Saint of the Month - July 2014: Blessed Eugenie Joubert

Bl. Eugenie Joubert
Another "Little Soul"

Memorial: July 2nd

“Amen I say to you, unless you be

converted, and become as little children,

you shall not enter into the Kingdom

of Heaven.”

~ Words of Jesus, Matthew 18:3

Bl. Eugenie as a child

The life of Bl. Eugenie Joubert is summed up in the scripture passage referenced above.  She practiced a form of spirituality known as the way of “spiritual childhood”, which she lived with conviction and consistency.  It should also be noted that spiritual childhood doesn't imply immaturity in any way, but rather this form of spirituality consists of relating to God, as a child relates to its father - with simplicity, intimacy, confidence, and love.  The concept was further popularized by the illustrious St. Therese of Lisieux (d. 1897) who expounded on it in her diary, “The Story of a Soul”.

Born on February 11, 1876, in the French town of Yssingeaux, Eugenie was a lovely child who was reported to be joyful and exuberant.  In her youth, she and a sister were boarding students at a school run by Ursuline nuns, and she impressed the sisters with her piety and her fervent devotion to the Blessed Mother, which she maintained throughout her lifetime.  Eugenie was a natural leader and her close friends remarked that her expression took on a “heavenly” look whenever she spoke to them about the Virgin Mary.  Her emotion was sometimes so strong little exclamations escaped her lips such as, "To love Mary, to love her always more and more!"

At the age of 19, Eugenie was drawn to the Sisters of the Holy Family and entered their postulancy in October 1895.  She resolved to become a faithful bride of Christ, commending herself with sincere gratitude to Our Lady; she was professed less than two years later on September 8, 1897.  The young sister speedily ascended the ladder of holiness through her habitual practice of spiritual childhood. Once, for example, she was reprimanded for a piece of clothing that was poorly mended, which was actually not her handiwork. However, in her desire to be little and humble like our Jesus, Sr. Eugenie maintained silence in imitation of Christ, who Himself was wrongly accused.  Her life was filled with many such instances.  

Bl. Eugenie as a Holy Family Sister 

At one point, Sr. Eugenie was assigned to her congregation’s house in Aubervilliers where she became a teacher to the young children of poor workers.  The students naturally gravitated to their youthful mentor because of her apparent innocence and simplicity, which was so much like themselves. Later as adults, many of them testified that her pious influence had helped them to live better Christian lives.

In the summer of 1902, the first signs of tuberculosis were diagnosed in Sr. Eugenie.  Over the course of two years, her superiors made every effort to have her cured but the frail sister's condition slowly worsened. As it did so, Sr. Eugenie made a conscious effort to smile more despite her severe pains, so as not to betray the gravity of her condition.  She had reached such a high degree of union with Christ, not even her suffering could stifle the faith and the peace that infused her soul; she abandoned herself like a little girl into the arms of its loving father.

On July 2, 1904, Sr. Eugenie passed away exclaiming, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus…” Witnesses recorded that a beautiful smile lit up her face when she died, firmly convincing all who were present that she was now enjoying Heaven with our Lord, who she often referred to as her "everything".

"I will pray for you all in heaven."

~ Words of Bl. Eugenie from

her deathbed

Sr. Eugenie Joubert was raised among the ranks of the Blessed on November 24, 1994.  Please pray for her speedy Canonization.

A Reflection:

“Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the Kingdom of Heaven .”  ~ Words of Our Lord, Matthew 18:3-4

A Short Prayer:

Dear Jesus, we acknowledge you as Lord and Savior.  At the same time, we recognize you as friend, brother, and even father.  Help us to have the simplicity and faith of little children.  Amen.