Madame Carre de Malberg

Caroline Barbara Colchen was born on 8^th April, 1829 at Metz. She was the second child of the girls. She was a frail child but lively, affectionate and alert. She made her first communion at the age of eleven. She was sent to the boarding school run by the visitation sisters as it was a customary in her milieu. Here the sisters trained her according to the spirit of SFS and this left a last impression in her life. She left this boarding school in 1846. She was to pass through three happy and peaceful years as a teenage girl, her very personality shaped by her own family atmosphere. She attended the holy mass daily, prayed the rosary, took up spiritual reading ,shared the household work, visited the friends and neighbours,all these undoubtedly was God’s plan, preparing this woman for a spiritual role in the future.

Caroline nurtured in her heart a desire to offer herself totally to God by entering Carmel; God had a different road map for her. Her cousin a military officer who used to visit the Colchen family often, asked for her hand in marriage and they were married on May 2^nd 1849. Her husband was a man of his office, clothed with all qualities needed for the same. But the human quality that builds up a family life was not seen in him. She resolutely began to walk this way of life, accepting all that God permitted. Her life was filled with trials. She experienced her greatest agony in the loss of three children out of four. In all this she completely surrendered herself to God all through this painful journey. The young wife was to see her husband return to the practice of religion.

In June 1869 Fr.Chaumont and Mrs.Caree the Malberg met for the first time. Her husband was a commander stationed in Paris at this time. Madame Caree had to deal courageously with their suffering even to reaching out wealthy women of elegant society, gathering them in her house to hold spiritual talks. Everyone appreciated her graciousness, her generosity and above all her capacity to answer discreetly and with perception to the most intimate confidences entrusted to her. Ever since her arrival in Paris she had been looking for a spiritual director. Encouraged by her friend Miss. Pauline Jirard, supported by her own priest brother Fr.Colchen, she accepted in spirit of faith in a direction of Fr. Chaumont undoubtedly. Providence played a definite role in this meeting. The priest Fr. Chaumont after hearing the confession listening to the story of losing her beloved daughter Therese, he realized that Mrs.Carre was the person God had chosen to establish the association which he was planning. It was during the second pilgrimage to Annecy decisive steps where planned out regarding this. Finally the Society and the Daughters of St.Francis de Sales (DSFS) was born on 15^th October 1872. Right from its start Madame Caree was chosen as the first mother of the society and she continued her office till the end of her life.

The long cherished dream of Fr.Chaumont was realized at last. He had a glimpse of this in Annecy itself during his second visit. As if in a vision, he saw the Daughters of SFS spreading the Gospel throughout the world. It has turned out to be true. They are grown as members exceeding more than seven thousand (both men and women) living in the world, carrying out their responsibility but living the Gospel values. They aimed at holiness of one’s own life and invited others to aim at the same in order to become the light bearers of Christ. May the Triune God bless this lay society. May St.Francis de Sales their Patron saint direct the way and may Fr.Chaumont and Madame Caree accompany them on their life journey. In number of our mission the SMMI and the society work hand in hand to spread God’s Kingdom far and wide.

Faithfulness to grace is the secret of a true life. When the soul is very pure she is very close to God; she unites herself to him with a great easiness and God communicates himself to her with a great kindness. The best way to become a soul of prayer is the practice of evangelical virtues.