|
1796
 |
November 21, foundation of the Congregation
of the Presentation of Mary.
On that day,
Marie Rivier receives from Mr. Pontanier,
p.s.s., the seal of the Company of Saint
Sulpice which becomes the seal of the new
Congregation. It bears the initials of
the
Ave Maria.
|
|
1797 |
The number of
Sisters doubled and that of the boarders greatly increased.. Marie
Rivier purchases a larger house at Thueyts.
This will be the first Mother House.
|
Thueyts
First Mother House |
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 |
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|
1798 |
First
sending on mission: a school is opened in Coucouron,
department of Ardèche.
|
|
1799 |
First
encounter between Marie Rivier and Mr.Vernet, p.s.s., Vicar General
of Msgr.d'Aviau
for the diocese of Viviers. The meeting takes place at Chomérac
where Mr. Vernet is in hiding. As of then Mr. Vernet becomes Marie
Rivier's best support and advisor.
|
|
1801 |
Msgr.
d'Aviau, informed by Mr. Vernet of the works of Marie Rivier, goes
to Thueyts incognito. «The finger
of God is here. It marks this foundation and its achievements! For
it is not given to a human being to succeed in doing so much with so
few resources!» Msgr. d'Aviau approves the temporary
Rule of the Community.
|
1801 -
1810
|
Opening of forty-six
schools in the department of Ardèche. |
|
1811 |
First
foundation outside the diocese at Saint-Quentin
in the diocese of Nîmes.
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|
1814 |
Marie
Rivier opens her first orphanage, «an undertaking dear to her
heart.» Later, a Royal Ordinance will approve the charitable
institution at the same time as the Statutes of the Congregation.
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 |
|
Bourg
Saint-Andéol |
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1819 |
On
April 25, the Mother House is transferred from Thueyts to Bourg
Saint-Andéol. The new premises favor the life of the Congregation
new in full growth.
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1820 |
The
Presentation of Mary, at work in eight dioceses, counts eighty-eight
houses.
|
|
1827 |
Marie
Rivier establishes the Sister Adorers mandated to intercede for the
world, the Church and the entire Congregation. "I
do not believe," she says "that
the body can sustain itself
nor do much good without prayer."
|
|
1830 |
By a
Royal ordinance dated May 29, Charles X grants legal recognition to
the Congregation
of the Presentation of Mary.
|
|
1833 |
The
first foundation beyond France is established at St.-Julien in
Genevois. Savoy at that time belonged to the States of Sardinia.
|
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1836 |
On May
6, at the request of the bishops of the dioceses where the Sisters
are present, Pope Gregory XVI grants the
Congregation a Decree of Praise «for
the care it gives to the Christian education of young people.»
|
|
1838 |
On February 3,
after having worked to the end, Marie Rivier terminates her task on
earth. The previous day, on the feast of the Presentation of Jesus
in the Temple, she had once
more expressed her fondness for this mystery of offering. With
Jesus through Mary she
had again offered her life. Alive in God, Marie Rivier still
continues her mission.
Numerous graces have been attributed to her.
 |
|
1841 |
Foundation in Switzerland
at Lausanne.
|
|
1853 |
On May
12, a dossier relating the numerous graces obtained by the
intercession of Marie Rivier is presented to the Pope. This is the
first step towards the acknowledgment by the Church of the holiness
of the Foundress of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary.
|
|
1853 |
On
October 19, the foundation in Canada.
At the request of Msgr. Prince of Saint Hyacinth, six Sisters are
sent to Canada. The first foundation is established at Marieville,
Quebec. Very soon, several young Canadians join
the community and ask to be admitted. The Presentation
of Mary will quickly develop in Canada. Sister Saint Maurice, a
Savoyade, to whom the foundation has been confided, will become the
third Superior General of the Congregation.
"My Daughters will one day
cross the seas!" -Marie Rivier |
| |
 |
| |
Ocean front,
Marie Joseph Spiritual Center, Biddeford Pool, Maine
|
|
1873 |
Foundation in the United States,
in Glens Falls, New York.
After 1886, foundations follow one another quickly: thirteen in
eighteen years!
|
|
1890 |
The
Church, through Pope Leo XIII, officially recognizes that Marie
Rivier practiced
Christian virtues in a heroic way. Private worship can be rendered
to her.
|
|
1896 |
Foundation in England, at Exeter in Devon.
|
1900
-
1914 |
These years
are known as the «times of the expulsions». The anticlerical policy
of the
French government compels men and women religious of teaching
congregations to become secularized or to emigrate. Their
possessions are taken over by the State. Sixty-three
Sisters leave for Canada and, from there some go to the United
States. Others go to England and to Switzerland. The expulsions
provide the opportunity for several foundations.
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|
1902 |
Foundation in Spain.
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|
1904 |
Foundation in Italy.
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|
1907 |
The Congregation escapes
dissolution. After several lawsuits, it is officially recognized of
«public utility» because of its commitment to the poor - its savings
are reserved for them - and its charitable works.
|
|
1909 |
Pope Pius X
signs the decree giving Pontifical Rights to the Congregation.
|
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1925 |
Foundation in
Portugal, on the Island of Madeira;
then in 1938 on the continent.
|
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1933
 |
Foundation of
Rivier College
in Hudson, NH, by Sr. Madeleine of Jesus.
The College was
moved to
Nashua
NH in 1941.
|
|
1941 |
First foundation in
Africa, in Mozambique.
|
|
1948 |
First foundation in
Asia, in Japan.
|
|
1950
|
Foundation in the
Philippines.
|
|
1963 |
First foundation in
South America, in Peru.
Foundation in Ireland.
|
|
1966 |
Opening of a
General Chapter for the purpose of promoting a
spiritual renewal in the spirit of Vatican II.
|
|
1967 |
The General Administration of the
Congregation is transferred from Broug-Saint-Andéol to Castelgandolfo near
Rome, Italy. |
|
General Administration
Castelgandolfo, Italy |
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 |
|
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|
1968 |
Foundation in Gambia |
|
1969 |
During a special General Chapter the
revision of the Rule of Life begins. |
|
1982 |
 | |
May 23 Marie Rivier is beatified by Pope John-Paul II in Rome. From
this time on, groups of Lay Associates of the Presentation of Mary will
multiply throughout the world |
1984 |
On February 2, the revised Rule of Life is
approved by the Church. |
1986 |
Foundation in Brazil |
1989 |
Foundation in Cameroon |
1991-96 |
The entire Congregation is involved in the
spiritual preparation for the bicentennial celebration of its foundation in
1996. |
1996 |
The entire Rivier family around the world celebrates the 200th anniversary
of its foundation in 1796. |
1997 |
Foundation in Ecuador |
1999 |
25th General Chapter - Mother Angèle Dion become Superior General. |
2002 |
The 20th Anniversary of the Beatification of Marie Rivier is celebrated
throughout the Congregation.
|
2005 |
May 30th Foundation in Indonesia |
2005 |
26th General Chapter takes place in Sherbrooke Canada. (First time in
America) |
2008 |
Foundation in Burkina Faso |
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