Marie-Catherine Durye (1607 -1686)
Born in Moulins in 1607, the daughter of a lawyer, Marie-Catherine entered the novitiate of the Visitation Monastery at 17, but she suffered frequent ailments that closed the door of the rank of choir sisters to her, so she became an associate Sister. She bitterly regretted this but said nothing to anyone.Foundress St. Jane de Chantal passed through Moulins in 1627 and allowed her to become a choir Sister.
Sister Marie -Catherine participated in the founding of Nantes Visitation Monastery where she gave generously to the community.Eventually she became the Superior from 1646 to 1649. During this short period she asserted her authority, refusing two candidates of good family, then by opposing the entry of people who had requested the consent of the bishop to make recurrent retreats there. These positions caused rumors and recriminations by the Nantes society and even caused anger of the bishop. He opposed her reelection. She then retired to Vannes Monastery, where she meditated for long periods before the Blessed Sacrament. She cried so much that her clothes were all wet. The Lord then revealed that He was at her side in these humiliations. This mystical revelation was the only one she received in her life but it strengthened her confidence in God for her entire life.
Sr Marie-Catherine returned to Moulins in 1650. Madame de Montmorency, a personage of renown who later entered this monastery, was touched by her faith and humility.
In 1670, when Sr Marie -Catherine was over 63 years old, she was elected superior . She refused a second term because of increasing ailments as she became hard of hearing. Sister went home to God in 1686.