As previously mentioned, 2023 marks 125 years since the first RNDM Sisters came to Canada from France.

During this anniversary year, on the first Wednesday of each month, we will be highlighting some part of our Canadian beginnings. The parts of the history we will be citing will mostly be from the first history of the Province, written by Mother Marie of the Trinity, one of the early Sisters. She was not one of the first women to come, but her written record set down to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sisters’ arrival, has become a principal source of information about the first Canadian foundations.

These monthly reflections will seek to pass on a sense of who these women were, and the great hope with which they came to Canada 125 years ago. In the words of Marie de la Ste Trinité¹:

This is an attempt to narrate, briefly, the history of the early years, marked as they were with poverty, as well as trials, and difficulties of all kinds.

Four sisters were sent to each of the early foundations – the first to Grande Clairiere. Sr. M. St. Paul, and Sr. M. de l’Eucharistie had been our Venerated Mother’s novices and made profession in 1894. The former named superior, had taught at Armentieries and Houplines; the latter, thought French like the other three, had lived at Deal where she studied English and spoke fluently. Sr. M. St. Valerie had spent two years of her religious life at Fribourg, Switzerland; and, lastly, Sr. M. Madeleine de la Croix, professed for 20 years, had proved herself a true daughter of our Venerated Mother, by her deep, religious spirit, and boundless devotedness at Armentieres and Sturry, where she had been one of the founders. Her name remains with us – A symbol of self-denial common humility, obedience, and eagerness to work. She died peacefully in the Lord at Lebret, Saskatchewan, January 2, 1914. R.I.P.

These four messengers of the Good News, whose assignment many of the rest of us envied, met at Lyons, early in July to prepare for their momentous adventure.