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In
1894, she went to Vanves, on the outskirts
of Paris, where she began her pre-novitiate. Her fragile appearance made
it necessary for her to spend some time in this community; it was
necessary to make sure that her strength would permit her to commit
herself to a missionary life. But behind her fragile appearance was
hidden an iron will which overcame all difficulties.
She began her novitiate in
Les Châtelets, near Saint Brieuc (France), in July of that same year,
and received the name of Marie Hermine de Jésus. The hermine is an
animal which prefers death to being tarnished - so goes the saying - and
this would be one of Hermine's resolutions. Such was her life, such was
her death.
A
woman full of tenderness and firmness … A humble woman. Her patience
and her charity could create a homely atmosphere wherever she went: in
the novitiate, then in Vanves where she took care of the accounts of the
house and later in Marseilles where she was trained in the care of the
sick; finally as superior of the group in Taiyuanfu. She knew how to win
hearts: bishops, priests, lay consecrated people, children, the sick …
And for her own sisters, she was mother, support, animator … till the
end.
From where did she draw this strength? Her
words unfold part of her secret :
"Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is
half my life. The other half consists in loving Jesus and winning souls
for Him."
An
ardent missionary, adorer, a single-hearted woman. Marie-Hermine did not
flee in face of the danger of death. She knew how to live the Master's
words "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for
those one loves" (Jn 15:13). |
