Blessed William Joseph Chaminade

Biography

Blessed Adèle De Batz De Trenquelléon, also known as Sister Marie of the Conception, was born on 10 June 1789 in the Castle of Trenquelléon, Feugarolles, Lot-et-Garonne, France. She came from a noble French family, being the daughter of Baron Charles de Trenquelléon and Marie-Ursule de Peyronnencq de Saint-Chamarand. Her mother was related to Saint Louis IX, adding a spiritual heritage to her lineage. Adèle was baptized soon after her birth, receiving the sacrament of baptism at a young age.

During the French Revolution, her father fought on the side of King Louis XVI in 1791. As a consequence, the family was forced into exile and subsequently lived in England in November 1791, Spain in 1797, and Portugal in 1798. They returned to Spain in 1800 before finally coming back to France in 1801. It was during this period that Adèle received her First Communion on 6 January 1801 in San Sebastian, Spain. She was confirmed on 6 February 1803 by the bishop of Agen, France.

From an early age, Adèle felt a calling to religious life. Initially, she desired to join the Carmelites but her mother advised her to postpone her decision until she reached adulthood. On 5 August 1803, Adèle founded the Little Society, a spiritual study and support group, along with like-minded friends. Through active correspondence, Adèle nurtured and encouraged this group, which grew to about 60 members by 1808, including both laypeople and priests. Adèle began visiting the sick and taught poor children the faith in her home.

Upon learning of the Sodalities of Our Lady, a group founded by Blessed William Joseph Chaminade in Bordeaux, France, which shared similar objectives with the Little Society, Adèle started corresponding with Chaminade. In 1809, with Chaminade's guidance, the Society underwent modifications to align more closely with the Sodality.

On 20 November 1808, Adèle declined a marriage offer and resolved to enter religious life. However, various family obligations and government restrictions delayed her plans until 1816. With the assistance of Chaminade, Adèle renounced her inheritance in favor of her brother and bid farewell to her family. Together with members of the Society and Sodality, she moved into a vacant convent in Agen, France, establishing the Daughters of Mary Immaculate (Marianist Sisters). This new religious congregation combined the contemplative aspects of the Carmelites with a teaching mission. Adèle was appointed as the first superior, and on 25 July 1817, the Sisters made their first vows.

In 1819, Adèle forged a friendship with Saint √âmilie de Rodat, with whom she maintained regular correspondence. While the Sisters continued to grow, Adèle's health began to deteriorate, and starting from 1825, she limited her ministry to correspondence work. During her last months, she remained devoted to expanding the recognition and reach of the Sisters.

Blessed Adèle De Batz De Trenquelléon passed away on 10 January 1828 in Agen, Lot-et-Garonne, France, due to natural causes. She was buried at the Marianist Sisters convent in Agen. In recognition of her exemplary virtues, Pope John Paul II declared her venerable on 5 June 1986. Further, on 10 June 2018, Pope Francis beatified her, with the beatification ceremony presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato in Agen, France. The miracle attributed to her intercession, which led to her beatification, involved a healing in the diocese of Novara, Italy.

Today, the Marianist Sisters carry on the good work initiated by Blessed Adèle De Batz De Trenquelléon, with approximately 340 members spread across various countries including Togo, Ivory Coast, the United States, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina, South Korea, Japan, India, Spain, France, and Italy.