BL. MARY OF THE INCARNATION, FOUNDRESS

BL. MARY OF THE INCARNATION, FOUNDRESS - 18 APRIL

BLESSED MARY OF THE INCARNATION, FOUNDRESS

Blessed Mary of the Incarnation

Blessed Mary of the Incarnation (April 18), a Carmelite from Pontoise, was beatified by Pius VI in 1791. Born in Paris on February 1, 1565, and baptized Barbara, she was the only daughter of a virtuous and respected couple: the honourable Nicolas Avrillot and his wife, Mary (née Lhuillier). From the cradle, the pious Barbara showed herself to be a child of grace. From the age of eleven, she accustomed herself to an almost ceaseless lifting of her heart to God - a practice taught to her by her aunt, a nun at Longchamp, under whose guidance she had grown up. From that time on, she displayed a great fear of offending God, a scrupulous care not to inconvenience anyone, and deep humility whenever she was reproved. She prepared for her First Holy Communion through acts of mortification and penance that would have daunted even the most austere nuns. When, after three years, she was called back home, she continued the pious practices begun at Longchamp to the best of her ability. She wished to enter the Hôtel-Dieu, but her mother would not give her consent. The pious Barbara quickly resigned herself, saying: "I am not worthy to be a bride of Christ; I must be content if I may be His handmaid." Out of obedience, she agreed to marry a pious man named Acarie - an official of the Royal Chamber of Accounts who had devoted a large part of his fortune to supporting poor, faithful Catholics who had been driven out of England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth.

In this marriage, however, she had to endure so much hardship and misery, slander and poverty, that she often had nothing left to eat. Added to this was the utter scorn of her relatives. Yet, despite this, she loved her husband with deep tenderness. She bore him six children: three daughters who became Carmelites, and three sons who lived honourable lives in the world, pursuing various professions. She showed maternal care and affection towards her subordinates; indeed, some were so moved by the example of her piety that they renounced the world and entered the convent. Her love for the distressed and the unfortunate was so widely known throughout Paris that Henry IV, Marie de' Medici, and other high-ranking figures entrusted her with the distribution of their alms. She was particularly gifted at offering comfort; whenever she visited prisons or hospitals, she was welcomed like an angel from heaven.

However, this Blessed lady is most renowned for introducing the Carmelites to France - an order whose reform had been carried out in Spain by Saint Teresa. She brought these women to Paris, to the Faubourg Saint-Jacques. She also played an active role in introducing the Ursulines and in establishing the Oratorians. She accomplished all this without neglecting the care of her husband and children, while simultaneously engaging in constant meditation and contemplative prayer. When she lost her husband in 1613, she herself became a Carmelite in Amiens. She took her vows on April 7, 1615, receiving the name Sister Mary of the Incarnation. As she was ill at the time, she was permitted to make her profession in a room that offered a view of the church altar. After God restored her health, she was slated to become prioress, but her humility would not allow her to accept the appointment.

She was sent to Pontoise to restore order to the temporal affairs of the convent there, which had fallen into a state of serious disarray. Her efforts were crowned with great success, all the while continuing to perform her customary duties in the kitchen and other menial tasks. It was in this convent that she passed away. Before the end, at the request of the Prioress, she was to bestow a blessing upon the sisters. Raising her hands toward heaven, she prayed: "O Lord, I implore You, forgive me for any bad examples I have set." Then she addressed the assembled sisters: "If it pleases God to welcome me into eternal bliss, I shall ask Him for the grace that the intentions of His Son be fulfilled in you." Thus she concluded her holy life on April 18, 1618. Since 1822, her relics have once again rested in the chapel of the Carmelites at Pontoise.

PRAYER:

May the intercession of Blessed Mary of the Incarnation commend us to you, so that through her merits we may obtain that which we cannot accomplish by our own. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

BL. RICHARD NEWPORT, PRIEST AND MARTYR - 30 MAY

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MAY Saints celebrated on the 30th of May WELCOME! BLESSED RICHARD NEWPORT, PRIEST AND MARTYR Richard Newport, alias Smith , was born in Northamptonshire and performed his studies abroad, partly in the college of Rheims (if he be the Richard Smith whom I find in the Douay diary sent to Rome in 1586) and partly in that of Rome, where he was made priest. From thence he was sent upon the English mission, and behaved himself in such a manner as justly to acquire the character of a laborious missionary; being withal remarkably successful in bringing home many strayed sheep to the fold of Christ, to which his apostolical way of living did not a little contribute. He was several times apprehended and cast into prison, and twice banished. His name occurs amongst those who were transported in 1606; at which time, we are told, he took that opportunity of making a pilgrimage to Rome, there to pour forth his prayers at the tombs of the apostles, in behalf of thi...

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