MOTHER MARIE-FRANCOISE DE PAULE

Gracieuse Bodin : Mother Marie-Françoise De Paule... 

On April 17, we remember Gracieuse Bodin, the first collaborator of Fr. Cestac. She was born on 30 December 1816 in Saint Jean Pied de Port where her father, an artillery lieutenant, lived.

Twenty years later, she accepted the request of Fr. Cestac in Bayonne. And on 11 June 1836, she became engaged with the orphan girls.

In September 1837, the Father welcomed the first two repentant girls and offered them the attic of the Orphanage. He asked Gracieuse to be their educator and mother. She shared their life in this attic for almost two years.

On 8 June 1839 she came with 14 young girls to settle at Notre Dame du Refuge in Anglet. She was already called the "Mother of Penitents".

On 6 January 1842, with 13 other companions, Gracieuse consecrated herself to the Lord as a religious Servants of Mary. She took the name of Sister Marie Francoise de Paule.

In the spring of 1846, she accompanied some girls to the halls of Saint Bernard. She stayed there for about fifteen years, forming the first generations of Bernardines in their life of prayer, silence and work.

In 1860, she was appointed Directress General of the Congregation in close collaboration with Fr Cestac.

When Fr. Cestac died in March 1868, all the responsibility passed to her, and she continued the work of the Congregation, keeping her eyes fixed on the ideals of the Founder.

She convened the first General Chapter in October 1875, which confirmed her as Superior General.

After the second General Chapter in October 1881, which elected another Superior General, she died on 17 April 1882. She was buried in Saint Bernard next to the tomb of Elise Cestac. 

Father Cestac had great confidence in Mother Marie Francoise de Paule and gave this testimony: "The Mother is really established in this way of union with Mary".