Sr. Magdalen Broussard, MSC

Sister Magdalen Broussard, MSC (AKA Sister Gabriel) was born November 12, 1932, in Lake Arthur, LA. She died at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home on November 7, 202,4 at 9:44 PM.

She was preceded in death by her parents: her mother, Mary Monlezun Broussard and her father, Gabriel P. Broussard; and her siblings, Sr. Lurline Marie Broussard, MSC, Mrs. Irene Coco, Patrick E. Broussard, and Mrs. Adele Harrington. She is survived by her sister, Mrs. Catherine Smith, and many nieces and nephews.

Sister Magdalen attended elementary school in Lake Arthur and high school in Lake Charles. She entered the Marianites of Holy Cross in New Orleans on August 28, 1949, and pronounced perpetual vows on August 13, 1954. She completed her undergraduate college education at Loyola University in New Orleans. She received a Masters in Education in 1973 from Our Lady of the Lake in San Antonio and in 1980 completed a Masters in Religious Studies from Incarnate Word College in San Antonio.

She taught elementary school at St. Mary of the Angels, Incarnate Word, St. Cecilia, and Saints Peter and Paul in New Orleans, St. John in Franklin, St. Christopher in Metairie, AIC in Opelousas, Sacred Heart in Ville Platte, St. Edmund in Eunice, and St. Peter in Gueydan. Sister Magdalen loved her students, and she was loved and appreciated as their teacher and mentor.

After receiving her Masters in Religious Studies, Sister became Director of Religious Education at Holy Rosary Parish in Houma, at St. Thomas Parish in Ruston, and at Sacred Heart Parish and Our Lady Queen of All Saints Parish in Ville Platte. Passing on the faith in the parishes where she served was a gift she joyously shared with others while she received many graces in return from these experiences.

In 1989 Sister Magdalen went to New Hampshire for a sabbatical year with other religious of Holy Cross. While there she enjoyed the community, the weather, and environment so much she remained in the area working in adult education for several years.

Her last active ministry was in New Iberia with the PEPI Program teaching English as a second language to adults. She served in this ministry for over fifteen years. An avid reader, her love for reading inspired her to share this ability with others of all ages. As an educator in the PEPI program, she had a deep commitment to and compassion for the adults from other countries. She found the participants of the program so open to learning while they worked and supported their families.

In 2017, Sister moved to C’est la Vie Apartments in Opelousas and due to declining health was admitted to Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home on January 15, 2019. Throughout the years, Sister was faithful to her family, her community, her ministries, and to her prayer life. Even while painfully struggling with Dementia, she wrote faithfully in her journal of her prayers to the Lord. One of her last entries was: “Dear God, bless all my family and loved ones and please don’t forget me. I love you! Magdalen”

As Sister enters eternal life, the Lord joyfully greets her:

I love you too, Magdalen! Thank you for caring for my children of all ages! Welcome home! Your favorite prayer is answered. “Come dwell in my house, gaze on my beauty, and abide with me forever.” (Psalm 27)

We want to express our gratitude to the staff of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing

Home for their unfailing kindness and compassion to Sr. Magdalen through her years at Prompt Succor. We also want to thank LHC hospice staff who graciously journeyed with Sr. Magdalen in the final weeks of her life. To celebrate her life, a wake service will be held in the chapel at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home on Saturday, November 23, 2024, from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM. The funeral mass will begin at 10:30 AM and burial will follow in St. Landry Cemetery in Opelousas.

In lieu of flowers, the Marianites of Holy Cross request that memorial donations be made to the Marianites of Holy Cross Congregational Center at 75520 Hwy 1081, Covington, Louisiana, 70435. Thank you for your remembrance!

Words of Comfort to the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas.