BLESSED MARIE ROSE DUROCHER: BRIEF BIO, REFLECTION



Eulalie Durocher was born Born October 6, 1811 at St. Antoine (a small village near Montreal) in Quebec, Canada, the tenth of eleven children. At the age of 16 she felt she had a vocation to the religious life, but was turned away because of her frail health. At eighteen, following the death of her mother, her priest brother invited her and her father to come to his parish which was not far from Montreal . For twelve years she served as his housekeeper and facilitator of pastoral activities. In this capacity, she became known for her graciousness, her gift of hospitality, and her leadership skills. This position also opened her eyes to the great need for instruction of youth - especially for young women who received very little education at that time in Canada.

It was Eulalie's dream that every parish be blessed with an order of teaching sisters, although she never imagined that she would be the founder due to her poor health and family responsibilities. However, with the encouragement of both her spiritual director and at the request of Bishop Bishop Ignace Bourget, she went to Longueuil to found the Sisters of the Holy Name of Jesus and Mary with her companions Henriette Cere and Melodie Dufresne. On December 8, 1844, she made her religious profession, taking the name Sister Marie Rose. The Sisters of the Holy name of Jesus and Mary were dedicated to providing Christian education for the poor and the neglected. Today, the congregation's mission continues in Canada, the United States, Africa, Haiti, and South America with 1385 religious and 561 associates.

Sister Marie Rose died at the age of 38 on October 6, 1849 of natural causes. She was beatified on May 23, 1982 by Pope John Paul II.

Patronage: Bodily ills; loss of parents; illness; frail health.

Symbols: Lilies; lilies of the valley; white rose (these flowers are symbols of virginity); book (symbol of monastic rule).

Reflection: Although Blessed Marie was an unlikely candidate for founding an active order of teaching nuns due to her frail health, God worked powerfully through her despite and perhaps because of her weakness. Think of those "imperfect" babies who are being aborted today due to simple "defects" such as a cleft palate or other disability. God has a purpose for each one of them in this world and needs each of his children to preach the gospel message and convert the world through their own uniqueness and combination of individual gifts and talents. If He can give Blessed Marie Rose the grace of faith, courage, perseverance, and strength to transcend her health problems and accomplish such monoumental tasks, what graces does he have in store for the babe in the womb who may be slaughtered today? Every life is precious -- made in the image and likeness of God. Every life is a unique gift from God, created for a specific purpose. Every life is a manifestation of His unconditional and eternal love.
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