Cloistered Good Shepherd - Finals Vows This Tuesday

[Luigi]

There's a monastery of cloistered Good Shepherd sisters near here.

 

At Mass this evening, the priest mentioned that one of the sisters would be making her final vows on Tuesday. 

 

He didn't ask for prayers for her, but I think it would be nice if we could sneak in one or two for St. Mary Agnes RGS. 

[beatitude]

I love the spirituality of this community. :) Their contemplative sisters are another group who sometimes make me think wistfully, "If only I were called to that..." Prayers for Sister M. Agnes.

[graciandelamadrededios]

HISTORY OF THE CONTEMPLATIVE SISTERS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD – FORMERLY KNOWN AS MAGDALEN SISTERS AND SISTERS OF THE CROSS

 

EXHORTATION OF

OUR HOLY MOTHER FOUNDRESS

ON THE OBSERVANCE OF THE RULES

 

 

            We cannot too strongly exhort you, my dear and beloved Daughters, to observe your Rule with a great and generous heart, and to be well convinced that the more exact you are in doing what it prescribes to you, the more proofs God will give you of His goodness and liberality; do not examine if what it commands you is great or little; it ought to suffice for you to know that God wills it.

 

            Be well persuaded that you would be only half Religious if you fulfilled your duties through fear, instead of observing them through love of your state, and through the zeal you ought to have for your advancement in the practice of religious virtues.

 

            If the yoke which is imposed upon us appears sometimes heavy, let us remember our past faults, the rigorous chastisements which they have deserve, and the immense debt which we have contracted towards our good Master.  Let this salutary thought keep us continually attached to His adorable fee, and engage us to remain inseparably united to His Cross, which ought to be our only support here below.

 

            Consider, my Daughters, that since you have made the sacrifice of yourselves to God by profession, you can no longer live except as a victim, and that your state must be that of continual sacrifice.

 

            If we only enter into this world and live but to die, we die also in entering religious, only to live there according to the laws of that living death, and to consider ourselves always, as it were, under the sword which is to complete our sacrifice.  Happy death!  Happy life!  in which we have ceased to belong to the world or ourselves to live only in God!

 

            Have confidence, my dear Daughters, in Jesus Christ, our Hope, that He will load you with His choicest graces, in consideration of fulfillment of these Rules, and that after having tried you here below by holy penance, He will crown your merits by an eternity of glory in Heaven. –

 

                                                                        Your affectionate Mother,

 

 

                                                                        MARY OF ST. EUPHRASIA PELLETIER

                                                                        Superior General of the Congregation

                                                                        of the Good Shepherd of Angers.

 

 

GOD BE BLESSED!

 

STATUTES

FOR

THE SISTERS MAGDALENS

OF THE

GOOD SHEPHERD OF ANGERS

 

Chapter 1

 

Aim and Spirit of the Sisters of Saint Magdalen

 

1. Their general aim is to promote the glory of God and the personal sanctification of the members by the practice of the three simple vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience as a special branch of the Congregation of the Good Shepherd of Angers.

 

Their particular aim is to repair the injury offered to the Divine Majesty by their sins and those of all mankind, to expiate their faults and to obtain from God the conversion of souls, by devoting themselves in the Congregation of the Good Shepherd of Angers to a great spirit of penance, abnegation and mortification in all their actions.

 

1. To attain these ends, they must attach themselves to a true spirit of prayer, to complete solitude, and above all to profound humility, often calling to mind the example of their glorious Patroness, Saint Mary Magdalen, who retired from the world to live a life of penance and prayer.

 

In these sentiments, they shall say “Lord, create in me a clean heart, and renew within my soul the spirit of justice and rectitude, that I may walk in Thy ways.”

 

1. They shall apply themselves particularly to the practice of interior mortification, perfect obedience and charity, thus subduing their nature and its evil tendencies, in order to arrive at union with God and to attain to His love, which is the most efficacious and surest means of perfect reparation.

 

 

Chapter II

 

Government

 

1. The Sisters Magdalens are under the ordinary jurisdiction of the Bishop of the diocese, according to the prescriptions of Canon Law, in the same measure and with the same limits as the Good Shepherd Congregation, of which they form a branch.

 

1. The Ordinary of the diocese in which the community is establish, names the Confessors, He, or his delegate, examines the candidates for clothing and profession.

 

1. The Sisters Magdalens, as a branch of the Congregation of Our Lady Of Charity of the Good Shepherd of  Angers, are dependent on the Superiors of this Institute: the Superior General has the authority over all the Magdalens, the Provincial those of her Province, and the local Superior over those of her convent.

 

1. A religious of the Good Shepherd is charged by the Superior General or Provincial with the spiritual direction of the Sisters Magdalens.  She shall watch with great care that each gives herself to the practice of every virtue; her vigilance shall extend to all their corporal necessities, while urging them to a true spirit of penance and mortification.

 

1. All the Sisters may have recourse to their Superiors, either verbally or by writing, without opposition on the part of any Mistress.  The local Superior should know anything serious or importance that happens in the Magdalen community.

 

1. The Sisters Magdalens shall have no voice, either active or passive, in the directive charges of the Congregation, or with regard to the elections.

 

1. The Sisters Magdalens shall have great respect for all the Superiors whom God in His goodness, has given them to guide them in the way of virtue and religious perfection, obeying them with over and promptitude, often remembering that their Superiors will one day render an account of their souls before God.

 

Chapter XXI

 

The Habit of the Magdalen Religious

 

133. Their habit shall be of coarse or woollen brown serge, the material being more or less heavy according to the climate of difference countries.  The robe shall be a sac, full enough to make two large plaits at the either side, which shall be held in place by a leather belt of natural colour, two inches wide; the sleeves should reach the end of the fingers, and should be twenty-five and a half inches wide, will be of the same material and length as the robe, which will be almost to touch the ground.  The bandeau and veil worn by the Novices shall be of ordinary linen, as well as the guimpe which is worn under the habit.

 

134. The veil and bandeau received at profession will be of black material; over the belt the Sisters wear a girdle of white wool, with tassels.  The rosary is made of large black beads, strung on a cord, with a crucifix in the centre; it is worn at the right, and the girdle at the left.  The choir mantle which they receive at their Clothing, is made of coarse black material, as long as the habit in front, and nine and a half inches longer at t he back.  The shoes shall be of black and very common leather, when this is possible.  The tunics will be the same colour as the habit, if this can be done, but the material should be coarser and lighter.

 

135. The professed shall wear a silver cross.  It shall be worn on black worsted braid, three quarters of an inch wide.

 

136. The night veil, as well as the guimpe and the bandeau, shall be of coarse linen or cotton; the professed shall wear a small black veil of luster or some other light material, over the white veil.

 

137. Let the Sisters wear with great esteem the religious habit with which the Holy Church clothed them when they consecrated themselves to their Divine Spouse.  This holy livery should constantly remind them of their holy engagements, and particularly of their entire renunciation of the world, the life of reparation and mortification to which they devoted themselves by retiring into this solitude as into a tomb.  Let them never fail to raise their souls to God while clothing themselves by the holy habit.  For this purpose they shall recite the prayers of Rule.

 

The Formula for the Vows taken by Magdalen Religious (Statutes of 1950):

 

“I, Sister Magdalen _________________________, in presence of the Most Blessed Virgin, our Mother, of our glorious Patroness Saint Mary Magdalen and of the whole celestial court, as well as in the presence of Your Excellency (or in your presence as delegate of His Excellency the Bishop of ____________); in the hands of Our Very Honoured Mother Mary ______________________, Superior General (Provincial or local), do vow to observe for one year (or all my life) Poverty, Chastity, Obedience.  I likewise vow to pray for the salvation of souls, particularly for all the works of the Good Shepherd.

 

All for the greater glory of God.  In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.  Amen."

 

 

The Founding of Magdalen Sisters

 

This Statutes of the Magdalen Religious was published in 1950.  Their foundress, St. Mary of St. Euphrasia, was an ardent admirer of the great saint of Avila, Teresa of Jesus, the reformer of the Carmelite Order.  St. Mary Euphrasia was greatly influenced by the spirituality of St Teresa that when founded this branch she prescribed that the habit of the religious be patterned similar to the habit of the discalced carmelite religious and the first draft of the Magdalen’s Constitutions is very similar to those of the Carmelites.  I read in the biography of St. Mary Euphrasia that when she was young postulant, she wanted to take as her religious name, Mary of St. Teresa, her Mistress told her to choose a lesser known saint, hence in the name of obedience, she took the name Mary of St. Euphrasia, an unknown saint.  She adopted this religious name upon her profession as religious of the Institute of Our Lady of Charity of Refuge founded by Saint John Eudes.  She later founded her own congregation based on the spirituality of Saint John Eudes and grouped all the convents under one central government or generalate in Angers, France where she was the first Mother Superior General.  Creating a generalate was not an easy task for Saint Mary Euphrasia since her own bishop cannot understand the Institute’s dependency in Rome and there were criticism coming from her own sisters in religion.

 

Saint Therese of the Child Jesus had once contemplated in joining the Magdalen Sisters if local ordinary refused her admission for Carmel.  She said that since the Magdalens also lived the spirituality and constitutions of St. Teresa, it is the closest she can get in order to become a Carmelite. 

 

The origin of the Magdalen Sisters of Angers started when Mother Mary Euphasia became the Superior of Refuge in Tours.  This inspiration started after her novitiate, when she replaced Sister Mary of Victories (who had been her Novice Mistress and who also saw the potentials of some penitents for cloistered religious life) as the first Mistress of penitents.  In her daily contact with the penitents, she discovered that some of them were exceptional that they do not only live the re-educational seriously but were ready to offer themselves totally to God as cloistered sisters.  Though still very young, St. Euphrasia has housed in her heart the burning desire of founding the Magdalens, who would live their vocation in their own separate quarters within the big convent complex of the active sisters.

 

St. Mary Euphrasia’s plan was based on a very simple idea; to create a small contemplative monastery within the big apostolic convent, with a fair amount of autonomy as regards the grounds, gardens and building so that they may fulfill the life of solitude and prayer.  This little contemplative monastery, situated within the huge convent complex of Our Lady of Charity, would retain attached juridically, economically and spiritually to the main convent and under the leadership of the Superiors of the Apostolic Sisters.  The penitents who were the first to be recruited needed much support, guidance and protection. 

 

Up to that period, former penitents desiring to experience contemplative way of living has to seek admittance elsewhere.  Mother Mary Euphrasia has considered that they were ready to offer these penitents the type of life they want since they already experienced a conversion process and now could respond to the rigors of cloistered contemplative life.

 

In 1895 when Mother Mary Euphrasia founded the Magdalens in Tours, she took the ready-made model of Carmel, composed of solitude, contemplation, community prayer, silence, common life, work and penance.  Therefore, the Magdalens of Tours were like a little Carmel in the midst of big convent.  It started with four novices who would professed two years later.  There was still no rule hence, the Rule and Constitutions of Saint Teresa of Avila were handy as reference for their contemplative living. 

 

Soon after the arrival of Mother Mary Euphrasia in Angers, she made every effort to found the Sisters of Saint Magdalen.  With the support of Mgr. Montault des Isles and M de Neuville, she initiated the foundation on Octover 25, 1831 though the house of Angers was still financially challenged.  Two former penitents received the habit of Carmel and so became the first Magdalen Sisters of Angers.  Like the foundation in Tours, it became a small Carmel within the big convent complex of the Good Shepherd, protected and guided by Good Shepherd Mothers in regard to government.

 

As she had done in Tours, the initial rule given to the Magdalens is the very Rule of S. Teresa.  But she set herself to work immediately to drew up a first rule which was approved by the Bishop of Angers in 1834.  This rule is very similar to the Carmelite Rule and it was called “The Constitutions of Saint Teresa for the Religious of Saint Magdalen.” In this rule, Mother Mary Euphrasia stipulated that recruitment was not limited to penitents only – a very important and wise decision for the future of the institute of its unique kind.  As for the spirit of this new foundation, it was the same as for Carmel; God alone suffices which revolves around silence, work, austerity, prayer and solitude, personal sanctification was lived in union with the conversation of the penitents who were under the care of the Good Shepherd Sisters.

 

In 1857, after 25 years of experience, Mother Mary Euphrasia wrote a second rule inspired by the first one.  Though the name of Saint Teresa is not mentioned, the framework of this rule was still based in the Carmelite Rule.  This rule was entitled “Rule and Observances for the Magdalen Sisters of Angers.”  She added to said rule observances and prayers for the daily use of the Magdalens.  Approved in July 1857, this rule is proposed to all foundation at their General Chapter. 

 

However, the life of Magdalen Sisters is not an imitation of the Carmelites. Though the habit is similar to those of Carmelites and constitutions was based on what St. Teresa had given to her nuns, St. Mary Euphrasia “breathed” an authentic imprint of her own charism and spirituality to her Magdalens; allowing “penitents” to live cloistered life, their mortification is lighter than those of Carmelites, recites the Office of the Blessed Virgin,  direction of the convent by the “White Mothers”, and being a Reparatrix Religious, they bind themselves to the vow of Zeal for the salvation of Souls and prays for all the works of the Good Shepherd Congregation.

 

As prescribed by the Pre-Vatican II statutes, the Religious of the Good Shepherd (who wears white habit and scapular) are appointed to the offices of Mother Superior, Mother Assistant and Mother Mistress of the Magdalen communities by the Superior General or Provincial.  Magdalens calls their convent Superiors as “White Mothers.”  Convents are usually found inside the huge compound of the houses of Good Shepherd Sisters.  Magdalens convents were like a Carmel within the Good Shepherd’s complex.  Mother Mary Euphrasia did not want in any a watered-down or mitigated foundation, which would lead to belief that the former penitents were not capable or worthy of contemplative living in its integral form.  She was very careful to give them enough vital space and autonomy to be able to live and carry out its special vocation.  The Good Shepherd Sisters retained the role or authority, continuing to watch over them with maternal care.  In 19^th century there was nothing derogatory about this – it was a security, which is no longer necessary today.  So Mother Mary Euphrasia remained their direct superior aided by her assistants.

 

As for the Magdalen’s livery worn before Vatican II, they have the scapular and tunic of the Carmelites, tassels of the Religious of the Good Shepherd, headdress of the Visitation Nuns, and the black cappa of the Dominicans.

 

After Vatican II, the Mother General of the Religious of the Good Shepherd has encouraged all cloistered sisters to adopt the modified habit of black veil and white simple habit.  Hence, up to this date, all Contemplative Sisters of Religious Shepherd now wears simple white habit and black veil similar to the habit worn by the active sister or apostolic sisters.  Lately, many of the Religious of the Good Shepherd in the USA, Europe and here in the Philippines has chosen to wear simple clothes; simple blouse, A-line skirt and wears a necklace with pendant or pin of silver cross with a heart.  They no longer wear any veil.

 

The relationship between the Apostolic Sisters and Contemplative Sisters of the Good Shepherd is described to be the “Two Lungs of the Good Shepherd Institute.”

 

Many things have changed after the death of their beloved Foundress, the Magdalen Sisters, whom they were once known as “Sisters of the Cross,” have now become “The Contemplative Sisters of the Good Shepherd.”

 

For concise history and development of the Congregation of Contemplative Sisters of the Good Shepherd, please read the book written by Fr. Bernard Tenailleau, C.S.SP. entitled SAINT MARY EUPHRASIA AND THE FOUNDATION OF THE MAGDALEN SISTERS “The Crowning Work of the Good Shepherd.”

[graciandelamadrededios]

I tried locating the photos of the Magdalene Sisters (CGS) before Vatican II but I cant find it.

 

I hope someone can post them here.

 

 

 

[graciandelamadrededios]

The Congregation of Our Lady of Charity (of the Refuge) founded by St. John Eudes in 1641 and the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd founded by St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier in 1829 was formally merged as one.

 

See related document: http://www.buonpastoreint.org/generalate/reunification-of-our-two-congregation-june-27-2014

 

St. John Eudes established the Congregation where each convents are autonomous and has their own independent novitiate.

 

St. Mary Euphrasia believed differently, for such work to expand, she believed the a Generalate needed to be established.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 26, 2014 by graciandelamadrededios

[Guest]

https://issuu.com/goodshep/docs/pitch_your_tents_on_distant_shores_chapter_1?mc_cid=b8ef81e2c9&mc_eid=%25255BUNIQID%25255D

A very old thread I know, but a bit of interesting history for the interested.

If you go to the above link and turn over ten pages, the nuns in the dark habits are in the pre V2 contemplative sisters of the GS habits.

[Pax17]

BT, good to see you posting again

[Guest]

 

On 9/7/2020 at 7:34 PM, Pax17 said:

BT, good to see you posting again

Thank you - I'm lurking.

[Pax17]

I lurked for a long time...good to know you're OK.

[M. Therese]

On 7/24/2014 at 3:51 PM, graciandelamadrededios said:

HISTORY OF THE CONTEMPLATIVE SISTERS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD – FORMERLY KNOWN AS MAGDALEN SISTERS AND SISTERS OF THE CROSS

 

EXHORTATION OF

OUR HOLY MOTHER FOUNDRESS

ON THE OBSERVANCE OF THE RULES

 

 

            We cannot too strongly exhort you, my dear and beloved Daughters, to observe your Rule with a great and generous heart, and to be well convinced that the more exact you are in doing what it prescribes to you, the more proofs God will give you of His goodness and liberality; do not examine if what it commands you is great or little; it ought to suffice for you to know that God wills it.

 

            Be well persuaded that you would be only half Religious if you fulfilled your duties through fear, instead of observing them through love of your state, and through the zeal you ought to have for your advancement in the practice of religious virtues.

 

            If the yoke which is imposed upon us appears sometimes heavy, let us remember our past faults, the rigorous chastisements which they have deserve, and the immense debt which we have contracted towards our good Master.  Let this salutary thought keep us continually attached to His adorable fee, and engage us to remain inseparably united to His Cross, which ought to be our only support here below.

 

            Consider, my Daughters, that since you have made the sacrifice of yourselves to God by profession, you can no longer live except as a victim, and that your state must be that of continual sacrifice.

 

            If we only enter into this world and live but to die, we die also in entering religious, only to live there according to the laws of that living death, and to consider ourselves always, as it were, under the sword which is to complete our sacrifice.  Happy death!  Happy life!  in which we have ceased to belong to the world or ourselves to live only in God!

 

            Have confidence, my dear Daughters, in Jesus Christ, our Hope, that He will load you with His choicest graces, in consideration of fulfillment of these Rules, and that after having tried you here below by holy penance, He will crown your merits by an eternity of glory in Heaven. –

 

                                                                        Your affectionate Mother,

 

 

                                                                        MARY OF ST. EUPHRASIA PELLETIER

                                                                        Superior General of the Congregation

                                                                        of the Good Shepherd of Angers.

 

 

GOD BE BLESSED!

 

STATUTES

FOR

THE SISTERS MAGDALENS

OF THE

GOOD SHEPHERD OF ANGERS

 

Chapter 1

 

Aim and Spirit of the Sisters of Saint Magdalen

 

1. Their general aim is to promote the glory of God and the personal sanctification of the members by the practice of the three simple vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience as a special branch of the Congregation of the Good Shepherd of Angers.

 

Their particular aim is to repair the injury offered to the Divine Majesty by their sins and those of all mankind, to expiate their faults and to obtain from God the conversion of souls, by devoting themselves in the Congregation of the Good Shepherd of Angers to a great spirit of penance, abnegation and mortification in all their actions.

 

1. To attain these ends, they must attach themselves to a true spirit of prayer, to complete solitude, and above all to profound humility, often calling to mind the example of their glorious Patroness, Saint Mary Magdalen, who retired from the world to live a life of penance and prayer.

 

In these sentiments, they shall say “Lord, create in me a clean heart, and renew within my soul the spirit of justice and rectitude, that I may walk in Thy ways.â€

 

1. They shall apply themselves particularly to the practice of interior mortification, perfect obedience and charity, thus subduing their nature and its evil tendencies, in order to arrive at union with God and to attain to His love, which is the most efficacious and surest means of perfect reparation.

 

 

Chapter II

 

Government

 

1. The Sisters Magdalens are under the ordinary jurisdiction of the Bishop of the diocese, according to the prescriptions of Canon Law, in the same measure and with the same limits as the Good Shepherd Congregation, of which they form a branch.

 

1. The Ordinary of the diocese in which the community is establish, names the Confessors, He, or his delegate, examines the candidates for clothing and profession.

 

1. The Sisters Magdalens, as a branch of the Congregation of Our Lady Of Charity of the Good Shepherd of  Angers, are dependent on the Superiors of this Institute: the Superior General has the authority over all the Magdalens, the Provincial those of her Province, and the local Superior over those of her convent.

 

1. A religious of the Good Shepherd is charged by the Superior General or Provincial with the spiritual direction of the Sisters Magdalens.  She shall watch with great care that each gives herself to the practice of every virtue; her vigilance shall extend to all their corporal necessities, while urging them to a true spirit of penance and mortification.

 

1. All the Sisters may have recourse to their Superiors, either verbally or by writing, without opposition on the part of any Mistress.  The local Superior should know anything serious or importance that happens in the Magdalen community.

 

1. The Sisters Magdalens shall have no voice, either active or passive, in the directive charges of the Congregation, or with regard to the elections.

 

1. The Sisters Magdalens shall have great respect for all the Superiors whom God in His goodness, has given them to guide them in the way of virtue and religious perfection, obeying them with over and promptitude, often remembering that their Superiors will one day render an account of their souls before God.

 

Chapter XXI

 

The Habit of the Magdalen Religious

 

133. Their habit shall be of coarse or woollen brown serge, the material being more or less heavy according to the climate of difference countries.  The robe shall be a sac, full enough to make two large plaits at the either side, which shall be held in place by a leather belt of natural colour, two inches wide; the sleeves should reach the end of the fingers, and should be twenty-five and a half inches wide, will be of the same material and length as the robe, which will be almost to touch the ground.  The bandeau and veil worn by the Novices shall be of ordinary linen, as well as the guimpe which is worn under the habit.

 

134. The veil and bandeau received at profession will be of black material; over the belt the Sisters wear a girdle of white wool, with tassels.  The rosary is made of large black beads, strung on a cord, with a crucifix in the centre; it is worn at the right, and the girdle at the left.  The choir mantle which they receive at their Clothing, is made of coarse black material, as long as the habit in front, and nine and a half inches longer at t he back.  The shoes shall be of black and very common leather, when this is possible.  The tunics will be the same colour as the habit, if this can be done, but the material should be coarser and lighter.

 

135. The professed shall wear a silver cross.  It shall be worn on black worsted braid, three quarters of an inch wide.

 

136. The night veil, as well as the guimpe and the bandeau, shall be of coarse linen or cotton; the professed shall wear a small black veil of luster or some other light material, over the white veil.

 

137. Let the Sisters wear with great esteem the religious habit with which the Holy Church clothed them when they consecrated themselves to their Divine Spouse.  This holy livery should constantly remind them of their holy engagements, and particularly of their entire renunciation of the world, the life of reparation and mortification to which they devoted themselves by retiring into this solitude as into a tomb.  Let them never fail to raise their souls to God while clothing themselves by the holy habit.  For this purpose they shall recite the prayers of Rule.

 

The Formula for the Vows taken by Magdalen Religious (Statutes of 1950):

 

“I, Sister Magdalen _________________________, in presence of the Most Blessed Virgin, our Mother, of our glorious Patroness Saint Mary Magdalen and of the whole celestial court, as well as in the presence of Your Excellency (or in your presence as delegate of His Excellency the Bishop of ____________); in the hands of Our Very Honoured Mother Mary ______________________, Superior General (Provincial or local), do vow to observe for one year (or all my life) Poverty, Chastity, Obedience.  I likewise vow to pray for the salvation of souls, particularly for all the works of the Good Shepherd.

 

All for the greater glory of God.  In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.  Amen."

 

 

The Founding of Magdalen Sisters

 

This Statutes of the Magdalen Religious was published in 1950.  Their foundress, St. Mary of St. Euphrasia, was an ardent admirer of the great saint of Avila, Teresa of Jesus, the reformer of the Carmelite Order.  St. Mary Euphrasia was greatly influenced by the spirituality of St Teresa that when founded this branch she prescribed that the habit of the religious be patterned similar to the habit of the discalced carmelite religious and the first draft of the Magdalen’s Constitutions is very similar to those of the Carmelites.  I read in the biography of St. Mary Euphrasia that when she was young postulant, she wanted to take as her religious name, Mary of St. Teresa, her Mistress told her to choose a lesser known saint, hence in the name of obedience, she took the name Mary of St. Euphrasia, an unknown saint.  She adopted this religious name upon her profession as religious of the Institute of Our Lady of Charity of Refuge founded by Saint John Eudes.  She later founded her own congregation based on the spirituality of Saint John Eudes and grouped all the convents under one central government or generalate in Angers, France where she was the first Mother Superior General.  Creating a generalate was not an easy task for Saint Mary Euphrasia since her own bishop cannot understand the Institute’s dependency in Rome and there were criticism coming from her own sisters in religion.

 

Saint Therese of the Child Jesus had once contemplated in joining the Magdalen Sisters if local ordinary refused her admission for Carmel.  She said that since the Magdalens also lived the spirituality and constitutions of St. Teresa, it is the closest she can get in order to become a Carmelite. 

 

The origin of the Magdalen Sisters of Angers started when Mother Mary Euphasia became the Superior of Refuge in Tours.  This inspiration started after her novitiate, when she replaced Sister Mary of Victories (who had been her Novice Mistress and who also saw the potentials of some penitents for cloistered religious life) as the first Mistress of penitents.  In her daily contact with the penitents, she discovered that some of them were exceptional that they do not only live the re-educational seriously but were ready to offer themselves totally to God as cloistered sisters.  Though still very young, St. Euphrasia has housed in her heart the burning desire of founding the Magdalens, who would live their vocation in their own separate quarters within the big convent complex of the active sisters.

 

St. Mary Euphrasia’s plan was based on a very simple idea; to create a small contemplative monastery within the big apostolic convent, with a fair amount of autonomy as regards the grounds, gardens and building so that they may fulfill the life of solitude and prayer.  This little contemplative monastery, situated within the huge convent complex of Our Lady of Charity, would retain attached juridically, economically and spiritually to the main convent and under the leadership of the Superiors of the Apostolic Sisters.  The penitents who were the first to be recruited needed much support, guidance and protection. 

 

Up to that period, former penitents desiring to experience contemplative way of living has to seek admittance elsewhere.  Mother Mary Euphrasia has considered that they were ready to offer these penitents the type of life they want since they already experienced a conversion process and now could respond to the rigors of cloistered contemplative life.

 

In 1895 when Mother Mary Euphrasia founded the Magdalens in Tours, she took the ready-made model of Carmel, composed of solitude, contemplation, community prayer, silence, common life, work and penance.  Therefore, the Magdalens of Tours were like a little Carmel in the midst of big convent.  It started with four novices who would professed two years later.  There was still no rule hence, the Rule and Constitutions of Saint Teresa of Avila were handy as reference for their contemplative living. 

 

Soon after the arrival of Mother Mary Euphrasia in Angers, she made every effort to found the Sisters of Saint Magdalen.  With the support of Mgr. Montault des Isles and M de Neuville, she initiated the foundation on Octover 25, 1831 though the house of Angers was still financially challenged.  Two former penitents received the habit of Carmel and so became the first Magdalen Sisters of Angers.  Like the foundation in Tours, it became a small Carmel within the big convent complex of the Good Shepherd, protected and guided by Good Shepherd Mothers in regard to government.

 

As she had done in Tours, the initial rule given to the Magdalens is the very Rule of S. Teresa.  But she set herself to work immediately to drew up a first rule which was approved by the Bishop of Angers in 1834.  This rule is very similar to the Carmelite Rule and it was called “The Constitutions of Saint Teresa for the Religious of Saint Magdalen.†In this rule, Mother Mary Euphrasia stipulated that recruitment was not limited to penitents only – a very important and wise decision for the future of the institute of its unique kind.  As for the spirit of this new foundation, it was the same as for Carmel; God alone suffices which revolves around silence, work, austerity, prayer and solitude, personal sanctification was lived in union with the conversation of the penitents who were under the care of the Good Shepherd Sisters.

 

In 1857, after 25 years of experience, Mother Mary Euphrasia wrote a second rule inspired by the first one.  Though the name of Saint Teresa is not mentioned, the framework of this rule was still based in the Carmelite Rule.  This rule was entitled “Rule and Observances for the Magdalen Sisters of Angers.† She added to said rule observances and prayers for the daily use of the Magdalens.  Approved in July 1857, this rule is proposed to all foundation at their General Chapter. 

 

However, the life of Magdalen Sisters is not an imitation of the Carmelites. Though the habit is similar to those of Carmelites and constitutions was based on what St. Teresa had given to her nuns, St. Mary Euphrasia “breathed†an authentic imprint of her own charism and spirituality to her Magdalens; allowing “penitents†to live cloistered life, their mortification is lighter than those of Carmelites, recites the Office of the Blessed Virgin,  direction of the convent by the “White Mothersâ€, and being a Reparatrix Religious, they bind themselves to the vow of Zeal for the salvation of Souls and prays for all the works of the Good Shepherd Congregation.

 

As prescribed by the Pre-Vatican II statutes, the Religious of the Good Shepherd (who wears white habit and scapular) are appointed to the offices of Mother Superior, Mother Assistant and Mother Mistress of the Magdalen communities by the Superior General or Provincial.  Magdalens calls their convent Superiors as “White Mothers.† Convents are usually found inside the huge compound of the houses of Good Shepherd Sisters.  Magdalens convents were like a Carmel within the Good Shepherd’s complex.  Mother Mary Euphrasia did not want in any a watered-down or mitigated foundation, which would lead to belief that the former penitents were not capable or worthy of contemplative living in its integral form.  She was very careful to give them enough vital space and autonomy to be able to live and carry out its special vocation.  The Good Shepherd Sisters retained the role or authority, continuing to watch over them with maternal care.  In 19^th century there was nothing derogatory about this – it was a security, which is no longer necessary today.  So Mother Mary Euphrasia remained their direct superior aided by her assistants.

 

As for the Magdalen’s livery worn before Vatican II, they have the scapular and tunic of the Carmelites, tassels of the Religious of the Good Shepherd, headdress of the Visitation Nuns, and the black cappa of the Dominicans.

 

After Vatican II, the Mother General of the Religious of the Good Shepherd has encouraged all cloistered sisters to adopt the modified habit of black veil and white simple habit.  Hence, up to this date, all Contemplative Sisters of Religious Shepherd now wears simple white habit and black veil similar to the habit worn by the active sister or apostolic sisters.  Lately, many of the Religious of the Good Shepherd in the USA, Europe and here in the Philippines has chosen to wear simple clothes; simple blouse, A-line skirt and wears a necklace with pendant or pin of silver cross with a heart.  They no longer wear any veil.

 

The relationship between the Apostolic Sisters and Contemplative Sisters of the Good Shepherd is described to be the “Two Lungs of the Good Shepherd Institute.â€

 

Many things have changed after the death of their beloved Foundress, the Magdalen Sisters, whom they were once known as “Sisters of the Cross,†have now become “The Contemplative Sisters of the Good Shepherd.â€

 

For concise history and development of the Congregation of Contemplative Sisters of the Good Shepherd, please read the book written by Fr. Bernard Tenailleau, C.S.SP. entitled SAINT MARY EUPHRASIA AND THE FOUNDATION OF THE MAGDALEN SISTERS “The Crowning Work of the Good Shepherd.â€

When I was a Sister of the Good Shepherd in the 70's, the contemplatives were still called Srs. of the Cross. When a postulant entered RGS a Sr. of the Cross would pray for her exclusively. It was a beautiful custom and one I missed dearly when I left.