Sister Mary André Mouton, MSC

Sr. Mary André Mouton (AKA Corinne and Aunt Cookie) was born July 1, 1919 to her parents Joseph André Mouton and Marie Corinne Fortier Mouton. Mary André and her siblings –three brothers and two sisters—grew up in a loving and faith-filled family in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

She entered the Marianites of Holy Cross on September 15, 1935 and pronounced perpetual profession on August 11, 1940.  She received her degree in education from Holy Angels and her Masters in Library Science from Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio, Texas.

She was involved in elementary and high school Catholic education in New Orleans, Plaquemine, Eunice, Ville Platte, Lake Charles, Opelousas, Morgan City, Franklin, and Houma.   In addition, she served on the library staff at Our Lady of Holy Cross College in New Orleans.  As an educator, she patiently and persistently offered enlightenment and encouragement to her students of all ages. 

Small in stature, Sr. André joyfully greeted people with a bow and the phrase:  My spirit bows to your spirit.  For her this phrase was heartfelt and hopeful as she was acutely aware of the presence of God within herself and within each person she met.  The words from the Gospel of Matthew (25:40) were distinctly engraved on her heart:  “Amen I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brethren of mine, you did for me.” All through the seasons of her life, the summons of these words were evidenced as she nourished the physical and spiritual needs of those hungry and thirsty, as she welcomed the stranger, clothed the naked, tended the sick, and visited those in prison.  In each varied circumstance, her authentic gospel response brought peace and healing.   The hope expressed in her living was that all people may be more intentional in recognizing the spirit of God within themselves and in each person they meet!  May all respond as generously as we too are summoned to tend to the needs of the least of the brethren – “My spirit bows to your spirit.”

Her last years were spent at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home in Opelousas where she continued to bring her prayerful presence to all who entered her life. She died at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home on February 17, 2018 at 3:00 AM.

Certainly now she hears the words of Christ joyfully spoken to her:  “Come you who are blessed by my Father.  Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.” (Matthew 25:34-36)

To celebrate her life, a wake service and Mass of the Resurrection was held on Friday, February 23, 2018 in the chapel at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home. She is buried at St. Landry Cemetery in Opelousas, Louisiana.