Elie GODIN
Elie Gaudin

"THE HISTORY OF ELIE GAUDIN AND HIS WIFE ESTHER RAMAGE, COUPLE FROM WHICH YOU DESCEND, IS INTERESTING AND IS IDENTIFIED WITH THAT OF THE BEGINNINGS OF THE PARISH OF SAINTE-ANNE-DE-BEAUPRÉ.

ABOUT FORTY YEARS AFTER THE FOUNDING OF QUÉBEC, A HUGONOT FAMILY, THAT OF GAUDIN, CAME TO SETTLE IN THE SEIGNEURIE OF BEAUPRÉ. ELIE GAUDIN AND HIS WIFE, ESTHER RAMAGE CONVERTED TO CATHOLICISM AND, THE PROVIDENCE WHICH HAD GUIDED THEM TO THESE SHORES, WANTED TO CONFIRM THE FAITH OF YOUR ANCESTORS BY PROVIDING FAVOURABLE SIGNS.

IN 1662, ESTHER RAMAGE, AGED 46, HAD SUFFERRED FOR 18 MONTHS OF A VERY PAINFULL SICKNESS. SHE WAS SO BENT BY THE PAIN THAT SHE COULD ONLY GET AROUND BY DRAGGING HERSELF WITH A CANE. SHE HAD LOST ALL HOPE OF RECOVERY WHEN SHE REMEMBERED THE STORY HER HUSBAND HAD TOLD HER ABOUT LOUIS GUIMONT WHO, IN HIS PRESENCE, WAS SUDDENLY CURED OF A VERY PAINFUL KIDNEY DISEASE AS HE WAS LAYING, IN DEVOTION, THREE STONES ON THE FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH OF SAINTE- ANNE WHICH WAS JUST BEING BUILT. THE POOR CRIPPLE THEN PRAYED TO THE SAINT AND IMPLORED HER TO GRANT TO HER THE SAME MIRACLE THAT WAS GIVEN TO THAT MAN. AT THAT SAME INSTANT, FORGETTING HER CANE WHICH DISAPPEARED, SHE FOUND HERSELF ON HER FEET STANDING STRAIGHT UP, WALKING WITH ALL THE ABILITY THAT SHE EVER HAD. FROM THAT MOMENT, YOUR ANCESTOR REMAINED IN PERFECT HEALTH.

THIS MIRACLE, ADDS THE OLD CRIPPLE FROM WHOM WE HAVE GLEANED THIS STORY, SERVED TO CONFIRM THE FAITH OF THAT FAMILY WHO HAD ALWAYS LIVED WITHIN THE REFORMED RELIGION. (?)

TWO YEARS LATER, IN 1664. THE HUSBAND OF ESTHER RAMAGE, ELIE GAUDIN, AGED 50, WAS ILL OF A DEBILLITATING SICKNESS TO WHICH THE REMEDIES BROUGHT LITTLE PAIN RELIEF OR CURE, THOUGHT HIMSELF NEAR DEAD AND SUMMONED THE MISSIONNARY OF SAINT-ANNE, WHO WAS THEN FATHER THOMAS MOREL TO GIVE HIM THE LAST RIGHTS.

THE MISSIONNARY COUNSELLED YOUR ANCESTOR TO PRAY TO THE VIRGIN MARY AND SAINTE-ANNE, AND, PROCEEDED TO THE CHURCH TO SAY A MASS FOR HIS INTENTION. UPON RETURNING TO PROVIDE HOLY COMMUNION, ELIE GAUDIN, WITH A SERENE LOOK SAID TO HIM: "SIR, I AM HEALED, PLEASE LET ME GET UP. WHILE YOU WERE AT THE CHURCH, AS I WAS PRAYING WITH MY BEADS, I GENTLY FELL ASLEEP

AND I SAW TWO VENERABLE LADIES APPROACH ME. ONE HELD A BOX IN HER HAND WHICH SHE OPENED AND SHOWED IT TO ME. INSIDE I SAW A LONG AND NARROW ROAD WHICH LED TO HEAVEN. AT THIS SIGHT, I FOUND MYSELF FILLED WITH CONSOLLATION AND COMPLETELY FREE OF MY AILMENT."

AFTER HOLY COMMUNION, ELIE GAUDIN PRAISED GOD, GOT UP, AND WENT TO CHURCH AND BEFORE HE FINISHED HIS NOVENA, WAS IN A STATE OF HEALTH AS BEFORE HIS SICKNESS.

YOUR ANCESTOR ELIE GAUDIN LIVED FOR ANOTHER EIGHT YEARS AFTER THIS MIRACULOUS CURE. HIS BODY WAS BURIED IN THE OLD CEMETARY OF SAINTE-ANNE JANUARY 5 1672.

ELIE GAUDIN HAD FOUR CHILDREN WITH ESTHER RAMAG. JACQUES GAUDIN, BORN IN 1658, CONSECRATED HIS LIFE TO THE SEMINARY OF QUÉBEC AS A LAY PERSON AND DIED AT SAINT-JOACHIM IN 1735. WITH HIM DIED THE NAME OF THIS GOOD AND BRAVE FAMILY. THE DESCENDANTS OF THE MIRACULOUS GAUDIN-RAMAGE ARE THROUGH THEIR DAUGHTER ANNE, YOUR ANCESTOR. "

SOURCE: HTTP:/ / WWW.LEVEILLEE.NET/ ANCESTRY/ HISTNOTES.HTM



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