Saint Marie-Marguerite d’Youville, Religious

Memorial in the Province of Canada

Marie-Marguerite Dufrost de Lajemmerais was born in Varennes, New France on october 15, 1701. From her earliest years, her life was marked by the Cross.

She lost her father, was a duped and humiliated spouse, a mother afflicted by the death of four of her six children. A courageous widow, she succeeded in paying off her husband’s debts and in educating her two sons, who became priests. She was a woman of faith, unshakeable and bold. Her face was always turned towards God the Father, towards Providence, and towards the most deprived people.

This is the woman God chose to found, in 1737, the Institute of the Sisters of Charity of Montreal, called “the Grey sisters.” She led them until her death on december 23, 1771. Her work is continued by her spiritual daughters, split into six autonomous congregations, who, perpetuating hercharism, manifest the tenderness of God by means of charitable works.

The priests of Saint Sulpice have never ceased accompanying the spiritual journeys of the Grey sisters of Montreal.