Chapter 1:Julie Billiart and Francoise Blin de Bourdon

Chapter 1: Julie Billiart and Francoise Blin de Bourdon 

This reading is related to the sisters of Notre Dame. It starts off with the time this took place which was pre-revolutionary France 21st century. It talks about the sisters and their message. Then the reading goes into detail of the relationship of Julie Billiart and Francoise Blin de Bourdon. A quote that stood out to me was "What Francoise and Julie called their "primitive spirit" expressed itself in characteristic ways, among them respect for all individuals regardless of age, gender, disability, or social class; a strong preference for providing education to those who were most vulnerable due to poverty or neglect; and a commitment to active engagement with a world in need." (chapter 1: Julie Billiart and Francoise Bilin de Bourdon)

It goes on to describe Francoise`s early life and education (1756- 1781). We learn that Francoise`s family was an aristocratic family. Her father was a good man:"He had a passion for Voltaire, the quintessential enlightenment advocate for human rights."(page 2) Later on, Her family sent her to boarding school in the summers when she was 6 years old. the school was run by nuns. At this school, she was taught the "formation of good wives and mothers"(page2). Francoise was not interested in that career. This topic carries on throughout the rest of her life. Saint Ursula was a big impact on Francoise. She believed that "woman should be free" (page 3). She did not want to be controlled by a man: "Francoise, inspired by Ursuline traditions, summarized her guiding purpose in life as a wanting 'to find my happiness in procuring the happiness of others'" (page 3). Going on to her adult years Francoise took care of her ill family members. She devoted her life to "procuring the happiness of others" (7). She went to school and spread her love around her village. she would eventually be called "Angel of the Chateau"(page 8). "Eventually..., a mob from outside the village confiscated the estate at Bourdon and arrested Francoise`s father. Her brother, sister-in-law, and nephew soon followed and in 1793 Francoise herself was arrested and imprisoned. All arrested members of the Blin de Bourdon family were incarcerated at a prison in Amiens"(page 8). 

On to Julie`s story about her life and education (1751-1773). Julie was raised the opposite of Franoise. she was in the third estate.  Her family was not wealthy. her father had a shop in the village of Cuvilly. That shop was the only thing keeping her family going financially. The time had come for Julie to be enrolled in a school. Her father worked really hard to get his daughter education. "The traditional social order was perpetuated by the assumption that those who needed education for their children could afford it, and those who could not afford it didn't need it" (page 4). Julie went on to school and shared all of her learnings with the poorer children in the village. Later on, you will see how this theme regarding Julie lives on to her adult years. She had a heart for teaching. later on, her father`s shop got robbed and it left her family broke. So Julie went to work hard labor to get money. It messed up her body health-wise: "she suffered paralysis, seizures, and other debilitating symptoms doctors would now attribute to the development and exacerbation of her multiple sclerosis"(page 6). Moving towards Julies adult years still having to be in her bed due to her health issues she still was teaching children and preparing them for their first holy communion. She moved up the social classes due to people she was close with. The date of July 12th, 1790 Civil Constitution of the Clergy. There was some corruption in the Catholic church and there were problems with land. The French later on decided that they would vote in the people of the Catholic church office. "Julie was an active supporter of several non- juring priest who could not in good conscience take the required oath of loyalty to the state. It was this affiliation in particular that forced Julie into hiding"(page 16). 

Going on to Julie and Francoise meeting in Amiens (1794). Both women met in a house they were renting in. As they were living with each other a friendship began. They were there for each other. This friendship led to the founding of the sisters of Notre Dame (February 2nd, 1804).