Meet Saint Marguerite d’Youville
Foundress of the Sisters of Charity of Montreal; Known Informally as The Grey Nuns.
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Notably, an entirely different stratum of women was welcomed within the hospital. Reverend Antoine Diat, Sulpician priest and Vicar to the Bishop, had been searching for a haven and place of rehabilitation for local prostitutes who were under the jurisdiction of the court. Because he knew of Marguerite’s concern for the outcasts of society, he’d asked the appropriate officials if the Sisters might house such women. Subsequently, twelve rooms in the Hospital’s attic were created for the women. The area was named Jericho, partly in memory of the high walls of that ancient city. On one occasion, after the beds were inhabited, the doorkeeper of the building answered a pounding on the front door to find an angry soldier waving a gun and demanding the release of his girlfriend in Jericho. The doorkeeper ran to warn Marguerite to hide, but instead Marguerite went straight to the door and ordered the soldier to leave, and the man turned and bolted without a word.
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About the Book
Residents of 18th century Canada, a land they called “New France,” initially may have said that Marguerite d’Youville had been “born under a lucky star.” She was the eldest of six children from a notable family, was said to be beautiful and was recorded by the nuns at the Ursuline Academy to be an outstanding student. At home she was a loving nanny to her younger siblings, and a very welcome participant with her peers at social events. She loved good company and was looking forward to her wedding when her mother surprised her by eloping with a newcomer to Montreal that socially squelched Marguerite’s wedding plans. Subsequently, Marguerite’s second engagement resulted in marriage to an apparently acceptable man which proved to be a bitter disillusion, yet ultimately became influential in her spiritual growth. The initial reaction from the townspeople was to hurl stones at Marguerite and her helpmates. This is the story of her life and path to sainthood.
About the Author
Mary initially learned about St. Marguerite d’Youville only in 2023 thanks to a “Little Book” pamphlet distributed to Catholic churches by the Diocese of Saginaw Michigan during the liturgical seasons of the year. She was surprised to discover that the saint had been canonized in 1990 and was the first native-born Canadian to have had this honor. In order to make more widely known Marguerite’s unconventional and altruistic life, Mary is grateful to have had the opportunity to avail herself of academic resources, a few biographies written by those close to her, and a compatible publisher.