Blog #9

SND Handout

 

The backgrounds and childhoods of the two founders of the Sisters of Notre Dame, Julie Billart and Francoise Blin de Bourdon, could not have been more opposite.  However, from the time that each of them was young, they shared the desire to try and make life “more fair” for everyone, regardless of their social status or wealth.  Francoise, over the years, could not believe how poorly people were treated just because they were not aristocrats, even when it came to something as basic as food. She also was annoyed with the idea that women either had to be groomed to be a good wife, or go into seclusion as a nun, equating this to:  a virgin had to be a nun; and not out with the “public”- single for a lifetime, tempting men.   Julie, even though she was far down the social ladder, still felt fortunate that she was able to at least get the catechism part of education, and was eager to share with peasant children in her village.  Amazingly Julie was able to continue doing so, even after she was bedridden and partially paralyzed.  Throughout the years, some very strange things went on with the Church and politics.  The French wanted to be able to fill positions in their churches by having their own elections instead of the Rome having the authority to appoint and fill those positions.  Priests were supposed to “take an oath” and prove their loyalty and those who would not were “hunted down” as enemies of the State.  What kind of people, thinking they are religious people, would do this type of thing?  Julie had to go into hiding for a period of time that coincided with Francoise being in prison.  They became friends after the beginning, when Francoise was repulsed by Julie’s physical disabilities. They both realized they held the same respect for all people, regardless of their status of being rich or poor.  Both felt that every individual was entitled to the same things in life and wanted to do everything in their power to try and serve people and help them to achieve the very best things that were available to them.  This just reminds me of another example of how people from different backgrounds, races, genders, and different “social statuses” can have the same spirituality, emotions and feelings with regards to life in general.  Many have the same outlook when it comes to how people should be treated, regardless of what social status they have or how much money they have.  I believe this has to do with the inner person and their beliefs that everyone should be treated fairly, that one person is not better than another because of any type of “status” they have.