150 YEARS OF THE NAZARETH SISTERS
In the footsteps of Blessed Frances Siedliska in Rome (13)
Sr. M. Beata Rudzińska, CSFN
Sisters of Reparation
Frances spent the last days or perhaps even weeks of her first stay in Rome at the home of the Sisters of Reparation. The place was found for her by Fr. Laurençot.
Sisters of Reparation, or the Congregation of the Sisters of Mary the Reparator (Congrégation des Sœurs de Marie-Réparatrice – SMR), was founded by Émilie d’Oultremont d’Hooghvorst. Mary of Jesus, as that is her religious name, was born in Belgium in 1818 to a noble family. A wife and mother of four children, she became a widow at just 29 years old. Through a deep life of prayer, she discovered her desire to participate in Christ’s paschal mystery and to reward Him especially through adoration. Assisted in her spiritual journey by the Jesuits, she founded a new religious family in Strasbourg in 1855, to which she entrusted this mission. The Congregation began to establish new outposts fairly quickly. In 1865, the Sisters of Reparation came to Rome.
Looking for the address of the house where Frances stayed, I found in the biography of Fr. Ricciardi a record that it was, still in existence today, a house in via Lucchesi, adjacent to the Jesuit Gregorian University. Next door is the Church of the Holy Cross and St. Bonaventure, where the relics of Maria of Jesus, beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1997, rest. I have led more than one group of Sisters to this place. However, once looking for more detailed information about the Sisters of Reparation in the Eternal City, I discovered that the convent in via Lucchesi was not founded until 1896. In 1873, the Sisters had only one house, which was located on the corner of Via degli Artisti and San Isidoro, near the Spanish Steps. And it was there that Frances stayed, received by Emilia d’Oultremont and her sisters.
We know virtually nothing about this stay. However, we can guess what an important experience it was for Frances to live in this young religious community, participate in its life or talk with its Foundress. Mary of Jesus had already traveled quite a bit of the road on which Frances was just entering, and she certainly had something to share. I think they established a good relationship, as they continued to meet with each other until the death of the Foundress of the Sisters of Reparation, which came quite unexpectedly in 1878. Émilie d’Oultremont, like Frances later, died at the age of 60.
Frances leaves Rome in October 1873. S. Augustyna Pietrzykowska even gives the exact date – October 18. She returns to her hometown of Żdżary via France carrying a priceless gift – the papal blessing to found a new religious congregation. She will return to the See of Peter in a dozen months or so. And we will go with her… already in the next episode.
Pictures:
Émilie d’Oultremont d’Hooghvorst – Mother Mary of Jesus SMR – Public Domain
The house in via degli Artisti and the church of St. Isidore belonging to the Sisters of Reparation – current view – Sr. Anita Jach