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"I see nothing in particular that stood out in the novitiate. I was very intimidated by Mother M Josephine; I felt very awkward… and then, my mother! My human heart was very heavy. - But I had reached the goal, that was the main thing, and in spite of holding back my tears, I thought: I will only leave here if they chase me away! They didn't chase me away, but told me not to look so downcast. I turned to the Blessed Virgin, calling her 'Our Lady of the perpetual smile', and she helped me.

So I made profession on 8 September 1890, I felt fervent and happy - but it was no longer the novitiate. I gradually got used to the Paris community, they were very kind to me.

The first shock came when I was put in charge of the drawing, when I was still a novice. Then there was a second one, much greater and more motivated, when I was named second sub-novice-mistress (1893)! As a responsibility it was nothing, but I felt caught up in the system. But my mission in the novitiate did not last long. One day, during the examination of conscience, I was led to promise God that I would always say "yes" to what he asked of me: just at that moment, Mother M Paul I, the Superior General, sent for me to give me my obedience for Royan (May 1894)…

I was overwhelmed. But I couldn't protest. Mother Josephine made no secret of the fact that she regretted my having such a premature appointment (29 years old and 4 years of profession, with still another year of annual vows to be pronounced!) but she encouraged me by saying: "You will certainly do a lot of silly things, but God will not allow that to be harmful to souls, as you are obeying".

So there I was in Royan, like a sparrow fallen from the nest on its head…and I had to get on with it! I had many difficulties at this time, up to the closure of the house by the minister Combe; we were turned out of our home in March 1903. It was painful; I was very emotional when saying for the last time: "Visit we beseech you, Lord, this house of Our Lady of Sion…", but I thought: How concerned we are about a house, is it really worth it? It is the earth, that!

I was the last to leave the empty dwelling; I never saw it again. The furniture had been sent to Antwerp, which was being founded at the time; it was thought that I would be sent there too: I was hoping I would no longer be superior. But, after thinking I was going off to Australia, I was put on board for San José - still in charge."