October 22nd - Blessed Alix, Visionary, Foundress
Traudel
(1576-1622)
In the days before the reformation, Catholic nuns were bound by the rule of
"cloister" or "enclosure" which prevented them from going out on missions of
mercy and even teaching children within the convent walls. An important
development of the Catholic Reformation in the 16th and 17th centuries was
the gradual establishment of new orders of women governed by freer rules
that permitted the sisters to engage in teaching, nursing and other works of
mercy. Among these orders were the Ursulines, founded in 1535 by St. Angela
Merici; the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, founded in 1609 by Sister
Mary Ward of England (her English enemies described these nuns as the
"galloping gurles"); the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul (1633);
and the Sisters of St. Joseph (1650).
Let's focus today on a fifth such religious community, the Augustinian
Canonesses of the Congregation of Notre Dame. Co-founder of this order was
Blessed Alix LeClercq. Alix was born in French Lorraine. As a teenaged
daughter of a prosperous family, she enjoyed music and dancing. At the age
of 19, however, she had the first of a series of "vision-dreams." Our Lady
appeared to her dressed in a sisters' habit that Alix did not recognize.
"Come, daughter," said Mary, "and I will welcome you." From that day on,
Alix took a more serious view of life and aspired to God's special service.
Soon afterwards, her family moved to the town of Mattaincourt. The pastor
of Mattaincourt was St. Peter Fourier, a diocesan priest who was
successfully promoting a revival of religion. Father Peter agreed with
Alix's devout father that his daughter should enter a convent. But she
refused to join an order that was cloistered, saying that she would rather
set up a convent whose members were free to engage in "active work."
In 1597 Alix and three other women were allowed by Father Fourier to
dedicate their lives to God. In 1598 they took up residence in a nearby
dwelling, determined to educate poor girls without charge. Not until 1616,
however, did the Holy See approve the modified rule of these Augustinian
Canonesses of the Congregation of Notre Dame. The delay had been because of
the traditional rule that nuns should be cloistered.
Clothed in the habit that our Lady had modeled in Alix's first
"dream-vision," her nuns began their educational work. She and her
companions suffered many trials, including a campaign of slanders from
outside. The co-foundress herself also underwent a long period of spiritual
"dryness." Her response to both was to develop a heroic meekness of spirit.
In the end, she could say, "I value one act of humility more than a hundred
ecstasies." She was happiest when teaching children, which she did very
well indeed; hence she was glad to be allowed to resign the chores of local
superior in 1621. However, by that date Sister Alix was already seriously
ill. She died at the age of 45 on January 9, 1622.
At her death Alix was already acclaimed as a saint, and evidence pointing to
that was quickly gathered. However, many circumstances, including the
French Revolution, delayed the advancement of her cause until the present
century. Only in 1947 did Pope Pius XII beatify her. Blessed Alix had
established an educational tradition that endured. Her own congregation
still survives. The Canadian teaching order, the Congregation of Notre
Dame, founded in 1650 by St. Marguerite Bourgeoys, was also inspired by Alix
LeClercq's organization. Finally, the School Sisters of Notre Dame, founded
in Germany in 1833 by Blessed Mary Theresa Gerhardinger, were intended to be
a revival of the German branch of the Augustinian Canonesses. The Rochester
Diocese owe a great debt to these latter School Sisters. Brought to the
United States by Blessed Mary Theresa in 1847, they accepted in 1854 the
first of their nine schools in the diocese of Rochester. Thus, they brought
into our midst the heritage of pioneer school sister Alix LeClercq.
This version taken from:
http://www.stthomasirondequoit.com/SaintsAlive/
Bible Quote
14 Therefore, brethren, stand fast; and hold the traditions which you have
learned, whether by word, or by our epistle. (2 Thessalonians 2:14)
Quote:
Better that only a few Catholics should be left, staunch and sincere in
their religion, than that they should, remaining many, desire as it were, to
be in collusion with the Church's enemies and in conformity with the open
foes of our faith.
-St. Peter Canisius
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Martyrology
At Jerusalem, St. Mary Salome, the mother of the Apostles James and John.
She is referred to in the Gospel as having cared for the burial of the Lord.
(3)
At Jerusalem, Blessed Mark, bishop. A most noble and learned man, he was the
first Gentile to receive the office of governing the Church of Jerusalem.
Not long after, he merited to receive the palm of martyrdom under the
Emperor Antoninus.
At Adrianople in Thrace, the birthday of the holy martyrs Philip bishop,
Severus, priest, Eusebius, and Hermes. In the time of Julian the Apostate,
after they had been imprisoned and scourged, they were burned to death.
Likewise the holy martyrs Alexander, bishop, Heraclius, soldier, and their
companions.
Near Fermo in Piceno, St. Philip, bishop and martyr.
Near Cologne, St. Cordula, who was one of the companions of St. Ursula. She
hid herself, being terrified by the tortures and slaying of the others. But
on the next day, repenting of her deed, she gave herself up to the Huns, and
thus was the last of all to receive the crown of martyrdom.
At Huesca in Spain, the holy virgins Nunilo and Alodia, sisters. They were
sentenced to death by the Saracens for confessing the faith, and so gained
their martyrdom.
At Hicropolis in Phrygia, St. Abercius, bishop, who flourished in the time
of the Emperor Marcus Antoninus.
At Rouen, St. Melanius, bishop. He was ordained by Pope St. Stephen and sent
to Rouen to preach the Gospel.
In Tuscany, St. Donatus the Scot, Bishop of Fiesole.
At Verona, St. Verecundius, bishop and confessor.
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The fifteenth prayer of St. Bridget:
O Jesus, true and fruitful vine, remember the overflowing and
abundant effusion of blood which Thou didst pour forth in
torrents, like wine pressed from the grape, when on the press
of the cross Thou didst tread alone; and Thy side having been
opened with a lance, Thou didst pour forth to us blood and
water, so that not the least drop remained in Thee; and at last
Thou wast suspended on high like a bundle of myrrh, and
Thy delicate flesh fainted, and the moisture of Thy members
dried up, and the marrow of Thy bones faded. By this most
bitter Passion and the effusion of Thy precious Blood, O
merciful Jesus, I pray Thee, receive my soul in the agony of
my death. Amen.
Pater noster... Ave Maria...
O sweet Jesus, wound my heart, that tears of penitence and
love may be my food night and day, and bring me entirely to
Thee, that my heart may ever be habitable for Thee, and my
conversation pleasing and acceptable to Thee; and the end of
my life so praiseworthy, that after the close of this life, I may
ever deserve to praise Thee with all Thy saints forever.
After praying five Pater nosters, say the following prayer:
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, receive this
prayer in that most exceeding love wherewith Thou didst bear
all the wounds of Thy most sacred Body, and remember me
Thy servant, and to all sinners, and all the faithful, living and
dead, give mercy, grace, remission, and eternal life. Amen.