Paulinian Roots, Identity, Spirituality and Mission

The Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres Mission in the Philippines: A response to the invitation of Bishop
Frederick Z. Rooker.

Foundation of a Teaching Religious Community

April 28, 1695: The seed of a Religious Project took root in the heart and mind of Fr. Chauvet, when he
rented out a land for the support of a school mistress.

Fr. Louis Chauvet and our First Sisters: “The pioneer Paulinian Formators”

Fr. Louis Chauvet (Priest, Counselor, Scholar, Musician, Shepherd, Teacher)

(PERE LOUIS CHAUVET)

 A priest of Levesville, La Chenard, France.

 He gave attention to restoring reverence to God and the things of God. (His great concern was
for their spiritual welfare.)
 His dedication and zeal in his ministry brought changes to the life of the parish as a community.
(only 30 yrs old, was filled with zeal for his people.)
 The transformations that he brought about in Levesville revealed his delight for beauty, fineness,
and order. (He struggled against ignorance and the false teaching of Quietism and Jansenism -
exemplifying the quest for the finer things in life.)
 His passion for Christ and keen observation to the signs of the times led him to respond to the
situation with burning compassion for the poor, the ignorant and the suffering.
 His youthful presence brought a touch of newness with fine quality to the drab and ordinary life
of the villagers.
 As a Founder with a distinctive gift of bringing forth transformation, Fr. Louis helped in the
formation and transformation of our first sisters.

“The Pioneer Paulinian Formators”

 Marie Anne de Tilly

 Marie Micheau
 Barbe Foucalt

Soon, they were joined by many others

 Anne Bonnet  Claude Dauvilliers

 Marie Denizet  Marie Foucault
 Anne Lerat  Marie Fleury
 Catherine Sirou  Louise Meunier
 Marie Anne Deslandres  Jeanne Rosseau (to name a few)
Formation and Transformation: the Paschal Way

For Marie Anne, Marie and Barbe, the first Daughters of the School, the transformation came from the
heart. It came from a deep faith strengthened by trials and patience in suffering – the paschal way.

Le Berceau (The Cradle) became their first home. its cellar (La Cave) became the 1st classroom, with
Marie Micheau as first teacher.

Formed in the Spirituality of Fr. Chauvet

Their formation and transformation into Christ’s disciples led the Foundation of the Congregation of the
Sisters of St. Paul in 1696 and the opening of the First School in 1700 in Levesville and from there, to the
world. A second school opened in Chateauneuf-en-Thymerais in 1707.

Marie Micheau, first recruit, first superior, and first teacher, died at the age of 19 on 15 November 1702.

Marie Anne de Tilly, co-Foundress, 28 September 1703.

Fr. Louis Chauvet Founder, 22 June 1710. FR. LOUIS CHAUVET was buried at the foot of the altar at the
sanctuary. In 1883, his remains was transported to Chartres by Mo. Maria Rouyrre, then Superior
General.

In 1708, Fr. Louis Chauvet entrusted the Sisters of Levesville under the protection of the Bishop of
Chartres.

Bishop Paul Godet des Marais gave them the name Sisters of St. Paul and St. Paul, the Apostle as their
Patron.

Having at first settled in the district of St. Maurice in Chartres, the Sisters were once called the Sisters of
Charity of St. Maurice. They were also referred to as “Les Sabotieres” – wooden shoe wearers, the
wooden shoes became symbolic of the simplicity and poverty of their lifestyle.

Fr. Claude Marechaux, appointed first ecclesiastical superior in Chartres wrote, in accord with Fr.
Chauvet, the Sisters’ Rule and the Instructions on the Rule “How to Perform our Actions Well”. Msgr.
Charles de Truchis who succeeded Fr. Marechaux was instrumental in preserving the Rule and the Names
of the first Sisters by letting them write their names in the community registry, Le Monument.

With the Virgin Mary as their Model and St. Paul, Apostle as their Patron, the Sisters moved beyond
Levesville-la-Chenard to the whole of the diocese – and to the whole of France.

Formation for Mission in the Footsteps of Fr. Chauvet

Paulinian Formation is the formation of the whole person, - FOR DISCIPLESHIP, EXCELLENCE, AND
MISSION.

The Paulinian Formation Program and the 5 Paulinian Core Values

A PAULINIAN is a CHRIST-CENTERED person, who impelled by the LOVE OF CHRIST (CHARITY), uses
his/her GIFTS (CHARISM), for the SERVICE OF THE CHURCH and SOCIETY (COMMUNITY), unto where
he/she is sent for a mission (COMMISSION).

CHRIST-CENTEREDNESS - Life of Discipleship CHARISM - Life of Excellence

COMMISSION - Life of Servant Leadership CHARITY - Life of Compassionate Stewardship

COMMUNITY - Life of Mutual Relationship

Marks of Paulinian Education

Mother Gabriel de Marie McGrath , SPC

Paulinian Identity

WARM - We lay greater stress on the love of God, rather than fear of Him. Warmth characterizes the
relationship we build in school.

ACTIVE - Our girls are exuberantly active on all fronts: music, drama, oratory, journalism, the Sodality.

SIMPLE - It is focused on the essentials.

PRAYERFUL - It is connectedness with God.

“My goal as a Paulinian is this - to proclaim Jesus Christ as the good news to all in response to the need
for total salvation from materialism, unjust structures and apathy through education and care of the
sick,”.

The Paulinian takes the path of our Founder and first Sisters - the Paschal way:

 from materialism to simplicity,

 from a world of unjust structures to a world filled with warmth, and
 from apathy to active involvement and a life of prayer

Marks of Paulinian Education and Life of Consecration

Mo. Goretti Lee, SPC, General Superior.