St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier – Foundress
(1796 – 1868)
St Mary Euphrasia - born Rose Virginie Pelletier
Rose Virginie Pelletier was born on 31st July 1796 on the tiny island of Noirmoutier, off the west coast of France. She was a younger child of Dr. Julian and Anne Pelletier. She grew up in a time of turmoil and conflict. Wars were fought between those loyal to the royalty of France and those bent on revolution. Rose Virginie’s father had treated an “enemy” soldier and as a result her family was isolated. She grew up a very independent, young girl within a loving and caring family, her parents leading by example in their care and outreach to others on the island.
From a young age, Rose Virginie learned compassion for others as the family often took in hungry children, sick people and refugees. As a young child she experienced much upheaval and suffering within her family. Dr. Pelletier’s death in 1806 was a great loss for Rose Virginie who was only 10.
When Rose Virginie was growing up in Noirmoutier, there was no school. She did not attend school until three Ursuline Sisters opened one in Noirmoutier in 1808. Rose Virginie enjoyed school and impressed both teachers and fellow students with her ability. However, her headstrong nature made her impetuous and impulsive, and she often clashed with authority.
In 1810, Rose Virginie’s mother left the Island and decided to place her in a boarding school in Tours run by one of her friends. For Rose Virginie, the freedom she experienced on Noirmoutier became only a memory. She was lonely and felt cut off from her family. The strict regimen of life in boarding school was very hard for her. However, the harshness of the principal was tempered by the warmth and encouragement of an understanding teacher, Pauline de Lignac. In 1813, Rose Virginie was told of her mother’s death only after the funeral. She was overcome with grief and thought she would “die of sorrow”.
Near the boarding school was a community which the students visited on special occasions in order to serve meals. The convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Refuge, a religious Congregation founded by St. John Eudes, was founded to provide care and protection for women and girls who were homeless and at-risk of exploitation. Rose Virginie was attracted to this mission and sought her guardian’s permission to join the sisters. Her guardian was not supportive and the boarding school principal likewise disapproved of the idea. Rose Virginie persisted, and eventually her guardian relented on the understanding that she was not permitted to make her vows before she turned 21.
On joining the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity, she was given the religious name Sister Mary of St Euphrasia. From then on, her life was one of total dedication to the mission which she carried out with great joy and zeal.
Saint Mary Euphrasia Pelletier - Foundress
After much struggle and concerted opposition from local church leaders her plans were supported by the Pope. However, she had to leave the Congregation of our Lady of Charity of the Refuge to found a new Congregation. Thus, was born the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd of Angers (Good Shepherd Sisters) with the Pope’s approval to establish houses, not just in France but throughout the world.
Mary Euphrasia, became the first Superior General of the Good Shepherd Sisters in 1835, and established 110 new convents in six continents before her death on 24th April 1868. She was canonised by Pope Pius XII in 1940, and is now known as Saint Mary Euphrasia Pelletier.
One quote that encapsulates her spirit is:
“It is well known that I had neither riches nor talent, nor external charm,
but I always loved, and I have loved with all the strength of my soul.”
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