We continue our series from our Nantes Visitation Monastery about the holy Visitandines who lived there.
This month we share the life of Sister Marie-Antoine Poyas.
Juliet was born into a peasant family of Deux-Sèvres, 29 August 1883. As a widow, her mother took in sewing to support her four children. Noted for her keen intelligence, Juliette became a cook in a local family.
The call of Jesus had touched her heart during a pilgrimage to Lourdes. Then during the celebration at the Cathedral of the 50th anniversary of the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, Juliette felt invaded by God: “I can never express what then happened in my soul, but my decision was made irrevocable, I will be a religious. ” This led her to the Visitation of Nantes. She entered the monastery 11 November 1905.
The Superior seeing the remarkable qualities of Sister Juliette, her keen intelligence, devotion, dedication, offered her the obedience of becoming an extern Sister. Her religious name given to her was Marie-Antoine.
The direct service of the Lord residing in the tabernacle was particularly sweet to her loving heart. Sister Marie-Antonie had the chapel in perfect order; she did not suffer a speck of dust. She entered the sanctuary with great respect; deep genuflections were a beautiful testimony of faith in the eyes of the faithful. She followed closely the intentions of her superior. The Superior was accompanied by Sister Marie-Antonie during her travels to Bemelen in Holland where the community had prepared a shelter with the threat of the anti-religious laws. We also remember the tireless service to the Sisters of the Visitation of Paris. . Learning one day that a monastery worker had to be hospitalized and knew that he did not practice his faith, she went to visit him and gave him a miraculous medal.
He received the last sacrament and died kissing his medal.
On 2 February 1933, she had the immense joy of pronouncing the three vows of chastity, obedience and poverty, as required by Rome for all external Sisters of the Visitation. Her devotion to the Holy Mass increased She often sang the refrain: “Now I want my life to be an endless Mass. ”
On the feast of the Sacred Heart in 1941, Sister Marie-Antonie felt the first symptoms of cancer that was to end her life Then came the fateful day of September 23, 1943: a rain of bombs fell on the city, three reached the monastery. Two days later, with a broken heart, she left with her sisters to be welcomed at the Visitation of Angers. During the month of October she responded to the invitation of the Superior to return with 3 other sisters to keep guard of the Monastery. A growing time of suffering for Sister Marie-Antonie she reiterated in her heart to Jesus in the Eucharist “Draw me Holy Victim. An intimate sacrifice of everything to be my perpetual state! Broken, crushed under your almighty finger, your little Host delves into your blood. “
Sister Marie-Antonie confessed: “I would not have understood so well the Heart of Jesus, if I had not suffered.” She had very deep views of this unfathomable abyss: “We have to know everything in this divine Heart, go draw from Him what we need. What a treasure for us Visitandines! When I can not go on, I cling to Him and I feel strengthened.” And turning to her Sisters: “Open your hearts very great, the Sacred Heart wants to pour out His grace, He needs you. »
On the evening of March 19, feast of St. Joseph, a sister was with her praying these invocations: “Deep worship of the Heart of Jesus … Ardent love of the Heart of Jesus … etc …” Sister Marie-Antonie replied with increasing ardor ” I join you. ” At this time, the voice of the divine Bridegroom, echoing her, consummated their union for eternity.