Let us reflect and pray to Blessed Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon, Foundress of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate (FMI) sisters, on her feast day, January 10th.
Introduction
On January 10th, we celebrate the feast of Blessed Mother Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon, who was also known as Mother Marie de la Conception. Blessed Adèle is the Foundress of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate - Filles de Marie Immaculée (FMI), also known as the Marianist sisters. She died on January 10, 1828, in Agen, France, at the age of 38 years. The Marianist Sisters, founded by Blessed Adèle and Father Chaminade, are present in several countries and perform various ministries. Let us remember Blessed Adèle, the Marianist Sisters, and their work along with the Marianist Family in our prayers as we celebrate Blessed Adèle’s feast.
Opening Prayer
O God, who inspired in Blessed Marie de la Conception an ardent love for Christ, in the company of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant us, through her intercession, that we may consecrate all our efforts to making your Son known, loved and served, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Scripture Reading
(Blessed Adèle de Batz died on January 10, 1828, proclaiming the words, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” in her dying moments. It is fitting, therefore, to read the passage from the Gospel of Matthew, where these words occur.)
Matthew 21: 1-11, RSCVE
And when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Beth′phage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If any one says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and he will send them immediately.” This took place to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet, saying, “Tell the daughter of Zion, Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of an ass.” The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the ass and the colt, and put their garments on them, and he sat thereon. Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when he entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee.”
Silent Introspection
The feast of Blessed Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon, celebrated on January 10, occurs very close to the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, which is celebrated on the Monday following the liturgical feast of the Epiphany. Let us, therefore, ponder on the gift of baptism.
Blessed Adèle’s baptism: Blessed Adèle was born on June 10, 1789, at the Château de Trenquelléon, in Feugarolles. She was baptized on the same day of her birth in the church of Feugarolles. Throughout her life, Adèle celebrated the anniversary of her baptism as recorded in her letters to friends. Adèle referred to the day of her baptism as the day on which she was endowed with the beautiful robe of innocence. In one of her letters to her friend, Agathe Diché, Blessed Adèle writes:
The day on which you receive my letter [June 10], my dear friend. is the anniversary of my Baptism. What a wonderful day for me, on which I acquired, through this sacrament, my right to a heavenly inheritance!
What a blessed commitment we made at our Baptism! Let us renew it wholeheartedly. Let us renew our pledge to love and serve the good Lord, and to march under the standard of the Cross.
Father Larribeau [Blessed Adèle’s spiritual director] strongly advises, as did St. Francis de Sales, that good resolutions be repeated every year according to the method outlined in the Introduction to a Devout Life. That is what I am doing these days to prepare for the anniversary of my Baptism.
Thoughts for Contemplation
Let us contemplate the following text from Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter given on June 1, 2018, on the occasion of the beatification of Blessed Adèle de Batz:
…do grant by virtue of our apostolic authority that the Venerable Servant of God Marie de la Conception (in the world Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon), Virgin and Foundress of the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate, who acted with all her zeal to promote the Christian education of youth and to exercise the works of mercy, may henceforth be called “Blessed” and her feast be celebrated on January 10, the anniversary of her birth in heaven, both in the places and in the manner established by law. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Let us bring to our mind, how Blessed Adèle inspires us to serve the poor and to make Mary, Mother of God, known, loved, and served amongst the people we encounter.
Closing Prayer: Prayer for the Canonization of Blessed Mother Marie de la Conception
Oh God, source of life and holiness, we thank you for giving Blessed Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon to the Church. You filled her with a profound love for Christ, a love which compelled her to serve young people and the poor. You created in her an ardent missionary spirit and a deep filial love for the Virgin Mary, our Mother. May her example help us grow in faith, fill us with hope, and inspire us to boldly and lovingly announce the joy of the Gospel. We ask You, through the intercession of Adèle, to grant us the grace (mention your intentions). And if it is your will, grant that one day, Adèle may be canonized for the Glory of your Name and for the service of your people. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
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Sources: Opening Prayer from the Collect prayer from the Mass of the Blessed Marie de la Conception, Closing Prayer for the Canonization of Blessed Marie de la Conception, fmi-Adèle.org; Scripture Reading from the Gospel of Matthew, RSVCE; Silent Reflection and Contemplation: Letters of Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon, 104, 204, "Feast of the Baptism of the Lord" vaticannews.va, Apostolic Letter of Pope Francis given on the occasion of the beatification of Bl. Adèle de Batz, marianist.com
Reflection prepared by Hazel Franco
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