THE LIFE OF VENERABLE PAULINE-MARIE JARICOT
The father of Pauline, Antoine, was the thirteenth child of fourteen. He was firm, courageous, honest and pious. It was his custom to attend daily Mass at 4 o’clock a.m. before beginning his day's work. He was apprenticed in the folding and selling of silk. After marriage to Jean, harmony reigned in their home. This couple was young, strong, honest and pious. Eight children were born to them. Pauline was the youngest, being born on July 21, 1799. The Jaricot's were very prosperous in their silk business and as a result learned to distrust money and its deadly effects on the soul.
At the time of Pauline's birth the clergy had taken a vow of obedience to the State, so that the Jaricot's had Pauline baptized at home by a refractory priest. Pauline's brother, Phileas, was then two years old. These two were inseparable As they grew, they dreamed of being great missionaries.
At the time of Pauline's birth the clergy had taken a vow of obedience to the State, so that the Jaricot's had Pauline baptized at home by a refractory priest. Pauline's brother, Phileas, was then two years old. These two were inseparable As they grew, they dreamed of being great missionaries.
Pauline had a temper and myopia, a condition of near sightedness. She would often run into things. She had a lovely voice and her father called her, "my nightingale," to which her mother added. "of Paradise." She had a happy and spoiled childhood. Entering her teens, she embarked in the 'dashing' social life of the silk world. She says, "I dressed myself in all my finery, believing myself worthy of universal admiration and preening myself with the conceit of a peacock. Self-love made itself forcefully into my heart." At this time in her life she climbed on a high foot-stool and had a severe fall, with a hard knock on the head which affected her nervous system. The doctor feared for her life. Overwhelmed with grief, Pauline's mother offered her own life for that of her daughter. God answered her prayers. She died but Pauline was completely cured.
ENTERING HER TEENS, SHE EMBARKED IN THE ‘DASHING’ SOCIAL LIFE OF THE SILK
WORLD
Her soul was resolved to serve the Lord. Pauline turned the page of her life by making a general confession. At the age of seventeen she began to lead a life of unusual abnegation and self-sacrifice, and on Christmas day, 1816 she visited a Marian Shrine and made a perpetual vow to remain chaste in body and soul though clearly understanding that she did not have a religious vocation. Two passions dominated her and remained with her throughout all her life; anger and pride. The first caused her to feel fury. "In order to keep silence, I had to put in my mouth whatever was close at hand. My passions weakened to the degree I combated them."
At a large family gathering, she begged forgiveness for the worldly inclinations she had so often shown. Many tears were shed on that day when young Pauline closed the book on her past. She felt liberated and renewed. She began to take upon herself works of charity. She visited the poor and dressed like one of them. They were never made to feel indebted, but she gave them, rather, the feeling that it was her honor to be with them. She helped the desolate and waywardly girls of her own age, obtaining for them work in her brother's silk factory while encouraging piety and good works among them. Pauline, remembering the spiritual decay caused by the Revolution and above all the permanent offense given to God, gave her group the explicit name of women of reparation or 'Reparatrices.' They made reparation which was to penetrate devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and the cult of the Sacred Heart in France.. I would never have been able to cure myself of vanity if I had not guarded myself carefully.”
Christ
spoke to her innermost soul and put her, without her realizing it, on the
mystical path which is told in the story of her life. She abandoned herself to
the Heart and Love of Jesus and gave the Church one of the greatest imaginable
works. In her own words, she modestly said, "I lit the match that lit the
fire." It
was an inferno that was to cover the entire surface of the earth! The founding
of the Propagation of the Faith was
no accident, but rather an entire chain in her life.
It was through her correspondence with her brother Phileas that the Society was born. She encouraged her brother to the priesthood. And together they had great concern for the foreign missions. Phileas asked for her help with the Society of Rue de Bac, a propagation of the Faith which had formed in Rome in 1692. The work was two fold, prayer and alms to spread the Faith in the countries of Asia. On May 3, 1822, Pauline Marie Jaricot founded the Association in Lyon. The Association for the Propagation of the Faith had as its sole aim the raising of funds for the Asian missions.
In
the Spring of 1818, with her heart set afire Pauline began work among the 200
'repartees' at the factory. The donation suggested was a "sou" which
at that time was l/2Oth of a Franc (penny). Pauline could have put out a
collection box, but she preferred the idea of a 'collector.' Pauline always
wanted to personalize an action. She went from person to person. This is the
major characteristic of her life, as well as the profound explanation of the
extraordinary success of the works that she began.
It was through her correspondence with her brother Phileas that the Society was born. She encouraged her brother to the priesthood. And together they had great concern for the foreign missions. Phileas asked for her help with the Society of Rue de Bac, a propagation of the Faith which had formed in Rome in 1692. The work was two fold, prayer and alms to spread the Faith in the countries of Asia. On May 3, 1822, Pauline Marie Jaricot founded the Association in Lyon. The Association for the Propagation of the Faith had as its sole aim the raising of funds for the Asian missions.
PAULINE ALWAYS WANTED TO
PERSONALIZE AN ACTION. SHE WENT FROM PERSON TO PERSON.
She
prayed to God for a plan and the idea of groups of 10's 100's and 1000's came
to her. Each group leader was responsible to the leader of the group above. The
plan succeeded beyond her wildest hopes. The first month she did everything
herself. Pauline, alone, bore the questions, reluctance and oppositions. The
Vicar, Abbey Quelque, launched a campaign against her. In a sermon, he accused
her of beginning a 'non-authorized work' in Lyon. The same thing happened in
other parishes. A few supported her, but quietly. She begged their pardon and
said that she would disband the organization without delay. Her instructions
were not to disband, but not to expand! The pastor of St. Polycarp took up her
defense. She was then 19 years of age. Phileas encouraged her to continue. His
words to her in a letter were prophetic, "Continue to propagate this work of
charity. It is, possibly, the mustard seed that will produce an enormous tree,
whose benevolent branches will overshadow the entire surface of the earth."
IT IS POSSIBLY, THE MUSTARD SEED
THAT WILL PRODUCE AN ENORMOUS TREE,
WHOSE BENEVOLENT BRANCHES WILL OVERSHADOW
THE ENTIRE SURFACE OF THE EARTH.
A French
Bishop from the U.S. was sent as an embassy to Lyon for the purpose of
collecting money for a diocese in New Orleans. American Missions needed help.
He suggested that a charity be designed to encompass both worlds: Asia and
America. He perceived Pauline's genius and used it. When the plan was shared
with him, he acted as though he thought of it himself. Abbey Inglese proved to
be a swindler and a thief. He embezzled large sums of money for his personal
use. He became a member of the Association of Lyon, won the others over by the
weight of his title, his eloquence and his ardor. Everyone applauded him and
asked him to found such an association.
Someone presented him with the system which was already set up. Nothing was changed. The leaders remained the same, the same decimal system was used and the members themselves were the same. THE INVISIBLE FOUNDRESS WAS THERE.
May 1822 was a happy time. There was no vision of the problems that would arise 25 years later. These men were drowned with the eloquence of Abbey Inglese and his "spontaneous explosion of common thought." The Secretary recorded this statement, "We have done nothing but to develop and regulate an idea that WAS NOT originally ours." Pauline gave to this group of 12 the ability to continue and develop her association; by plan of action that was adopted, by leaders who met in council and by the troops, which it inherited.
Someone presented him with the system which was already set up. Nothing was changed. The leaders remained the same, the same decimal system was used and the members themselves were the same. THE INVISIBLE FOUNDRESS WAS THERE.
May 1822 was a happy time. There was no vision of the problems that would arise 25 years later. These men were drowned with the eloquence of Abbey Inglese and his "spontaneous explosion of common thought." The Secretary recorded this statement, "We have done nothing but to develop and regulate an idea that WAS NOT originally ours." Pauline gave to this group of 12 the ability to continue and develop her association; by plan of action that was adopted, by leaders who met in council and by the troops, which it inherited.
Pauline was, at the time, a far distance from
Lyon, sick. She learned what had happened and reflected on it. She was
delighted with the fact that God had found other instruments to make the
Propagation of the Faith work, but she did not wish for her small, efficient
collecting groups to be absorbed into this new organization, which was still so
uncertain. After having it explained to her, she understood the Association
consisted of applying the plan that she conceived, to a 'charitable work
destined to bring the Light of the Faith to the two worlds.' This was her hoped
for goal. Acting with realism she suggested that the collections be divided;
one part for the American Missions and the other for the Asian Missions. This
was acceptable to all and they were delighted with her wisdom.
At 22 years of age, Pauline stayed in the shadows and contented herself with managing her group of 100. It was at this time that she retired and wrote, a treatise entitled: Infinite Love of the Holy Eucharist This was published under an anonymous name. Abbey Wurtz thought it so excellent; he felt she had a vocation to the contemplative life. Pauline suffered intensely, but obeyed her confessor with the entirety of her whole being. Time passed. The Propagation of the Faith expanded without Pauline who disappeared into obscurity. It continued without deviation from the great plan; the great contribution of Pauline Jaricot!
At 22 years of age, Pauline stayed in the shadows and contented herself with managing her group of 100. It was at this time that she retired and wrote, a treatise entitled: Infinite Love of the Holy Eucharist This was published under an anonymous name. Abbey Wurtz thought it so excellent; he felt she had a vocation to the contemplative life. Pauline suffered intensely, but obeyed her confessor with the entirety of her whole being. Time passed. The Propagation of the Faith expanded without Pauline who disappeared into obscurity. It continued without deviation from the great plan; the great contribution of Pauline Jaricot!
THE LIVING ROSARY,
BEGUN
Such a woman is Pauline, who is held sacred
in the Church on more than one account. Pauline's genius matured through even
greater reflections. These were to be crystallized into a reality of extreme
simplicity. The Living Rosary. It is to her we owe the wonderful
thought of distributing amongst fifteen persons, the fifteen decades of
the Rosary. In this manner she found a marvelous way to
propagate devotion to the Mother of God and to unceasingly invoke her aid. Many
Pontifical letters recommended and enriched with numerous indulgences, this new
form of prayer which so rapidly spread through public acclamation.
As closely as we can ascertain, Pauline very likely began this devotion within several parishes on December 8th, 1826. The beautiful devotion of the Rosary had long been left to those who called themselves 'devoted' and to the aged and sick who could do nothing else. The two-fold purpose for the creation of this Association was to save France and encourage souls to learn their faith by distributing good Catholic books. Pauline knew the enormous power of the Rosary against the forces of evil. Some objected that the repetition of the Rosary was childish and the other forms of prayer would have greater merit. To which Pauline replied, "Suppose you had been on earth when the Holy Family were living and you knew they were partial to a certain kind of flower. Wouldn't you try to get it for Them, even though you yourself preferred another!" Let us learn to appreciate the value of the Rosary which the Blessed Virgin recommends to us so strongly.
As closely as we can ascertain, Pauline very likely began this devotion within several parishes on December 8th, 1826. The beautiful devotion of the Rosary had long been left to those who called themselves 'devoted' and to the aged and sick who could do nothing else. The two-fold purpose for the creation of this Association was to save France and encourage souls to learn their faith by distributing good Catholic books. Pauline knew the enormous power of the Rosary against the forces of evil. Some objected that the repetition of the Rosary was childish and the other forms of prayer would have greater merit. To which Pauline replied, "Suppose you had been on earth when the Holy Family were living and you knew they were partial to a certain kind of flower. Wouldn't you try to get it for Them, even though you yourself preferred another!" Let us learn to appreciate the value of the Rosary which the Blessed Virgin recommends to us so strongly.
PAULINE KNEW THE ENORMOUS POWER OF THE ROSARY AGAINST THE FORCES OF EVIL
Pauline
had the ingenious idea of making each group of 15 to consist of "the good,
the mediocre and those individuals who had only good will -15 coals: one being
well lighted, 3 or 4 partially so and the others not at all. Bring them all
together and you have a furnace!" Father Ramiere to whom we owe the great
work of the 'Apostleship of Prayer' wrote in 1862, "This admirable association makes it perfectly suited to become
an instrument of zeal. The soul chosen by God to found the Propagation of the
Faith, Miss Pauline Jaricot, is welcomed heartily by the Apostleship of Prayer."
Each member volunteered to donate a sum of five francs a year, and to bring
five other members into the Living Rosary. Most all of the bishops, either
by a note or long letter, had recommended The Living Rosary as an essential association
for their diocese. After the death of Pauline the members numbered in excess of
2,250,000 in France alone. Pauline herself said, "We will be united in prayer with all rosaries of the universe,
" -- a universal Living Rosary!
In 1835 ,
before and then after her miraculous cure of a grave heart condition at the
shrine of St. Philomena, known to as The
Great Miracle of Mugnano, which caused the sainthood of St. Philomena, Pauline
was a glorious celebrity. She moved to a new location at Lorette from which she
directed the immense Living Rosary
and
handled her personal fortune. This management can be seen as a stunning
testimony of her knowledge, her practical spirit and the sureness of her
judgment. The fact of her eventual financial misfortune can be seen as to have
come from a higher source. In her darkest hours Cardinal Vallecourt
wrote, "The present position of this true daughter of the Church
is a problem which cannot be resolved. In all aspects, there is something so
extraordinary, that one cannot help but believe it to be the great trial of
predestination."
At the height of her happiness, Jean Marie Vianney sent to Pauline a young woman who was to remain at her side to her death. This gesture proved that the Cure of Ars knew perfectly well the spiritual personality of Pauline Jaricot. He told Maria, "I will give you a mother who will know how to make you advance in the love of Jesus Christ." And to Pauline this note, "I am sending you a soul, which the Good Lord has surely made for Himself and for you. The Holy Virgin has preserved her up to now from all evil; therefore, guard her well in your turn and teach her to love even more Jesus and Mary."
A friend of the Jaricot family, Father Magallon, visited Pauline and to show his appreciation for the generosity he had received at the family's hands, he gave her a most unusual gift. In fact, it was beyond price, being a major relic of Philomena and the only one of it's kind in France.
From 1822 Pauline hid herself in the shade, without ever asserting herself. Her final years were a daily martyrdom of poverty, physical weakness, illness, abandonment by former friends and misunderstanding. She died in the early morning of January 9th, 1862. When Pauline was dying she asked to be moved over to the window so she could look out over her beloved Lyon. Her last words were fitting for the foundress of the Living Rosary:- "Mother! Oh my mother! I am all yours." Her tomb rests at St. Nizier, a very large and old church. Pauline’s Heart is located a short distance from St. Nizier at the Church of St. Polycarp.