18 February 1923 – 17 March 2016

 

It is with much feeling, though I do it willingly, that I recall the life of Sister Suzanne, because, like others present here today, I am indebted to her for having accompanied me in my first steps in Marist Religious Life.

Claudie, this was her baptismal name, was born 18 February 1923 at Neuville-sur-Saône.   She went to school with the Marist Sisters at Montanay, with Janine her sister, who died many years ago, and to whom she remained very attached, as she was to her family.

This is what I recall from her youthful years: two painful episodes, the death of a little nine year old sister, and her own fall on a staircase which caused the deformation of her back, with all the suffering that entailed and which became worse as time went on. More than once she would regret the fact that the medical means of the time could neither alleviate nor cure her condition. Yet we never heard her give way to anger or envy of others. It was an interior struggle which she did not impose on others and was certainly helped by her strong faith.

I know nothing about the origins of her vocation. Sister Suzanne was always reserved and discreet. Her contacts with the Marist Sisters at Montanay seem to have led her naturally to enter their novitiate. From time to time she would recall the names of sisters who made an impression on her during her years at Massabielle. But 11 September 1948 she was the only one to make first profession.

Straight after her formation she went to the community of St Leu-la-Forêt. There she had her first apostolic experience, teaching in Le Rosaire, our boarding school.

To her great surprise in 1960 she was named mistress of novices! Having had no preparatory formation for this she found the means to learn on the run. The review, Forma Gregis, for formators, became her bed time reading. She was also able to call upon the novice master of the Marist Fathers from time to time. She remained in this position from 1960 to 1969, a particularly rich period of history for the Church and for our Congregation. Sister Suzanne helped us live the events of Vatican 11 on a daily basis using articles published in La Croix.

 In collaboration with Sister Alphonse-Marie, the historian of the Congregation, she helped us to follow closely the work being done on the origins of the Congregation and on the personality of our Foundress Jeanne-Marie Chavoin.

In 1969 she was able to return to her birth place when she was named superior of Montanay. One can understand the pain she felt when in 1973 she had to oversee the closure of the house in which she herself had been educated.

She was then called to Lyon as secretary to the Provincial. After this she appointed to St. Foy les-Lyon, to Notre Dame Home, our old house, which she knew well. Her careful and conscientious work there was greatly appreciated. The links she made with the personnel of the house remained strong, witnessed by the presence of two representatives here with us today.

After six years there, retirement was not yet on the agenda for Sr Suzanne. From 1979 to 2008 she went wherever she was sent, frequently as superior:

1979 - 1984   Toulon 

1984 - 1987   Mions

1987 - 1993   Bon Repos

1993 - 1994   Lyon, in the community at Gerland 

1994 - 2008   Lyon Rue Sala

It is clear that if the state of her health sometimes prevented physical activity, Sr Suzanne demonstrated admirable flexibility in responding to whatever responsibility was asked of her, often with no preparation.

Her wisdom and good judgement were appreciated and sought. This was why she was provincial councillor for many years, and also a delegate at more than one General Chapter in Rome.

Finally, in 2008, she came back to Bon Repos, this time as a resident in the EPHAD. Aware that she was becoming dependent, she asked to come here. She had probably not realised what the increasing loss of independence would mean for her in a place where she had once exercised responsibility. To physical suffering was added low morale. Not feeling up to participating in the activities of the house, she was frequently confined to her room.

However if relationships with those around her did not develop, it was clear that in the solitude of her room she was attentive to others: she confided their worries and their joys to the Lord. Yes, Sr Suzanne was a woman of prayer drawing her strength constantly from the Scriptures.

So her life would not be sterile. Simple, effaced, but efficacious. For many she would have been an example of wisdom, courage and fidelity.

The messages we have received from other Units tell us what she has meant to us all. I like to think that born on the feast of St Bernadette, Sr Suzanne inherited some of her qualities.

 We return her long life to the Lord today. We believe that He has already received our Sister into his house, celebrating the joy of the Resurrection with all the saints.

 

Sister Marie-Thérèse Terra

Bon Repos  22 March 2016