What would Marie Rivier do?

Epidemics in the History of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary

Spanish Flu 1918-1920

A brief historical note: The epidemic of influenza that affected Europe and the world during the winter of 1918-1919 and beyond (it raged in two deadly waves, one from mid-September to December 1918, the other from February to May 1919) is the greatest of the world’s pandemics. It caused the death of more than 50 million people, making it the deadliest epidemic to date, ahead of the Black Death in the 14th century. “No other pandemic in history has killed as many” as has the Spanish flu. War, censorship, displacement of populations: everything was there to promote the explosion of another most deadly epidemic: a world war…

Although the first known cases appeared in the United States, it was given the name “Spanish flu” because Spain – not involved in the First World War – was the only country to freely publish information about this epidemic.

Annals: Year 1918.

“In September 1918, the flu made its appearance. So many victims. Our houses in Switzerland, like those in Europe, paid their toll to the epidemic but did not have to deplore too many deaths. Canada, on the other hand, was to be touched more heavily by the cross. Therefore, on November 5, our Reverend Mother invited the Congregation to pray a family novena with fervor. The suffering is great at this time; the flu epidemic only increases this suffering. Everywhere there are victims. The sisters have the flu as well as the children. One day, there was a total of 70 sick people. Our Mother makes a promise: a trip to Lalouvesc; a novena to Saint Roch.

And it is in the middle of this event that the victory bugle sounds. November 11^th is the armistice. 1918 ended with a song of triumph in the midst of sobs. Nevertheless, it was the era of peace that was opening and hearts were thirsty for it. (Annals of the Congregation, Annals, year 1918, pp. 528-529).

In 1919, the cross fixed its seal on Canada. The Spanish flu, which continued to ravage our missions in America, claimed many victims in our ranks, and also took the lives of youth at our Normal School in Saint Hyacinthe (Annals, p. 533). Seven young women died in the space of a few days, but the supreme victim was our Sister of the Holy Redeemer.

Conclusion :

Throughout human history, as we move across the globe, infectious diseases have always existed, and some of them did become epidemics. When WHO declared Covid-19 as a pandemic on March 11, 2020, our generation was not spared the experience of this dreadful time. We mourned and prayed for the many victims known and unknown to us.  It has changed how we live and how we relate to one another. It has changed our lives and upended our world.

Pope Francis in 2014 wrote: “The Internet… offers immense possibilities for encounter and solidarity. This is something truly good, a gift from God.”  During this time of the pandemic, the Internet and digital technology have proven the truth of the words of Pope Francis. It allowed us to keep in contact with one another in many positive, creative ways, especially in the service of evangelization. The online masses, devotions, spiritual retreats and messages, Word of God posts, etc., continue to flood the social media.

As we continue to face new challenges brought by the virus, we remain close to each other through prayer, solidarity, and net connection. We keep the words of Pope Francis in mind as we continue to row together in the boat of humanity:

“The year 2020 was marked by the massive Covid-19 health crisis, which became a global phenomenon cutting across boundaries, aggravating deeply interrelated crises like those of the climate, food, the economy and migration, and causing great suffering and hardship… These and other events that marked humanity’s path this past year have taught us how important it is to care for one another and for creation in our efforts to build a more fraternal society…A culture of care as a way to combat the culture of indifference, waste and confrontation so prevalent in our time.

The culture of care thus calls for a common, supportive and inclusive commitment to protecting and promoting the dignity and good of all…

At a time like this, when the barque of humanity, tossed by the storm of the current crisis, struggles to advance towards a calmer and more serene horizon, the “rudder” of human dignity and the “compass” of fundamental social principles can enable us together to steer a sure course. As Christians, we should always look to Our Lady, Star of the Sea and Mother of Hope… May we never yield to the temptation to disregard others, especially those in greatest need, and to look the other way; instead, may we strive daily, in concrete and practical ways, “to form a community composed of brothers and sisters who accept and care for one another”.

 Pope Francis, Message on the 54th World Day of Peace, 2020

To read the whole Message of the Pope: http://www.vatican.va/content/vatican/en.html

What would Marie Rivier do? This is a question with inexhaustible answers. One thing is certain: Mother Rivier still has a million things that she would want to do through us, who are the “thousand lives” she would have wanted to have in order to proclaim Jesus Christ everywhere.