The Other Mary Magdalen

Today is an important feast day, one that doesn't get nearly enough attention. (No, not that one.)

Julie Francoise Catherine Postel was born in Barfleur, Normandy, France, on November 28, 1756. In 1774, she opened a school for girls there. Then came the French Revolution. Most American schoolchildren learn of this as a positive thing. That's because before American history textbooks were written by revisionary socialist weenies, it was written by revisionary Protestant weenies. In truth, the French Revolution was followed by the massive persecution of the Church known as the "Reign of Terror." Postel's school was forced to close. Barfleur became a center for the underground Church, and the former school became a safe house for fugitive priests. At one point, Postel was given the care of the reserved Eucharist to bring Communion to the sick (probably because no one would suspect a woman).

After the Pope reached a concordat with Napoleon in 1801, Postel was able to continue teaching. At 52, she became a Franciscan tertiary, took the name Sister Mary Magdalen, and founded an order to teach children and serve the poor, the Sisters of the Christian Schools of Mercy. The order moved its location several times before taking over an abandoned abbey and restoring it.

Mother Mary Magdalen Postel died on this day in 1846, at the age of 90. She was canonized in 1925.
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