DAY-by-DAY

HISTORY of the DAUGHTERS OF WISDOM

“Widen the space of your tent” Is 54,2

Date Year Events1 1873 Death of Sr Agathange, chronicler of the congregation4 1794 In Rennes, Sr Véronique and Sr St-Jouin are beheaded by the

guillotine10 1905 Election of Sr. Cécile de la Croix, 21st Superior General12 2010 Earthquake in Haiti resulting in the death of 6 DW’s, 1

Montfortian Father and 10 Brothers• S.Marie-Emmanuel, DW• S. Marie Flore, DW• S.Marie-Camille, DW• S.Marguerite Marie, DW• S.Christine, DW• S.Marie-Claude, DW

13 1962 Foundation in Argentina (Buenos-Aires)17 1821 Election of Gabriel Deshayes, Superior General of the

Montfortian Congregations19 1990 Plane crash in Papua, New Guinea: tragic death of Sr

Pierrette Carignan, and Fr. André Bouchard, smm, Canadians

22 1888 Beatification of Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort by Pope Leo XIII

1965 Nomination of the first Haitian Provincial: Sr. Anne de la Sagesse (Léonide Joseph)

25 1947 Plane crash at Croydon, England : tragic death of 3 missionaries of Shiré (Malawi) :• Sr Jean-Camille de la Croix, Provincial, French• Sr Hélène du Saint-Sacrement, English• Sr Eugénie-Marie du Sacré-Cœur, French

26 National Day in India28 1963 Foundation in Germany (Bockhorn)31 1673 Birth of Louis-Marie Grignion at Montfort

1794 The Mother-House ransacked, burned down during Rev.1977 Foundation in Brazil (Perus)2005 Nomination of the first Peruvian Provincial of PEBA:

Sr. Linina María de la Eucaristía (Linina Palacios Montenegro)

JANUARY

Date Year Events1 1673 Baptism of Louis Grignion 2 1703 FOUNDATION of the CONGREGATION of the

DAUGHTERS OF WISDOM at POITIERS, FRANCE

Marie-Louise Trichet receives the religious habit of the Daughters of Wisdom

1796 1st Profession since before the Revolution (1792): Sr St-Paul (Louise Binet)

1903 The congregation reaches 5 122 : this is the highest number of Sisters recorded in its history

1964 7 Congolese Sisters of the diocesan congregation of Mary Immaculate of Isangi make profession in the congregation of the Daughters of Wisdom

2003 Opening of the TRICENTENNIAL of the CONGREGATION

2009 Official opening of the 1st International Noviciate for Spanish speaking Sisters in Lima, Peru

5 1969 First meeting of the 3 General Councils in Rome6 2010 1st international meeting of JPIC ( Justice, Peace and

Integrity of Creation) of the DW’s in Rome10 1964 First General Chapter outside of France, at Ariccia, Italy17 1964 Election of Sr François du Christ, 27th Superior General

2005 Nomination of the first Indian Regional: Sr Lillykutty M. Joseph

18 1724 Rennes (school): 1st foundation made by Mother Marie-Louise de Jésus after that of the Mother-House

21 2007 Nomination of the 1st Congolese Regional: Sr Pierrette Bwamba Bosomba

26 1927 Transfer of the Cross of Poitiers from Poitiers to St-Laurent2010 1st meeting of the provincial leadership teams of Malawi,

Madagascar and D.R. of Congo in Congo27 1811 Approval of the Statutes of the Congregation by Napoleon

I (some articles of the statutes were changed and others suppressed)

FEBRUARY

Date Year Events5 1869 Blessing of the chapel and bells of St-Laurent, by Mgr Collet,

Bishop of Luçon7 1992 Pope John Paul II approves the miracle of Sr. Rosa della

Sapienza. The miraculous cure of Sr. Rosa della Sapienza (Italian) is accepted for Marie-Louise’s beatification.

15 1750 At the Maison-Longue in St-Laurent, the Marquis de Magnanne dies at the age of 86

17 Patronal Feast of Ireland (Saint Patrick)23 1715 Marie-Louise Trichet and Catherine Brunet leave Poitiers

for La Rochelle25 ANNUNCIATION:

Patronal Feast of the Montfortian family2009 International Community at the Mother-House,

St-Laurent-sur-Sèvre, France29 1705 Marie-Louise Trichet and Catherine Brunet arrive at La

Rochelle

MARCH

Date Year Events2 2004 Creation of the Province of the Daughters of Wisdom of Canada3 1966 The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of St-Loup-sur-

Aujon make profession as Daughters of Wisdom.4 1715 “Call yourselves the Community of the Daughters of Wisdom for

the education of children and the care of the poor.” (Montfort, Letter 29)

6 1721 Purchase of the “Chêne-Vert” at St-Laurent1849 At St-Laurent, a Way of the Cross in stone is erected; it replaces the

wooden crosses erected in 18268 1927 The miraculous cure of Sr. Gérard du Calvaire (English) is accepted

for Montfort’s canonisation.13 2012 Election of Brother John Kallarackal, Superior General of the

Brothers of St-Gabriel15 1715 The meeting with Montfort at Petit-Plessis: Montfort names

Mother Marie-Louise de Jésus as 1st Superior General.18 1901 Foundation in Switzerland (Sonnenwyl)20 1759 Marie-Louise is taken ill23 1954 For the 1st time, nomination of provincial bursars by the Superior

General and her CouncilPatronal Feast Day of England (Saint George)

24 1829 Bishop Soyer announces the opening of the Process of Montfort’s Beatification.

1935 Foundation in Congo (Isangi)25 1759 Last will and testament of Marie-Louise de Jésus

In Italy, Liberation Day (1945)28 1716 Death of Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort at St-Laurent

1759 Death of Marie-Louise de Jésus at St-Laurent. She leaves behind 35 communities and 122 Sisters.SAINT LOUIS-MARIE GRIGNION DE MONTFORTFounder and Patron of the Montfortian family

2008 Nomination of Sr Anne-Marie Beaudoin, General Bursar

29 1759 Circular letter from Fr. Besnard announcing the death of Marie-Louise

1842 Rediscovery of the Treatise on the True Devotion30 1759 Burial of Marie-Louise de Jésus

National Day in Holland

APRIL

MAYDate Year Events

2 1759 Death of Brother Joseau4 1759 (date unknown) Election of Sr. Anastasie, 2nd Sup. General5 1970 Opening of the 1st Council of the Congregation in Rome6 1909 The Congregation of Our Lady of Sorrows is affiliated with the

Daughters of Wisdom as “Oblates of Wisdom”.7 1684 Birth and baptism of Marie-Louise Trichet at Poitiers

1994 Transfer of the Cross of Poitiers from Rome to St-LaurentBLESSED MARIE-LOUISE DE JÉSUS : Co-foundress of the Daughters of Wisdom

2008 Official opening of the first International Noviciate for English speaking Sisters in Manila, Philippines

9 2011 1st meeting of provincial leadership teams of Europe at the Mother-House, St-Laurent-sur-Sèvre

11 1842 In a circular letter, Fr. Dalin announces that the Congregation will henceforth be divided into eight provinces.

12 1955 Nomination of the first Dutch Provincial: r. Léontine de St-Henri (Ella Reijnen)

13 1768 (date unknown) Election of Sr. Ste-Claire, 3rd Sup. General15 1869 Election of Sr. Sainte-Callisthène, 17th Superior General

2005 Election of Fr Santino Brembilla, superior general of SMM16 1993 Beatification of Marie-Louise Trichet by Pope John Paul II18 1839 Election of Sr. Saint-Flavien, 14th Superior General National Day

in HaitiNational Day in Haiti

19 1760 Approval of Constitutions by the Sisters meeting in Chapter1825 Request for recognition of our DW’s and SMM by Holy See1903 Nomination of the 1st general bursar after Marie-Louise de Jésus:

Sr Rose de Viterbe (Marie-Anne Bôcher)22 1905 Foundation in Colombia (Villavicencio)23 1801 Election of Sr. Saint-Méen, 9th Superior General24 1828 Election of Sr. Saint-Lin, 12th Superior General25 1708 Marie-Louise is named governess of Poitiers hospital.27 1860 Election of Sr. Saint-Louis, roi, 16th Superior General28 1944 Death of 9 Sisters in the bombing of Angers29 1819 Election of Sr. Saint-Calixte, 11th Superior General

1830 Election of Sr. de la Résurrection, 13th Superior General31 1725 The administration of St-Louis Hospital at La Rochelle is entrusted

to the Daughters of Wisdom.

JUNEDate Year Events

1 1888 Consecration of the Chapel of St-Laurent by Mgr Catteau2005 Nomination of Sr. Aline Leduc, General Bursar

4 1973 Foundation in Iran (Téhéran)5 1700 Ordination of Louis-Marie Grignion in Paris

1897 Election of Sr. Marie-Patricie, 20th Superior General2004 Unveiling statue of Marie-Louise Trichet-St-Laurent

6 1706 Montfort’s audience with Pope Clement XI7 1725 Marie-Louise is Superior of St-Louis Hosp. at La Rochelle8 1777 Election of Sr. Marie de St-Bernard, 4th Sup. General

1878 Election of Sr. Marie-Pauline, 18th Superior General9 1810 Election of Sr. Saint-Valère, 10th Superior General

10 1848 Election of Sr. Sainte-Vitaline, 15th Superior General11 1963 Foundation in Peru (Ñaña)12 National Day in the Philippines13 1725 La Rochelle (St-Louis Hospital): foundation of the 1st community

of nurses by Marie-Louise de Jésus1779 Death of Sr. Florence, chronicler of the congregation

15 1944 Death of 6 Sisters in the bombing of Valenciennes1991 Nomination of the first Malawian Vice Provincial:

Sr Esther-Mary of Montfort (Clara Anthony)17 1978 Foundation in Ecuador (Pilaló)18 1952 Nomination of the 1st Provincial (of Irish origin) in the Province of

Great Britain: Sr Joseph du Carmel (Monica Mary Camac)19 1816 Death of Sr. Jeanne (Marianne Châtain) first lay sister. Sr. Jeanne

born 28 May, 1729 and made profession in 1767.20 2006 Election of Sr. Louise Madore, 31st Superior General21 1997 Message of Pope John Paul II to the Montfortian family 24 1891 Foundation in England (Romsey)

1928 Élection de Sr Ste-Stéphanie, 23e supérieure générale1929 Nomination of Sr Thérèse-Marie de Jésus (Marie-Thérèse Bayart),

General Bursar1934 The miraculous cure of Sr. Marie-Thérèse de la Visitation (French) is

accepted for Montfort’s canonisation.2008 1st meeting of provincial leadership teams of Columbia, PEBA and

Haiti at Choachì, Columbia26 2009 150th ann. of foundation of Oblate Sisters at Larnay, France27 1846 National Day in Madagascar29 1846 Foundation in Belgium (Tournai)

1935 Nomination of the first Italian Provincial: Sr. Luisa di Montfort (Teresa Negro)

30 National Day in the D. Republic of Congo

Date Year Events1 National Day in Canada4 Independance Day in the United-States6 Independance Day in Malawi9 1922 Nomination of the first Belgian Provincial:

Sr. Marie-Théodemire (Marie Clotilde Isbecque)1964 Nomination of the first American Provincial :

Sr. Mary of the Divine Wisdom (Dorothy Basso) 1969 First Inter-Montfortian Session at Poitiers

National Day in Argentina10 1990 Marie-Louise declared ‘Venerable’ by Pope John Paul II14 1779 Death of Sr. Séraphique (Françoise Trichet)

National Day in France15 1990 1st “Pépinière” : July 15-August 12

1992 1st “Sagesse-Vivante” : July 15-August 1217 1711 Marie-Louise is officially named bursar of the hospital of

Poitiers20 1947 Canonisation of Louis-Marie de Montfort by Pius XII

1996 The Feast of Saint Louis-Marie de Montfort is inserted in the universal Roman calendar.National Day in Colombia

21 National Day in Belgium1954 The Lay Sisters become Choir Sisters

28 1975 Foundation in Uganda (Masaka)National Day in Peru

30 2001 Death of Sr Bernardetta dell’Immacolata, DW, collaborator in the work leading to the Cause of Beatification of Marie-Louise Trichet

JULY

Date Year Events1 1715 Approval of the Primitive Rule of the Daughters of Wisdom

by Mgr Étienne de Champflour at La Rochelle2 1678 Wedding of Julien Trichet and Françoise Lecoq in the church

of Saint-Germain, Poitiers2003 1st International Encounter of the Friends of Wisdom in

France3 1994 Election of Sr. Barbara O’Dea, 30th Superior General5 1976 Election of Sr. Ludovic-Marie de la Sagesse, 28th Superior

General7 1965 Change of habit between 7th and 22nd August

10 National Day in Ecuador11 1773 Letters of Approval granted (in March) to the Montfortians

and the Daughters of Wisdom by the Parliament Maupeou registered 11 August (Paris) and 18 December (Poitiers)

13 1805 The Sisters of Wisdom officially authorized to live in St-Laurent and to reclaim their possessions

15 1790 From August 15 to 20, last retreat at the Mother-House before the Revolution

16 1917 Election of Sr. Pauline du Sacré-Coeur, 22nd Superior General

19 1979 Foundation in India (Bangalore)20 1903 Foundation in Denmark (Roskilde)22 1715 1st public Profession of Sr. Marie-Louise de Jésus and Sr. de

la Conception at La Rochelle ; taking of the habit by Marie Valleau and Marie Régnier

1985 Decree of approval of the Rule of Life of the Daughters of Wisdom

23 1890 June 8th is decreed as the official date of the Feast of Mary, Seat of Wisdom or, more simply, Our Lady of Wisdom.

24 1845 For the first time at the investiture ceremony, the habit is blessed while the novices are actually wearing it.

27 1982 Election of Sr. Ines Maria dell’Eucaristia, 29th Superior General

AUGUST

Date Year Events1 1971 Foundation in the Bahamas (Nassau)4 1950 Transfer of the general administration from St-Laurent to

Rome7 1838 Montfort declared ‘Venerable’ by Pope Gregory XVI

National Day in Brazil8 1976 Foundation in Yugoslavia (Zagreb)

2011 Official opening of the 1st International Noviciate of French-speaking Sisters in Clamart, France

10 1997 The Institute “Yad Vashem” of Jerusalem confers the title of “Righteous among the Nations” to Sr. Aline de la Purification, Superior of Durbuy, Belgium.

11 2010 Tricentennial of the Calvary of Pont-Château16 1943 Death of 12 Sisters in the bombing of the Town Hall in

Nantes1946 Election of Sr. Henriette de l’Eucharistie, 24th Superior

GeneralNational Day in Papua, New-Guinea

17 1943 Death of 1 Sister in the bombing of the General Hospital in Nantes

18 1780 Election of Sr. St-François Régis, 5th Superior General19 1996 Visit of Pope John Paul II to St-Laurent-sur-Sèvre

2008 1st meeting of provincial leadership teams of Asia-Pacific in Manila, Philippines

23 1730 Niort becomes known as “the tomb of the Daughters of Wisdom”. 3 deaths occur in a row: July 29, August 29, and Sept. 23. Marie-Louise is present at the last one.

27 1884 Foundation in Canada (Montfort, Quebec)1997 Rencontre à Rome des conseils élargis des 3 congrégations

montfortaines29 1869 Decree on the heroic virtues of Montfort

1997 Gesture of reconciliation of the Montfortian family30 1789 Election of Sr. Sainte-Flavie, 6th Superior General

SEPTEMBER

Date Year Events1 1904 Foundation in the United States (St-Agatha, Maine)2 1989 Foundation in the Philippines (Manila)4 1782 Blessing of the Chapel of St-Laurent. This marks the end of

construction begun in 1777.1950 Transfer of the Cross of Poitiers from St-Laurent to the

Generalate House in Rome7 1758 Last retreat at the Mother-House presided over by Marie-

Louise de Jésus10 1990 Opening of the 1st Année-Sagesse:

October 10, 1990 - June 30, 199111 1951 Opening of the 1st Année-Sagesse: October 10, 1990 - June

30, 19911957 Election of Sr. Marie de Noël, 26th Superior General1962 Opening of the Second Vatican Council by Pope John XXIII

15 1798 Election of Sr. Sainte-Praxède, 7th Superior General1800 Election of Sr. Avé, 8th Superior General1998 1st International Montfortian Institute (IMI)

October 15, 1998 - March18, 199920 2011 1st meeting of provincial leadership teams of Canada and

United States in United States26 1951 Nomination of the first Canadian Provincial:

Sr. Émile de l’Enfant-Jésus (Évelyne Quesnel)1953 Foundation in Scotland (Inverness)

27 1881 Foundation in Holland (Schimmert)1887 Foundation in Italy (Genoa)

28 1748 Marie-Louise and the DW’s return to Poitiers

OCTOBER

Date Year Events4 1834 Opening of the 1st Regular Gen. Chapter (every 3 yrs)5 1965 Decree: The Congregation of the Sisters of the Immaculate

Heart of Mary of St-Loup-sur-Aujon joins our Congregation

9 1779 By a brief of H.H. Pius VI: a plenary indulgence is granted to those visiting the chapel or public oratory of the Daughters of Wisdom, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

11 2003 Foundation in Indonesia (Flores-Poco12 1969 Nomination of the first Colombian Provincial:

Sr Rafael de la Asunción (Olimpia María Jiménez)14 1853 The Congregation is granted pontifical status by the decree of

Pope Pius IX15 1947 Mgr Cazaux, Bishop of Luçon, names a commission for

the Diocesan Process in view of the beatification of Marie-Louise de Jésus.

1974 Nomination of the first Malagasy Vice Provincial:Sr Jeanne-Marie de la Providence ( Jeanne-Marie Tsiafindra)

19 1964 Martyrdom of 2 Sisters at Isangi, Congo:• Sr Mary Antoinette, American • Sr Anne-Françoise du Sacré-Coeur, Belgian

22 1950 The General Council participates in the First International Congress for Religious in Rome (aggiornamento)

25 1963 By papal decree, the Congregation of Mary Immaculate of Isangi is affiliated with the Congregation of the Daughters of Wisdom.

26 1719 The parish assembly of St-Laurent signs an act of acceptance of the foundation of the Mother-House in France. Marie-Louise arrives at St-Laurent in June 1720.

30 1875 Foundation in Haiti (Port-de-Paix)Patronal Feast Day of Scotland (Saint Andrew)

NOVEMBER

Date Year Events2 1701 Louis-Marie becomes chaplain at the General Hospital of

Poitiers3 1953 Foundation in Spain (Madrid)6 1767 Birth of Gabriel Deshayes at Beignon

1955 Foundation in Ireland (Sligo)7 1970 Nomination of Sr Rose-Marie de Montfort (Marie-Rose

Petit), General Bursar8 1858 For the first time, the Consecration of the Holy Slavery was

officially made by the two congregations (smm, dw)1893 Election of Sr. François de Jésus, 1904 Foundation in Shiré (Malawi-Nzama)

9 1961 Foundation in Papua, New Guinea (Kiunga)12 1988 Nomination of Sr Thérèse-Marie du Christ

(Solange Pellegrin), General Bursar14 1725 First death in the Congregation:

Sr. de la Conception (Catherine Brunet)16 1722 First Religious Profession of 4 Sisters at the Mother-House

in France:• Sr. du Calvaire (Louise Le Bel)• Sr. de la Nativité (Marie Garnier)• Sr. des Anges (Madeleine Renou)• Sr. Séraphique (Françoise Trichet)

1853 Brief of apostolic approval recognizing our 2 Institutes (smm, dw) as Congregations with simple vows

17 1949 Nomination of Sr Marie-Madeleine de St-Louis (Madeleine Hochart), General Bursar

18 1934 Foundation in Madagascar (Mahanoro)19 1793 In Nantes, Sr St-Salomon and Sr St-Paul are beheaded by

the guillotine20 1702 Towards December 20, Marie-Louise asks the Bishop to

admit her to the General Hospital of Poitiers as one of the poor

28 1841 Death of Gabriel Deshayes

DECEMBER

Today, rooted in our history, our faithfulness pushes us to go further and “without fear” to take the decisive turn for the life and

mission of the Congregation.

“Elargis l’espace de ta tente” Is. 54,2

From the onset, the theme of the Chapter situates us together in this movement already begun, which invites us to take new steps of openness

and availability in the way of Wisdom:

“She is mobile, She deploys her strength from one end of the earth to the other, ordering all things for good”. Ws 7:24; 8:1

At this precise moment in the history of the Congregation, is it not folly to evoke its expansion, its unfolding, and its mobility? Is it not an invitation to place our faith in God who makes fertile what seems barren? It is up to us to weave life-giving networks and to find explicit paths towards a truly international Congregation!

(Sr Louise Madore, Superior general, in her opening letter in preparation to the General Chapter 2012, Rome, May 7, 2011)

Work edited bySr Lise Therrien, DW

Canada

Up-date in 2012