We like to remember the birthday of our foundress Saint Marie Rivier, born on December 19, 1768 in Montpezat, France. She died on February 3, 1838 in Bourg St.-Andeol, France. She was canonized on May 15, 2022, in Rome. We now call her, “Saint Marie Rivier.”
Her love of Jesus began at an early age. At 16 months a fall stunted her growth. Her mother brought her to the Chapel of the Penitents where she sat for many hours in front of the Pieta, fervently praying for a cure. While contemplating this woman holding her dead son in her arms, she often meditated on the scenes of his passion. During this time, she was inspired by the Holy Spirit to bring children to love God, especially those who were poor. After four years of insistent prayer, her desire was answered, and she was healed by the Virgin Mother Mary.
She was very passionate and imitated Jesus and Mary throughout her life. Jesus was the great “love” of Marie Rivier’s heart, prayer, life and her apostolate. She would say:
“Desire only Jesus Christ, think only of Him, study Jesus Christ, imitate Him in everything you do.” Are these words not also meant for us?
Marie Rivier’s deep spiritual life and zeal brought her to say: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”
Her zeal brought her to open many schools which she dedicated to the education of the youth. She became a teacher in order to make “Jesus Christ known and loved.” She also wanted to help the sick, the poor and the weak. Her zeal was unlimited. She sowed the seed of the gospel everywhere she went and made it bear fruit.
1796, Marie Rivier and her four companions founded the Congregation of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary in Thueyts, with Marie Rivier as the first Superior.
Her desire was: “To spread the fire of God’s love and the knowledge of Jesus Christ everywhere.”
She was a woman of faith with a deep prayer life. Her words on “sainthood “touched our hearts and encouraged us to be saints as we follow in Jesus’ footsteps. She would say:
“We are all called to holiness and we have all the graces we need to achieve.”
During this Advent Season I encourage you to take some time to seek the Lord more intentionally. I invite you to build a relationship with Jesus and pray as you work. Pray to Mary, our mother, ask her to come to your aid and put all your trust in her. Marie Rivier had obtained everything through Mary’s intercession during her life, especially by praying the rosary. She had an unbounded confidence in the blessed Virgin Mary.
Let us ask God the Father to place in us Marie Rivier’s ardent love for Jesus Christ, her faith in the power of prayer, her apostolic boldness, her compassion for all suffering.
Marie Rivier’s discoveries were:
“Holiness is nothing but the imitation of Jesus Christ in all things, everywhere, and always. Desire only Him, love and think only of Him, work only for Him. “
