Canonization of MOTHER marie eugenie

Your Thoughts and Stories

From Dolly in Oregon

Oh, my goodness! Again, I feel spoken to directly by St. Marie Eugenie! Today as I visited our website, I see St. Marie Eugenie's words, "Each one of us is the object of a choice
and of the call of Love."

Having just returned from our AAAA-Triennial reunion in Washington DC, I feel very full of inspiration and motivation to come back to my community, and continue in the good works that I'm involved in, now more proud to do it AS AN ASSUMPTIONIST.

This time I will not put away my logo'd clothing for the next triennial. I will continue to wear them in my everyday life so that I will constantly be reminded of the challenge to go forth and do good for the greater glory of God.

In my community where I find myself as a "lone Assumptionist" I used to hide that fact because the other Filipinos in my midst would treat me differently. For the most part, it was a disadvantage for people to know that I am an Assumption girl. I will not consider that anymore, and from this day forward, will simply serve with fidelity to duty, applying the true values of Assumption education!

From Monica in Delaware

"I saw the temporal reign of Jesus Christ, but he saw His inner Reign in my soul...He drew me by a secret love whose only desire was to take possession of my heart (1844)." -from Marie Eugenie Milleret by Helene-Marie Bories, R.A. (trans.
Joan Weber and Nuala Cotter, R.A.)

The idea that I need to allow Jesus to cultivate His love in my heart first, and that this conversion of my heart is the source of any "important work" in my life, helps me redirect my energy towards prayer.

Marie-Eugenie realized that in order to help build the Kingdom of God, she had to let Jesus build His kingdom in her heart.

This is just as relevant to me as a wife, mother and teacher as it was for Marie Eugenie. I am very grateful for her example.

From Corazon in New Zealand

I was in a prayer meeting of one of the Couples for Christ (CFC) households in New Zealand when the mother of one of our members joined us. She was just visiting. After the prayer meeting we talked about our birthdays. When it came to my turn, I said that my birthday fell on St. Marie Eugenie's beatification day – February 9. The visitor said, surprised, "really?" She knew St. Marie Eugenie as well! She even promised to replace the rosary of Marie Eugenie that I had lost with a novena another rosary/relic.

I began telling her that I was educated at Assumpta Technical High School ('79-'83) in Pampanga, Philippines. She then told me that she was an alumna of Assumption San Lorenzo (Philippines) circa'63 (HS) and '67 (College). I began hugging her and telling her that I am what I am now because of the spiritual foundation I received from the Assumption Sisters and the generosity of the benefactors of our school.

The inspiration I received from St. Marie Eugenie -- her teachings of humility and liberation -- became my inspiration in liberating myself from poverty. I allowed the good to break through the rock that imprisoned it. I became a person with pride and dignity, an educated woman, a compassionate social worker and a person who is proud of where I came from.

St. Marie Eugenie makes possible for me to hug and say "hank you" to Tita Marfina Teodoro, a benefactor, who stands for all those who have helped and supported ATHS and The Mother Rosa Memorial Foundation in San Simon, Pampanga (Philippines). Their prayers and hope of a brighter future for the children of the less privileged in Pampanga didn't go in vain as most Alumni of Assumpta Technical High School became successful in their chosen fields/careers.

Tears were running through my eyes as we sang the Assumption School song which we both clearly remembered. As I was driving her around the countryside of New Zealand,
we were thanking St. Marie Eugenie for bringing us together and allowing us to relive the Assumption spirit. There was no generation or social gap... just two Assumption alumnae united in spirit singing..."with grateful hearts we gladly sing"...

And to all our Benefactors, the Assumption Sisters, all our teachers and of course St. Marie Eugenie.. THANK YOU... we became the best persons we could be because of YOU!!!

From Mary Elizabeth

A dear friend was admitted last week to one of Chicago's top hospitals for emergency gallbladder surgery, made more complicated because my friend has Crohn's disease, and has had much of her intestines removed. When I spoke to my friend Maureen yesterday, she was despondent because things were not healing as they should after the surgery, and the doctors said she'd have to stay on indefinitely. I told my friend I would pray. Later that day, I stopped by my parents' house and happened to see a book on Sister Marie Eugenie that Sister Joan Rice had given to my mother. I found beautiful prayers inside, and began to pray to Sister Marie Eugenie--for an early release for my friend; for healing. I just learned that a few minutes ago, my friend was released from hospital. I so believe in the power of prayer! Please continue to pray as my friend has to have another procedure done in two weeks.

From Maria Rose in the Philippines

I am so thankful for being a part of the Assumption community. Where I am now and who I am today ... all I owe to the education I obtained from an Assumption school. I am a graduate (1989) of Assumpta Technical High School in San Simon, Pampanga (Philippines). Truly, they developed not only our minds but our hands and heart as well. With St. Marie Eugenie as my inspiration, I strive to give a " constant yes to God" in doing all things.

When I was in high school, I was awarded a two year scholarship. It was a big relief for my family. If I didn't receive such a good educational foundation, I don't know where I 'd be now. Thanks to St. Marie Eugenie, thank you Assumption Sisters!

From Javier in Puerto Rico

"Glory be to God who gives us examples to live by, like Marie Eugenie." We first knew about Mother Marie Eugenie through some friends who heard about Risa Bondoc. We then cam to know a wonderful human being, Sister Chabela, RA when she came to Puerto Rico to present the life and thoughts of Marie Eugenie. This visit changed our lives not only because we found Marie Eugenie's life inspiring, but becaause we also had the opportunity to see the Assumption way of life through the Sisters.

We have made Mother Marie Eugenie our special advocate in heaven because we have a brain injured daughter, and we pray that she might be healed completely. Every six months we travel to Philadelphia to take our daugther to a special clinic. This last visit we met the Sisters there and once again they made feel so welcome, and we know that they will pray for us as we are praying for them.

Thank you, Assumption Sisters, for your kindness, your warmth and your faith in God. Congratulations to you, Sisters, and to the Church, because we have a new Saint and a model of Faith. Praised be the Holy Trinity.

From Susan

Mother Marie Eugenie is my inspiration. I believe that each day she performs a miracle because I am surrounded by a wonderful and Christ-centered family. I firmly believe in her and her teachings. She touches our lives so that we will all become agents of change. Simple gestures can already start in the transformation of our society. For this, I give thanks to Mother Marie Eugenie for establishing the Religious of the Assumption. I am so GLAD and cannot explain the joy in my heart upon learning that she is now a SAINT! My family and I were given the opportunity to be one of the pilgrims for the canonization of Mother Marie Eugenie last June 3 in Rome. It was such a moving and blessed experience for us! We believe that we are all agents of change.

From Brother Tim

I am a Marianist brother. Each year for the past five years I have left the suburban high school where I have taught for 25 years to do spiritual formation work with Catholic teachers in the Solomon Islands....

The theme for the workshops is the WYD 2008 theme: "You will receive power from the Holy Spirit; you will be my witnesses." I have planned a series of vignettes based on the lives of the saints as examples of witness. I was looking for a "new" saint to present, and last evening I "discovered" Marie Eugenie and her imminent canonization while reading the Whispers blog. I'm sure that this was not just chance.

Her story, her life, her challenges and most significantly her credo captured all that I hoped to inspire the struggling teachers of the Solomon Islands. The credo expresses so powerfully and so positively what it means to witness to Jesus, and I hope you do not mind if I use it as part of the program. I will encourage them to pray to St. Marie-Eugenie when they encounter difficulties and frustrations in their work. Perhaps as a new saint, Marie Eugenie would be willing to adopt the young Church of the Solomons for her special concern. Although the country is suffering from a decade of civil strife and a devastating earthquake and tsunami in April, the people have a wonderful spirit and a strong faith.

Our own founder, Blessed William Joseph Chaminade (1763-1850) was a contemporary of Marie-Eugenie in post-revolutionary France. Reading her story with his background reminded me once again how strikingly similar those days were to our own. When you get past the florid 19th century prose, (I notice the credo has been adapted) you find the same concerns which haunt our times: a loss of faith, a lack of confidence in Church institutions, an all-consuming secularism and materialsim that renders faith irrelevant and silly. And yet, inspired by the Spirit and the Blessed Virgin, courageous witness like Fr. Chaminade and Mother Marie-Eugenie proposed a new and hopeful vision. May they continue to inspire men and women all over the world, and may we be faithful to continuing their mission with confidence and energy.

Once again, congratulations on this special grace and thank you for allowing me to carry the story and credo of St. Marie-Eugenie to the other side of the world.

From Carmen

I am a 42 year old mom of five and I studied all my life, from kindergarden until 12th grade, at the Assumption in El Salvador. The education I received there helped me so much. When I came to this country I didn't go to church anymore and my life was empty. I had everything materially, but forgot God. The only things I didn't forget were the hymns I learned when I was at the Assumption and my life in school. I began to look for what I really needed: the presence of Jesus and Mary in my life. I began to change. I began to put all that I learned to work and I am now serving God at the juvenile center as a volunteer and also at the church. Thanks to the Assumption and the sisters, I had the most important miracle of serving and helping God by serving others. The Assumptionist heart will always be in me.

From Judith in Australia

My husband Kevin and I were married on the Feast of the Assumption in 1959, in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. In Melbourne we lived in Cheltenham, whose parish Church and school were Our Lady of the Assumption. Our Paul, one of nine children, was baptized there. We have always loved this beautiful feast of the mother of God, and rejoice in the canonization of Mother Marie Eugenie and pray to her, and for all members of the Assumption family. My birthday falls on 3rd June, and so I feel really blessed.

From Pat in Pennsylvania (Ravenhill alumna, 1975)

I met my dear friend Patti as a 1st grade student at The Academy of the Assumption, Ravenhill (Philadelphia). We went through 12 years of school together and have remained best friends for over forty years. She was diagnosed with an incurable disease some years ago and at one time was quite ill with many hospitalizations. I began to pray to Mere Marie Eugenie for the health of my dearest friend. She has not been hospitalized since and has been doing well. I will continue to pray for her cure. I thank God for my friend Pat and for the blessings of MME.

From Susan in California

I am filled with love and gratitude towards Mother Marie Eugenie. I am originally from Metz, France and would never have guessed that our small town would one day have a Saint!

Thank you, Mother, for your love of Christ and for being a role model to us. Your picture will travel with me and bless my family in Sacramento, California.

From Enid in California

We had our monthly company Mass on May 3rd. I shared that at this point in my life, where much of what I'm doing is connected to the pilgrimage to Rome and France, and to the retreat that the Southern California Alumnae are having this weekend here at my office, I'm taking a "refresher" course. It's like a "brainwashing" event where I am filled with Mother Foundress all over again, and the Gospel speaks of a New Jerusalem. It's bringing me back to my vocation, to what Assumption meant to me, back to the NEWNESS of what Jesus was all about, and why Mother Foundress urged that there be a fourth vow - the extension of His Kingdom. Jesus came to tell us about the Father and to tell the whole world that the Father's Kingdom is all about love ... not violence and hatred and war and hunger and fear. We need this newness. This world needs this newness. We need to radiate this newness. Thanks, Sisters, for continuing to bring MME to our attention and to reflect upon her and our lives.