The FCJ Sisters would like to tell you about the newly opened FCJ Lieu de Memoire in Paris. This special place tells the story of a valiant woman, Venerable Marie Madeleine d’Houët, the Foundress of the Faithful Companions of Jesus.
Marie Madeleine d’Houët was born in France in 1781, and in her teenage years experienced the social unrest that followed the Revolution. She married Joseph de Bonnault d’Houët in 1804 but after just ten months was widowed. Her baby was born two months after Joseph’s death. As a young, single mother she lived a committed Christian life. She doted on her child, showed herself a responsible daughter and a loving sister and showed a strong social conscience.
Marie Madeleine enjoyed a social life too, and seriously considered remarrying. But deep in her heart she sensed she was called to some-thing else and step by step followed this call. Mary Magdalen and the women of the Gospel were an inspiration to her. The words „I thirst“ spoken by Jesus on the Cross touched Marie Madeleine’s heart deeply. This ardent young woman known for her generous spirit, zest for life and firm will became what she was called to be, a faithful companion of Jesus. God himself led her in 1820 to form a Society of apostolic women who would live out the Ignatian ideal, and be faithful companions of Jesus.
The Lieu de Memoire tells the life story of Marie Madeleine and that of her congregation through graphics, text and audio-visual. The objects displayed tell this ongoing, living story.
This property, 157 Rue Maurice Leon Nordmann, 75013 Paris, was bought in 1847 by Marie Madeleine. It is a place where she prayed and worked. It was here that she died on Easter Monday, April 5th 1858.
Take a tour of our new heritage centre in Paris, the Lieu de Memoire, with this video, or read more about it on our website or on the latest issue of our newsletter Marie Madeleine: A Woman for Our Time.
