MARIE RIVIER

WOMAN OF VISION

Marie Rivier’s charism was one of foundation – foundation of a new religious congregation at a time when the Church was being persecuted in France.  At a very young age, Marie heard the inner call of dedicating her whole life to the education of youth in Faith.  When she was refused admission into the convent at Notre Dame de Pradelles, she met this rebuttal with the prophetic words:  “I will found a convent myself.  It will be great; yes, I will have daughters from many countries.”

            In this painting Marie Rivier’s vision is represented especially by the strong gesture of her right hand leading her daughters through time to the “modern city” and the gentle motion of her left hand pointing upward reminding them of their mission to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to the People of God.  It also portrays that she was truly a daughter of the Church and that her devotion to Mary permeated her whole life.  Marie Rivier’s followers are always reminded of an inspiration she had while praying at Notre Dame du Puy:  “Lead your daughters in humility.”  Indeed, with the determination of her staunch faith and of her untiring zeal, her vision enlightened the path of her daughters through the centuries.  Her vision, spanning the ages to come, is truly the invaluable heritage Marie Rivier bequeathed to us to carry and to transmit from generation to generation!

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