Marie-Thérèse Vauzou | |
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| Born | (1825-08-10)August 10, 1825 |
| Died | February 15, 1907(1907-02-15) (aged 81) |
Marie-Thérèse Vauzou (August 10, 1825 – February 15, 1907)[1] was a FrenchCatholicnun who is known as having been theMistress of Novices and laterMother Superior of theSisters of Charity of Nevers duringSaint Bernadette Soubirous’ lifetime.[2]
BornGuillaumette Honorine inCollonges-la-Rouge,France; her father was Antoine Vauzou, a royalnotary.
She rose through the ranks of the Saint Gildard Convent, and in 1861 became Mistress of Novices. A few years later, Marie-Bernard “Bernadette” Soubirous began to visit as she was interested in becoming apostulant, a process she began in 1865. Some years before in 1858, Soubirous had become famous after having claimed to receiveapparitions of theImmaculate Conception, now known asOur Lady of Lourdes.[3]
While Vauzou supported Soubirous joining the convent and later admitted a certain fondness and acceptance for Soubirous’ “charisma and beauty”, Vauzou never fully believed in the visions and treated her poorly. She also disagreed with the decision to open the cause forcanonization of Soubirous after the latter’s death on 16 April 1879 at the age of 35.[4]
Vauzou became Mother Superior, and in 1899 was forced to testify before religious officials investigating Soubirous. She said she knew Sister Bernadette better than most, having spent much time with the girl during her early years at the convent. She also described Soubirous as “vain” and “simple”, even asking officials to delay Bernadette’s canonisation process until after her own death.[5] Little is known about Vauzou’s final years, but it is known she struggled internally with her feelings about Bernadette, visiting a monk at theFontfroide Abbey who helped her regain spiritual peace and some closure after Bernadette's death.[6]
Vauzou died in 1907, and is buried on the grounds of themotherhouse in Nevers. As per her request, the canonisation process began in earnest two years later in 1909, with Bernadette officially declared asaint by PopePius XI in 1933.[7]
Sister Vauzou was portrayed by English actressGladys Cooper in the 1943 filmThe Song of Bernadette, which was based onFranz Werfel’s 1941novel of the same name. Cooper was nominated for theAcademy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance.
In the 1946Broadway play of the same name, Sister Vauzou was portrayed by actress Jean Mann.[8]
Marian apparitions inLourdes, France (1858) | ||
| Apparitions | .JPG) | |
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