Angélique Geay was born at Harazée, commune of Vienne le Château,
France, department of the Marne, 75 km from Chalon/Marne.
She lost her father very early in her life. Eldest of six children, of a bright and
intelligent nature, she helped her mother to rear the family.
She made her First Communion in 1803 when she was eleven years old. The services of a
pastor and the privileges of worship had been restored in her village church in 1802.
At Vienne-le Château there is at present a community of religious of "Providence
of Porthieux". In 1792 they were already had a free school for girls. Was Mere Geay
influenced by their forward looking attitudes?
For a long time she was detained in the humble village where she had been born to
assist her mother. She was 33 years old when she felt free to leave, her sisters and
brothers being by then self supporting. Angélique then went to Paris and on August 23,
1825 she presented herself at Rue Casette, where the Bon Secours community was then
located.
Her novitiate was shortened and her Profession hastened coincided with a day of trial.
Mere Potel, 1st Superior General was dying and had named her to replace her.
1827 She worked to have the Congregation recognized by the
state. This was realized when on January 17, 1827 when they were notified that they had
received legal recognition by the civil authorities as the "First Association of
Nursing Religious established in France".
1829 She established the foundation at Lille: 12 Sisters.
She missioned two Sisters to the Infirmary of the Collège Vaugirard, Paris.
1830 Foundation at Boulogne - July 2, 1830 the sisters were
established in Boulogne.
Revolution of July 1830 in Paris.
On July 29 the Archdiocese was attacked and Archbishop de Quélen, stanch friend of the
Sisters, was evicted from his residence.
1831 Chapter May 24: re-election of Mère Geay.
1832 Epidemic of cholera in the Province and in Paris.
March 27, the terrible news, the cholera was in the city. "The sisters were to be
seen caring for all: " Mère Geay herself followed them to the scene of struggle,
where more than one died.
1833 Foundation of the "Orphelinat" (Orphanage).
- The work of Mlle Buchère with orphans, was taken over at the request of Archbishop de
Quelin. The Bon Secours Sisters accepted the Orphanage of Providence, 13 Rue de Regard.on
February 2, 1833.
Purchase of the Hôtel de Pons: The abundance of Postulants in Rue Casette
obliged Mère Geay to look for a larger house to "establish the Mother House and the
Novitiate". Mère Geay was able by wise and prudent management to acquire the
building which today is 20 Rue Notre Dame des Champs.
Mère Geay loses her advisors:
1836 On January 20, Mr. de Pierre died (pastor of St.
Sulpice - his Memorial Monument is opposite the chapel of the Virgin in St. Sulpice).
1839 On December 31, Mgr. de Quelin died (Memorial plaque in the
Carmelite Church of St. Joseph).
1843 Mère Geay undertook the revision of the Custom Book.
Mère Geay succeeded in building the beautiful Chapel of the Maison Mère. Archbishop
Affre, the then Archbishop of Paris presided at the laying of the foundation stone on May
16. The construction was complete in 18 months. On October 9, 1843 Mgr. Affre presided at
the solemn consecration of the chapel.
1845 Foundation at Abbeville, France.
1848 The Revolution escalated: The Tuileries Palace already
invaded was transformed into a hospital and the Sister of Bon Secours were asked to nurse
the wounded.
1848 Foundation at Orleans, France.
1849 In the course of the summer Mère Geay, on medical advice,
went to Boulogne to rest.
1850-1860 There were no major events during the last ten years
of Mère Geay's life. The last chapter in the history speaks of her correspondence
concerning the Sisters who were away on mission and concerning her leadership
responsibilities.
Having traveled to Abbeville, France on April 21, 1860, Mère Geay became ill and died
there on April 27 from pleurisy.
She was brought to the Maison Mère for burial at Montparnasse cemetery on April 30
1860.
