Françoise-Apolline Merlin (religious name: Mère Saint-Pierre; 19 April 1803 – 29 October 1878) was a French Catholic nun and mother general of the Dominican Sisters of Charity of the Presentation from 1843 until 1858. Her cause for beatification has been initiated.[1]
Biography
Early life
Françoise-Apolline was born on 9 April 1803 in the town of Villeneuve-sur-Yonne to Pierre Merlin and Anne Accaut. At the age of 10, her parents both died and her godfather, Abbé Pierret, a priest, served as her guardian and welcomed her and her siblings to his parish house.[2] Growing up, she earned an excellent education and piety through the influence of his godfather.[2][3]
Religious life
When Françoise-Apolline's oldest sister entered the Dominican Sisters of Charity of the Presentation in Tours, she followed in the same congregation once she reached the age of 15.[2][3] She received the religious habit and vows under Mère Adélaïde Combier, taking the name Sœur Saint-Pierre. As a nun, she stood out for her intelligence and missionary passion, starting her ministry at the local hospitals in Amboise and Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire.[2][3] In serving the patients, she was remembered as "being open, simple, equanimous, self-sacrificing, mature sister; friendly and jovial."[2]
Mother General
At the age of 40, Françoise-Apolline was elected the mother general of her expanding congregation, and re-elected on 6 October 1855.[3] She administered for 15 years and during her tenure, more than a thousand novices joined the congregation.[2] Also under her leadership, she established a stronger connection between the Dominicans and the congregation.[2][3]
In 1858, she was accused, tried and stripped of her position for intrigue which she faced with humility.[2][further explanation needed]
