Sr. Eugénie Joubert took her temporary vows on September 8, 1897, in Saint-Denis, at the former Carmelite convent Diocèse De Saint-Denis France. We recall that on that day, the Gospel reading chosen was the one that invites us to become like little children. This is the path proposed to Eugénie—and proposed to us today!

Father Rabussier (Diocese of Le Puy-en-Velay), the founder of the community of the Sisters of the Holy Family of the Sacred Heart, echoed the words of the Divine Master as he presented to Sr. Eugénie the child Mary as a model: “Unless you become like this little child, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” He added: “If I am the little child of the Gospel, I have a shelter that is always open, a sure refuge in the arms and on the Heart of my heavenly Mother. There, I forget all anxiety; I love and I entrust myself. Once in his mother’s arms, the little child is secure. He looks into his mother’s eyes; he walks when she walks; he is nourished in her heart.” The path to the Kingdom of Heaven was clearly laid out for Sister Eugénie: to be a little child of God, just as the Virgin Mary herself was.

Let us, too, follow in her footsteps along this path!