The Life of Venerable Sister Margaret Bourgeois

by Anonymous

The earthly mission of this sainted woman was now drawing to a close, and there only remained for her the task of procuring ecclesiastical confirmation of the rules of her institute. It will be remembered that she brought with her from France a formula of the rules drawn up by M. Jandret, and also those given her by "the Daughters of the Cross," but she had never arranged them systematically, so as to be able to present them in proper form to M. de St. Vallier, and to speak frankly, he did not appear to be in a hurry to approve of them, as his views regarding the Congregation were for many years unsettled and wavering. But at last, the great Arbiter of all things solved the question, and his Lordship began to feel a strong inclination, or rather inspiration, to inquire more particularly into the nature of the rules, and judge for himself if they were suited to the community. He accordingly examined the formulas very carefully, and submitted them to to the judgment of other enlightened persons who were in his confidence. It appeared to each of the distinguished examiners that the compilations and memoirs of the revered Foundress, as also the practices and usages of the Congregation as it then stood, were the real foundations of the rule under discussion. Therefore the worthy Bishop, in order to have it more in accordance with his ideas, proposed to change it in nearly every particular. In fact, he proposed for their observance the rule of St. Augustine.

The Sisters were panic-stricken, because if this proposition were carried into effect they would be transformed into cloistered religieuses, while they desired to be missionary Sisters, who could attend to the out-door needs of their respective parishes, according to their original designs and to the spiritual welfare of the people, under the direction of the pastors. This was a fixed point, and the distinctive characteristic of the Congregation as founded by Sister Bourgeois. It was next proposed by M. de St. Vallier, that the Sisters should make only simple vows. But as they had not made any vows in joining the community, the term, simple vows, of which some did not understand either the nature or the force, was another stumbling-block, and intimidated a few. It appears there were many unsatisfactory and protracted disputes on the subject, although the Sisters more than once made very humble remonstrances to the Bishop, and finding that the matter did not meet the prompt attention they thought it deserved, the Foundress determined to write a clear explanation to M. Troncon, Superior of St. Sulpice in Paris. Not that she intended or meant to set aside the authority of her Bishop, for whom she and her daughters entertained the highest esteem, but to receive from the distinguished Sulpician advice as to how she should act under such peculiar circumstances. M. Troncon was at the time performing the duties of an angel of peace, by the King's direction, and at the solicitations of the clergy of France, by amicably arranging the difficulties that had arisen between the celebrated M. de Bossuet, Bishop of Meaux, and M. de Fenelon, Archbishop of Cambray. He answered the communication of Sister Bourgeois with such sweetness and charity that the hearts of the Sisters were completely gained, and their minds enlightened, by the care and minuteness with which he explained the disputed points that caused them so much disquiet. They now clearly understood the nature of the engagements proposed to them, and no longer experienced unwillingness to enter into the views of their Bishop, who undertook a journey to Montreal, in June, 1698, for the express purpose of giving his episcopal sanction to the long-disputed rule. He admired the fervor of the new community, and was exceedingly edified when he found nothing to reform except a mitigation of austerities which were still rigorously practised by a great number. It was during this visit that he witnessed (for the first time) the extraordinary virtues of the famous recluse, Jane Leber. On the 24th of the month he called a general assembly of the Congregation, and proposed to them, with a few modifications, the same rules that were till then faithfully observed, and which Sister Bourgeois had the honor to place in his hands more than ten years before. The Sisters received their cherished rules and constitutions with enthusiasm, being now formally authorized by their Bishop, and these rules are still observed without the slightest alteration in the form in which they were that day presented to them, producing ever-increasing fruit and edification in the community.

The formula of acceptance was as follows: "We accept with all possible respect and submission, the rules which have been given us by Monsigneur, the illustrious and Right Reverend Bishop of Quebec. After having diligently read and examined them, we judge them to be proper for the welfare of our community, and resolve to practice them with all possible exactness. In virtue of which acceptance we hereunto affix our names, on this 24th day of June, 1698." Then follow the signatures of Sister Assumption, superior, Sister St. Ange, assistant, Sister Lemoine, mistress of novices, Margaret Bourgeois, and others then assembled, to the number of twenty-five persons. It may not be inappropriate to say a few words in explanation of the austerities that were mitigated by the wise prelate, the observance of which he and others considered too severe, and the non-observance of which the mortified and penitential Foundress regarded as a relaxation. The Sisters, including the saintly woman who founded them, had accustomed themselves to sleep on straw mattresses, with pillows of the same material, to wear none but low shoes; to make their simple dress without plaits, and as scant as convenience for working would allow; not to be ashamed of patches, no matter how numerous or inelegant; to eat only broken bread; in short to live in every respect like the poorest classes of society. These, and innumerable other practices of mortification, were constantly observed by the greater part of the community from the beginning. But in a severe climate like Canada, such rigors became impossibilities after a time, and the Sisters were obliged to mitigate them, in order to preserve health, without which they could not discharge the arduous functions of their institute. It was this unavoidable relaxation that Sister Bourgeois regarded as a falling away from their first fervor. She had so long lived on the heights of Calvary that she could not endure to breathe a less crucified atmosphere; but in her Congregation, allowance had eventually to be made for less gifted souls. To return again to the rule. The act of profession of the simple vows was made with all possible solemnity, on the 25th of June, 1698, and was followed by a most touching exhortation from Monseigneur, exhorting them to persevere in the glorious work they had undertaken for the benefit of religion, and the salvation of souls. On the 1st of July following, the Sisters, in the presence of the Right Reverend Bishop, made their solemn vows for life, with as much more solemnity as the latter vows exceeded the former. All the ceremonies and authenticated acts, with the illustrious signatures attached to them, are carefully preserved in the archives of the community, and the flight of nearly two hundred years has only rendered them more sacred in the eyes of the ever young and vigorous Congregation that to-day fills the place of the glorious dead. Sister Bourgeois was overwhelmed with spiritual joy during the touching ceremonials at Montreal, that gave perpetuity and security to her institute. With the holy old man, Simeon, she might truly exclaim, "Now, Lord, let thy servant depart in peace, because mine eyes have seen" the fulfilment of my earthly desires, viz., the solemn approbation of her rules. She blessed God in her inmost soul, and humbly prostrating herself at the Bishop's feet, in presence of the Sisters, besought him with tears to grant her one more favor, which was to permit her to pass the few remaining days of her life in holy obedience, entirely depending on her Sisters, and that she might be in future exempted from voting at the community elections, as also from offices of authority. They acceded unwillingly to this last request of her unsurpassed humility, but on account of past labors, and her great age (she was seventy-eight years old), and out of respect for her extraordinary virtues, all her desires were complied with.

Being thus freed at last from earthly cares, she became a model of regular observance. She told her director that for a long time she had asked God to send her nothing but humiliations and sufferings; that in His wrath He exempted her from these marks of His love, because, she said, when the occasion presents itself, I am proud and immortified, and I tremble at the inevitable approach of eternity.

She seemed to be in pretty good health until the close of the year 1699, but on New Year's eve a change came, which proved to be the warning of the Angel of death. Sister St. Ange, having been confined to the infirmary for some time, had just received the last Sacraments, and appeared to be in her agony. The attendants ran to arouse the community, that they might assist the dying religieuse by their prayers, and have the consolation to witness the death of the just. A messenger came to Sister Bourgeois' room also, to apprise her of the expected death of her old and loved companion. She had ever loved all her children in God, with more than a mother's love, and cried out, "My God, why do you not take me, who am old and useless, rather than this dear Sister, who may yet render you great service." The victim had offered herself, and her sacrifice was accepted. The Sister in her agony recovered, and the venerated Foundress fell into a burning fever from which she did not recover.

The previous year also she had a very severe attack of illness, from which she recovered as if by miracle. During her convalescence, she complained in a loving manner to the Sisters, that by their attentions and prayers they were prolonging the days of her exile, assuring them that she longed to be dissolved and be with Christ. Whether sick or well, she was a constant model of the most heroic and simple virtues. The great Apostle says: "That virtue is made perfect in infirmity." And if the Foundress of the Congregation did not entirely overcome the weakness of human nature, she constantly advanced in the holy paths of mortification, obedience, sacrifice of self, and submission to the will of God. She suffered the most intense bodily pains, which were at times so sharp and violent that she cried out in agony, but she never uttered a murmur or complaint. The attendant physician prescribed according to his skill, and she took his medicines regularly, although she felt convinced that neither human science, nor the affectionate care of the Sisters would be of any avail. She had a distinct presentiment that the hour of her dissolution was at hand, and oh, what exultant joy that knowledge gave her. She blessed God unceasingly in the greatest pain, and sang triumphant canticles on her death-bed, requesting the Sisters to sing them with her, and telling them that the divine harmonies of the city of God were audible to her at last. She literally burned with desire to go there, and be at rest forever, and the last twelve days she spent on earth in a seemingly unbroken agony, were the most jubilant of her life. The dark clouds of life were disappearing, and the silver lining of the other side was brightening the death-chamber of the dying saint. Yes, Margaret Bourgeois, the great and the lowly, the victor and the victim, literally thrilled with joy at the summons of the Eternal, and answered, "I come."

On the morning of the twelfth day of her last illness, she received the holy Viaticum with unspeakable devotion, and immediately fell into a gentle agony, which lasted exactly three hours, corresponding to her Divine Redeemer's agony on the cross, then having modestly folded her hands on her bosom, she calmly surrendered her beautiful soul into the hands of its Creator, in the eightieth year of her age, January 12, 1700.

She had no sooner breathed her last sigh, than her face, which had long appeared care-worn and harrowed, as much by the mental sorrows she so long and bravely endured, as by the excessive pains of her last illness, began to beam with a celestial brightness, which undoubtedly announced the beatitude her soul was enjoying. Sister St. Ange, for whom the Foundress had offered her life, and who was then in perfect health, on witnessing the extraordinary prodigy, took the name of Sister of the Blessed Sacrament, which had been the community appellation of Sister Bourgeois during life.

The bereaved Sisters desired to have the portrait of their dear deceased mother taken, before the tomb received her mortal remains. She looked very beautiful in death, so strangely beautiful that they resolved on having the likeness of the glorified deceased ever before their eyes. The work was confided to Pierre Leber, who was, however, but an indifferent artist, and was father of the celebrated recluse Jane Leber. He feared very much to undertake the painting, but nevertheless went to the convent and prepared himself by receiving Holy Communion in the Sisters' chapel. Almighty God was pleased to glorify His servant by a second prodigy on this occasion, for the painter had no sooner taken his brush in hand, than he was seized with an excruciating vertigo and was compelled to desist. Nor would it have been possible for him to resume, but that he felt inspired to apply to his head a small portion of the hair of the deceased, upon doing which he was instantly cured, and completed the picture, which is to be seen still in a good state of preservation in the convent chapel.

The news of her death had no sooner become public, than people flocked from all quarters to see the remains of the extraordinary woman, whom not only the voice of the common people, but also that of the highest authorities in Montreal, had ranked as a public benefactress. They were only prevented from invoking her as a saint by respect for the authority and voice of the Church, which had not yet spoken. An immense concourse of people, from city and country, came to procure some relics of her. They asked for scraps of her clothing, or of anything she had used in life, and as it was impossible to satisfy the demands of all, they applied to her sacred body medals, rosaries, scapulars, and such like articles of devotion. Several miraculous cures are related to have been worked by the use of these articles, and though we will not enter into a detail of them here, it requires no great effort of faith to believe them. We need only remember the fervor of her sanctity during life, and how often she was herself favored by miraculous proofs of the love of God.