Émilie d'Oultremont
Émilie d'Oultremont was a Belgian widow and religious sister who founded the Sisters of Mary Reparatrix. She dedicated her life to this order, sending members to England and India, and was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1997. Her religious name was Marie of Jesus.
Key Facts
- ›Émilie D'Oultremont was born into a noble Belgian family at Wégimont Castle in 1818.
- ›She married Victor van der Linden D’Hooghvorst in 1837 and had four children.
- ›After her husband died in 1847, she moved to Paris with her daughters.
- ›On December 8, 1854, she experienced a vision and felt called to religious life, founding the Sisters of Mary Reparatrix.
- ›She established the order's first convent in Strasbourg in 1857 and made her religious vows in 1858.
- ݃milie D'Oultremont expanded her congregation to India in 1859 and England in 1862.
Marie of Jesus
Sisters of Mary Reparatrix
About Émilie d'Oultremont
Émilie d'Oultremont (1818–1878)
Émilie d'Oultremont, known in religion as Marie of Jesus, was a Belgian noblewoman, widow, and foundress of the Sisters of Mary Reparatrix. Born into the influential House of d'Oultremont, she experienced a devout upbringing and later navigated the complexities of marriage and motherhood before dedicating herself to religious life.
Life and Spiritual Calling
Born on October 11, 1818, at Wégimont Castle, Émilie d'Oultremont's early life was shaped by her family's prominence and her father's diplomatic career, which led her to spend time in Rome. She developed a deep spirituality, influenced by Ignatius of Loyola and devoted to the Eucharist and the Sacred Heart. After her marriage to Victor van der Linden d’Hooghvorst in 1837, she bore four children. The death of her husband from malaria in 1847 left her a widow, prompting her to establish a more focused spiritual life in Paris.
Founding the Sisters of Mary Reparatrix
On December 8, 1854, the day Pope Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, Émilie experienced a profound vision that she interpreted as a call to religious life. In 1855, she established a small community in her Paris home, dedicated to offering spiritual retreats for women, guided by the Spiritual Exercises of Loyola and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. This community developed into the Congregation of the Sisters of Mary Reparatrix, which received official Church approval on May 1, 1857. Émilie made her religious vows on May 2, 1858, and her two daughters later joined the order.
Expansion and Legacy
Émilie d'Oultremont was instrumental in the expansion of her congregation, sending sisters to India in 1859 and to England in 1862, among other foundations. She also oversaw the relocation of the motherhouse to Rome. She died in Florence on February 22, 1878, at her son Adrien's home. Her beatification process began in the early 20th century, culminating in her beatification by Pope John Paul II on October 12, 1997, recognizing her heroic virtue and dedication to spiritual service.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Émilie d'Oultremont?
Émilie d'Oultremont was a Belgian widow and religious sister who founded the Congregation of the Sisters of Mary Reparatrix. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1997.
When and where was Émilie d'Oultremont born?
Émilie d'Oultremont was born on October 11, 1818, at Wégimont Castle in Belgium. She hailed from the prominent House of d'Oultremont.
What significant religious order did Émilie d'Oultremont found?
She founded the Sisters of Mary Reparatrix, an order dedicated to providing spiritual retreats and deepening women's faith. The congregation received Church approval in 1857.
What was Émilie d'Oultremont's religious name?
Upon entering religious life, Émilie d'Oultremont took the religious name Marie of Jesus.
Did any of Émilie d'Oultremont's children join her order?
Yes, two of her four children, both daughters named Olympe and Marguerite, joined the Sisters of Mary Reparatrix. Sadly, both daughters predeceased her.
Where are the relics of Émilie d'Oultremont kept?
Her relics are venerated at a shrine within the Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini in Rome.
When was Émilie d'Oultremont beatified?
Émilie d'Oultremont was beatified on October 12, 1997, by Pope John Paul II in Saint Peter's Square.
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