Cécile Marie Blanche Delorme RNDM, died peacefully at ActionMarguerite-St. Boniface on November 27, 2023.

Early Life

Cécile was born into a proud French-Canadian family, on March 26, 1935, as snow thawed on the prairie fields of St. Joseph MB. The timing of her birth, around the Spring equinox, may account for the deep attraction Cécile had with creation – from the smallest insects, and most delicate flowers, to the magnificence of stars, and the grace of birds in flight. Cécile experienced the healing power of God in a unique way in creation.

Drawn by this creating God, Cécile went to the RNDM novitiate in Ville-Jacques-Cartier PQ, and after nine years of learning and living the RNDM way of life, made her final vows in Brandon MB on September 8, 1960.

Professional Life & Education: Three Chapters

This bent towards creation found a solid support for Cécile in the writings of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, especially his meditation “The Mass on the World”. From time to time, Cécile shared her wonder and joy in this reflection, and had saved a French copy, which we found among her retreat journals after she died.

The “Prayer of Final Surrender” which was part of Cecile’s memorial card, was written by Teilhard, and his words “Teach me to know my death as an act of communion with you” describe Cécile’s hope as she entered into death.¹

Education

Cécile’s professional life was framed in three distinct yet related chapters. Chapter One was Education: She attained her teaching certificate from the Scholasticat du Sacré-Coeur in St. Hubert, PQ, and then taught elementary school for eight years.

Nursing

In Chapter Two, Cécile earned a nursing certificate from the St. Boniface School of Nursing. She spent the subsequent eight years nursing in MB.

Pastoral Care

Chapter Three was in Pastoral Care. Cécile attended the University of Winnipeg and Health Sciences Centre, where she completed two units of Clinical Pastoral Education. This led to her service as a hospital chaplain for five years in Regina and then eight years as Director of Pastoral Care at St. Joseph’s hospital in Estevan, SK. As a chaplain, Cécile had a particular gift for being with those who were dying.

Personal Life

Cécile found joy in diverse hobbies, which included wood carving, knitting, sewing, and listening to music. There was an artistry in her pursuits, and she found pleasure in fashioning pieces that reflected her eye for detail, her love for order, and her attentiveness to form.

Cécile’s works were glimpses into her soul, and her capacity to create beauty and warmth through the skill of her hands, was a way of sharing from her deeper self.

Eternal Life

We who now mourn Cécile’s passing also give thanks for her life, and the lessons she gave us.

Cécile’s funeral Mass was held at Villa Aulneau on December 4th with Msgr. Maurice Comeau as main celebrant. The Delorme and Comeau families knew one another from Cécile’s childhood days and so the Eucharist had a familial sense.

Our requiem prayer unfolded in such a way that we were THERE with the angels and saints, welcoming Cécile, and guiding her along her way. We saw the smiles of the martyrs greeting Cécile’s smile, as darkness turned into day, and songs of the angels led her home, before the face of God.²

A copy of Cécile’s eulogy is available on our blog here:

Eulogy for Cécile Delorme – December 4, 2023