigh- bor and to relieve them. Sorrow accepted and sanctified by christian faith, is a source of virtue; it is the par- ent of strength, courage, patience, the spirit of sacri- fice and submission to the will of a just and merciful Father, who chastises only to purify, and tries but to sanctify. She had an ever increasing faith in His Prov- idence, that reserves a happier to-morrow for the afflic-
MotuER GAMELIN 7
tions of to-day, and warns His children to have no over- weening anxiety for the evils and the miseries to come.
God always reserves the severest, and often préco- cious, trials for the highest vocation, and one which is to be most fruitful in the works of life. Our venerated Mother could not then escape that law, and the cross very early set its seal upon a life which was destined to great spiritual Pecans
She was only six years old, when she met with her first sorrow, in the loss of her father and mother, who died within a short time of each other.
In dying, the mother confided her youngest child to the care of a sister-in-law, Madame Joseph Perrault, who was a widow, in comfortable circumstances. The latter’s four children received their cousin as a sister, sent to them by heaven, and they strove by their kind attentions and affectionate care, to compensate the poor orphan for the sweetness of domestic joy. Her aunt was a woman of sense and character, with a mind pro- foundly christian. To continue the maternal education, on the linesin which it had been begun, she had only to bring up her niece as she was bringing up her own children. She found, moreover, in HKmmelie’s happy disposition and docility, a ready response to-her efforts and loved to call her ‘‘ the angel of the family ’’.
Some years later, Emmelie was confided to the Sis- ters of the Congregation de Notre Dame, whose board- ing school, the only one then existing in Montreal, was situated on St. Jean Baptiste St. She there continued the various studies which she had begun at home. We
8 LIFE OF
have been unable to procure the date, or any other de- tails, regarding her stay at the convent. We only know that she made her First Communion while there and speedily won the affection of her teachers.
The education of young girls inthe world, was not at that time, what it is at present. The studies were neither so extended nor so complicated, and the Con- vent term, was not prolonged beyond avery few years. Such a course of instruction did not perhaps, meet all the exigencies of an elaborate education, but it was proportioned to the requirements of Canadian society at that epoch. It justly excluded from the curriculum and from the discipline of the boarding school, all pretenti- ous or expansive superfluities. The young girls were educated, with the paramount purpose, of making ex- cellent christians and accomplished housewives. Our venerated Foundress received no other education than that which has been here indicated; and though the ordinary course of studies, was in her case considerably abridged by the will of her aunt, who soon brought her home, it does not seem as if the formation of her character or of her judgment, in any wise, suffered.
We have no precise information as to the length of her stay at the boarding school of Notre-Dame. She al- ways preserved an affectionate remembrance of her teach- ers, whom she spoke of as her mothers. The latter, on their part, mever ceased to display an affection for her, of which they gave many touching proofs to our infant community.
MoTHER GAMELIN 9
CHAPTER II
1815—1823
MADEMOISELLE TAVERNIER’S YOUTH.— HER CHARACTER. —
HER ATTACHMENT TO HER FAMILY.— HER LOVE FOR THE POOR.
( her return to her aunt’s house, Mademoiselle ‘Tavernier endeavored to repay the debt of gratitude she had contracted towards that second moth- er of her childhood, by her docility, her devotedness and the most affectionate attentions. She never ceased to render her such offices as were dictated by the sin- cerest filial piety ; and if she occasionally left her for a longer or shorter period, it was only to fulfil some still more urgent duties of charity or devotion to some other member of the family. Thus, at the age of eighteen, she was called to assume the direction of the house- hold of her brother, Antoine Tavernier, who had just lost his wife. She acquitted herself of these duties, for the space of a year, with much zeal and intelligence, giving evidence of those domestic virtues and that prac- tical knowledge, to which she had been trained by her early education. Her brother’s mourning precluded all worldly festivities, and permitted the young girl to devote all her leisure time to visiting and taking care of the poor, in whom she continued to be tenderly interested.
IO LIFE OF
Every morning, after having assisted at Holy Mass, she went to visit some sick person; and toward evening she set out again, basket on arm, to distribute provi- sions to the poor, always accompanying her gifts with kind and sympathetic words, that comforted the hearts of the afflicted. Her reputation for charity, quickly spread beyond the circle of her early pensioners, and she soon drew round her numerous other needy ones, whom she always received with a gracious and delicate kindness.
The better to provide for their wants she set apart a small room adjoining the kitchen, which she called her private office. She turned this into a dining-room, reserved for their exclusive use; and they sat round a large table which, she christened ‘‘ the table of the king’’, where she waited on them with tenderness and respect. She took upon herself the full charge of this apartment, sweeping it and washing the dishes which were used by her ‘‘ favored friends’’, whose frequent visits were by
no means agreeable to the servants.
The grateful prayers of these unfortunates,no doubt, obtained for her many of those graces, by which her
vocation was ripened and developed.
Her brother having married again, she returned to her aunt’s house, where was then living, her cousin, Mrs. Nolan, who had been a widow for a couple of years. (1) As she was a good deal older than Emmelie,
(1) Her husband, Major Maurice Nolan, had been killed in an attack on Sackett’s Harbor in 1812. His widow was one of the most devoted cooperators of our saintly Foundress and one of the faithful friends of our nascent work.
ee ay
MorTHER GAMELIN ed
: Madame Perrault, who was growing old and infirm, left
to her thenceforward, the entire care and direction of her niece.
At nineteen, Mademoiselle Tavernier made her de- but in the world. Her portrait at that time, gives usa fair idea of her fine features, her air of distinction, erect figure, glowing complexion and large, brilliant eyes. Her manners were engaging; she was natural and simple, with a sprightly humor, great frankness and an amia- bility, that was cordial and ever ready to oblige. Need- less to say, that she was very popular in society and made many friends.
Soon after her return to her aunt’s, she was invit- ed to pay an extended visit to one of her cousins. The latter was an orphan like herself and had also found in Madame Perrault’s compassionate and affectionate heart, a veritable providence, for the years of childhood and youth. This was Mademoiselle Julie Perrault, who had recently married Mr. Joseph Leblond, a merchant of Quebec. The young woman was very lonely in that strange city, where the hospitality and attractive qual- ities of a society which had preserved the best tradi- tions of old France, could not console her for being separated from her own people.
Madame Perrault and Mrs. Nolan yeilded to the entreaties of their exiled relative and Mademoiselle T'a-
vernier, from her beloved aunt to fulfil that new duty of charity.
12 LIFE OF
She was rewarded for her sacrifice, by the friendship of her cousin and the enjoyment which the pleasures of society may reasonably offer to a young girl of that age, lively in disposition and with a mind still new to all impressions, provided she does not sacrifice the claims and the duties of virtue, to the allurements of inordin-
ate love of pleasure.
The life of the world must be always a snare for the christian soul. Many receive mortal wounds there. A great number of others find that it impairs their fidel- ity and the delicacy of their intimate relations with God. But those who have firmly and deliberately made choice of His service, will keep their hearts steadfast, even amid the pleasures that may temporarily disturb and agitate them, and their infidelities, in His regard, will be neither serious nor of long duration.
St. Francis of Sales, in his ‘‘ Introduction to a Devout Life, ’’ illustrates this truth, by a charming similitude, for the accuracy of which from the stand- point of natural history, we do not pretend to vouch. ‘* As the mother pearls,’ he says, ‘‘ live in the sea, without absorbing even a drop of salt water; and as around the Chalidonian Islands, there are springs of very sweet water in the middle of the sea ; and as cer- tain insects, fly into the flames without scorching their wings ; so may a strong and constant soul, live in the world without absorbing any worldly humors; find streams of sweet piety amid the bitter waters of the world ; and fly through the flames of earthly concupis-
MOTHER GAMELIN 13
cence without, scorching the wings of holy desires for a devout life.” (1)
Mademoiselle Tavernier lived in the world after this fashion, and the worldly pleasures wherein she never took an excessive part, did not seem to impair her sentiments of lively and solid piety. This may be judged by some extracts from the regular correspond- ence, which she kept up from Quebec, with her excel- lent cousin, Mrs. Nolan, who had been charged by her aunt, to watch over her conduct and regulate her ex-
peuses. These are certainly not the letters of a worldling.
She took the interest which any young girl might take in the amusements of the family and of the society, in- to the midst of which she was thrown. And if she had sometimes to justify herself, from the somewhat severe reproaches of her austere cousin, she did it in such a manner as to fully exonerate herself from the frivolity which an over solicitude had attributed to her.
These letters wherein she relates the ordinary hap- penings of her daily life, reveal to us the candor and _ simplicity of her soul. While giving us an account of the innocent pleasures in which she took part, they show us at the same time her fidelity to her habits of piety, and the generous sacrifices which upon occasions, she imposed upon herself.
We choose these extracts, despite their little real , importance, to give some idea of the manner of life she was then leading, and what were her real sentiments.
(1) Introduction to a Devout Life.
14 LIFE OF
‘“ Quebec, January 14th, 1820.— I have long put off, my dear cousin, the pleasure of writing to you. You stand in the place of my mother, and it is to you that I must now address myself. Believe, however, that my submission to you, comes from the heart, and that it is not merely the effect of that friendship which I
feel for you...
‘« There is no news to tell you. Mr. X. is not here ; he went away about six weeks ago, but he is expected back very soon. I will give you some news of him in my next letter. Everybody insits on marrying me to him. I do not know who could have started such re- ports. I should like to put an end to them, but I cannot do so. ”’
‘Quebec, January 18th, 1820.— We cut the cake at the house of Mr. Leblond, the lawyer. Mr. Perrault was king (1) and one of the Misses X... was Queen. He would’nt show her the least attention, so that the poor young girl was left there in confusion. My poor cousin was not at all gallant. They joked him very much about his Queen. He did not seem to appreciate his honors, and was vexed that they had been thrust upon him!’’...
Quebec, July 12th, 1820.— I was glad to get your letter, in spite of the severe lecture which it contained.
(1) The custom remains in French Canadian families on the Epiphany or Kings’ Day, of having a large cake, in which is placed a ring and a bean, for the amusement of the young people. This being cut, those drawing respectively one or the other, are King or Queen.
Trans, Note.
MoTHER GAMELIN 5
I know you are my best friend and the one most ca- pable of advising me... However, you must not believe all that is said about me... As for. week day Mass, I miss it very rarely. Sometimes when I have been up agreat part of the night withthe baby, so as to let Julie rest, I cannot get up early enough for Mass. One of the servants is very ill, so that you may suppose, as there is only one girl, I have to help a great deal. It is true that I go out a good deal. As I am a visitor every one invites me. But at this season, there are not so many parties. However, there was avery large one at Mr. Leblond’s the lawyer, to entertain the newly married couple. There must have been about fifty people there. We enjoyed it very much. A great many others want to entertain them, and Julie will also have to do some- thing. It is very hard for me to refuse, when Julie and the rest of the family are going. However, I made a promise not to dance, and I hope to keep it all winter.
‘Tt is said that Father Lartigue will soon be made Bishop, and that he will probably reside in Quebec. I shall be very glad, since Father Dufresne is going away to be a parish priest, and I shall take Father Lartigue for my director. Once, I am under his direction, you will not have to trouble yourself any more about me.
‘‘Quebec, August 31st, 1820.—I must tell you that a gentleman from Lower Town has paid me a good deal of attention. It is the same one of whom Julie told you. Mr. Leblond, and Julie have been very civil to him. Do not begin to think, however, that there is any ques-
16 LIFE OF
tion of marriage between him and me, for fear you might be disappointed, as you were last Winter.
‘Quebec, February 19th, 1821.— It is long since I have had the pleasure of writing to you and just for want of leisure, which is rare at this season. Julie is prepar- ing to give a large dinner-party in honor of my birth- day. When I think that I am going to be twenty one years old ; it frightens me to grow so old. Do you know that here, in Quebec, I am considered a wonder- . ful cook? They say there is not my equal for pastry, and especially puff paste. So you see what progress I must have made since I came to Quebec. There are to be several large parties before the end of the Carnival. There is nothing talked of except amusement.’
It was probably during that same year that Made- moiselle Tavernier returned to her aunt and cousin.
In the month of April, 1821, she had the sorrow of losing that excellent aunt, who had replaced her own mother, with such truly maternal kindness. All her life, she preserved, a sacred and tender remembrance of her.
No doubt, the young girl now resumed, with her cousin, the quiet and industrious life, which she had led at her brother’s before going to Quebec. Her little wordly dissipations do not seem to have left a very deep impression upon her heart, to judge from the following passage in a letter written, to her amiable cousin in Quebec, where the thought that was latent in her mind of the religious life, and the first hint of a vocation are openly revealed.
MOTHER GAMELIN 17
‘““ Montreal, June 18th, 1822.— You had a great deal to say, my dear cousin, about the Quebec gen- tlemen, but know that I do not concern myself with them any more. I spent the whole of yesterday, with the Gray Nuns, on the occasion of Eulalie’s taking of the habit, (1) and I enjoyed myself very much. All the religious received us with so much kindness and courtesy. Therefore, let me whisper, that ever since then, I feel quite a vocation. I hope it will continue, and that I shall end by surprising you, once for all. Don’t speak of this to any one, although it is the exact truth. Yes, I renounce forever, your gentlemen, as
well as the werld. I will become a nun, in the Autumn. ”’
But the Autumn of 1822, was not the time fixed for her entrance into the Promised Land, of whose : pure and holy joys she had been vouchsafed a glimpse. ' It was God’s will, to lead her by a much longer and : more devious path to the work for which she was des- _tined. A more complete and more varied experience of
life, with trials more numerous and more painful, were to serve as the remote, but more perfect preparation, _ for the foundation of her Community.
< After the example of other holy Foundresses, she had previously known the joys, the sorrows, and the
(1) Mademoiselle Eulalie Lagrave, who took the habit on _ the 17th June, 1822, and was professed on the 23rd, Dec. of the following year. She was one of the four Foundresses of the Red River Mission at St. Boniface, where she died Aug. 4th, 1859. Archives of the Gen. Hosp. of Montreal.
18 LIFE OF
duties of conjugal life. In the married state, as during her widowhood and in the religious life, she never ceased to give an example of the purest virtues. From her personal trials, she learned the secret of a deeper compassion for sufferings which she had herself expe- rienced, and was enabled to console them more tenderly and effectually.
CHAPTER III 1823—I1828
MARRIAGE OF MOTHER GAMELIN.— DEATH OF HER CHILDREN AND OF HER HUSBAND.
Mademoiselle ‘Tavernier was twenty-three years of age, at the time of her marriage, June 4th, 1823, to Mr. Jean Baptiste Gamelin, of Montreal, to whom in the marriage register, is given the title of burgher ‘‘ ( bour- geois )’’. This in the language of the time, was a proprietor living on his income.
Mr. Gamelin was at that time fifty years of age. He had been already betrothed twice before without being able apparently to make up his mind to marriage. The second time, he was at the very foot of the altar and just before pronouncing the irrevocable ‘‘ Yes, ’’ he had taken back his word. Was it the natural indecision of his character, some oddity of disposition, or some secret motive which determined this withdrawal? Tra- dition does not say. But there is no doubt whatever,
ai ali
i ei
MOTHER GAMELIN
’
at the age, of twenty-two years
tol
ee
a Cee
=
ee a
MOTHER GAMELIN 19
that if he experienced any hesitation, in uniting his life with that of Mademoiselle Tavernier, he never re- gretted his decision, for their marriage brought perfect happiness to both.
3 It may be a matter of astonishment, that Made- moiselle Tavernier should have given her hand to a man of that age, who was moreover, distinguished neither for his education, nor for any very remarkable personal qualities. She had had, as it appears, an op- portunity of refusing other offers. It must be presumed that these suitors lacked some of the essential qualities, which she desired in a husband, and that her heart was not deeply enough touched, to pledge her life to any one of them. Perhaps, also she was inclined to accept this last proposal, by the desire of having a home of her own, and a freer and more independent existence, than that which the somewhat rigorous supervision of her cousin, Mrs. Nolan, permitted. Mr. Gamelin, was moreover, a very worthy man and an excellent christian. In uniting her life with his, Mademoiselle ‘Tavernier had the certainty that her sentiments and her practices of piety, would be shared by her husband, and especi- ally her tender charity and devotion to the poor, to- wards whom he had shown himself most compassionate.
In her new abode, the young wife, was able to gratify her very decided taste for solitude and the beau- ties of Nature. As a child, she had loved to wander amongst the shady paths, surrounding her father’s dwell- ing; at her cousin’s she had found, once again, the freshness of the woods, and the charm of the country
20 LIFE OF
in a large garden, planted with trees. It was situated just at the back of the house, whence its wealth of verdure, merging into the green undulations of other gardens, and other parks, went to lose itself in the thickly wooded slopes of Mt. Royal.
Mrs. Nolan’s house might still have been seen about a quarter of a century ago, occupying the ground upon the corner of St. Catherine and St. Urbain Sts. where stood for some years, the brick rotunda, whither people flocked to admire the Cyclorama of Jerusalem, painted by Philip Poteaux. Of humble appearance, built of rough and unhewn stone, with its little gallery in front, it was,— on that side of St. Catherine St.—the last house in the St. Lawrence Suburbs. Very soon after that, came the open country, dotted with country houses, or mod- est villas, which had little of the grandeur or the ele- gance of those sumptuous residences that now adorn the Mountain slopes.
Mr. Gamelin’s dwelling was a low, double house, built of wood, just at the beginning of St. Antoine St. and which now bears the number 26. Its sharply defined character of antiquity is in marked contrast to the modern, though very humble appearance of the adjoin- ing houses. In those days, it was quite isolated in the middle of a beautiful garden. Almost directly facing it, was a large piece of ground covered in great part by an orchard, and extending upwards to the top of the hill now occupied by St. Catherine St.
Mr. Gamelin drew a considerable part of his income, from the products of that orchard, planted with apple
MoTHER GAMELIN 21
trees, which bore the super-excellent ‘‘ fameuses’’ the price of which was higher than at present, and great quantities of which were exported to England. ‘The young wife took great delight in walking or working during the fine weather, in the shade of that fine do- main.
She enjoyed, in fact, some years of the purest happiness, in the semi retirement of St. Antoine St. dividing her time between her husband and little chil- dren, the society always dear to her of her own family, the friends of her childhood and her beloved poor. ‘The latter soon learned to knock at the door of her new residence and to solicit there, the alms which her charity and the wealth of her husband enabled her more abundant- ly to bestow.
This happiness was, however, soon overshadowed by the death in quick succession of two of her children, who were taken from her three months after their birth. Her husband, himself, succumbed after a long illness on the rst October, 1827, a little more than four years from the time of their marriage. He was bitterly mourn- ed by the young widow, who had lavished upon him, the most tender and devoted care. He had always shown towards her the utmost kindness and delicacy. A year later, she lost her third child who was born some months after his father’s death. Her domestic happiness was thus completely overthrown.
She was left alone at the age of twenty-eight, part- ed thus from those dear ones, in whom her heart was
22 LIFE OF
centred, and the memory of whom, during the whole course of her life, caused burning tears to flow. We shall see her later, when clothed with the religious | habit, sacrificing, at the suggestion of her director and with indescribable anguish, the last visible tokens of
those legitimate affections.
These heavy losses were the beginning of her vo- cation. She found thenceforth in works of charity, con- solation for her sorrow, and an outlet for her rich treasures of affection and the devotion of her heart.
It was her director, Father Breguier de Saint Pierre, who led her along that desolate way. He opened up to her a new source of consolation, and of piety, in the devotion to the Seven Dolors of Our Blessed Lady, which developed with the years, and became later on, one of the chief devotions of her Institute.
In that same year, (1828 ) wrote she in her Jour- nal of 1850, ‘‘ Father Saint Pierre made mea present of a picture of Our Lady of the Seven Dolors, and every day, I went to pray before that Image, asking for courage to bear, after her example, the crosses and the sacrifices that our good God sent me in the world. ”’
‘The greatest, at that time, was the loss of a be- loved husband and a dear child, for whom I weep ev- ery day. My own heart had been pierced by a sword of sorrow, and I could find no greater consolation, than
to meditate before that picture, on the Dolors of my Mother. ’’
a a a
MOTHER GAMELIN 23
CHAPTER IV
ISZ8—1835
WIDOWHOOD oF MoTHER GAMELIN. — BEGINNING OF THE WORK OF PROVIDENCE. —THE HOUSE IN ST. LAWRENCE ST.AND THAT IN ST. PHILLIPPE St.—TRIALS AND DIFFICULTIES. —PROVIDENTIAL HELP. —-Mar. Larticug. — THe Lapis AUXILIARY. — MADEMOI-
SELLE MADELEINE DuRAND.
\\ he Ganielin left everything to his wife. In that uni- + versal bequest, he had included a singular gift.
Some years previous to his marriage, he had un- dertaken the care of a poor idiot named Dodais. During his last illness, he was troubled about the future of this unfortunate. One day he said to his young wife : “Take care of him in memory of me and of my love. ’’ His wife promised and kept her word.
‘“All who have seen that poor idiot, ‘‘ say the Annals, ’’ can testify how disgusting he was to the merely natural eye. He was unable to do the smallest thing for himself, and only capable of uttering confused and unintelligible sounds, was scarcely even conscious of his own existence. Madame Gamelin, accepted this legacy asa gift from God. She lodged the poor crea- ture comfortably, in a little house, adjacent to her gar- den, and to be certain that nothing was wanting to him she brought thither his mother, thus by the same char- itable act, rescuing her from indigence. Might not this be regarded as the humble and remote beginning, that
24 LIFE OF
was to find so great a development in the Community she was later to found? Madame Gamelin visited her guest very frequently and lavished upon him all the care that the most delicate charity could suggest. (1 )
Heaven deigned to reward her touching devotion. The idiot had a lucid interval before his death, which sufficed to acknowledge his debt of gratitude to his ben- efactress. He said to her in a perfectly intelligible voice. ‘’ Madame, I thank you for all your kindness to me. Iam dying ; I am going to heaven; I will pray for you.”’ Then pointing with his wasted hand to his mother, who stood near, he added, as if recommending her: ‘‘ That
is my mother.’’ He died a few moments after, at the age of thirty years, ”’
Madame Gamelin never told any one of this ex- traordinary occurrence except her confessor, Father Breguier de Saint Pierre, and later Mgr. Prince. The latter only related it after the death of his penitent.
The charity of Madame Gamelin inclined her es- pecially towards the aged, and particularly old and in- firm women. In her visits to the homes of the poor, she had frequently seen those poor, old creatures, rel- egated to some corner of the house, where they were forgotten, and though incapable of taking care of them- selves, often spent whole days alone, while no one even thought of bringing them any food. Her compassionate heart was always deeply afflicted, at the sight, and she
(1)A picture at the Mother House, by one of our Sisters, repro- duces that touching Scene,
MoTHER GAMELIN 25
often pondered in her own mind, over the best means of alleviating so much suffering. Providence was not long in suggesting a remedy.
Before giving fuller scope to her pious attraction for the service of the poor, she sold some of the or- chards which she owned in the St. Antoine Suburbs and went back to live with her cousin, Mrs. Nolan. On the advice of her director who assured her that such was indeed the will of God, she had recourse to Father Claude Fay, a priest of the Seminary, and parish priest of Notre Dame,—the only parish, then existing in Montreal,— to procure for her, in the vicinity of her own dwelling, a house which should be suitable for the accomplishment of her charitable design. ‘The latter _ hastened to place at her disposal, the ground floor of a _ small parochial school, directed by the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame, and situated on the corner of St. Lawrence and St. Catherine Sts.
On the 4th March, that modest refuge was opened to the charitable widow’s beneficiaries. And to make it very evident that the work was, indeed, for the benefit of the aged, the first person to be admitted, was a widow named St-Onge, one hundred and two years old. Some fifteen other old women, none of whom were less than fifty, were admitted soon afterwards.
Madame Gamielin visited them every day. She at- tended to all their wants, and gave them some short, pious reading, while by a word, or even a smile, she often adjusted the differences that arose amongst them.
26 LIFE OF
It was a touching sight tosee that young woman, endowed with all the charm that virtue lends to nat- ural gifts, indifferent to the raillery or criticism of others, making herself the servant of the poor, ren- dering them the most menial services, and asking alms for them in the name and for the love of Christ Jesus.
Many were the efforts made to turn her from that way of life which was considered extravagant ; numer- ous were the objections against that charitable under- taking, and rude indeed, were the trials and contradic- tions of all sorts that she had to encounter. But nothing could succeed in turning her from that gener- ous enterprise, nor in shaking her constancy. It must not be supposed, however, that she remained indif- ferent to all those representations that were made to her, or that she did not suffer from the natural repug- nances and severe, interior struggles, which her zeal and charity occasioned. She had not as yet completely broken with the world. It was neither easy for her to forget nor to be forgotten. Her heart was still waver- ing and undecided. But when the decisive moment came in that struggle, an irresistible force captivated her will. Grace triumphed and no longer permitted her to sacrifice to the world, a life which God claimed en- tirely for His work. « Without suffering, ’’ says the Imitation, ‘‘ there is no love. ’? In Madame Gamelin, was already visible, that characteristic, the true love of God, which was to accompany her through life. It was about that time that she refused a second marriage which would have secured for her, a considerable fortune, with
Se saa se ae : ak
Bees eR Bessie
ian,
VIEW OF THE HOSPICE on St. Lawrence Stand, that of St. Phillippe.
MOTHER GAMELIN 27
an enviable position in the world. From thenceforward, she more clearly understood the designs of God upon her, and abandoned herself thereto without reserve: She drew her strength and courage from prayer, and par- ticularly from meditation on the Passion of Our Lord and the Sorrows of His Mother, which continued to be her favorite devotions, all through her life.
‘“ Ido not understand, ’’ she used to say, ‘‘ how any one can hesitate to make a sacrifice, after having contemplated the sufferings of the Man-God and the Dolors of a Virgin Mother. ’’
She made the Stations of the Cross every day with her old women. After the Crucifix, the first ob- ject that adorned the bare walls of the little house, in St. Philippe St. was the picture of Our Lady of the Seven Dolors, which had been given her by her con- fessor, Father St. Pierre.
Mgr. Lartigue, who had known Madame Gamelin, since her childhood and had never lost sight of her, held her in singular esteem. He visited her little Asy- lum and doubtless foreseeing the destiny which God reserved for her, watched with interest her progress in virtue. The character of his direction, may be gathered from the following incidents.
Knowing the natural vivacity of his friend, he said to her one day, employing the familiar form of address, (1) which, indeed, he did with almost every one : ‘‘ One
(.1) The ¢ufoiement or use ofthe pronoun in the second per- son singular, which in French, is the form of address to child- ren or inferiors.
Trans, Note.
28 LIFE OF
who is as quick and impatient as you are, should learn to put water in the wine.’’ A lesson, which was not lost upon her.
Another day the prelate, mindful, perhaps of a siinilar expression employed by St. Francis of Sales, to St. Jane of Chantal, saw on her finger, a valuable ring, to which she was much attached because it was
a gift from her husband.
“Are you thinking of Marrying again ?’’ he asked her, coldly.—‘‘ Oh, no, my Lord, ’’ the young woman answered, in some surprise, at the question. — ‘‘ Well then,’’ asked he, ‘‘ why do you wear that jewel on your hand ?’’ Without the slightest hesitation, Madame Ga- melin removed the ring, and handed it to one of her ladies : ‘‘ You can raffle it, She said. for the bene- fit of the poor. ’’
That act may, perhaps, appear trifling, in compari- son with certain other acts of more resplendent gener- osity, which signalized the life of our venerated mother, but, of such little sacrifices, were made up the merits of the saints ; as modest pearls, they were mingled with the brilliant diamonds of their crown. That incident is moreover illustrative of the generosity and prompt obed-
ience of Madame Gamelin who rarely recoiled from a sacrifice,
Meanwhile, the work for aged and infirm women continued to grow. The ground floor of the school on St. Lawrence St. became too small to afford adequate shelter to the large family by which it was already
MOTHER GAMELIN 29
crowded. Madame Gamelin, moreover, began to feel the need, of more constant and more immediate super- vision.
In view of the limited resources of the house, she sometimes, permitted some of the old women to ask
alms from ladies whom they had formerly served. _ These efforts were, however, attended, by certain incon-
veniences, and created ill feeling. For each one, believed herself to have a proprietary interest in the alms that she received, and Madame Gamelin was often obliged to interfere for the restoration of peace.
That she might the more effectually watch over the good order of the house, she resigned herself to
_ the sacrifice of her own home, and took up her abode
PAT EMRE AL OPM ET Ps) wpb LPT
with her charges. With that end in view, she rented two adjoining houses on St. Philippe St. and installing her old women in one, reserved the other for her own use. A door of communication permitted her to enter whenever it was necessary for the maintenance of or- der, or to exercise supervision. In that way her task was rendered more difficult, and her expenses were increased.
Her refuge, which soon counted thirty inmates, was already a considerable work, in view of her slender resources, for she had to provide for all expenses of rent, heating, food or clothing. It often happened that when she knew not where to turn, her mind harassed with anxiety, she asked herself, if she had not pre- sumed too much upon her own strength and tempted
Providence, by venturing upon a work, the future of
30 LIFE OF
which was so uncertain. But God who feeds the birds of the air and clothes the lilies of the field, never with- held His help from her.
One winter day, amongst many others, when she had bought some loads of wood, not a single cent re- mained with which to provide dinner for the household, which had eaten the last morsel of bread that morning. A prey to the liveliest anxiety, she went into Notre Dame Church and prostrating herself before the altar, shed abundant tears : ‘‘ Lord, ‘‘ she said, ’’dost Thou not know, that thine old people have nothing to eat?’’ Then feeling assured that the God of the Eucharist had heard her petition, she plucked up her courage, and drying her tears, she set out for the market, with the intention of asking alms. Presently, an old man of venerable appearance, came towards her and asked : ‘“ Are not you that Madame Gamelin, who takes care of the poor ?’’ And when she replied in the affirmative he gave her, twenty-five Louis( 1), almost a hundred dollars, and before she had time to thank him he was pone. (2)
Will any one refuse to see in such an occurrence, an intervention of Providence ?
Madame Gamelin, about that time, hit upon the expedient of forming a society of ladies, who should
(1) A Louis is nearly four dollars, or about $3.80.
(2) This fact has been attested by various persons of the
world, and by many of our Sisters who heard it from the Foun- ~ dress herself.
MOTHER GAMELIN 31
assist her in visiting the poor at their homes, and in the daily collections necessitated, for the support of the Asylum. Madame Gamelin had won the confidence of every one. By this time, even those who had shown themselves most critical at the beginning of her work, had been silenced by her perseverance and her success. It was felt that she was but fulfilling a providential mission. At thirty years of age, she became the coun- sellor and friend of persons of every age. They will- ingly profited by her lights, and listened to her words, with respect and confidence. Later, amid the manifold cares and occupations of an extraordinarily laborious life, that same justness of mind and eminently practical common-sense, were proved, by the deference always _ displayed towards her views and opinions. So that after the most mature deliberation, she was sure to carry off all the suffrages.
The society was soon formed. It was composed of nine ladies, her relatives and friends. ‘These were, Mesdames Francois Tavernier, EK. R. Fabre, Maurice Nolan, Augustine Tullock, R. Saint Jean, Paul Joseph Lacroix, Joseph Gauvin, Simon Delorme and Julien Tavernier. Thanks to their assistance, Madame Gamelin was enabled to materially improve the condition of her _ poor, old women.
Time has not laid its destructive hand upon that association of the Foundress’ first auxiliaries. Growing with the years, it has passed the half century mark. It still
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exists stronger and more flourishing than ever in the society of the Ladies of Charity. May such beautiful examples be, indeed, perpetuated, from generation unto generation, until that day when our auxiliaries and our benefactresses of every time, shall be united with us for- ever, in the abode of eternal felicity.
The following touching incident illustrates the del- icate attentions, which these ladies showed to their humble pensioners and the part which they loved to give them in their family festivals.
When Madame Jwien Tavernier, who was a sister- in-law of Madame Gamelin, celebrated the wedding of her only daughter, after the intimate gathering of the family and friends, she lent a flavor of christian charity to the memory of those days of happiness, by giving a banquet to the old people of the Asylum, in honor of the young couple. The whole family assembled there while the newly married couple made it their particular pleasure to serve those guests of charity with their own hands. Such holy loved feasts recall the pious repasts of the early christians, when rich and poor ate the bread of fraternal charity at the same table. Hallowed thought which thus blended the gratitude and the prayers of the suffering members of Jesus Christ, with the hope and the promise of a new christian household.
The epidemic of cholera caused terrible ravages in 1832-1834. It decimated whole families, and made hun- dreds of widows and orphans. The city was plunged into mourning and consternation. The rich took refuge
ios) Ge
MOTHER GAMELIN
in the country or in distant cities, but the poor, who were forced to remain in their miserable dwellings, suc- combed in great numbers. A fine field was thus offered to the charity of Madame Gamelin, who fairly multi- plied herself in striving to bring help and consolation to all.
One day, when in a miserable garret, she had just received the last sigh.of a poor woman, whose husband lay dead at her side, a public official entered to take away the corpses. Six little children surrounded the funeral bier whence their father had been removed, and uttered the most heart-rending cries. Madame Ga- melin mingled her tears with theirs, and brought them back with her to the Asylum, where she kept them until they were at an age to be placed out.
A hundred other instances of her charity belong to that epoch. The memory of them is preserved, amongst the worthy descendants of those people and often recurs in their conversation, with touching gratitude and emo-
tion.
Madame Gamelin continued that noble undertaking in the little house on St. Philippe St. for four years. Her family of poor was ever increasing; her quarters were fast becoming too small for them, and yet the rent absorbed great part of her slender resources. Full of confidence in Divine Providence, she prayed herself, and caused her old people to pray that some charitable per-
3
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son might be inspired to give her a house, which should be better proportioned to the needs of the work.
Her faith and confidence were too great not to be heard, and it was doubtless God, who inspired her with the happy thought of having recourse to Mr. Olivier
Berthelet, whose name has been rendered immortal by his munificence to the communities of the city and notably that of the Providence of which he was one of the most signal benefactors.
Madame Gamelin, then invited Mr. Berthelet to visit her old people. He willingly acceded to her re- quest, and one of those aged ones, implored his help in simple and touching language, which went straight to his heart. Without delay, he made a donation to Ma- dame Gamelin of a larger house, situated on St. Cathe- rine St. quite near the Bishop’s palace. (1 )
Considering things from a merely human point of view, it might have beena matter of astonishment that Madame Gamelin, should have thought of enlarging her house and increasing the number of her poor, at the very time when her resources were so meagre. But her faith in Providence became the greater as human means seemed to fail. She was fully convinced that God would send her help at the propitious moment.
The venerable Bishop Bourget recalled these facts, In a discourse to the Ladies of Charity, on the 18th February, 1867. ‘“ The heart of that admirable woman ”’
(1) Before the great fire the Bishop’s palace and the Cathe- dral were at the cerner of St. Denis and St. Catherine Sts.
Translator’s Note.
M. OLIVIER BERTHELET,
a signal benefactor of our Institute
MOTHER GAMELIN 25
he said, ‘‘ was so large that her hands could not con- tain the alms that flowed through them like myrrh into the bosom of the poor. She had also, a singular talent, for associating with herself, other generous hearts, like her own, and by that excellent means, though with small personal resources, she was enabled to undertake and accomplish such great things.
‘‘In that way she formed an association of chari- table women, each of whom agreed, to pay a small monthly board for one poor woman.
‘‘ By this means the number of these good, old people insensibly grew, until the house was insufficient to contain them. It was then that she made appeal to the generous heart of a wealthy citizen, who willingly procured for her, a larger residence. This, which had once been a house of ill repute, became now an asylum of charity and the cradle of a new community.
‘‘ Furthermore, she used to the greatest advantage, for the benefit of the poor, such means as were placed at her disposal. So that people gladly acknowledged that it was a pleasure to give to Madame Gamelin, since she turned every gift to the best account. ’’
About that time, Madame Gamelin secured the valuable services of Mademoiselle Madeleine Durand who had already given so many proofs of her devoted interest in the Asylum. Melle Durand never left her again, and became, later on, one of her first companions in religion.
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CHAPTER. Vi
1835—1838
THE ‘‘ YELLOW HOUSE. ” — THE SEMINARY CONFIDES TO MA- DAME GAMELIN THE DISTRIBUTION OF A PORTION OF ITS ALMS.-— POLITICAL TROUBLES OF 1837—1838.-—- VISITS TO THE PRISON. — SERIOUS ILLNESS OF MADAME GAMELIN.— DEATH OF Mar. LaAr- TIGUE.
Oe
—
he ‘* Yellow house’’, so called in the annals of the Community because of its color, stood on the corner of Sts. Catherine and Hubert Sts. It was a mod- est, frame building, two stories in height, sixty feet long by forty wide. It was situated quite near St. James’ Cathedral and the episcopal palace, and thanks to that near neighborhood, the work for aged and infirm women was enabled to receive the assiduous attention of the Bishop, and in that way a new and beneficent impetus, to which was owing the fact, that it presently became the cradle of our Institute.
Madame Gamelin delayed no longer in drawing up a rule for her little Community, fixing the hours for work, for meals, for spiritual reading and other exer- cises of piety. To increase her resources, she set her old women to various kinds of works, adapted to their strength and skill. Some could spin, others sewed, or cut up strips of various stuffs, for the making of rag
carpet, others made up canvas bags, or other objects of the same nature.
MOTHER GAMELIN 37
The result of these labors, was no very consider- able sum, and it again became necessary to seek for outside help. Madame Gamelin caused the old women to collect the remnants of food from the city hotels. She invited her friends to visit her house, and stran- gers came also out of sympathy for the work, and these visits were usually the occasion of almsgiving.
The Seminary also came to her aid. Through the intervention of Father Saint Pierre, whose sympathy and devotion to Madame Gamelin and her Asylum, had always remained active, she obtained the distribution of the alms given by the Seminary to that district, with the privilege of retaining a certain portion for her house. Thus her work developed, little by little, verifying by the slowness of its progress, that saying of Pére Lacor- daire, ‘‘Even supposing the grain to be good in its na- ture, it requires delay for its germination, and a whole winter’s sleep under the earth.”
Always ready, moreover, to relieve new sufferings or alleviate new misfortunes, Madame Gamelin did not limit her zeal and devotedness to her own Asylum and her immediate neighborhood. The insurrection of 1837 gave her an opportunity of proving this contention.
The Montreal jail, was fairly overflowing with po- litical prisoners, from the town and country, many of whom belonged to prominent families. Some of them had a wife and children, with whom they were strictly forbidden to communicate. ‘This was a cause of cruel suffering to all of them, and considerably aggravated the anguish and uncertainty of their situation.
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Touched by these misfortunes, Madame Gamelin exerted herself to bring them help. To the motive of compassion, was added the desire of doing good to their souls, by reanimating their sentiments of faith and chris- tian piety. (1)
She asked, and, thanks to the esteem in which she was held, and the influence she enjoyed,she was able to ob- tain a general permission to visit the prisoners as often as she desired, and to bring them such help, as she deemed advisable. She availed herself to the full of this author- ization and was to be seen every day, proceeding thither, with a basket full of provisions on her arm. Accompa- nied by one of her ladies, who was very often Madame Gauvin, she crossed the threshold of that gloomy build- ing, being always saluted in the corridors the by En- glish sentries, who presented arms.
The news of this favor that had been granted to Madame Gamelin, very quickly spread through the country, and she began to receive innumerable visits and letters, from the relatives and friends of the prisoners, who confided to her messages and gifts for the incar- cerated. She gladly undertook these commissions adding thus a new service and an additional sweetness to her ministry of consolation and edification, and winning all hearts by that affectionate kindness, which paved the way for the conversion of many souls. She became known throughout the city, as ‘‘ the Angel of the Pris-
(1) The daughters of Mother Gamelin, still continue this work of visiting the prisons. The Sisters even accompany the condemned to the scaffold.
MOTHER GAMELIN 39
oners. ’’? An anecdote, in connection with this charitable ministry, may be related here especially as it belongs at the same time, to the childhood of one of our Com- munity, Sister Jean-Baptiste, who was then a child of ten years old. Her father, Jacques Longtin, a farmer of St. Constant,was amongst the number of those imprisoned.
On the 8th November, 1838, the child came to Montreal with her mother, who was trying very hard to gain access to the prisoner. Permission was refused and her grief was the greater, that martial law had been proclaimed upon the previous evening, and _ sinister rumors were in circulation, concerning the fate reserved for those unfortunate men. In her affliction, the poor woman went for counsel and help to Madame Gamelin.
‘“ The latter’’, writes Sister Jean-Baptiste, ‘‘ being unable to bring my mother to the prison, because of her having been already refused, had the delicate kind- ness to let me accompany her on her daily visit. I set out then with Madame Gamelin, helping her to carry the pro- visions, a portion of which were destined for my poor father. My heart swelled almost to bursting and burn- ing tears rolled down my cheeks, as I thought of seeing my beloved father, a prisoner in that fearful dungeon, he who had always been so good and whom we loved so much.
‘‘ We crossed the courtyard of the jail, between two ranks of armed soldiers. The gaoler opened an immense iron door and closed it again behind us. I was trembling in every limb, but Madame Gamelin reassured me with her motherly kindness.
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‘‘ We presently reached the prisoners’ ward, and on seeing her, they all hastened towards her, as to a mother. She greeted them lovingly: ‘‘I have come”’ she said,
‘to see how imy children are to-day.’’
‘‘ Whilst she distributed her messages from their families, and the provisions amongst which were tobacco and various delicacies, I was enabled to see my good father. I do not know what I said to him, since I was fairly choking with sobs, but that interview has remained ‘indelibly impressed upon my mind.’’(1)
During that long visit, Madame Gamelin, according to her wont, gave her dear prisoners, a short, pious reading ; she recited the Beads with them and when she was on the point of leaving, she said smiling: ‘‘If you are willing, we might as well say our night prayers to- gether, before I go away.’’ And all those worthy fellows knelt upon the pavement and mingled their voices for the last time, in prayer, with that of their consoling angel. (2)
How many other touching scenes were enacted within these walls during those disastrous days ! How many tears flowed, how many hearts were rent when those condemned to death, received a last visit from their families, exchanged with them a last embrace
(1) Mr. Jacques Longtin was condemned to death, but was afterwards exiled instead, to a penal settlement in Australia.
(2) 112 patriots were tried before a court-martial, in Novem- ber 1837, and in April 1838, 98 were condemned to death ; of
these 12 were executed, 12 acquitted, 30 released on parole and 58 transported.
MOTHER GAMELIN AI
and uttered a last farewell to those, who already stood within the shadow of the scaffold! How beneficent the part that could be played amid those great sorrows, by the compassion of a strong, yet delicate charity, pro- ceeding from a loving heart and a believing soul, like those of Madame Gamelin !
The memory of her devotion has been enshrined in our history. It is fully recognized in various works that have been published since that epoch. ‘‘ There are two names, in particular, deserving of special mention, ‘“‘writes Mr. L. O. David, (1 )’’ and which the prisoners of 1838 have never forgotten : Madame Gamelin, who later became the Foundress of the Providence and Madame Gauvin, mother of Dr. Gauvin, who himself took part in the events of 1837. ”’
‘“Mesdames Gamelin and Gauvin,’’ says, Mr. F. X. Prieur, ‘‘ gave proofs of a christian charity and devotedness, which neither cold nor fatigue, contradic- tions nor embarrassments could lessen. I would like to be able to thank them adequately, not only in my own name, but in that of my companions; but, words are powerless in such a case; God has reserved to Himself, the power of rewarding such actions.’’ (2 )
To these testimonies, may be added that of another participator in those sad events, who was actively
(1) The Patriots of 1837—38.
( 2) Notes of a Condemned Political Prisoner.
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concerned in the political struggles of that period, and who some years later, wrote to a friend the following letter, which we have here reproduced almost in its
entirety. A Distinguished Woman.
We have received from Mr. Jean Girouard, ex-M. P. P. a very valuable letter which we are extremely glad to reproduce here. It describes a visit paid by that remarkable man, to the establishment of Madame Gamelin, the ‘‘ Angel of the political prisoners of 1837—1838, ” and the Foundress of the Providence. A thousand thanks, to Mr. Girouard. ”
‘‘ I had long been wanting to go and see Madame Gamelin. I felt that it was a duty of gratitude ; for I have often told you of the trouble taken by that good lady, in assisting the poor prisoners, and that at a time, when a relentless power, made humanity and benevolence, so tosay, a crime. In those un- happy times, women alone rose above circumstances, and dis- played a power, which a stern despotism would fain have crushed.
“The admirable woman whom I have just mentioned, found, not alone, in the dungeons of a political inquisition, unhappy fellow countrymen to assist and console, but the bowels of her christian charity caused her to discover, many other and no less worthy objects of her solicitude. Throw aside then Legouvé, and those other pompous and elegant eulogies of the same nature, and come with me, to Madame Gamelin’s where you may see charity in action.
‘‘ I saw there christian charity; the unfortunate under its protection, from their very entrance into the world ; I saw poor, little innocents, the children of weakness, of crime, of extreme misery, received at their birth by the hands of religion and saved from a premature death. It only remained, for me, to behold the same succor, bestowed upon humanity at the end of its course. For here, care is bestowed, not only upon innocent, little creatures, who repay it by the sweet smile of childhood, but also
-MOoTHER GAMELIN 43
upon human nature in its decrepitude, in its most deplorable conditions, under its most repulsive form.
‘* Good God, why do we not die, in the full flush of health and strength ? Why must we wait to be cruelly abandoned by those faculties, which bring us into communication with our surroundings, and especially with our fellow beings ? Wherefore, should we linger,until we are assailed by the pains and infirmities that belong to the wearing out of the bodily machine, and when naught remains for us, but a species of vegetable existence and the sensation of suffering?
‘Well, it is when a climax is put to all these evils, by the misery and deprivation that are addedto these other misfortunes, that the virtue of a woman should come to their aid. Without wealth or power, or other visible means, she has succeeded in putting her design into execution. A little later, she will erect with the help of some charitable ladies of Montreal, and on land that she has purchased near the Bishopric, an hospital well ad- apted for her purpose. For at the present time, Madame Game- lin finds herself, very much crowded,into exceedingly small quar- ters. However, just go in, and you will be astonished at the cleanliness and order that reign there.
‘* About thirty old women, who would otherwise have died from misery or want of care, have there found a refuge against poverty, a haven of peace and consolation, where they continu- ally receive all the attention required by senility, especially when blindness, deafness, paralysis, and the other infirmities of old age are superadded. They are nearly all sexagenarians, or octogena- rians ; though there are, even, a few centenarians amongst them.
‘* Such of these old women as are not altogether helpless, are employed in various kinds of work. Some spin, others snip pieces of stuff, with the only fingers that remain to them ; others cut and roll this into balls, for the manufacture of rag carpet ; these knit, while others make bags, or such other works as are suited to their capacity. Those who cannot work, pray; I saw three of them making their adoration in the chapel where a priest comes every day to say Mass. For the rest they are all well dress- ed, and almost entirely with stuffs made in the house.
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‘“ Madame Gamelin is alone at the head of this house with no other help than that afforded by a good woman, who has also consecrated herself to the care of poor and infirm old age. They get no help from their guests, except in the case of one blind girl, who can sweep and dust.
‘I confess that I left the Asylum with a feeling of profound admiration, both for Madame Gamelin, and for that source, whence she has drawn the idea and the strength of soul neces- sary to accomplish so excellent a work. How beautiful, then, is that religion which inspires such sublime and touching devoted- ness ; which leaving aside all the enjoyments of the world, all the sweetness and the comfort of life, consecrates itself exclusively to the relief of misery !
‘And such misery, Good God, that of extreme decrepitude! Scarcely could there be found in relative or friend, a love and courage strong enough to overcome all repugnances and to bes- tow such care..... Yes, it is in these institutions of pure charity, the Catholic religion must be studied, that it may be known, un- derstood, admired and cherished. Faith is love! Henceforth I will not waste time, in idle argument with certain strong-minded persons, whom | occasionally meet. I will send them there, where I have found all that is necessary to revive in my soul,
those consoling convictions and those sentiments which make the happiness of man.
J. Girouard. November 6th, 1841.
The incessant labor imposed upon Madame Gamelin for the support of her Asylum, soon exhausted her phy- sical strength, and in the course of the year 1838, she fell dangerously ill. The doctor recognized her very first Symptoms, as those of typhoid fever, and the patient was soon reduced to extremity. Innumerable were the prayers that rose to heaven for her recovery, and abun-
WF oS peel, at eo Pee heal Sake we ee PRS ES 8 es On TO tr ty yy oe ee ep LSS in Fike. PRETAAUE NTI MRE TAC STAT CSAS] or ey METI ES Peg ite ¢ Bt
MOTHER GAMELIN 45
dant the tears that flowed, from the fear of losing so loving and devoted a mother. Desolate widows, incon- solable poor persons, succeeded each other continually before the altar of the Asylum oratory, where they felt as if their prayers and lamentations, to the God of the af- flicted, must be more favorably heard. On the 14th Sep- tember, she fell into a swoon, which was believed to be her agony. Her confessor, Father Saint Pierre, recited the prayers for the dying. Her most intimate friends, and a few of her poor knelt at the foot of the bed, ex- pecting every instant that she would breathe her last. It was during that supposed agony, that the Blessed Virgin appeared to her and showed her the place re- served for her in heaven.
”)
‘* But my crown, ’’ as she wrote later, ‘‘ had hardly
any diamonds in it, and my good Mother sent me away,
telling me that I must correct my impatience. I saw
my children, who seemed as if wishing to draw me toward them. I also saw my husband amongst the num- ber of the blessed.(1) ’’? Coming out of that swoon, and regarding those around her, with a smiling and kindly expression, she said: ‘‘ Do not weep any more, I am not going to die, now. ’’ And in truth from that moment, her strength gradually returned ; she was soon quite recovered, and ina condition to resume her works of charity.
The beginning of the year 1840, was. signalized by a painful event : this was the death of Mgr. Lartigue,
(1) We have autographic testimony of that vision, related by Madame Gamelin herself, in her Journal of Retreat for 1848.
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who fell asleep in the Lord, at the Hotel-Dieu, on the 1gth April, Easter Sunday, in the arms of his coadjutor, Mgr. Bourget, and Father Quiblier, Superior of the
Seminary.
Madame Gamelin, long mourned for that holy prelate, her own personal friend and that of her house, the devoted protector of her infant work, in which he had never ceased to take the liveliest interest. ‘‘ Whilst he was at the Seminary, he was often seen traversing the city streets, carrying food to the poor or clothing with which he was going to cover the suffering mem- bers of Jesus Christ. He secretly sold every object of which he could dispose, to satisfy his inclination for doing good. (1)’’
CHAP LER AV
1838—1843
Many BisHops visir MADAME GAMELIN’s ASYLUM. — THE FIRST MASS IS SAID IN THE ORATORY—-TOKENS OF SYMPATHY, FROM THE COMMUNITIES OF THECITY.—INCORPORATION OF THE ASYLUM. —BtsHop BourGET AND THE DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY.
oO
A’ the time of Mgr. Lartigue’s death, Madame Gamelin’s Asylum had already earned public Sympathy and admiration. The most prominent citizens
(1) Religious Miscellany, April 30th, 1841.
Se
a ee ee oe
ee ee a ee
iit AER AB 2 ail Bio shel Dg Sie
JEAN JACQUES LARTIQUE,
first Bishop of Montreal
ie
Fe a
MoTHER GAMELIN 47
had honored it by their presence. Mgr. Forbin Janson, Bishop of Nancy, had visited and blessed that humble abode, assuring its pious foundress, that her work begun in poverty and destitution, should always continue. Some months later, Madame Gamelin had the consolation of receiving there, three other bishops, who were brought thither by Bishop Bourget. These, were Bishop Fenwick of Boston, Mgr. Turgeon, coadjutor of Quebec, and Mgr. Gaulin of Kingston. The benevolent interest shown by the episcopate, in that nascent work, was a great en- couragement, of which its foundress preserved the most grateful remembrance.
Another signal happiness was vouchsafed her that year, in the permission granted for the celebration of holy Mass, every day, at the Asylum, and for the re- taining of the Blessed Sacrament in the ‘Tabernacle, during the time of novenas, the Month of Mary, or other solemn occasions. This favor was asked of Mer. Bourget by two infirm old women, who kneeling at the Bishop’s feet represented to him, that many of them through their age and infirmities were deprived of hear-. ing Mass, even on Sunday. The Bishop was only too happy to grant their request, and to arrange that a priest from the palace should go there every morning to say Mass. Madame Gamelin immediately set to work, to provide all that was necessary for divine worship, and since the little Asylum was unable to bear the expense, she had recourse to the various communities of the city, asking their assistance. She everywhere met with a will- ing response. ‘he religious of the Hotel Dieu, of the
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Congregation of Notre Dame, and of the General Hos- pital, gave her the ornaments and linen necessary for the Holy Sacrifice. Mass was celebrated for the first time on the 13th December, 1841, on a little wooden altar, offered by the Sisters of the General Hospital, (Gray Nuns), which is still to be seen in the old women’s hall in the Providence Asylum. Father Prince was appointed chaplain of the house, Father Saint Pierre retaining the office of confessor.
Madame Gamelin testified her gratitude to heaven, by organizing a guard of honor, for the day and night, each time that she had the happiness of keeping the Divine Master under her roof. Happy destiny for that poor dwelling, which after having been a place of disorder and sin, became an asylum of prayer, charity and recollection, the tabernacle of the thrice holy God.
That favor was a powerful stimulus to the pious widow, in her charitable labors and undertakings. She never went out of the house, without going to kiss the floor of that little oratory, where Mass had been cele- brated in the morning. Heaven deigned to reward her ardent faith, and the extraordinary favor which she had received in the church of Notre Dame, was repeated in the ‘‘ yellow house. ’’
One day, as she was about setting out for the market, without a penny in her pocket, she went to prostrate herself, according to custom, at the foot of the tabernacle. Tapping lightly on the railing of the sanctuary, she said to our Lord: ““My God, I am
MOTHER GAMELIN 49
going to do the marketing for your poor, and my purse is empty.’ She had scarcely left the house, when an unknown person came up to her and said: “‘T learn that you have nothing in your purse; there is some- thing to help you.’’ And giving her twenty-five shill- ings, the stranger withdrew without telling her name.
An event which was of importance for the diocese, had also a happy effect on the work of Madame Gamelin. This was the creation of the Cathedral Chapter, erected on the 21st, January, 1841. Our Community, from the beginning, had the closest ties with this Chapter, since its Chaplains were for a long time, chosen from that body, and its ecclesiastical Superiors even to the present day, are taken from its ranks. These clergymen have showed us an invariable kindness, for which we cannot be sufficiently grateful, and therefore, we have always regarded them as our fathers and signal benefactors.
The Asylum also obtained invaluable help from the devotedness of the Ladies of Charity. Many of them adopted an old woman, for whom they paid twelve or
fifteen shillings a month.
Full of gratitude for these favors, Madame Gamelin felt impelled to bind herself, in a still more intimate fashion to that work, to which she had already given her whole heart and the greater part of her time. On the 2nd February, 1842, with the consent of her di-
rector, she privately pronounced the following vow, which bound her forever to the work she had estab-
lished. 4
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‘“T promise joyfully, and with all my heart, to live forthe rest of my life in perfect continence, to be the servant of the poor, in the measure of my strength, to exercise a stricter supervision over my conversations, and to cut off from my clothing whatever may savor of luxury, or ornament. I wish to give myself to God that He may do with me what He will ; I submit there- to, with entire resignation. Help me, O my Mother, to keep the promises which I have this day made to you.’’(1)
EMMELIE GAMELIN.
2nd February, 1842.
This was an unconscious step towards the solemn and decisive engagements of religious life, towards which Divine grace was gradually leading her. She had already given it serious thought. Her director, Canon Prince, did not favor this inclination, whether, he was not fully convinced of her vocation, or wished to test the solidity of her dispositions, before encouraging her to follow that path. A saying is recorded, of one of his colleagues of the Cathedral Chapter, Canon Blan- chet, with regard to this subject. He said, one day, joking, to the future Foundress of the Providence : “You become a nun? Why you are no more cut out for it,.than, Ik am to be a Bishop. ”’ ee
(1) An autograph copy of this vow, is preserved in the Archives of the Bishop’s palace, in Montreal.
MOTHER GAMELIN 51
He certainly did not display the gift of prophecy in this instance, since some years later, he was noimin- ated for the new episcopal See of Walla Walla, whither he was later to bring for the service of the poor and sick of his diocese, the daughters of the Institute, of which Madame Gamelin had become first Superior.
In the Spring of 1841, Bishop Bourget, made his first journey ad /imina. During his absence, Madame Gamelin’s Asylum obtained civil incorporation from the legislature. The measure which passed, on the 18th September, 1841, had been introduced by the Hon. D. B. Viger and Hon. J. Quesnel. Mr. Alfred Larocque took an active part in assuring the success of this ven- ture and arranging the preliminary steps. The new As- sociation bore the name of ‘‘Corporation for Aged and Infirm Women of Montreal. ”’
It was composed of the twelve, following ladies, with Madame Gamelin, as directress ; Mademoiselle Ma- deleine Durand, as sub-directress ; Madame Francois Ta- vernier née Cadieux, as Secretary ; Madame Maurice Nolan, as Treasurer; Madame Paul Joseph Lacroix, née Lacroix ; Madame Augustine Cuvillier, née Perrault ; Madame Alexander Maurice Delisle, née Cuvillier ; Ma- dame Edouard Benjamin Fabre, née Perrault ; Madame Denis Benjamin Viger, née Fortier; Madame Julien Perrault, née Lamontagne; Madame Simon Delorme, née Dufresne, and Mlle Therese Berthelet.
2 LIFE OF
One of the principal clauses of this bill, provided that, ‘‘ these ladies and all other persons chosen by them, to assist or succeed them, should form a body politic, having full power to acquire, possess, sell, in a word, to hold in any legal manner whatsoever, for themselves or their successors, all sorts of goods, moveable or im- moveable, with the object of creating, supporting, enlarg- ing and perpetuating an Asylum, for aged and infirm women..,,
Hitherto these ladies had contented themselves with helping Madame Gamelin in her work, without forming themselves into a regular association. Though all the time, they had visited the poor and sick at their homes and brought them such assistance as they could obtain for them.
Soon after his return from Europe, on the 16th October, Mgr. Bourget assembled the ladies of the new Association in the little oratory of the Asylum, to bless and encourage their labors. After the singing of some hymns, the holy Bishop, addressed that little gathering, in one of those discourses full of warmth and of unc-
tion, of which he found the secret in his heart, over- flowing with charity.
Recalling the beautiful words of St. Lawrence, a Roman proconsul, he showed them the veritable treas- ures of the Church, in the poor, the infirm, and the sick of whom She has constituted herself the guardian ; in the suffering members of Jesus Christ, whose wounds she heals, and whose misery she relieves.
MOTHER GAMELIN 53
St. Vincent de Paul, no doubt, spoke in that same strain to the ladies of Paris, whom he associated with his works of charity, and as they, after the inspiring words of ‘ Mr. Vincent’’, so the ladies of Montreal, touched by the eloquence of their holy Bishop, felt them- selves animated to pursue their generous enterprise, with courage and ardor.
Bishop Bourget, furthermore,on that occasion, open- ed up a new horizon to their hopes, regarding the future of the humble Asylum, which they had taken under their patronage. In the regular meeting over which he presided after the religious ceremony in the oratory, he acquainted them with his design of bringing to his epis- copal city, to take charge of the Asylum, the Daugh- ters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, whose Superior had agreed to his demand, during his recent visit to Paris.
This news was joyfully received by the ladies, since it rendered the future of their work secure. Madame Gamelin shared in the joy of her companions. A soul less disinterested than hers, might have felt some dis- content or at least sadness, at the thought of seeing that work which she had hitherto directed with so much wisdom and devotedness pass into other hands. But as she had never sought in that work anything else than the good of the poor and the will of God, she was ready to approve and accept the decision of her Bishop, wherein she saw- at once the divine will and a pledge of stability for the future of the work.
54 LIFE OF
The Association publicly known, under the beau- tiful name of Ladies of Providence, decided ata meeting held, on the suggestion of Mrs. Nolan, to give to the edifice that was to be confided to the Sisters of Charity the title of Asylum of Providence, and they set to work without delay to raise funds for that foundation.
That meeting was a memorable one, in the history of the work, so that the J/élanges Religieux, could truthfully write some days later : ‘‘ What a small affair might at first sight, have seemed that assemblage of about a dozen persons, escorted by some thirty of the poor and infirm, who prayed together with their pastor. It might have been regarded simply as a devotional exercise. But do not be deceived. There was much more therein than appeared to the eye. It held the future of a great event; it was the cradle of an admirable work, the outline of a great plan, the foundation of a colossal edifice. All things whatever, that are great and holy in religion, have their origin in prayer and hu- mility. Look at Bethlehem, look at the Cenacle. ’’(1)
On the day following that meeting the Ladies de- cided upon the purchase of a piece of land, for the construction of a new Asylum. Thanks to the liberality of Mr. Paul Joseph Lacroix,and of Mlle Louise Lacroix, who advanced the necessary funds, they became in the course of a few days, the owners of a splendid piece of ground, planted with vines and fruit trees, and measuring 56,000 feet, on its surface. Adjoining the grounds of the Bishop’s palace, it was just opposite the ‘‘ yellow house. ’
(1 ) Mélanges Religieux, Oct. 22nd. 1841.
4 ; 3 }
MOTHER GAMELIN bi
The Ladies paid a constitutional rental on 1200 louis (1) but Mr. and Mlle Lacroix immediately threw off in their favor, half of this interest for a term of six years, with a promise of further reductions in the future. On the 6th of November following, at the general assembly of the Ladies of the Association, Mgr. Bourget read to them the ensuing decree, which conferred can- onical erection upon them : |
‘Ignace Bourget by the grace of God and the fa- vor of the Apostolic See, Bishop of Montreal, etc.
‘Tf the Asylum known as the House of Providence, but lately, when it was the work of a single person, attracted our attention, and won all our suffrages, how much more should it be the object of our paternal sol- icitude and affection, when it has become a common and general work. Therefore, our dear ladies and sisters in Jesus Christ, it isa very great consolation for us, to read to you this Pastoral, which should reanimate your courage, while at the same time, giving you the salutary sanc- tion which, doubtless, you most ardently desire.
‘* Consequently, after having considered before (od, the good which may be done in our city of Montreal, and later in all our diocese, by the stability of this christian work, which our faithful sister, Emmelie Ga- melin, began long ago, under the eyes of our illustrious predecessor, by these presents we confirm and bless it, and desire that it be a diocesan and regular Institute, with the object of introducing therein, later, the admi-
(1) About 4,776 dollars.
56 LIFE OF
rable service of the Sisters of Charity, daughters of the immortal St. Vincent de Paul.
‘With this thought, we have turned our attention upon the various establishments of charity now existing in Ville Marie, and have seen with much consolation, numerous hospitals opened to the sick and the infirm, to old age, and to forsaken children, but we have been obliged to admit that by their number and objects they do not correspond to all necessities, nor to all classes of evils and misfortunes.
‘““ We have therefore, especially thought to-day, of founding in your midst a pious and permanent establish- ment, which should be a safe Asylum for all the victims of infirmity or suffering, of ignorance or poverty, who look to religion for comfort or relief. It is with this end in view, Our Very Dear Sisters, taking as our model, similar associations formed in the charitable city of Marseilles, and knowing your opinions and your good will, so clearly stated at two preceding meetings that we have resolved to form you this day, into a charitable society, and in accordance with your desires, we give the following articles, as the basis of your Institute :
«6
Ist: An Association, known as the Asylum of the Ladies of Providence, for aged and infirm women, is established in Ville Marie, under the auspices of the Catholic religion, and in the name of christian charity.
‘‘ 2nd: That Association, is composed of ladies and young. girls, of Montreal, who have been aggregated to that work, in virtue of a bill, to that effect, which
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MoTHER GAMELIN 57
passed in the last session of the Provincial Parliament, and also conformably to the Rules of the Association.
‘“3rd : The end of the Association is to receive into a special house, to support, instruct and care for
all indigent persons who cannot be received into other
institutions.
‘‘ath: The Association is placed under our imme- diate jurisdiction and will be governed by a rule given by us— one of Our Vicars General or a Canon of the Cathedral will assume its direction, and shall be charg- ed to preside over it, in our absence.
‘‘ Priests, according to the number that may gra- dually become necessary, shall be named by the Supe- rior of the Seminary of Saint Sulpice, in Montreal, to serve as Chaplains, to the Association, and to take part in all its deliberations, with the title of sub-director.
‘sth: An executive council, consisting of women or young girls, elected for that purpose at the general meeting of the Association, shall have the administra- tion, of all affairs connected with the work, and shall see that the Rules governing the Association are put in practice; that Council, elected for one year, shall consist of one or several treasurers, and eight council-
lors, all having a deliberative vote, and the directress, a controlling vote.
‘‘These constituent articles, Our Very Dear Sisters, having been verbally communicated to you, and by you formally accepted, in our preceding meetings, the As-
58 LIFE OF
sociation of the Ladies of Providence, of the Asylum for aged and infirm women, is, from this moment, by us established and constituted ; and we have placed it firstly, under the invocation of our Iady of Pity, whose Feast falls on the Friday in Passion week, and secondly under that of St. Elizabeth, widow, whose Feast is cel- ebrated, on the 19th of November, for its first patron, we have given, St. Vincent de Paul, confessor, whose Feast falls on the I9th of July, and finally as second patroness, St. Genevieve, virgin, whose Feast has been fixed for the 3rd of January.
‘“May you then, Our Very Dear Sisters, under these happy auspices, make a complete success of your new and sublime ministry, fulfilling with great glory to religion, all those pious conditions, which should distin- guish a woman who is truly christian, and devoted through motives of charity to the relief of the unfor- tunate. In that hope we bless with all our heart, your
efforts for good, and by these presents, grant you our pastoral blessing.
‘“ Given at Montreal, in our episcopal palace under our signature, the seal of our arms, and the counter-
seal of one of our Canons, on this 6th day of Novem- ber 1847,
Signed + Ignace Bourget, Bishop of Montreal, For His Lordship,
J.C. Prince, Sec. Chan.
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MOTHER GAMELIN 59
Two days later, on the 8th November, the Bishop addressed a pastoral letter to the clergy and faithful of his episcopal city, acquainting them with all that had transpired, and soliciting their charitable concurrence, in the foundation of the Asylum, for the benefit of which, the ladies would presently call upon them for contributions.
‘“Tand has been already purchased, ‘‘ he said to them’’ and the resolution taken to lay thereon, the foundation of a building sufficiently large, to enable the Daughters of Charity, to fulfil therein their mission. We have therefore requested the twelve ladies, compos- ing the Corporation of the Asylum to pass round a subscription list to all the citizens of this city.
‘In sending them to you, Our Very Dear Breth- ren, we will borrow once more the words of the Apos- tle and say to each one of you: ‘‘Help then these ladies, who are so entirely devoted to this beautiful work, and who labor with us, that that charity which is so much recommended in the Gospel may be practiced in its perfection. Adjuva illas que mecum laboraverunt in evangelio. We hope that you will be prepared, when they go to solicit your help, and that we shall not haveto blush for having sent them in vain.’’
The ladies, whose number had _ increased through the powerful incentive of their Bishop, were kept in- cessantly at work. They divided the city for their pious undertaking, into six sections and went from house to house, imploring the charity of the citizens. Their zeal,
60 LIFE OF
and the trouble that they took, were by no means barren of results. They succeeded in realizing the sum of rors Louis.
The following spring, a Charity Sale, which was open for two days on the 16th and 17th of May, in the Hotel Rasco, on St. Paul St, netted 500 Louis. It was the first Bazaar held in our city; the first also, of a long series of annual Charity sales, for the Asylum of Providence and where, for half a century, the friends of our work and of our Community, were accustomed to
meet regularly.
The directresses of that Bazaar, were Mesdames Gamelin, Gauvin, St. Jean, Fabre, Levesque, Boyer, Moreau and Lafontaine. For many long years, these names appeared, at the head of all works of charity in Montreal, and well deserved to be perpetuated forever, in her religious history.
The preparations for that Bazaar, required six months of labor and of organization. It was followed, during the year, by two less important sales, held chief- ly to dispose of articles, left over from the first. These latter took place in St. James’ School, near the Bish- opric, where the ‘‘ Mélanges Religieux,’’ was published. (1)
Mgr. Bourget was anxious to do his share of col- laboration, in the collection for the Asylum. *‘ The poorest of the poor,” said he to Madame Gamelin, ” I have not a cent to put into your purse. But that the
(1) This building which was destroyed by fire has since been replaced by the St. Alexis Orphanage.
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MoTHER GAMELIN 61
poor may not blush for their estate, I too, will become a beggar, that I may have the happiness of sharing in
Z2
a work so dear to my heart. And in the course of the following Winter, accompanied by a layman he went to every house in the town, extending his hand in
favor of the work which he had so highly recommended.
It was on this occasion, that the Hon. Charles Seraphine Rodier, expressed, in a letter to the holy Bishop, those sentiments of gratitude, which he held in common with all his fellow-citizens, ‘‘ that His Lordship had deigned to make them participators in the prayers and blessings which that house, of benediction,
should diffuse in their midst. ”’
The collection made by the charitable prelate, re- alized 1100 Louis which went to swell the building fund.
The sum already realized, and the hopes that were founded on the Bazaars projected for the following years, permitted the work of construction to be begun without delay. The architect chosen, was Mr. John
_ Ostell and the contractor, Mr. Augustin Laberge.
The superintendence of the work was confided to a Commiittee, selected by the ladies, which included Messrs. John Ostell, P. J. Lacroix, Augustine Tullock, Olivier Berthelet, and F. Tavernier, all benefactors of the work.
The plan comprised a main building 96 feet in length, by 60, in breadth, flanked by two wings, 90 feet long, by 30, wide, the whole including three stories and offering a frontage of 156 feet.
62 LIFE OF
The blessing of the corner stone took place on the roth, May, 1842, with extraordinary success. A multi- tude assembled from all quarters of the city, gathered
around the Cathedral, and the ground upon which the ©
new edifice was to rise. A solemn Mass was celebrated in the Cathedral by Bishop Power, who had been re- cently appointed to the See of Toronto. The Bishops of Montreal, Kingston and Sidyme,(1) were present, to- gether with numerous represeutatives of the clergy, both from town and country.
After Mass, Father Bilaudéle, Director of the grand Seminary, delivered the sermon of the occasion. He took for his text the words of the inspired Book : ‘The work of the Lord has begun, He will finish it ’’ and proceeded to show that the Asylum of Providence was the work of God, in itself, in its objects, and in the persons by whom it had been undertaken. Remind- ing his hearers in a splendid burst of eloquence, that the work of God is always attended by obstacles, he cried :
‘“ But it requires money to erect this monument and where is money to be had? Mothers are required to care for the poor: and those mothers, where are they ? Virgins of charity are required, the daughters of St. Vincent de Paul, and those virgins where are they ?’’... Then praising the devotion of the ladies and the inex- haustible charity of the citizens, he exclaimed: ‘‘O Catholic religion, how admirable art thou! Blessed be
(1) Bishops Bourget, Gaulin and Turgeon, the latter coadjutor of Quebec.
MOTHER GAMELIN 63
the Lord, who hast renewed, here in this city of Mary, the marvels of charity and devotedness of the primitive ages of the Church..... Yes, this is the work of God, for a temple is being erected to the God of the poor. It is there, in such institutions, that He is hungry; it is there, that He is thirsty ; it is there that He is sick; it is there that He is suffering; it is there that He is captive ; and it is to those who have assisted the poor that He promises an eternal reward...Bless us, O Lord, with thine own hand, by the hand of Thy Mother, by ‘the hands of thy pontiffs, and in particular by the hand of him who glories in being the poorest person, in his diocese, and who has consecrated the first fruits of his episcopate, to divine charity.’’ (1)
The enthusiasm of the audience was wrought up to the highest pitch. A procession was formed to the place that had been prepared. Flags and banners waved from the triumphal arches and from the scaffolding that had been erected for the spectators. The multitude beheld with emotion, the aged and infirm women of the Asylum marching under the banner of St. Vincent de Paul and followed by Madame Gamelin and the Ladies of Charity.
After the blessing of the corner stone, which was given by Mgr. Power, the invited guests, following the four prelates came, according to custom, to place a trow- el full of mortar on the stone, together with their of- fering.
About the middle of June of the same year, the Rev. John Timon, Superior of the Lazarists of Missouri,
(1) Mélanges Religieux. May 13th, 1842.
64 LIFE OF
arrived in Montreal. He came in the name of his Supe- rior General, who was also that of the Daughters of Charity, to see the building that was in course of con- struction, and to come to an understanding with the Bishop, as to the steps that had to be taken for hasten- ing the arrival of the Sisters from France. Father Ti- mon declared himself perfectly satisfied with all that had been hitherto done and decided. (1)
He visited Madame Gamelin’s house, and addressed his most cordial congratulations to its foundress, and assured her, that in writing, he would inform the Daughters of St. Vincent de Paul that they might hope to find in Canada, another Melle Legras, who by her self devotion had caused the true spirit of their blessed Father’s humility and charity, to flourish in this country.
The Ladies saw in all this encouragement, a visible manifestation of Divine Providence, which induced them to redouble their charity and zeal in the service of the poor, that they might draw down, a more abundant benediction on their work. They determined to extend their association to the visitation of the poor and sick in their homes.
Mgr. Bourget, who was present, at the meeting, in which this resolution was taken, sent them the very next day, a rule modelled upon that which St. Vincent de Paul had drawn up for a Society of Ladies in Paris, who had consecrated themselves to the work. This
(1) Rev. John Timon, Superior of the Lazarists of Mis- souri, in which State, he was born, was afterwards made Bishop of Buffalo, October 17th, 1847, and died April 16th, 1867.
es aes Te
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MOTHER GAMELIN 65
message was accompanied by a beautiful letter, which is here given in its entirety, and wherein all the piety and charity of the holy Bishop’s heart seemed to find vent :
To the Ladies of Charity,
At the Providence Asylum, Montreal.
Ladies,
‘* Yesterday, I was much consoled and edified by the resolution taken to devote yourselves entirely to the service of the poor, by visiting them in their homes and bringing them whatever help they might require. With a devotedness worthy of your kind hearts, you determin- ed to undertake a work so painful and revolting to hu- man nature, and in that way proved that Montreal has the happiness of possessing generous and compassionate
souls, similar to those who by supporting the charitable | designs of St. Vincent de Paul,—that man of great works for the relief of suffering humanity,—have sent forth streams of mercy, over the whole earth. By following the example of those heroines of charity, by consti- tuting yourselves the servants of the poor, you give proof of possessing treasures of christian charity, and of having discovered the secret of true happiness for yourselves, that of making others happy.
66 LIFE OF
‘In binding yourselves to the visitation of the poor, I know that you are snatching from your house- hold cares, time which is very precious to yourselves and to your families. I realize that you are thus de- priving yourselves of the pleasure, which on many occa- sions might be yours, of visiting more frequently those who are connected with you by the ties of kindred or of friendship.
‘But the thought that you have left the company of your dear ones, for that of Jesus Christ, will be in itself a great reward, equalling, no doubt the hundred- fold promised in the Gospel, to those who leave all things to follow that good Master. That interior joy, which is the faithful companion of charity, will inun- date your souls with a sweet unction, which will soon cause the pleasures of the world to be forgotten. That lively faith which has inspired you to undertake so beautiful a work and by which you are penetrated, in the performance of those sacred duties, you have vol- untarily imposed upon yourselves, will enable you to see Jesus suffering in the person of his friends, His
‘confidantes, His brethren, that is to say, in the person of His poor.
‘‘T send you to-day, the Rule, which I promised you yesterday, and which is based upon that drawn up by St. Vincent de Paul for the various ladies, who desired to be associated with his charitable labors, by performing a work precisely similar to that which you have undertaken. I cannot propose to myself a more beautiful model, nor draw from a better source. In
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MOTHER GAMELIN 67
making a few changes and additions, it is only to ac- commodate myself, to our actual needs and _ condi- tions. Therefore, Ladies, it is not from my hand that you receive this rule, but from that of the great Saint, who was evidently raised up by Providence, to preside not only over all the works of charity of his own time, but also those which shall be accomplished, in the course of centuries and in all the countries of the world.
‘“‘In giving you this Rule, I believe that I am imparting to you, the spirit and the heart of that admirable Saint. It will be easy for you to draw thence those lights, which imprinted upon all his works the character of the divine, that is to say, the discretion and prudence which can only come from above, and the universal charity which made him compassionate all human miseries.
‘“ Guided by that wise direction and supported by that powerful protection, you may hope that Our Lord, himself will preside, over the distribution of your alms, that He will bless your generous efforts, and multiply the funds which you have collected for His suffering members. Believe me, you have taken, Ladies, the surest and most efficacious means of ensuring the suc- cessful establishment of the Daughters of Charity, in our city, by yourselves, undertaking to anticipate their work.
‘‘ Your willing service of the poor, will be as so many eloquent voices, announcing their arrival in the city. Your charitable labors, will open all hearts and
68 LIFE OF
purses to you, so that you may soon be in a position to erect, as rapidly as possible, the magnificent monument which you desire to consecrate to the glory of religion and to the honor of that august Mother, who is the patroness of our city.
‘In taking upon yourselves this beautiful mission, you will shed a new lustre upon our holy religion, which alone is capable of inspiring such devotion ; you will lighten considerably the burden of your pastors, who will find in you zealous and diligent almoners ; you will facilitate for the rich, the accomplishment of that duty, which is so strictly imposed upon all those whom Our Lord has blessed with worldly goods; you will greatly contribute to the glory of our city, upon which you will draw down, the most abundant bless- ings of heaven, and finally, you will be the joy and con- solation of your Bishop, who will find in your charitable
labors, a powerful motive to hope for his own salvation |
and that of his flock.
‘‘In blessing your glorious undertaking, I am from my heart,
ce adies, ‘“ Your very humble and obedient Servant, ‘“+ Ignace, Bishop of Montreal. ’’
These words were full of encouragement to those hearts already so well disposed. The work of visiting the poor, was speedily and intelligently organized. The
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MOTHER GAMELIN 69
society was divided into six groups, corresponding to the six districts of the city and suburbs. It had two general depots for money and goods, one at the Asylum and the other in the St. Antoine suburbs. Every day, in both these places, soup was served to fifty or sixty poor people. Messrs. Berthelet and Tullock who took a lively interest in the progress of the work, to encour- age the poor and prevent any false shame on their part, often sat down with them, and partook of the soup, which they declared to be excellent.
Madame Gamelin was intrusted with the general direction of the work. Her companions were variously employed in distributing to the poor, relief of divers kinds, and those alms which they collected indiscrimin- ately from all charitable persons. They went to houses and places of business, but especially seized the oppor- tunity of family festivals, or dinners, at which their compassionate voices gave utterance to the complaint and the prayers of the poor, amid outbursts of laughter and gaiety, and in the luxurious surroundings of the fortu- nate ones of earth.
Many even imposed upon themselves the sacrifice of superfluities in their houses or clothing, to provide for the necessities of widows and orphans. Some were even known to cast their jewelry into the coffers of the poor, after the immortal example of those ladies of the court of Louis XIII, who spontaneously stripped themselves of their jewels, to help the Foundlings, whose miseries were so eloquently set before them by St. Vincent de Paul.
70 LIFE OF
Madame Gamelin herself had, at this period, re-
nounced whatever might savor of worldliness or vanity, in her bearing or attire, such as ornaments for the hair, perfumes, and all those things, to which she had once
attached a certain importance.
The new labors and occupations, created by the multiplication of her charitable activity, did not prevent her from bestowing the same affectionate and assiduous care upon her old women, as heretofore. She devoted herself to them the more, since the time, as she believed, was approaching, when she should hate to part from those dear charges. She consoled herself, however, with the reflection, that the Sisters of Charity, to whom they were to be confided, would be, for those old people, whom she had so much loved, real mothers, as she her-
self had been, though in her humility, she had never
assumed that title. She continued to serve them at table, to preside over their exercises of devotion and to sur- round them with the most tender and delicate attentions.
Her generous soul, must have been greatly consol-
ed to see that her zeal and initiative, had caused the
fruits of her charity, to be multiplied even in other places. The country parishes and the smaller towns in the vicinity, soon followed the example of Montreal, in organizing in their turn, associations of Ladies of Char- ty. Such were founded at Longueuil, Terrebonne, La- prairie and St. Hyacinthe. The most prominent women in those localities, such as the Baroness de Longueuil, Ma- dame Masson and Madame Dessaules, felt honored in
MorTrHER GAMELIN 71
being asked to accept the Presidency : which is a touch- ing instance of the contagion of good example, and of christian emulation.
The very children were inflamed by that ardor of charity. It is pleasant to recall how a future Archbishop of Montreal, young Edouard Charles Fabre, then only twelve years of age, gave all the devoted service of which his age was capable, in the Bazaars where- in his mother took an extremely active part.
And a pretty story is told of how four young girls of Montreal, themselves organized a Bazaar, in favor of the Asylum. Their names deserve to be chronicled here : they were the Misses Alida Bourret, Eleonore Simpson, Virginie Roy, and Marie Louise Leprohon. The eldest of these was only nine years old, and the youngest seven. It was during vacation, and these charming chil- dren begged permission from their mothers to employ themselves in working for the poor. Needless to say that the mothers readily consented. They quickly set to “work to dress dolls, and at the end of three weeks, begged of the mother of one of them, Madame Bourret, whose husband was the Mayor of Montreal, to place her drawing-room at their disposal, so that they might hold their Bazaar there under her patronage. It only lasted for one evening. Unnecessary to say, that the pretty saleswomen met with the greatest success, and that all their articles were sold. The next day, these kind-hearted children, through Madame Bourret, present- ed the Bishop, with about ten louis, (1) addressing him
( 1 ) About 38 dollars.
72 LIFE OF
in the following words, touching in their simplicity : ‘“ My Lord, we have had a great Bazaar. We bring you the proceeds which you will please give to the Asylum of Providence, which you caused Madame Gamelin to build for the poor.’’
The pretty incident shows the interest, which the zeal of the Bishop and his co-laborers had created in favor of his project and the popularity it had attained. There was then, every reason to regard success as cer- tain, since everything pointed in that direction, when suddenly something occurred, which seemed for a time, to blast all their hopes, and to destroy, forever, the fruit of so many efforts and so much labor.
Nevertheless, it was but one of those providential happenings, which, momentarily put to naught the plans and the efforts of men, only to manifest suddenly some hidden design of God, at an hour which he has not made known in advance, even to those whom He has hitherto employed, unconsciously to themselves, for the furtherance of that plan.
From that adverse happening and from the disap- pointment, we are about to relate, was really born our humble Community.
If the Daughters of St. Vincent de Paul had come to take possession of the Asylum, which had _ been built for them, the Sisters of Charity of Providence, would probably not be in existence to-day. Now the Spirit of God, which governs and animates His Church had decided to raise up, at that very time, side by
MoTHER GAMELIN 723
side with the Sisters of Jeanne Mance, the daughters of Marguerite Bourgeoys and of Marguerite Marie Dufrost de Lajemmerais, a new Community of virgins,
who were called to provide for new wants, to relieve
other sufferings and thus to complete the organization of religious life in our city.
CHAPTER Vil
1843—1844
A LETTER FROM FATHER TIMON.— FOUNDATION OF A NEW ComMuNiTY.— THE FIRST PoSTULANTS.— THE SEVEN ROSARIES OF OUR LADY OF COMPASSION.— TAKING POSSESSION OF THE ASY- LUM.— BLESSING OF THE CHAPEL.—- MADAME GAMELIN’S JOURNEY
TO THE UNITED STATES.— HER ENTRANCE INTO RELIGION.
—_ ~~
|» the course of the month of February, 1843, Mgr. Bourget convened the ladies to a special
meeting, in which he acquainted them with an unex- pected turn of affairs, which was to give an entirely new direction to their work, and to make a vital change in Madame Gamelin’s life.
The prelate had just received a letter from Father Timon, Superior of the Daughters of St. Vincent de Paul, in the United States, informing him, in the name of the Superior General, that the almost simultaneous foundation of two new houses of the Community, res- pectively in Algeria and in Rome, would render it im-
74 LIFE OF
possible for want of subjects, to accept the Asylum in Montreal. That was a great blow to the hopes of the ladies and a trial well calculated to discourage them, to lessen their activity and to abate the ardor of their zeal.
It was not, however, sufficient to shake the cons- tancy of the holy Bishop, nor his confidence in Provi- dence, which he felt would never fail him, in an un- dertaking that had promised so brilliantly, and had had
so auspicious a beginning.
It would have been difficult for him, to make ou- vertures to another French Community ; while the choice of such Community, the uncertainty as to its answer, the time that would be occupied by the preli- minary correspondence, would all place serious obstacles, in the way, at the very time when enthusiasm for the work ran so high, and whereas the Asylum, the con- struction of which was rapidly approaching completion, should be able to count, when finished, upon a staff of Hospitallers.
Any delay or uncertainty, would, in fact, constitute a serious menace to the success of the enterprise.
The Bishop, after having prayed and reflected a great deal upon the matter, decided upon a course which, indeed, offered its own risks and inconveniences, but which under the circumstances appeared to him the wisest and safest. He resolved to found a diocesan Order of Sisters of Charity. When he made known his design to the ladies they eagerly acquiesced therein, and
es
MOTHER GAMELIN 7
at once set to work, through collections and - through their own generosity, to secure, for the new Community whatever might be indispensable for their use.
In the interim, five young girls, had responded to the appeal of their Bishop, and solicited the honor of consecrating themselves to Our Lord, for the service of the poor and the infirm. ‘These were, Melles Margue- rite Thibodeau, Agathe Séné, of Montreal, Emmelie Caron, of Riviere du Loup, Victoire Larocque, of Cham- bly and Delphine Payement, of St. Genevieve. Most of these had comparatively little education, but they be- longed to families that were profoundly christian: so that the spirit of faith and the strongly rooted habits of piety formed in childhood, constituted, an excellent preparation for the religious life. Melle Madeleine Du- rand, who had been attached to the Asylum, since its inception, added her demand to that of the young girls. They were, from that moment, considered as postulants, and clothed in a temporary religious habit, of which the distinctive features were a black cape and a little white cap.
On the evening of 14th March, Mgr. Bourget caused them to begin, under the direction of Father Ginguet, a French priest living at the palace, the exer- cises of a Novena, in preparation for the taking of the habit, which was fixed for the 25th March, Feast of the Annunciation. The last three days were devoted to a retreat, preached by Canon Prince. Now, on the evening of the first day, before the opening of the No- vena, a seventh postulant presented herself in the per-
76 LIFE OF
son of Justine Michon. The Bishop being himself in retreat at the Bishopric, Madame Gamelin took it upon herself to admit the newcomer to the exercises of the Novena, promising to second her request with his Lord- ship that she might be admitted to the clothing with the others, a favor which Mgr. Bourget very willingly granted. A circumstance which may appear at first sight insignificant but which is sufficiently remarkable when taken in conjunction with an antecedent happening, ‘marked the admission of this seventh postulant. During the course of the Novena, and before the Bishop’s au- thorization for her admission had been obtained, it was found that the first six habits, which had been cut of a piece of stuff, calculated for that number of persons, left just sufficient material to make a seventh. (1) Now one
(1) Our Mother Foundresses, in conformity with the object of the Institution, were guided in the choice of their costume by an engraving representing a novice of the Daughters of St. Vin- cent de Paul, who was favored by an apparition of the Blessed Virgin. The costume was reproduced in this fashion. A robe of slate gray merino, with a skirt of black woollen stuff,a collerette of white linen extending to the middle of the arm, a border of white muslin, two inches and a half wide, pleated into a cotton band and crimped with an iron into broad flat folds that could be fitted, if need be, to a cotton cap. The hood was the same as that worn at present, to it were fastened two pendents of white linen, about four inches wide, which fell at the back under the hood, to a few inches below the collerette ; the costume was completed by a black belt. For going out, they adopted the same collar as at present. The bonnet was gray, larger than that of to-day, and pleated at the back in the same manner as the hood.
MOTHER GAMELIN vir
day, in the preceding year, after the celebration of holy Mass, in the Cathedral of Chartres, France, when Mgr. Bourget was praying, with tears, for the establish- ment of the Daughters of Charity in his episcopal city, an unknown person approached and begged him to ac- cept seven Rosaries of Our Lady of Seven Dolors. Now these seven pairs of Beads were later given by Mer. Bourget to the seven first professed religious of the Community, and amongst these seven religious, figured Madame Gamelin herself, who took the place during the year, of a postulant who had returned to her family. Did it not seem as if God wished to sanction in that mys- terious fashion, the devotion which the new Community had vowed to the sacred sufferings of the Mother of the divine Son.
The first clothing took place in the humble oratory of the yellow house, on the 25th March, 1843. The seven postulants received the habit from the hands of Mgr. Bourget, who, inspired by the mystery of the day, addressed them with the deepest emotion in the follow- ing words:
‘“ As the Archangel Gabriel announced to Mary, the mystery of the Incarnation, so do I announce to you, in the name of the Church, that you are charged with the care of the poor, becoming their real mothers. And as the Angel invited Mary to have no fear, so also do I say to you: Do not fear, little flock; you shall have crosses, you must expect them, but grace will never be wanting to you. As you have as yet no
78 LIFE OF
Superior, I confide you to the care of the Blessed Virgin. She will, indeed, as I hope, serve as your mistress. In all your troubles, in your grief and anxiety, go to that good Mother, I do not fear to leave you alone, with that blessed Mistress.’’
He gave them on the following day, a daily rule and announced that Canon Prince, would undertake their spiritual direction, and their religious training. From that moment, indeed, Canon Prince presided over all their exercises, he assigned to each one, her office, and traced out her line of conduct, even in the smallest details. His direction was austere, he spared neither penances nor trials. Apart from his direction, they were to obey, Madame Gamelin, in all things, as their Supe- rior. The latter was, in fact, on the peint of identifying herself, more closely than ever, with the work by com- ing to share the existence of her young companions, as
a novice.
The ceremony of the clothing, made a deep im- pression on her mind. Her aspirations towards the re- ligious life, and the desires, by which for sometime past she had been agitated, derived new force from the ex- ample of these young girls, who at the first appeal of their Chief Pastor, had hastened to consecrate themselves to the service of the poor, in the house which she had opened, and which had already received the best part of her heart, and of her life. It seemed to her that a place was marked out for her, in the front rank of those devoted women, who were about to con-
MorTHER GAMELIN 79
secrate their lives to the practice of religious works. She also recognized therein ; the best means of remaining intimately united to her infirm, old women, while lend- ing valuable assistance to the new Community, by the weight of her experience, and of her influential connec- tions, during that initial period, which must inevitably prove difficult, because of the penury by which it would be attended.
Divine grace was urging her to a decision, in keep- ing with these views and reflections. But on the other hand, what objections arose within her and how decided was her repugnance to the execution of such a design.
At her age, with the independence of her character, the comparative freedom of her life, and the outside relations which she still kept up, and might hope to keep up more intimately in the future, once a portion, at least, of her duties and responsibilities, had been trans- ferred to other shoulders, to give up everything and enter religion, to submit to the trials of a novitiate, to the perpetual subjection to a Rule, the direction perhaps of Superiors much younger than herself, with- out any prospect, of escaping thence or of securing for herself at any time, a freeer and less onerous existence. There was in all this, a sum total of renunciation and of sacrifice, which even a soul as strong and as gener- ous as hers, could not have embraced, without a vig- orous impulse of divine grace and its continual assistance. But God granted her that favor, since he wanted her for himself, in complete, self-immolation.
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On the 8th July, one of the novices laid aside the habit, to return home, and Madame Gamelin could hold out no longer. She threw herself at her director’s feet, and begged him with tears, to allow her to take the place of the postulant who had left. Canon Prince, re- ceived this request, very coldly, advising her to put a- side all idea of the religious life, in which he did not yet see the will of God in her regard. She submitted, as always, without reply. The mere mention of the will of God made her tremble. She, however, continued to pray, and very soon afterwards, her last hesitation van- ished, and her resolution was taken.
Mgr. Bourget gave her a great deal of help. One day when she made known to him her desires, and at the same time her objections and repugnances, the holy Bishop, obeying one of those inspirations of lively faith, which were so familiar to him, invited her ne kneel down with him that they might implore the divine light. For a whole hour, they united their prayers and supplications, at the foot of the Tabernacle, after which they arose, enlightened and convinced, as to what was the will of God. Madame Gamelin was to take the humble habit of servants of the poor, and to consummate her sacrifice by pronouncing the three vows of religion.
Canon Prince put no further obstacle in the way of a determination, so fully matured and tested by so persevering a struggle. He admitted the fervent postu- lant to take the place of her, whose departure had so afflicted the little family.
Frst Ut 4 : aes age — OYOLr Voor ey) Jo pur Soynqysuy ano Jo e[peBso
AONACUIAOUd AO AS.LOH ‘ASQNOH MOVIHA AHL dO MUAIA
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MOTHER GAMELIN al
That long hesitation, finally cut short by the voice of authority, gave Mother Gamelin a great feeling of security, as regarded the certainty of her vocation. The year preceding her death, she wrote in her Journal of Retreat, concerning her choice of a state of life: ‘‘ It was all made for me. O my God, I thank Thee for my vocation to the religious life. Thou didst decide for me by thy ministers. Three of them examined my vocation ; thus I am convinced it was thy will. I have never re-
pented of having followed their advice.’’
However, before putting her design into execution, and beginning her novitiate, it was decided by Mgr. Bourget and Canon Prince, that in order to be of great- er service to the Community, of which she was to form part, and of which she was already indicated as the first Superior, Madame Gamelin should undertake a journey
to the United States, with the object of studying some of the houses of Charity there, and notably those of ‘the Daughters of St. Vincent de Paul, in New York and Baltimore. Some months before her departure, she haa super- intended the installation of the personel of the Asy- lum in its new quarters, which was then composed of -achapel and two lateral wings. On the 18th May, Bishop Bourget blessed the various wards of which the
infirm old women were to take possession, and on the 24th, Feast of Our Lady of Good Help, Madame Game- lin and the novices left the yellow house, which had _ been the scene of so many acts of charity, sala iae and
82 LIFE OF
self abnegation. That was the farewell to the cradle of 3 our Community, the remembrance of which has always — remained so dear to us.
The blessing of the chapel and of the altar took place on the 28th August. (1) Mgr. Phelan, Coadjutor — of Kingston, officiated at the ceremony, at which were — present, Bishop Bourget, Mgr. Signay, Bishop of Quebec, Bishop Gaulin, of Kingston, and Bishop Power, of To- — ronto. ‘That concourse of prelates was a proof of the © favor with which the new Institute was regarded by the ~ Canadian episcopate.
Before the end of the month, the house received from Canon Hudon, the Vicar General, who was then — in Europe, a present, which came most opportunely to | decorate the chapel of the Asylum, which was then very bare. This was a statue of Our Lady of the Seven ~ Dolors which the good Canon sent to Madame Gamelin. — It replaced, in a niche over the arch, the Statue of the | Immaculate Conception, which, at first, had stood there — and which now appears upon the facade. It was before this image of Our Lady of the Seven Dolors, that our Mother Foundresses, and so many of our Sisters after them made their religious profession. |
On the 11th September, Madame Gamelin set out for the United States, in company with Mr. P. J. La- |
(1) The altar was donated by M. Gedeon Leclerc, a wood carver of the city of Montreal.
Bei Et
ab tye, Se
ane ot
MOTHER GAMELIN 83
croix, (1) and two of her friends, Mesdames Gauvin and Nolan. On the eve of her departure, Mgr. Bourget addressed to her the two following letters, which are illustrative of the Holy Bishop’s piety and prudence.
Bishopric of Montreal,
September roth, 1843.
Madam,
‘“ As you are about setting out upon a journey, which has for its sole object the welfare of the Providence Asylum, which the good God gave you the grace, so successfully to found, I feel it a duty, to give you by these presents, a few rules proper for your direction.
‘“ 1st. In the first place, and especially, you should propose to yourself solely to procure the glory of God, during the course of that long journey, and to seek therein, only the interests of religion and the spiritual and temporal benefit of the poor. You must be particu- larly on your guard, against the distractions, which beset travellers. For that reason you must avoid any
(1) Mr. Lacroix was a signal benefactor of our Community, the same who made so considerable a reduction, in the sale price of the land for the Providence Asylum. His son, Mr. Charles La-
_ croix,emulated his generosity. His first act, on attaining his ma- jority, was to give to the Providence, land for the Hospice St.
Joseph, on Mignonne St. valued at 4,500, (about two thousand
_ five hundred dollars. )
84 LIFE OF
gratification of mere curiosity, keeping constantly before your mind that your journey is not a mere party of pleasure, but a holy and sanctifying pilgrimage, for yourself and for those in whose interest it is made. You should follow the example of St. Anthony, Father of Solitaries, in visiting all that is interesting to charity in the country, to which you are going. So that you may put it into practice, and render more and more perfect that work, which has been already crowned with so many favors, and shall receive yet new ones, every day, if only you do not put obstacles, in the way. Perform, as far as possible, with due regard to the proprieties, your ordinary exercises of piety ; your confessions, Communions, reading, Rosaries, etc. that all may be as regular as if you were at home. Above all, make the practice of the presence of God perpetual. Constantly keep before your eyes, the different journeys of the Holy Family, the circumstances, the objects and the aim of which are well known to you. Let the worthy gentleman, who is to be your protector upon this journey, recall St. Joseph, who advised by the holy angels, led the Holy Family, whither it was needful for them to go, in conformity with the decrees of Di- vine Providence. Let your venerable travelling compan- ions, be in your eyes as the sacred person of the Blessed Virgin. Bear in mind that your angel guardian, as well as that of the House of Providence, will be with you, and that they themselves, will arrange, with the tutelary angels of those houses, which you shall have to visit, all
those affairs, of which it may be necessary for you to ©
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MOTHER GAMELIN 85
treat. Finally, pray to Our Lord, with much confidence and humility, that He may deign to make known to you His adorable will, and give you grace, to accomplish it in all things.
cé
2nd. To visit with the greatest detail, the estab- lishments of the Sisters of Charity, in all the places, , where you may find them. Endeavor, as far as possible, to see them at work, and to work with them. Enter into the smallest details, without, however, violating the rules of discretion. Get information concerning their schools, their poor, their orphans, etc. Be careful to re- mark the division of their establishments, the dimen- sions of the wards and other apartments, the number ‘of Sisters in each house. Ask as a favor, for a copy of their Rules, Constitutions and Customs. Try, above all, to obtain the rule of St. Vincent de Paul, to his Sis- ters of Charity, as a loan, if they will neither sell nor give it to you. Procure such books as are used by these good Sisters, in striving towards the perfection of their holy state. At least, get a list that you may send to procure them elsewhere. Ask them to give you a short history of each of their foundations. Make, or have made, dolls dressed like Sisters, postulants, novices and professed. Write notes of everything of importance, that
: you observe, so that you may forget nothing of interest
ey a det. ‘ bs Sift sees ty i is ae Be REN ae! ory Oren I7Pry
in your journey. Visit if you can, some prisons, peni-
_ tentiaries, hospitals, Houses of Refuge, etc., and if you have an opportunity, make some house to house visita-
tions with the Sisters. It would be advisable to place yourself in union of prayer with these holy women,
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agreeing to say each day some prayer, such as an Our Father and Hail Mary, or to hear a Mass occasionally.
‘‘ ard. If you should chance to remark in the dif- ferent Communities which you are going to visit in the United States, customs which are foreign to the usages of our own Communities, you must not be scan- dalized, because that is due to the exigencies of the places where they are established. I need not recommend you to practice discretion, that your travelling compan- ions may be kept in ignorance of such little miseries as might find place even in the most fervent communi- ties. Abstain as much as possible from speaking of the House of Providence,that you may not offend against the laws of modesty, which forbid us to speak of what we have accomplished for the glory of God.
‘‘T pray God to send His holy angels to assist you everywhere you go. May that faithful angel conduct and guide you, bestowing his choicest care upon you, as the Angel Raphael did upon the young Tobias. Your little Community, your good old women, and we our- selves, also, shall unite in prayer till your return, that it may please the Lord to take you under His holy protection. We shall always,in union of the holy Names of Jesus and Mary, be with you in whatever place you may be.
I am, Madam, most sincerely, Your humble, Obedient Servant, t+ Ignace, Bishop of Montreal.
MOTHER GAMELIN 87
Bishopric of Montreal,
1oth, September, 1843.
| Madam,
Besides the recommendations, which are com- mon to you and your worthy companions, I feel it my duty, to address the present to yourself. As the good God has willed that you should have become the Found- ress of the House of Providence, in Montreal, you have a greater interest than any one else, in promoting its spiritual and temporal welfare, and to that end, must
enter into more exact details than your travelling com- panions, when you visit those various Asylums that christian charity offers to human misery in the United States. You will, therefore, require a special recom- mendation to Their Lordships, the Bishops and_ their Vicars General. I am fully convinced that on present- ing what is here written to them, you will be assured of their indulgent kindness and the protection which you will require.
I am very sincerely, Madam,
Your Very Humble and Obedient Servant,
+ Ignace, Bishop of Montreal.
Madame Gamelin’s journey to the United States, was crowned with success. Her reputation had gone _ before her into that country where her devotion to the
88 LIFE OF
prisoners and her charity to the poor were well known. Some of the Bishops had even visited her little Asylum. Therefore, she met with a most cordial reception. On the 18th September, she wrote from New York to Canon Prince.
‘“We arrived here yesterday, very tired after our journey. It is six o’clock and I am at the Hospital of the Sisters of Charity. They received me into their midst with much cordiality. I traversed the streets of New York with two of them, who had the kindness to bring ine to their different houses. They have five in that city and its environs. At St. Patrick’s Orphan Asylum, we found two hundred and fifty orphans, boys and girls, and all poor children. ‘Their House of St. Joseph shelters thirty-six girls. The other houses under their care are proportionately filled. I also visited the establishment of the Ladies of the Sacred Heart, which is very handsome. I received Communion in St. Peter’s Church, this morning. In Boston, I went
to Confession to Mgr. Fenwick, so you see, I thought
of my poor soul, although I am so far away.
‘‘In Boston, I also visited the Houses of Charity and the State’s Prison, or Penitentiary, which interested me very much. It distressed me to see those poor pris- oners. There are 500, there, at this moment ; theyll
never speak, but work a great deal. There are some —
Canadians, amongst others, three from Montreal. One of these, I had known before ; he recognized me also,
the poor man, but he could not speak to me. It was
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MorHEeR GAMELIN 89
in the kitchen, and his eyes followed me about every- where. How I wished that I could have done some- thing for that poor unfortunate !
‘‘ The Sisters of Charity everywhere, have received me with open arms. They advised me to go to the Mother House, which is situated, about twenty leagues from Baltimore. (1 ) It is very far, but I have some hope they may give me there, a copy of the Rules of St. Vincent de Paul. They teli me that I should need to remain there for at least one month to see everything, and especially
the manner in which their novitiates are conducted. It
would not be altogether possible for me, to remain that
long. I think, day and night, of my dear house of Providence. Here in New York, they have granted me the favor of following the Community exercises. I am much edified by the regularity of these holy women.
(1) Mother Seton, founded, in 1809, a Community of Sis- ters of Charity at Emmitsburg, in Maryland. Having deter- mined,with the advice of her confessor, to model her community on that of St. Vincent de Paul, she immediately set to work to procure the Rules and Constitutions, of that Congregation, with the hope that some of its subjects would bring to the nascent Community,the assistance of theirexample and their experience. Mgr. Flaget, who had been named Bishop of Bardstown, on the point of embarking for France, was requested to bring thither that two-fold request: but Providence, did not permit the realiza- tion of that pious desire. The imperial government opposed the
_ departure of the religious, and the matter rested there. However,
by an exceptional favor, Mgr. Flaget, was able to obtain a copy of the Rules, which he transmitted to their Foundress, Mother Seton, who died on the 14th January,in the 47th year of her age. The elections held on the 25th of the same month, gave as Sup- erior, to the Community, Sister Rose White, who after having
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‘“T believe that we shall have great thanksgiving to offer to God, for this journey, during which I have already gained much information. I have been careful to take notes every night, of what I have seen during the day. Pray, good Father, and let my dear Sisters and good old women pray, that I may be well received in the Emmitsburg house. I attribute the great success which has so far attended my journey, to the prayers that are being said for me.
‘‘T do not know when I shall return. Any letters for me, may be addressed to young Bossange ; his ad- dress can be had from Mr. Fabre. I shall be glad to get news, for I do not forget the good people of my country, which is the most beautiful after all.
held office for two consecutive terms was replaced by Sister Augustine Count. Mother Xavier Clarke, governed the Order from 1839 to 1843, and was succeeded, by Mother M. Stephen Hall. Both were constant and devoted friends of Mother Gamelin and of our Community. Since the foundation of the Emmitsburg House, they had made repeated attempts to procure its affilia- tion with the Daughters of Charity in France, and always unsuc- cessfully. At length, in 1849, their request was granted, andthe 25th March, 1850, the greater number of Mother Seton’s Sisters renewed their vows according to the formula of the Daughters of St. Vincent de Paul. They passed from that day, under the jurisdiction of the Superior General of Paris. On the 8th Dec. of the following year, Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the Sisters of Charity of Emmitsburg, were clothed with the habit of the Sisters of Charity in France.
A portion of the Community, however, did not accept the affiliation, with the Community of Paris, and formed a separate branch, establishing their Mother House, in New York, at Mount St. Vincent on the Hudson. These last retained the primi- tive costume given by Mother Seton.
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Pa en ene ae
MOTHER GAMELIN gI
‘‘ Accept, Reverend Father, my most respectful re- gards, as well as those of Mr. Lacroix and our two ladies. Will you also present the same to our beloved Father and Bishop, Mgr. Bourget? ‘Tell him, if you please, that I read over every day, the holy advice which he gave me on the eve of my departure, striving to put it into practice.’’
Madame Gamelin returned to Montreal on the 6th October, 1843, after an absence of twenty days. She brought back to Bishop Bourget, those Rules so ardent- ly desired, of St. Vincent de Paul. Father Deluol, Vicar General of Baltimore, and Superior of the Sisters of Charity, had remitted to her an authentic copy, thanks to the good offices of Mother Xavier Clarke, Superior General of the Institute. It was the very same one that Mgr. Flaget had obtained in 1810, from the Superior General of the Lazarists. The precious document was transcribed for us, by Canon Blanchet, and returned to Father Deluol. Inexpressible was the joy and thankful- ness with which these holy Constitutions were received by the novices. They recognized in them the most cer- tain guide for their religious life, and a source of strength for the Community.
Two days after her arrival, on the 8th October, Madame Gamelin finally put off the habiliments of the
world, to clothe herself with the poor and humble liv-
ery of the Sisters of Charity of Providence. Canon Prince was anxious to perform the ceremony himself, since that privilege belonged to him by more than one
92 LIFE OF
title. He wanted to give a marked solemnity to that taking of the habit. Before the Community Mass, he entoned the Veni Creator, to which the responses were inade by the novices, and after the Gospel, at the mo- ment of giving the holy habit to the postulant, full of inexpressible joy, he delivered a touching discourse. After a brief commentary on that passage of the epistle of St. Paul to Timothy, where the Apostle enumerates the virtues of the widow, according to God, addressing himself to the newly elected, he recalled in a voice full of emotion, the rewards which God reserves for souls, who give themselves entirely to Him, by religious pro- fession. That evening, there was the singing of the Ze Deum, and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. ‘The sacrifice was consummated. Madame Gamelin had made it bravely and generously, as was to be expected from a soul of her stamp. But no less deep had been the wound made in her heart, by the loosening of those intimate ties, which had always bound her to her rel- atives and friends, and which the religious life, neces- sarily obliged her to relax. A letter to her cousin, Madame Fabre, written on the evening of that day, gives us the secret of these more intimate emotions :
‘‘ Do not be offended, my good friend, that I have acted thus, without letting you know. It would have cost me a great deal to say farewell, and I found my- self, too cowardly. It, indeed, required courage, to come to this determination. I have so dearly loved my relatives and friends; but, at least, and with a good heart, I have this morning made all those sacrifices.
MOTHER GAMELIN | 93
-‘*T hope my dear friend, that you will pray to Our Lord, for me, and help me to thank Him, for hav- ing deigned to accept the remnant of a life, of which so much has been given to the world.
‘“ My sincerest regards to the good mother Perrault, and to Mr. and Madame Levesque, and all the family. As for you, dear friend, accept my warmest thanks for all the kindness which you have ever shown me, and pray for her, who shall be until death,
‘‘ Your sincere friend, ‘‘Emmelie Gamelin, Sister of Charity.
Madame Ganielin was passionately attached to her own people. It was painful to her, in the extreme, to give up the full freedom of her relations with them, which had hitherto constituted the joy and the recrea- tion of an active and laborious life. The love of God enabled her to overcome these resistances of the heart, but in making that sacrifice to her Divine Master, her friendships and her affections, were by no means weak- ened. On the contrary, they gained a new strength, from having the sanction of a more ardent and devoted charity.
‘‘ When you go upwards from the world, into the religious life, ‘‘ says an ascetic writer,’’ you must love nothing whatsoever, less; you must not suppress any legitimate affection, only transform them all. You have hitherto loved your kindred, as we love on earth; you must henceforth love them as they shall be loved in
heaven. ’’
(1) Mgr. Gay.
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‘‘ Madame Gamelin, shared these sentiments, which she also put into practice. Always prodigal of her devo- tion, to kindred and friends in all their needs, she was specially interested in their spiritual welfare, and helped them above all by her prayers and her advice. Traces of that anxiety are to be found in her Journal of Re- treats. They always displayed towards her in return the most sincere affection, and after her death, her memory remained in pious and tender veneration amongst them.
CHAPTER VIII 1844—1845
THE NOVITIATE.— VISITS TO THE POOR AND SICK.— PROFES- SION OF OUR FIRST MOTHERS.— LETTER OF INSTITUTION.— ELEc- TION OF THE FIRST OFFICERS. — FOUNDATION OF THE WORK FOR
ORPHANS AND THAT OF LADY BOARDERS.
SA ee ty ry gy a NI PEF FFF
a hs novitiate which had been opened on the 25th
of March, when seven postulants took the habit,
was soon called to receive four others. These were the
Misses, Edesse Marchesseau, Ursule Leblanc, Clémence
Robert and Emmelie Séné. Having entered at the yellow
house, on the 8th of September, 1843, they took the
holy habit in the new Asylum, on the 8th December
following. On the 23rd of the same month, two others,
the Misses, Hermenegilde Choquet and Esther Pariseau also obtained admittance.
me
fore
iA ea Fe atts ee ded
ie .
MOTHER GAMELIN 95
By the end of the year, 1843, the novitiate, then contained eleven novices and two postulants. From that time on, the novices began to visit the poor. Every morning, two or three of them often accompanied by a lady of charity, set out, basket on arm, as is still done in our own day, to beg in the various quarters of the town, food and other alms for their poor and infirm. Mother Gamelin, as she was already called, was very often of the party. Her long experience in works of charity, permitted her to direct her companions, in that painful and laborious ministry, which was so new to most of them. With maternal kindness, she initiated them into those various tasks which Divine Providence was presently to impose upon the infant community. Be- sides her part in the training of the novices, she busied herself with the administration of the Asylum, which already contained, a household of more than fifty per- sons. She also received all who came to the parlor, and strove to interest charitable souls in the work, but never ceasing the while to follow with the greatest fidelity, the exercises of piety in the Asylum, and those of the novitiate.
Whilst showing the greatest kindness and devoted- ness towards his spiritual daughters, Canon Prince was both strict and austere in his direction, and did not spare them trials. The older religious still recall with emotion, the numberless penances and humiliations, the constant self-denial and continual renunciation, which this inflexible director expected, especially from his ‘‘eldest novice’’, Sister Gamelin. God alone could keep
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account of the sacrifices of her generous soul. Since her widowhood, she had been her own mistress, her means had been such as to permit her to lead a comparatively easy life; and even when her life was most fully con- secrated to works of piety, she had the full control of her liberty. From the moment of her entrance into reli- gion, she found herself subjected to a rigorous rule, which from morning till night curtailed her liberty, and subjected her to demands, which were altogether foreign to her previous habits.
She had to live the common life, without allevia- tion or exception. She had to become a child again ; to bear with the inequalities of various tastes and charac- ters ; to practice charity and gentleness in the midst of contradictions ; in a word, she had to perform daily acts of self-denial and mortification, the number and the merit of which were known to God alone. Ultimately, and by dint of assiduous effort, that ended only with her life, she retained just enough of her vivacity, to render her zeal more active ; her natural pride, became a grave and unaffected dignity ; her sensibility mani- fested itself, only in a tender compasion for the unfor- tunate, and in an affectionate devotion to the Mother of Sorrows, into whose bosom, she loved to pour her tears and the groanings of her heart.
To her, our Community owes the example and the practice of those great devotions which have become its distinctive heritage: Jesus dying on the Cross, the Virgin whose heart was pierced with seven swords, and
MOTHER GAMELIN 97
St. Vincent de Paul, the great Apostle of charity. Through the force of generous effort and continual watchfulness over herself, she became such a religious as her director required, and which her own ideal of the religious life demanded.
Mgr. Bourget shared with Canon Prince, the diffi- cult and delicate task of training the novices in the spirit and virtues of their state. Besides the spiritual exercises which were given them every day, by their devoted director, the holy Bishop, himself, presided over their spiritual reading and expounded to them the rule of St. Vincent de Paul, which was to be that of their Community. At five o’clock in the morning, he presided over their meditation, so as to initiate them into St. Ignatius’ method of prayer. He also gave them frequent
3 spiritual conferences. Fully convinced of the importance
of placing the edifice of their perfection on a solid basis, he spared no pains to form them to the essential virtues of their state: the love of God, zeal for His glory, devotion to their neighbor, humility and renun- ciation. His advice, in familiar or official letters, which we would wish to reproduce, here, in their entirety, are monuments of his devoted zeal, and at the same time, models of that gentle, yet strong direction, by which he knew how most efficaciously to mould souls to the practice of perfection.
Under his beneficent influence, the novices were more and more confirmed in their holy vocation and. 7
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sighed for the moment of their religious profession. Mer. Bourget, himself, took charge of the retreat pre- paratory to that great day, desiring as it were, himself, to present these mystical Spouses to their heavenly Bride-
groom.
The ceremony took place on the 29th March, 1844. ~
That was a memorable date in the annals of our Insti- tute, since it consecrated the memory of an event which secured its stability forever. How many hopes found their realization on that day ! How many doubts were set at rest! How many fears dispelled ! What supposed follies became wise conceptions ! The anguish and the difficulties of the beginning were forgotten. The action of Providence was shown forth and the designs. of His divine goodness and mercy had triumphed.
The Ladies of Charity, had a large share in the joy of that occasion. While the novices were in Retreat they had taken their places in the various offices of the house, or in visits to the outside poor. It was they who decorated the chapel and organized a choir of young girls to take charge of the singing during the ceremony. Several of them even sent their servants to the Convent to prepare meals, and especially the dinner on the day of profession. Thanks to their generosity, it was, indeed, a gala dinner.
During that touching ceremony, sweet were the tears that flowed from many eyes. For the Ladies also it was a day of hope realized, a reward and compensa- tion for the trouble they had taken and the labors
MOTHER GAMELIN 99
which they had imposed upon themselves. We take from the ‘‘1/é/anges Religieux’?’ of the 22nd April, 1844, the description of that joyful event.
‘‘Last Friday, took place in the chapel of the Providence, the profession of seven of the first Cana- dian novices, consecrated to the service of the poor and sick, according to the Rule of St. Vincent de Paul. This ceremony, which is new in this country, attracted a considerable concourse of people interested in the work and the pious relatives of those who had given up their own family to adopt the great family of the poor. The little chapel of the establishment had been complete- ly renovated and decorated by the generosity of the Ladies of the corporation, and members of the Associa-
tion of Charity.
The ceremony began with the invocation of the light of the Holy Ghost. After the chanting of the Veni Creator and the celebration of the first part of the Mass, one of the assistants of the officiating prelate, advancing to the front of the sanctuary, extended to the Sisters, by the singing of the anthem, Prudentes virgines, aptate vestras lampades, ecce sponsus venit exite obviam eé,’’ the invitation, which the Lord was making to them, to come and consecrate to Him, their virgini- ty. That little band of virgins, immediately arose and holding lighted tapers in their hand, advanced proces- sionally towards the railing, singing that psalm of the good tidings : ‘‘ Letatus sum, in his que dicta sint mthi’’. Preceded by seven little children who carried upon
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platters, the insignia of profession and represented the same number of orphans, the novices advanced singing. They were supported on the right hand by a lady of charity, and on the left by an old woman, chosen from amongst the forty poor of the Asylum.
Thus commingling rich and poor, orphans and the voluntary poor, they took their places before the rail- ing, in presence of the Bishop. A thrill of emotion ran through the entire assembly at that spectacle. Then the Bishop addressed his daughters, asking of them what they were seeking from the Church of God. They ans- wered that they sought Jesus Christ, and that they coveted only the service of the poor. After a sec- ond and third demand, which they answered in the same manner, the Bishop accepted the voluntary obla- tion made aloud by each one, prostrate on the ground. This was not, however, properly speaking,the pronounce- ment of their vows, for the regular erection of the new community was necessary, before entering upon those solemn engagements. This was accomplished by an of- ficial letter from Bishop Bourget, which was read aloud by the Chaplain of the Asylum, and of which this is the tenor :
‘Ignace Bourget, by the mercy of God and the favor of the Apostolic See, Bishop of Montreal, etc.
‘To our dear daughters, Sisters, Emmelie Game- lin, Madeleine Durand, Emmelie Caron, Agathe Séné, Marguerite Thibodeau, Justine Michon, and Victoire Larocque, novices of the House of Providence, of this city, health and benediction in Our Lord.
Mer. IGNACE BOURGET,
second Bishop of Montreal
.
MOTHER GAMELIN IOI
‘“ It has always been understood, Our Very Dear
‘Sisters, that upon the charity of pastors, devolved the
care of widows and orphans, while compassionating all public and private misfortunes. Therefore, this is re- garded by pastors, as one of the most binding duties of their charge, which is all charity, to be ‘‘an eye to the blind, a foot to the lame, and the father of the poor. > as we are assured by the holy man Job. (1 )
‘But as the innumerable duties attendant upon that dread office, do not permit him to enter into all the details, which are demanded by the fulfilment of that sacred and consoling duty, it is necessary therefore, that he should delegate a part of that indispensable labor to charitable and compassionate souls.
‘* Which is what we have done, under the aus- pices of the glorious Mother of God, on the happy feast of her Annunciation, while permitting you, Our Very Dear Sisters, who have decided to consecrate your- selves to God, to band yourselves together for the test- ing of your vocation.
‘More than a year has been spent in exercis- ing yourselves in the practice of the duties of religious life. The trials and sufferings, of that existence, exceed- ingly painful to nature, which you have decided to lead, have not been hiddenfrom you. You have had, as we believe, all the trials which Our Lord imposes upon those, whom He wills should consecrate themselves to
(1) Job XXIX— 15
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His service. You have not permitted yourselves to be intimidated thereby, Our Very Dear Sisters, and the grace for which you have asked, has evidently sustained your courage, in the numberless temptations which must have assailed you. Through the mercy of God, you have been confirmed in that state, wherein you ask us to-day, to establish you irrevocably,and for your whole life. Yes, it is for your whole life that you wish to renounce the world, with all its joys, to become the Spouses of Je- sus Christ and the Servants of His poor. Nor have you blindly made this choice, for you have learned by your
personal experience, that henceforth you will no longer
be in the world, to assist at its festivals or its spectacles,
but shall have to listen instead to the lamentations of the unfortunate, to dry the tears of the widow and the orphan ; to feed the hungry, to tend the sick, to receive the last sigh of the dying, to bury the dead, in a word, to perform all the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.
‘“Such is the sublime vocation to which you feel yourselves called and which by the grace of God, you wish to follow. In the firm confidence that you are doing the will of God, by offering yourselves to His Divine Majesty, to become the Servants of the poor, you ask us to give you the blessings which it is the custom of the Church to pour forth upon virgins, who are the chosen portion of Our Lord Jesus Christ ; and as our office obliges us, to further by every means in our power whatever can contribute to the glory of God
and the salvation of our neighbor, we have approved
eee eS ee Se
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and do warmly approve of your pious design. Not
_ only do we approve of it, but we wish further more,
in fact, to confirm and consecrate it, in the name of Our Lord and of Holy Church. ‘For these reasons, invoking the Name of God, aud by the advice of Our Venerable Brothers, the Canons of our Cathedral, we have enacted, decreed and ordained, enacting, decreeing and ordaining, that which follows : 3 ‘ist. We canonically erect the Asylum of Mont- real for aged and infirm women, which has been opened in the House of Providence and already recognized by a statute of the Provincial Parliament, dated September 18th, 1841. We also establish canonically, the Sisters of Charity, Servants of the Poor, to be its administrators, to take care of the said aged and infirm women, and at the same time to visit and care for the sick in their homes, and to perform other works of charity, accord-
ing, as it may please God to inspire them.
‘‘2and. We permit the before mentioned Sister Novices, and all whom the Lord may call to imitate their state of life, to make for their lifetime, the simple vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and the ser- vice of the poor.
‘3rd. We give to the new Community, for its good government, firstly, the common Rules of the Daughters of Charity, Servants of the poor and sick, instituted in France, by St. Vincent de Paul ; secondly, the particular constitutions, which we judge may con-
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tribute to the greater good of the new Institute ; third- ly, a ceremonial proper to that organization.
“Such, Our Very Dear Sisters, are those disposi- tions, which we have thought proper to make in order that your consecration to God may be stable and per- manent. May Our Lord Jesus Christ, who was made poor, that we might be enriched by His goods, accept as agreeable in His sight, the sacrifice which you are ready to make, of your persons and all that you possess.
‘’ May He bless that generous design which you have formed, and which to-day, you wish to put into execution at the foot of His altar, that He may give you grace to acconiplish it happily, despite the innu- merable difficulties which await you. May He give to you all, a mother’s heart for the poor and may com- passion for the poor be your distinctive characteristic. May your joy be multiplied, in seeing multiplied your family, the great family of the poor. May the Lord provide for their numerous needs, by opening to you the treasures of His Providence. May He send you generous companions who having left the world. with all its pleasures, may find like you their happiness in being the humble servants of the poor.
Finally, may God, the all good and merciful, pro- tect and guard you amid the numberless dangers to which you may be exposed, and may He grant that you hear at the end of your days, those consoling words, of Our Lord Jesus Christ: ‘Come ye blessed of my Father, possess ye the kingdom prepared for you, from
MOTHER GAMELIN 105
the beginning of the world; for I was hungry and you gave Me to eat; I wasa stranger and you took Mein; I was naked and you clothed me ; I was in prison and you visited Me.’’
Given at Montreal, this twenty-ninth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and forty-four, under our sign and seal and the countersign of one of our Canons, who is, for this work, our Secretary.
+ Ignace, Bishop of Montreal, For His. Lordship, J. ©. Prnce: Gian
‘‘It was after the reading of this important docu-
be J
ment, continues the ‘‘ Mélanges Religieux’’ and a new interpellation on the part of the Bishop, that the seven novices, who had been examined and called to profes- sion, pronounced their vows in an audible voice and laid their act in the hands of the Bishop, who placed it on the altar. The Bishop, immediately after, blessed the habits of the newly professed, who received them from his hands, kissed them, and retiring with their ladies of honor to an adjoining room, were clothed
therein.
‘‘ Meanwhile the Litany of the Saints was sung by the choir. That prayer ended, the professed clad in their new costume, returned and prostrated themselves before the altar, to receive there the blessing prescribed by the pontifical, and the ring and cross which they were to wear. A special feature of this ceremony, was
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that the Bishop caused the ring to be placed on the finger of the professed by a poor infirm woman, who was stationed beside each Sister, saying to her at the
same time:
| Remember, my Sister. that to-day, you have become the Servant of the Poor. ”’
‘‘Ina similar manner, it was the lady of honor who presented and placed the cross on the breast of the Sister, whose mother and protectress she became, by pledging herself to assist the poor in a spirit of union and charity ; the Bishop confirmed this pious alliance, by prayers and blessings. By a spontaneous impulse of tenderness and generosity, the ladies of honor _ seized the opportunity to hand a considerable sum to their adopted daughters, and they, in their turn, hastened to pass it on to the poor and infirm, who were placed beside them. Admirable union of wealth and poverty, which in religion go hand in hand, and which are still more divinely united when they advance, side by side, to the Holy Table, to be nourished together with the same Bread of Life.
‘““ The remainder of the ceremony consisted of an Act of Consecration which was made at the foot of Mary’s altar, upon which might have been remarked a splendid statue of the Blessed Virgin, presented by the young girls who had _ that day taken the place of the orphans. Finally, after the celebration of the Mass, the Te Deum was sung, and the little community retired in procession, singing as they passed through the halls
MOTHER GAMELIN 107
and corridors, the psalm, ‘‘ Ace guam bonum, etc, how good it is to dwell in the House of the Lord forever !”’
: ‘* Behold, then, how far the work of Madame Ga- _ melin had happily progressed, aided and supported by the indefatigable zeal of the Ladies of Charity. Those " ladies, have to-day received the reward of their coura- geous efforts, having been thus favored with a Commu- nity, which will henceforth take upon itself the full burden of sacrifice and of self devotion.
‘‘ Therefore, since its inception, that work has so fully commended itself to the citizens of Montreal that through their liberality, a superb edifice of one hundred feet by sixty, has arisen as if by enchantment, and al- ready offers an Asylum to more than forty aged, poor and infirm women. In truth, we must congratulate our city, on that admirable and persevering zeal, which has caused it to rank with those cities of Europe, most noted for their almsgiving and their religious establish-
ments.’’ (1)
On the following day, March 30th, Mgr. Bourget accompanied by Very Reverend Canons Prince and Pla- mondon, assembled the newly professed. Canon Prince caused them to sign the Act of Acceptance, of the Rules of St. Vincent de Paul. Then the Bishop having read to them the Rule concerning the Superior, and given the necessary dispensations, proceeded to the election of the chief officers, with the following results: Sister
(1) Mélanges Religieux. April 22nd 1844.
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Gamelin, Superior; Sister Vincent de Paul, Assistant ; Sister Thibodeau, Mistress of novices; Sister Caron, Treasurer. The Community was organized, and the ob- ject of the Institute officially defined. In addition to their exterior works, the care of forty-two infirm women had to be divided between our first Mothers, who had to multiply themselves in providing for the needs of the poor. Madame Gamelin never gave herself an in- stant’s rest. Her dear Asylum was lacking in much of the necessary furniture. There were scarcely enough chairs to permit each one to sit down after the fatigue of the day; and during the day, they never thought of sitting down at all, though the hour of rising was half past four.
Their poverty was very great, their food extremely frugal. It is difficult to understand how our Mothers, in the midst of such privations, could accomplish the amount of work which they imposed upon themselves. The survivors of that period, and it may be said of the succeeding fifteen or twenty years, have left us a touching picture of the painful privations which they had to endure, and which they bore so patiently, and even joyfully. Their food consisted of sheep’s head boiled in water. Every day, being a fast day by the Rule, their breakfast consisted of dry bread, watered by a sort of artificial coffee, made of barley, ground and roasted, or crusts of fried bread, collected in the hotels of the city, and taken always without milk or sugar. At supper, they made a diversion in their beverage by means of the leaves of tea, which had been previously
ie nS Soe ERS Bae a
MOTHER GAMELIN 109
infused in the boarding houses of the vicinity. Butter
- was a rare luxury, reserved for days of abstinence, to
replace the fat of bacon, or other meat, which had been received through charity. If by chance, another offering of charity in the form of a bit of cheese appeared upon the table, the Sisters had to choose between that unusual delicacy, and butter, the use of both together
)
being forbidden. °‘ We were poorer,’’ said one of those generous servants of the poor, ‘‘than many of the in-
digent families whom we visited.’’
And in spite of all that, they were happy, because they had the consolation of knowing, that they repro- duced in themselves the poverty of their Divine Master whose naked and suffering members they had vowed to serve, and the consciousness of accomplishing a work signed with the seal of the cross, by humility, depriva- tion and charity.
Our venerated Mother drew from her inalterable faith in Providence, the confidence, so sorely needed, in the difficulties and exigencies of an administration, that was constantly becoming more complicated. She had a thousand ingenious: ways of allaying anxiety and restor- ing confidence. One day, the Sister cook came to tell her that there was nothing for dinner. ‘‘ Do not fear, ”’ my daughter, she said calmly, Providence will not fail to send us our dinner. Come with me, and let us sing, to show that we are not at all anxious,’’ and she led the way to the old women’s ward; the latter seeing
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their Mother approaching, gathered rotund her as was their wont : ‘‘ There is a favor I want to obtain imme- diately from Divine Providence’’ she said to them “‘ so you must join me in singing our beautiful hymn.” The good, old women, at once, recollecting themselves, mingled their trembling voices, with that of their Moth- er and her companions, who sang in a loud voice, the following canticle:
O Providence, most gentle, Whose bounteous hand bestow, Upon us in abundance
All good things here below. Acknowledging the Author
Of all these gifts divine, Ourselves and all that’s ours, To Him, we should resign.
If riches He outpoureth
On spring time’s early flow’r With largesses enriching
The grass that lasts an hour. More fully He bestoweth,
On Man beloved, His aid, That being whom His wisdom To His own Image made.
If God who loves us dearly, His care doth not disdain To sparrows in the tree tops, Their little lives sustain.
The Author of all Nature Shall He, then man forget, The noblest of the creatures, That He hath fashioned yet?
MOTHER GAMELIN Try
For God He is our Father, And bears us in His heart, Nor tenderest of mothers
More sweetness can impart. Oh! Yes, His loving kindness Our needs, shall surely see. We'll cast our care upon Him, Without anxiety.
On leaving the hall Mother Gamelin, repairing to the kitchen found there some remnants of yesterday’s meal which seemed scarcely sufficient to provide food for five or six people: ‘‘ Warm it up, ’’ she said, smil- ing to the Sister cook, ‘‘and you will see that dinner can be served.’’ And in fact, dinner was served to the whole house, the dishes on each table were filled, and some was left over, when the repast was ended. The treasurer of that time, and those who succeeded her, relate that this miracle of Providence, was often repeat- -ed, and that provisions which should have been exhaust- ed in one week, lasted for entire months, without ap- parently diminishing.
Singing was one of the spiritual resources of Moth- er Gamelin; when she found herself in any financial difficulty, she sang, and caused her Sisters to sing her favorite hymn, ‘‘ O sweet Providence.’’ If any shade of sadness seemed to hover over the recreations of the Community, she immediately began to sing gaily:
Enjoy,O fervent soul, Thy happiness, enjoy
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The others caught up the strain with enthusiasm, and the sadness was dispelled. Our saintly Foundress was very fond of music and singing, and for a long time, she herself directed the choir of the house. The Asylum, at that time, possessed no musical instrument ; our Mothers sang in the first gallery of the chapel, often on their knees, or like St. Teresa and her com- panions, sitting on their heels. Since the Community were few in number, all the Sisters lent their voices. Mgr. Bourget encouraged their pious emulation : ‘‘ Sing’”’ said he, ‘‘ sing. Be the cooing doves of the sanctuary. Let your favorite hymn, be the Stabat Mater. Your simple canticles, your pious hymns, may convert souls that the finest sermons could not touch.”’
The month of May, 1844, was one of benediction for the little Community. The Blessed Virgin, showed herself prodigal of her favors. Her daughters therefore, redoubled the homage of their respect and gratitude, in her regard. It was Madame Gamelin’s wish that the most beautiful plants from the garden, should adorn the altar, every day. ‘‘ May the perfume of those flowers,’’ she said, ‘‘heal the wounds of her heart, pierced with so many swords of sorrow.’’
The little family assembled every evening in the huinble chapel, singing there the most beautiful hymns. But the most precious offering which they made to her, was the work for the orphans, which was inaugurated on the first day of that month.
a 3 4 ¥ +
— ee we
MOTHER GAMELIN 1t3
The compassionate heart of Mother Gamelin, could
not see without pain, the great number of poor orphans
who in consequence of the death of their parents, were
left without shelter or protection, exposed in their iso-
lation to all sorts of dangers. The limited resources of the Asylum did not seem to permit of undertaking that additional work. But the tireless zeal of the Foundress enabled her to find the necessary means. She convened the Ladies of Charity to a special meeting, and spoke to them with so much warmth and unction, in behalf of those poor children, whose mothers in many instances had died in her arms, that the ladies, of whom Mrs. Nolan was president, decided without hesitation, to set aside one ward of the Asylum for that purpose, and to receive there at once, a dozen orphans, for whom they undertook to pay a board of from ten to fifteen shillings a month.
Not only was the principle of the work accepted, but the work itself was founded, which was a great
_. joy tothe heart of our good Mother. Twelve months
later, that ward contained fifty orphans.
They received there, elementary instruction anda solid, christian education ; they were trained to house- work and other manual labor, by which they might later, be enabled to earn their livelihood.
It was to obtain additional resources, for this new work, that Mother Gamelin on the roth September, 1844, founded the work of lady boarders. To this means of revenue was added that of remunerative work.
8
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Various departments were opened, for the manufacture of cassocks, and of church ornaments, tapers and hosts ; 4 together with soap-making and weaving. The days were not long enough for the accomplishment of all this work, a portion of the night had to be given thereto ; and it often happened that after long vigils at the bedside of the sick poor, in an overheated or vitiated atmosphere, the Sisters went cheerfully back to their work, in the morning, without having taken a moment’s rest. (1) May we not be permitted to think that it is to those arduous labors of our first mothers, water- ed by their sweat and so bravely endured that are owing the blessings and the prosperity that have at- tended our humble Institute.
The 26th of May was a day of holy rejoicing for the Asylum, since it witnessed the blessing of the outer bell. We borrow once more from the ‘‘ Mélanges Religieux, ’’ the description of that impressive cere- mony.
‘“On Sunday afternoon, at the Cathedral, took place the solemn blessing of the bell, donated to the Chapel of the Providence, by Mr. Louis de Lagrave, a merchant of this city. His Lordship, himself, officiated at the ceremony, in which took part, Father Quiblier, Superior of St. Sulpice, with some other priests, of his Community. The naves and galleries were filled, by an
(1) The {first ladies admitted were the Misses Louise La- croix, White, Burroughs Malo, Duluth, Masson, Morand, Mc Cord and Madame Asselin.
a Pi
MOTHER GAMELIN 115
immense concourse of the faithful. The sermon of the occasion was preached by Father Porlier, the parish priest of Terrebonne, who while explaining to his large auditory the signification of that ceremony, knew how to excite the generosity of his hearers, in favor of the providential work of our Sisters of Charity.
‘“ His Honor, J. Viger, a former and first Mayor of Montreal, with Madame D.-B. Viger, did the honors as godfather and godmother to the new bell. Mr. Olivier Berthelet, one of the first benefactors of the House of Providence, and Madame Bourret, wife of the present
“Mayor, Mr. C. S. Cherrier and Madame Louis de La-
grave, Mr. Antoine Levesque and Madame C. Brault, took up the collection.
‘“The bell which had just been blessed, weighed about eighteen hundred pounds, and responded perfect- ly to the note, /a. Its sound was sonorous and exceed- ingly pleasant. It was named Mary, Elizabeth, Genevieve, which names were inserted on the inner wall of the bell, together with the offering of it, that had been made by Madame Genevieve de Lagrave, with the date and place.
‘‘ The collection amounted to £ 78, in addition to the ornaments and pieces of stuff laid upon the bell, which had cost at least a hundred dollars. These gen- erous offerings were probably sufficient to put up a steeple, in harmony with the remainder of the building.
_ The only thing that could not then be finished was the _ apex of the fagcade.... We are, however, persuaded that
the generosity of some of our citizens, will soon cause
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this little discrepancy to disappear, so as to complete that splendid edifice with which Catholic charity has endowed our city. ‘The past is the best assurance for the future. Moreover, gifts continued to come in, dur- ing those days, while the newly baptized was left wait- ing under a handsome canopy, and each time that a pious curiosity caused the tones of its charitable voice to be heard.
‘« We will add just one word more, which in reveal- ing the secret of gratitude, may serve to stimulate the efforts of true charity. We are informed that as soon as that bell has been placed in the belfry, it will be rung every evening at nightfall, to apprise the Com- munity, and to invite the faithful to pray for deceased benefactors. An indulgence will even be attached to the recital of the De Profundis, or some other prayer for the relief of the Souls in Purgatory.’’ (1)
And from that bell tower, the bell which was put up half a century ago, by the charity of Montreal, when the last glimmer of day is fading into night, still sends forth its melancholy peal, asking prayers for the dead ; and at the same moment in all our houses, hundreds of the poor, the infirm, and orphans kneel with the Sisters, to murmur the versicles of the De Profundis : ‘“Lord hear my prayer. Let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. Lord grant them eternal rest.’
Madame Gamelin always preserved a sentiment of the deepest gratitude to all the benefactors of her house.
(1) Mélanges Religieux. May 28th, 1844.
4
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She spoke of them in terms of deep respect mingled with grateful affection. She prayed every day for their intentions, and desired that all her Sisters should be faithful to their memory. She often and earnestly re- commended to her Sisters, that they should be very cordial in their thanks, to any one from whom they received even the smallest offering, or the most incon- siderable alms.