SND Handout
SND Handout
I was surprised to learn that Francoise, one of the founders of the Sisters of Notre Dame, came from an affluent background. However, growing up in the estate where her family’s peasants lived gave her an understanding of the sharp difference between the rich and poor during her time. She was part of the Ursuline school where she developed the desire to help others. What I thought was pretty interesting was that after finishing school, she returned to the luxurious life that her family had to offer. In the end, she didn't want to follow in her family’s footsteps by getting married and living a comfortable life. She chose to be a virgin but she also wasn't attracted to the life of a nun. On the other hand, Julie, the other founder of the Sisters, came from a poor family. Her father did make enough for her to go to school. I admire how she taught the poor children in her area what she learned in school. Unfortunately, her father’s store was robbed so Julie had to work as a farmer to help support her family. That didn't stop her from teaching other farmers and children what she remembered from school. To make things even worse, her father almost lost his life and the stress from physical labor along with the emotional stress of almost losing her family member triggered her multiple sclerosis. Although she only suffered from muscle weakness at first, medicine wasn't really that advanced in Europe. Her doctor’s treatment only made the situation worse for her in the form of paralysis.
Francoise continued to take care of her parents until her mother and maternal grandfather passed away. She returned to the estate where her family’s peasants lived. She made sure to take care of the peasants by treating them if they became sick. When the French Revolution broke out, the peasants actually defended her family against other peasants but eventually her family was arrested and imprisoned in Amiens. Julie was stuck to her bed as a result of her paralysis but that didn't stop her from continuing to teach children and even adults. During the Revolution, she was seen as an enemy because she supported the priests who wouldn't pledge loyalty to the state. She found safe harbor in Amiens from an affluent women she taught.
After the Revolution ended, Francoise decided to remain in Amiens for a while. Francoise and Julie met at the advice of the affluent women who sheltered Julie. Although Francoise was a bit taken back by Julie’s condition, their friendship grew and eventually a group surrounded Julie’s bed. Both of them developed a sense of mission to help others spiritually during troubled times which became the core principle of the Sisters of Notre Dame.
I was surprised to learn that Francoise, one of the founders of the Sisters of Notre Dame, came from an affluent background. However, growing up in the estate where her family’s peasants lived gave her an understanding of the sharp difference between the rich and poor during her time. She was part of the Ursuline school where she developed the desire to help others. What I thought was pretty interesting was that after finishing school, she returned to the luxurious life that her family had to offer. In the end, she didn't want to follow in her family’s footsteps by getting married and living a comfortable life. She chose to be a virgin but she also wasn't attracted to the life of a nun. On the other hand, Julie, the other founder of the Sisters, came from a poor family. Her father did make enough for her to go to school. I admire how she taught the poor children in her area what she learned in school. Unfortunately, her father’s store was robbed so Julie had to work as a farmer to help support her family. That didn't stop her from teaching other farmers and children what she remembered from school. To make things even worse, her father almost lost his life and the stress from physical labor along with the emotional stress of almost losing her family member triggered her multiple sclerosis. Although she only suffered from muscle weakness at first, medicine wasn't really that advanced in Europe. Her doctor’s treatment only made the situation worse for her in the form of paralysis.
Francoise continued to take care of her parents until her mother and maternal grandfather passed away. She returned to the estate where her family’s peasants lived. She made sure to take care of the peasants by treating them if they became sick. When the French Revolution broke out, the peasants actually defended her family against other peasants but eventually her family was arrested and imprisoned in Amiens. Julie was stuck to her bed as a result of her paralysis but that didn't stop her from continuing to teach children and even adults. During the Revolution, she was seen as an enemy because she supported the priests who wouldn't pledge loyalty to the state. She found safe harbor in Amiens from an affluent women she taught.
After the Revolution ended, Francoise decided to remain in Amiens for a while. Francoise and Julie met at the advice of the affluent women who sheltered Julie. Although Francoise was a bit taken back by Julie’s condition, their friendship grew and eventually a group surrounded Julie’s bed. Both of them developed a sense of mission to help others spiritually during troubled times which became the core principle of the Sisters of Notre Dame.
Hey Paul! It's Ciara haha. I was also surprised that Sr. Francois came from that kind of background. I think it was really helpful though. With both sisters having COMPLETELY different experiences, they each got to share their thoughts with each other and see a different perspective. Sisters Julie and Francois really complemented each other and I think that's really great. NDNU's emphasis on diversity might come from that to be honest. Accepting people from different backgrounds is the school's goal and it's definitely reflected in the founders.
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