Today the Church in the United State of America commemorates Blessed Marie Rose Durocher, Virgin. Eulalie Durocher was born in 1811 in Quebec, Canada. She was the tenth of eleven children. When she was eighteen, Eulalie’s mother died, and her brother, who was a priest, invited his younger sister to his parish. She became a lay apostle. She took charge of the household duties for her brother. She also started the first parish sodality in Canada. The thirteen years she was involved in the life of the Church and the parish were preparing her for a special work for God.

 

In 1843, when Eulalie was thirty-two, the bishop of Montreal asked her to begin a very special mission. Eulalie started a new religious congregation of women called the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. Their particular work for Jesus would be to educate the poorest and most neglected children. Eulalie became Mother Marie Rose. Others came to join this generous woman. They, too, believed in the importance of educating children for the love of Jesus.

 

Mother Marie Rose lived only six years after her congregation began. However, she helped her sisters from heaven because the community continued to grow and open new convents. They started a mission in the United States, too. They went to Oregon in 1859. Today the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary are spread throughout the world.

 

Mother Marie Rose Durocher was declared a blessed by Pope John Paul II on May 23, 1982. (iMissal, Saint a Day)

 

We can thank Blessed Marie Rose for the sacrifices she made to educate children. When we’re tempted to “take it easy” at school, we can ask her to give us the willpower to try our best.

 

Lord, who enkindled in the heart of Blessed Marie Rose Durocher the flame of ardent charity and a great desire to cooperate in the mission of the Church as a teacher grant us that same active love, so that, in responding to the needs of the world today, we may lead our brothers and sisters to the blessedness of eternal life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect Prayer on the Feast of Blessed Marie Rose Durocher)

 

Hail Mary full of grace…

St. Clare, pray for us.

Mother Marie Rose Durocher, pray for us.

 

Be one and be holy,

Father Vincent-Vuong Nguyen