‘Sister Cider’
Marthe Le Bouteiller was born Aimée-Adèle Le Bouteiller in 1816. She grew up in the village of Percy in Normandy. Her father died when she was young, so she helped to run the family farm and took an extra job as a housemaid in order to support her mother.
In 1841 she paid a visit to a dilapidated abbey called St Sauveur le Vicomte. The abbey is the same one where St Marie-Madeleine Postel founded a congregation, the Sisters of Christian Schools of Mercy. After this visit she decided to enter the convent.
When she entered she took the name Marthe due to its association with hard work. Among her many tasks was the management of the cellar where the cider was made. She was so talented at making cider that she was nicknamed “Sister Cider” by her friends.
Bond of friendship
During the Franco-Prussian War, when French troops were quartered in the Abbey, she dedicated herself to tending to the soldiers’ needs. They especially appreciated her efforts to ensure that they had good food and wine.
Sister Martha shared a special bond with the abbey’s superior, Mother Placide Viel. Mother Placide was often away from the abbey in order to raise funds for its upkeep, and left her cousin, Sister Marie Viel, in charge. Although they were related the two women did not get along and Sister Marie treated Mother Placide badly. Sister Marthe soon became a target for Sister Marie’s anger too, but Marthe remained strong and faithful to Mother Placide.
When Mother Placide became ill and subsequently died, Marthe was so devastated she could not face saying goodbye. Their friendship has become famous for illustrating the strong bond that can form between women who enter religious life.
Sister Marthe died in 1883. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1990.
