CANADIAN WOMEN OF THE PERIOD

We have come here to-day to honor the name,

the success of the Community of the Holy Mary. The latin poet has said :

public good.” Such is the principle

the labor and Names of Jesus and “The noblest principle is the underlying the foundation of

your community. In the history of our own times no more potent force for publie good can be found than catholic education, and in a particular manner, conventual education ; ‘“ On the cultivation of the mind of woman depends the wisdom of man,” says Sheridan.

À little more than fifty years ago, the late bishop Bourget of Montreal, with loving confidence in God, determined to increase the educational facilities vf his cherished people, by giving them an increased number of religious teachers, The hour brought a faithful soul to glorify the Master in the person of a pious French Canadiau girl, Miss Eulalie Durocher, There were powerful elements in her character : zeal, devotion and self-sacrifice to the voice of conscience, which she aftirmed, called her to the work of catholic education. Tried by the heat of a brothers opposition to the undertaking : wounded at heart to bid adieu to an aged father who demanded a daëghter’s care ; weary with a severe test in opposition to her yearnings, she consulted with, and obeyed the voice of her director, Rev. Father Telmon O, M. T7. who felt inspired to organize herself and two companions, Miss Mélodie Dufresne and Miss Henriette Céré, into a religious Community. He did so, and sent them to Longueuil, where Rev. Father Honorat was superior of the Oblates, and Father Honorat himself became the first superior, and Rev. Father Allard, O. M. 1I., first chaplaiu, novice master and teacher of the young Community.

The novitiate was made, the year of probation passed, and first vows were pronounced by the trio of religieuses on december 8 1844 ; and, on August 15 1846, final vows.

They are known as Mother Mary-Rose, Sister Mary-Agnes and Sister Mary-Magdalene.

We presume to write thus briefly of the women who founded the Community of the Holy Names.

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