What would Marie Rivier do?

A brief historical note: The first cholera outbreak was in India in 1816, it then spread to other Asian countries, including the Philippines and Japan. The second pandemic of Cholera began in the United Kingdom in 1829 and then in Paris in March 1832. It then continued to spread across Europe

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As we are dealing with the reality of the global health crisis caused by the Coronavirus 2019 also known as Covid-19, I believe that many of us harbor in our hearts a quiet but meaningful question: What would Marie Rivier do?

A few months ago, Mother Maria dos Anjos Alves received from Sr. Marie-Josiane Comte and Sr. Simone Boucrot, Archivists of our Mother House in France, documentation about the events lived by our Congregation in the 18th century during the epidemic of Cholera. Sr. Geneviève Couriaud here at the General House, also found documentation about an epidemic in the 20th century known as the Spanish Flu, which touched our Congregation and ravaged many parts of the world.

It is interesting to note how our predecessors, while living in totally different historical contexts, also experienced a similar fear, worries of contamination, care for the afflicted and those badly affected by these pandemics as well as the requirements and health protocols that were put into place.

Our archivists chose to share with us these difficult times in our history and in the history of the world.  I hope that those who are asking the question: What would Marie Rivier do? will find here the beginning of an answer.

(The bold and italic letters are from the original texts of the Annals.)

1832 – 1838

Cholera in the South of France

The epidemic as seen from Bourg-Saint-Andéol

Announcement of the cholera epidemic – a scourge ravaging the capital!

Fear and anxiety – rumors – unrest – terror – panic – risk of contagion –

monitoring the progress – search for security – caution when changing residence

Confidence in God and his Providence – recourse to the Blessed Virgin Mary

The first suspicion of an epidemic appeared in April 1832 in Les Mémoires de S Sophie:

                “April 1832. The capital was prey to the ravages of cholera and had been already for quite some time, without anyone knowing it in our provinces. As soon as we learned of it, everyone was afraid…

“… If there is only cholera to fear, my sorrows will cease, I hope that the Blessed Virgin will cover us with her maternal mantle and that you will be able to come to us: we would be happy if we could be of some help in keeping you, with Mrs. Vidal, safe from this cruel disease. “(Mother Rivier, an answer to a letter from Mr. Vidal)

“Fortunately, the contagion did not spread to our provinces and the initial fear that we had gradually dissipated.” (Memoirs 279-280)

To read more… 1st of 4 series  Epidemic in the History of the Congregation 

INTERNET PHOTO CREDIT: HISTORIA/SHUTTERSTOCK