In August 2005, a Chinese couple rang at the door of the MIC convent in Laval, Quebec. After years of searching, they had finally found the right address. Sr. Jeanne Bouchard, without knowing it, was to be the heroine of this amazing story.
Sister Jeanne in China
On October 14, 1939, six missionaries of the Immaculate Conception climbed aboard the Empress of Russia in the Port of Vancouver. We had been at war for nearly a month, but it didn't matter. Twenty-six year old Jeanne Bouchard left to find her Lord among the people of China. She contemplated the ring she received at her profession, and her recently-awarded diploma in nursing. From now on, she was to be called Sister Saint-Charles-de-Milan. She had come a long way from her hometown of St. Eloi.
In Manchuria, she learned the language and worked in two dispensaries. But the growth of communism in the north of China and the war with the nationalist army that followed threatened the missionaries. In 1947, with the siege of Szepingkai, the Sisters were forced to live in the bishop's coal cellars; the General Council of the MIC in Canada decided it was time for them to get out. Sr. Jeanne was among a contingent of thirty sisters who were forced to leave Manchuria under these dramatic circumstances; going by truck to Moukden, from there to Shanghai, and finally taking refuge with the Sisters of Tsung Ming was just a small part of the heroic history of our Community. The fugitives were assigned to Suchow and Canton, south of China, to Hong Kong, the Philippines, and to Canada. Sr. Jeanne was entrusted the leper colony at Shek Lung in China. To everyone's surprise, she was thrilled. Caring for lepers was for her a dream come true. Through war, murders, bombardments, attacks by bandits, famine and short-ages of all kinds, Sr. Jeanne and the small team of MICs bandaged wounds, gave injections, and encouraged each and every one they met.
A Heart-Wrenching Departure
On June 3, 1952, the four sisters who ran the leper colony were replaced by the communist government and expelled from China. At the same time, across the globe, the MICs were celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of their founding, but for Jeanne and her Sisters, it was tragic. The MIC work at Shek Lung, begun in 1913, now had to be totally abandoned. Next stop... Hong Kong.
In that great city, Sr. Jeanne joined Sr. Laura Thérien, M. I. C., helping the refugees who were filling up the rudimentary shelters. While visiting the hospitals, she discovered patients from the leper colony and formed a support network. Donations from Raoul Follereau's organization to aid lepers and other sources were sent to patients and to the poor; together they reached as many as 2000 lepers.
Sister Jeanne's love for her "children" of Shek Lung was undeniable. She returned home to Canada in 1999 and enjoyed telling about her life in China. She had given so much.
A Mysterious Letter
On the 25th of June, 2005, a letter addressed to me arrived in the mail from British Columbia. Sister Huguette, my name is Philip Fung. I was born in Hong Kong 47 years ago. When I was three months old, I was very ill. My mother had gone to Kwong Wah for me to receive care. A Catholic sister came to the hospital to baptize me, because I was expected to die. She gave a note to my mother as proof of my baptism. To my family's surprise, I got better! My mother was so poor that she gave me up for adoption to a childless couple of the Anglican faith. Eventually, I immigrated to Canada in 1993 and found work at a Vancouver hospital. The next year, I married Pauline, who is Catholic, and I wanted to convert. In 2000, my biological mother decided to tell me the story of my baptism, and my adoption, and she showed me the note signed by Sister Saint-Charles-de-Milan on May 12, 1958. I had been baptized Catholic! This summer, I have to go to Toronto, and I would like to find my benefactress. The Archdiocese of Vancouver gave me your name. Can you help me?
I called immediately. Philip was on the line. I received your letter. The sister you have been looking for is here at our convent! Her name is now Sister Jeanne Bouchard, and she is 92 years old. Philip almost shrieked. It's impossible! God has answered my prayer!
A Moving Encounter
On August 25, 2005, Philip and Pauline arrived at the convent.
During the course of our conversation, Philip acknowledged that he experienced
quite a shock five years ago, when he learned about his adoption. He was not an
orphan, nor an only child, as he had always believed. I asked him why he wanted
to find Sister Saint-Charles-de-Milan?
After my baptism, he explained, , when I was near death, my mother saw
me move. I believe that Sr. Jeanne wanted to give me Heaven and that she also
resuscitated me! I admire the missionaries who came to China. It was very difficult
for them because of the customs and the language. I understood that when I immigrated
to Vancouver.
At a visit to the Tomb of Délia Tétreault, our foundress,
Philip exclaimed, I recognize that picture. It was at the hospital where I
found my first job. I didn't know that Délia Tétreault had founded
that hospital for the Chinese and that "my" sister was one of hers. That's amazing!
The next day, Philip and Pauline arrived at Sister Jeanne's room, carrying an impressive spray of flowers. She was waiting for them in her easy chair. Very respectfully, Philip knelt in front of her and said, in Cantonese, Thank you for my baptism. Thank you for coming to China. . He placed the flowers in front of her, and with much emotion, left her a paper. Here is the certificate that you gave my mother on May 12, 1958. Do you recognize it? Sr. Jeanne smiled and said, Yes! Yes! I am so happy to see you! Pauline and I immortalized those tender moments, so difficult to describe, with our cameras.
During his last visit, Philip gave Sr. Jeanne a lamp shaped like an angel, whose wings wrap around a cradle. You have been my angel, Sr Jeanne. When you look at this lamp, think of me. Continue to always protect us, Pauline and me.
Eight months later, just days from her ninety-third birthday, Sr. Jeanne left us suddenly. When informed of her death, Philip and Pauline expressed their sympathies by sending a huge floral arrangement and these simple words: In grateful memory, your Chinese son.
by Huguette Turcotte, m.i.c.