In 1818 Mother Duchesne set out with four companions for the missions of America. Bishop Dubourg welcomed her to New Orleans, when she sailed up the Mississippi to St. Louis, finally settling her colony at St. Charles.
"Poverty and Christian heroism are here," she wrote, "and trials are the riches of priests in this land." Other foundations followed, at Florissant, Grand Côteau, New Orleans, St. Louis, St. Michael; and the approbation of the society in 1826 by Leo XII recognized the work being done in these parts. Despite age and infirmity, she went to teach among the Pottowatomies at Sugar Creek. Inspired by the stories of Father De Smet, S.J., she wished to undertake missionary work in the Rocky Mountain missions; but she returned instead to St. Charles, where she died after 34 years of mission work.
She was canonized on July 3, 1988, by Pope John Paul II.
No comments:
Post a Comment