Stigmatized and declared venerable Anne-Madeleine Remusat was a key figure in Marseille’s history. This is La Remusade. It was her home.
Anne-Madeleine Remusat a religious sister born in Marseille in 1696 dedicated her life to the Sacred Heart. She died in Marseille in 1730.
She was considered the successor to Saint Marguerite-Marie Alacoque. Some called her “the apostle of the Sacred Heart.” Anne-Madeleine Remusat spread devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Catholic Church declared her venerable.
Now, let’s delve deeper into the life of Anne-Madeleine Remusat. She was the daughter of Hyacinthe de Rémusat a Marseille merchant and Anne Constans. After receiving approval from Pope Clement XI in 1717 she founded the Association of the Perpetual Adoration of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ.
Bishop de Belsunce invited her to write the statutes. She modified prayers and litanies significantly from her sources. They were published in 1718 in a booklet titled “Manual of the Perpetual Adoration of the Sacred Heart.” By her death the association had sixty thousand members. Pope Leo XIII elevated it to an archconfraternity in 1899.
The plague ravaged Marseille in 1720. While in adoration Anne-Madeleine Rémusat received a message from Christ. He told her the plague would lead to the institution of a feast honoring His Sacred Heart. The message was conveyed to Bishop de Belsunce. He decided on October 22 1720 to consecrate Marseille and its diocese to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Anne-Madeleine Remusat then spread scapulars of the Sacred Heart bearing the name of safeguard. These were small pieces of red cloth. The divine heart was printed in black on a piece of white fabric sewn onto the first. Sometimes it was written: “O Heart of Jesus abyss of love and mercy I place all my trust in you and I hope everything from your goodness”.
After instructing that of Pope Urban V Joseph Hyacinthe Albanès a doctor of theology and historian of Provence was tasked with investigating Anne-Madeleine Remusat’s beatification.
The cause for beatification was introduced. It was resumed in 1921 but did not succeed. Evidence of miracles performed by her had been destroyed. In 2013, Archbishop Georges Pontier of Marseille appointed Jean-Pierre Ellul postulator of the cause for beatification.
Mgr Ellul is rector of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Marseille. The heart of Anne-Madeleine Rémusat is kept there.
In 2016 Mgr Ellul was received at the Vatican by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. He met Father Daniel Ols reporter for French causes. He gave a file to the Monastery Mater Ecclesiae of the Visitandines in Rome. It was sent to Pope Benedict XVI.
Mgr Ellul worked to publicize the life and work of the venerable Anne-Madeleine Remusat online. He hoped to accelerate the cause through the discovery of documents lost since the 19th century.
With the agreement and presence of Mgr Georges Pontier the opening session of the investigation for beatification and canonization was held in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Marseille.
Since 2018 a postulator has been appointed in Rome. This was under the leadership of Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline and Father Bernard Ardura. The investigation continues with the writing of the Positio entrusted to Professor JC Ricci.
The Association Anne-Madeleine Remusat accompanies the beatification processor. Mgr Jean-Pierre Ellul is the president. Anne-Madeleine Remusat left behind a legacy of devotion and service.
Her “Manual of the Perpetual Adoration of the Sacred Heart” included litanies. These litanies known as the Litanies of Marseille were approved by Pope Leo XIII in 1899. La Remusade stands as a testament to her life. It symbolizes faith and dedication in the heart of Marseille.