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 V 
 
 liLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY 
 
 BRIEF SKETCH 
 
 OF TIIK 
 
 HISTORY OF THE URSULINES 
 
 Off 
 
 QUEBEC 
 
 FROM 1672 TO 1759, 
 
 PART JL 
 
 I- III- 
 
 I! 
 
 QUEBEC: 
 PRINTED BY C. DARVEAU. 
 
 1875. : 
 

 « 
 
 18 5 8 6 2 
 
 &0T- fA 
 
 N/ 
 
 Z 
 
 m. 
 
"W::** 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 PART ir. 
 
 
 " CHAPTER I. 
 
 lors— loss. 
 
 THE MONASTERY AGAIN. 
 
 J The Venerable Mother, whose labors 
 
 Iliad extended over the thirty-three first 
 
 5| years of the Ursuline Monastery, had dis- 
 
 M appeared from the midst of her beloved 
 
 I family, and her death had left a void that 
 
 could not be filled. 
 
 But the beneficent influence of her ad- 
 mirable life remained : her dying bless- 
 ing, w^ith the rich inheritance of her zeal 
 for the glory of G-od and the salvation of 
 I souls, rested there; and her spirit still 
 # dwelt with those whom Providence had 
 
 v.-S 
 
4 QLIMPSKS OF THE MON'ARTKIlT. 
 
 assembled tc continue the work she had 
 commenced. 
 
 Who were those favored souls, chosen 
 to perpetuate the spirit and the labors of 
 the Venerable Mother Mary of the In- 
 carnation ? 
 
 What are the vicissitudes which the 
 Monastery was destined to witness in 
 subsequent years ? I 
 
 To answer these questions, we shall 
 again open, in favor of Our Readers, that 
 old Record of by-gone days, the monas- 
 tic Annals. 
 
 TheiC we find recounted the triumphs 
 of Divine Grace in the call to a religious 
 life, and in the faithful correspondence of 
 the soul to her sublime vocation : there 
 are detailed the simple, yet heartfelt joys 
 of the cloister ; — with its toils, its provi- 
 dential trials and occasional sufferings; 
 its pious enterprises ; and other i^ oidents 
 that vary the even flow of the stream of 
 time within the protecting walls of the 
 Monastery. There we may perceive, at 
 all times, i deep under-current of peace, 
 
 *l 
 
 w 
 
 * 
 
 i 
 
,T. 
 
 OMMPSES OP THE MONASTERY. 
 
 k she had 
 
 Is, chosen 
 3 labors of 
 of the In- 
 
 which the 
 witness in 
 
 I 
 / 
 
 we shall 
 eaders, that 
 the monas- 
 
 le triumphs 
 3 a religious 
 pondence of 
 ^tion : there 
 eartteltjoys 
 s, its provi- 
 sufferings; 
 er i^ -iidents 
 be stream of 
 walls of the 
 perceive, at 
 nt of peace, 
 
 the sure indication of detachment from 
 earth, and of hopes fixed on things above. 
 
 Our first inquiry will he of the statistics 
 of the Community, which we are about to 
 revisit ; taking our date three years after 
 the death of the Ycnerable Mother, 1G75 : 
 ^*ust two centuries ago. 
 
 Twenty-five professed nuns compose 
 the cloistered family, tlie Superioress bein<y 
 Rev. Mother Margaret de Fiecelles of St. 
 Athanasius. 
 
 Two new members have just entered : 
 *— Miss de Lauson, daughter of the Senes- 
 ichal de Lauson, and grand-daughter of 
 the ancient G-overnor of New France of 
 that name ; the other young person, from 
 Ihe Cote de Beaupre^ is Miss Marie Made- 
 leine G-ravel, who in the humble condi- 
 jtion of lay-Sister, rende-t-s great services to 
 her community during forty-eight years, 
 
 % 1 The dowry of Mile Angeliqne de Lauson da St, 
 Bsprit, and her si.«ter Marie-Madeleine de St. Charle.s, 
 Already professed, gave the Monastery a title to the 
 imall /ranc alleu noble of Lauson. 
 
7*^s, 
 
 f I 
 
 9 nLTMPSr.S OF TTTE MONASTKnT. 
 
 and dying " in tho fervor ol' her iirst con- 
 secration to Crod," merits a complete 
 ulogium. 
 
 Up to this date (1675) only four dentns 
 had occurred in the Monastery since 1039; 
 a period of thirty-six years. 
 
 Passing over tv^^o winters more, we 
 place ourselves at a hallowed anniversary, 
 the 30th April. It is the lifth recurrence 
 of the day since a death, " precious in 
 the sij^ht of the Lord" has rendered it 
 memorable ; and, far from being invested 
 with gloom, there is a joyous ceremony 
 prepared for the occasion. A young maid- 
 en is about to enroll herself under the 
 banner of St. Ursula, exchanging all the 
 pleasures and advantages which the 
 world could offer her, for the title of 
 Spouse of Christ. She will receive, more- 
 over, a name that is also an inheritance^ 
 and Miss Marie-Catherine Pinguet, will 
 henceforth be known as Mother Mary 
 Catherine of the Incarnation. 
 
 Two other young ladies are clothed 
 with the dark robe and white veil of an 
 
 n 
 
 Bt\ 
 
OMMl'SES OF THE MONASTEUT. 
 
 Ilrst con- 
 comploto 
 
 lUT deatns 
 ince 1039; 
 
 more, we 
 iniversary, 
 r ecu rr once 
 irecious in 
 endered it 
 \cr invested 
 ceremony 
 oung maid- 
 under the 
 rinse all the 
 which the 
 :he title of 
 eive, more- 
 mheritance, 
 nguet, will 
 other Mary 
 
 are clothed 
 te veil of an 
 
 Ursuline novice, bolbre the close of the 
 year: the names which they will bear in 
 the Communiiy, the one lifty-iive and the 
 other seventy years, are Mother Marie- 
 Madeleine Amiot of the Conception, and 
 luother Marie-Anno Anceau of St. Te- 
 resa. We shall have occasion to mention, 
 I elsewhere, these three worthy Mothers, 
 [all ol* whom will be found among the 
 [Superiors of the Monastery. 
 
 Passing to the department of the Ins- 
 titute, w^e find there the usual joyous 
 ^groups of ^oung French girls, pursuing 
 the pleasant paths of science, proportion- 
 ed to the times, to their years, aad con- 
 dition. There were also a sufficient num- 
 ber of little Indian girls to form a class, 
 and these were not cared for with less 
 tenderness than those, nor with less fruit 
 for their souls. 
 
 7 It was the time when the politic Gro- 
 fernor, Count de Frontenac, seeking to 
 strengthen the influence of the French 
 ^ver the restless Iroquois, had conceived 
 le plan of adopting the daughters of 
 
li 
 
 8 
 
 OLIMPSRS OF TFIK MONASTERY. 
 
 1.11 
 
 their chic l*s— after their own i'ashiou — and 
 placing them in the Convent to he in- 
 structed. Each time he made the journey 
 to and from Cataraqui, (Kingston) some 
 of these dark-eyed httle girls of the forest, 
 were sure to be in his company. The 
 missionaries also among the Algonquins, 
 the Ahenakis, the Hurons at Lorette, 
 would send the most intelligent of their 
 young female neophytes, knowing the 
 immense beneiit it was for the whole 
 tribe, to have among them one of these 
 pious seminarisls, so well instructed in her 
 religion. 
 
 Fragments of old lists that have es- 
 caped destruction, are yet inscribed with 
 the names of some of this little class of 
 forest-girls of 1682, 3. Thus :— 
 
 *' On the 15th of July 1682, Marie Du- 
 rand, left the Seminary (the Indian class 
 is thus designated by our Mothers) after 
 being furnished with board and clothing 
 during the year. " 
 
 " Little Barbe, of the Mohawk tribe,who 
 had been in the Seminary six years, has 
 returned to her parents at Old Lorette. " 
 
 hi 
 
RT, 
 
 CMMPSK8 OF TIIK M0NA8TEUY. 
 
 9 
 
 shiou — and 
 t to be in- 
 he journey 
 ston) some 
 t' the forest, 
 )any. The 
 ilgonqnins, 
 it Lorette, 
 mi of theii 
 lowinj? the 
 Ihe whole 
 [10 of these 
 Licted in her 
 
 it have es- 
 cribed with 
 ;tle class of 
 
 Marie Du- 
 ndian chiss 
 thers) after 
 ,nd clothing 
 
 ^ktribe,who 
 c years, has 
 i Lorette. " 
 
 JItM'e an^ oth«T names, at the same date, 
 lOS;} : " Throdosie, Denise (Abenakis) ;" — 
 **(rt»n(»vieve, Charlotto, Anne-Thereso, 
 Ai-nes Wt\sk\vos (Abenakis)." EvidtMitiy, 
 the cliildron of the forest are no longer 
 num»*roas at the Convent, as they were 
 in thi) earlier times. 
 
 I Let us make a longer pause at 10S2. 
 
 It is the lirst of June, and we find the 
 Community disposed to elect a Superior- 
 ess; their House of Assembly on these 
 occasions being no other than the Chapel 
 where they have first consecrated their 
 iives to the service of God ; their prepa- 
 ratory consultation, a three days' Expo- 
 Bition of the iilessed Sacrament, special 
 .|)rayers, and finally the Holy Sacrifice of 
 the Mass and Communion. 
 
 Our readers have seen the much es- 
 teemed Mother St. Athanasius, and Yen. 
 Mother Mary of the Incarnation, during 
 thirty six years, called alternately to the 
 Tank of Superioress, by the united voice 
 of their Sisters. Each had held as IVom the 
 Jiand of God, that ofiice of trust and res- 
 
^1 
 
 ii 
 
 I! i 
 
 10 
 
 aiJMPSES OP THE MONASTERY. 
 
 ponsibility, which li'ives its possessor only 
 a hu'G^or share of labor and solicitude for 
 the common weal; while the title, Rev. 
 Mother or more simply, "Our Mother," 
 reminds her, at each moment, of the 
 s])irit in which she is to wield the sceptre 
 of authority. Neither had ever forgotten 
 the words of St, Augustine, admonishing 
 the Superioress to remember, that "if she 
 precedes her Sisters in honor before the 
 world, yet before God she is bound to 
 plpce herself humbly at their feet, ren- 
 dering herself of good example to all, and 
 esteemjng herself happy, not in the right 
 she has to command, but in the facility 
 her position aflbrds her to serve and 
 succor her sisters in a spirit of charity." 
 
 The code of legislation adopted by the 
 order of St. Ursula, provides further for 
 the welfare of all its members, by limiting 
 the term of the offices that entail the 
 greatest amount of fatigue and responsi- 
 bility, to a term of three years, —subject to 
 be prolonged by a re-election to six years, 
 and not more, ^vithout an interval of re- 
 pose. 
 
STERT. 
 
 OUMPSES OF THE MONASTEIlY. 
 
 11 
 
 ossGssor only 
 solicitude for 
 
 title, Rev. 
 )ur Mother," 
 nent, of the 
 d the sceptre 
 ver forgotten 
 admonishing 
 ', that " if she 
 )r before the 
 
 is bound to 
 eir feet, ren- 
 ple to all, and 
 t in the right 
 
 1 the facility 
 ) serve and 
 of charity." 
 
 lopted by the 
 es further for 
 's, by limiting 
 lat entail the 
 and responsi- 
 s,— subject to 
 n to six years, 
 nterval of re- 
 
 Nor is the direction of the little Com- 
 monwealth, left to the simple will of the 
 Superioress, however excellent may be 
 ker qualilications. JShe has her " Consti- 
 ♦ntions," to which she must conform iu 
 the acts of her government ; she has also 
 jier coadjutors, who share, in the various 
 departments of the Monastery, the burden 
 of authority : this is the "Privy Council," 
 while the "Legislature" comprises the 
 l^hole community of Choir sisters, after a 
 certain number ol years of profession. 
 
 I But while we have discussed the form 
 tf government, our nuns have had ether 
 fffeoccupations. They have discovered 
 ttiat Rev. Mother St. Athanasius, obey- 
 ing the impulse of her great humility, 
 fcas provided herself with the right to 
 Recline the rank to which they were §o 
 4esirous to raise her, for the seventh time. 
 ^he permission has been given, and the 
 IJishop refuses to retract it. Grieved, but 
 i'pbmissive to the decision of their eccle- 
 ijastical Superior, they proceed to their 
 flection. Another of the P'rench nuns 
 Who had joined the Ursuhnes of Quebec, 
 
 S 
 
i I 
 
 12 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY, 
 
 !li 
 
 I 
 
 1; 
 
 !l 
 
 in 1671, Rev. Mother Marie Drouet— of 
 Jesus, is called to succeed Rev. Mother 
 Gibault du Breuil, — of St. Joseph, who 
 had iroverned the Monastery for the last 
 six years. 
 
 These two, with the Rev. Mother Le 
 Maire — of the Angels, will guide the bark 
 of St. Ursula till the close of the century, 
 in the same spirit as their predecessors, 
 a spirit of meekness and charity. 
 
 Thus, during sixty years and more, the 
 Community of Quebec had the advantage 
 of being governed by Superiors who had 
 imbibed the true principles of religious 
 observance, in the full and fervent Con- 
 vents of the Order iu France. These 
 had been foundei at the beginning of 
 the 17th century, by the daughters of 
 St. Angela, under circumstances most 
 favorable to the true spirit of her Institute. 
 
 The two Congregations of Paris and 
 Bordeaux gave rise, directly or indirectly, 
 before the close of the century, to about 
 200 Monasteries : both had contributed 
 to ibiind the Ursulinos of Quebec, the 
 first of the Order in the New World. 
 
GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 13 
 
 Drouet — of 
 ,ev. Mother 
 )seph, who 
 for the last 
 
 Mother Le 
 ie the bark 
 ho century, 
 redecessors, 
 
 ity. 
 
 1 more, the 
 J advantage 
 rs who had 
 3f religious 
 rvent Con- 
 ce. These 
 ^ffinnini? of 
 aughters of 
 ances most 
 3r Institute. 
 
 Paris and 
 ' indirectly, 
 ry, to about 
 contributed 
 Quebec, the 
 
 World. 
 
 Eventually, five nuns of the Congrega- 
 ition of Tours (or Bordeaux) and seven of 
 tParis, — including two lay-sisters,— gave 
 their services to (he foundation of this Mo- 
 inastery. Six were yet living at the date 
 fwith which this chapter closes; their 
 fnames will appear, more than once, in 
 Ithe Ibliowing pages. 
 
 i 
 
 :^# 
 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 lO^O. 
 
 A MEMORABLE DATE. 
 
 I The dimensions of the Monastery as 
 |ebuilt by Mother Mary of the Incarna- 
 fion, with its adjoining Church and Choir, 
 iad sufficed for some thirty years ; but the 
 ^number of pupils augmenting with the 
 population of the country, it was resolved, 
 
i'tw 
 
 i 
 
 1 
 
 ;t., 
 'II 
 
 M 
 
 14 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 ill the spring of 168(3, to build a separate 
 department for the nuns, in order to ap- 
 propriate the greater part of the main- 
 building to the use of the Boarders. 
 
 Accordingly, on the 22nd of June, the 
 ceremony of laymg the first— stone took 
 place in this wise : — "At one o'clock in the 
 al'lernoon, the Community being assem- 
 bled around the foundations, with the 
 pupils, all knelt to sing an anthem, 
 in honor of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. 
 Then a little Indian girl, named Marie- 
 Kose, dressed in white and repre- 
 senting the Infant Jesus, laid the first 
 stone, upon which had been placed a 
 medal of the Holy Family, as a perpetual 
 memorial that this building was in honor 
 of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, and under 
 their powerful protection." 
 
 Little Marie-Rose reminds us of an- 
 other Indian girl for whom another ce- 
 remony took place that same year. Let 
 us see what religion could do for a child 
 of the forest: — it is a brief and simple 
 tale, and soon there will be no more to 
 tell, for the Seminarists are fast disap- 
 
PERT. 
 
 GLIMPSES OP' THE MONASTERY. 
 
 15 
 
 1 a separate 
 order to ap- 
 f the main- 
 arders. 
 
 of June, the 
 -stone took 
 •'clock in the 
 >eing assem- 
 s, with the 
 an anthem, 
 ind Joseph, 
 amed Marie- 
 and repre- 
 aid the first 
 m placed a 
 a perpetual 
 A^'as in honor 
 and under 
 
 Is us of an- 
 another ce- 
 
 e year. Let 
 
 o for a child 
 and simple 
 no more to 
 
 e fast disap- 
 
 pearing, with their people, once sole pos- 
 sessors of the country we inhabit. 
 
 Little Agnes Weskwes hjlonged to the 
 Irihe of the Abenakis, and to the mission 
 bf Jkcancour/ The good missionary, Rev. 
 Father Bigot, S, J. had first sent the little 
 girl to the Convent to be instructed for 
 lier first communion, at the age of ten or 
 eleven. Agnes was gentle and attentive 
 to the lessons of her devoted teachers : 
 that great action which influences the 
 ^hole life of a Christian, made a strong 
 impression upon her, and when she re- 
 turned to her parents it was to edify them 
 hj her piety, and to impart to others the 
 i^ly teachings she had received. 
 
 I But, strange to say, the forest had lost 
 |ts charms for her ; the rude, plays of her 
 ^oung companions could no longer amuse 
 fier, as they moved in cadence to their 
 ©wn wild melodies. The fur-robe adorned 
 %ith embroidery ; the moccasins, bright 
 with beads, with which the tender mo- 
 ther sought to win her little daughter 
 
 # 
 f 
 i ^ Oppowite Three Rivers. 
 
 dl 
 
(TV •■*' 
 
 f' If 
 
 t u. 
 
 f : 
 
 1 1 I 
 
 I ii 
 
 16 
 
 GLIMPSES OF TIIK MONASTERY. 
 
 were of no avail to make her forget the 
 Convent. She was often seen in the di- 
 rection of the cabin which served as a 
 Chapel ; for she went there to pray ; hop- 
 ing also to meet the good missionary, who 
 surely would take her back some day to 
 " the House of Jesus," and to the dear 
 Mothers who had taught her to love and 
 obey the G-reat Spirit. 
 
 Her importunities were at length ef- 
 fectual, — an Indian mother cannot refuse 
 the request of her child ; and doubtless 
 the Black-robe secretly rejoiced to find 
 one Grenoveva among his flock. 
 
 In the early spring of 1686, the little 
 forest-maiden was again admitted within 
 the cloister ; again she knelt in the quiet 
 Chapel where she had first received the 
 Bread of Life. Did she, as she approached 
 again the holy Altar on the feast of the 
 Annunciation, confide some important se- 
 cret to her Heavenly Mother ? Did she 
 petition never more to leave her Con- 
 vent-home ? 
 
 It may have been so, for a few days 
 
 Mi 
 
 l!:i 
 

 KRY. 
 
 forget the 
 in the di- 
 erved as a 
 pray; hop- 
 ouary, who 
 lome day to 
 o the dear 
 to love and 
 
 : length ef- 
 mnot refuse 
 i doubtless 
 ced to find 
 jk. 
 
 B6, the httle 
 itted within 
 in the quiet 
 eceived the 
 approached 
 feast of the 
 naportant se- 
 r? Did she 
 je her Con- 
 
 • a few days 
 
 GLIMPSES OP TIIR MONASTERY. 
 
 17 
 
 later, the wild liower drooped, as if it felt 
 the rays of tho hottest sun. A mortal 
 sickness had seized the gentle child ; and 
 iruly it was an edifying spectacle for 
 ihe nuns to witness with what patience, 
 *— c:ratefiil for their least attentions, mur- 
 Inuring words of prayer, — she could suf- 
 fer. Soon the danger becoming apparent, 
 |he last rites of the Church brought 
 further strength for the supreme moment, 
 |nd tha little Indian girl, on the 5th of 
 g|.prii, breathed forth in peace her pure 
 young soul into the hands of Him who 
 gave it. 
 
 ,f A canoe from the Indian settlement of 
 jpecancour was already on its way to 
 l^uebec ; for a messenger had been sent 
 warn the parents that their Agnes was 
 mgerously ill. When they reached the 
 ^onveni, they found her pallid bier, 
 dire wed with flowers, awaiting them in 
 the Church. 
 
 Around it knelt many of her companions, 
 watching with the dead, and praying for 
 the repose of her soul. The peaceful and 
 
 aiching sight, joined to the recital of 
 
 i 
 
18 
 
 QLlMP.-iES OV TUB Mt) NASI BUY. 
 
 iii' 
 
 '1. 
 
 m 
 
 riiiM 
 
 i! 1 
 
 hep happy end, which th.3 nuns, with 
 consoling words, give tho alHictod pa- 
 rents, moderated their grief. 
 
 On the following day, the Service was 
 sung with solemnity, in that Charch, so 
 diiierent from the (Jhapel of the Mission; 
 the voices of the nuns and the pupils 
 mingled in the burial strains, full of an- 
 ticipation of the joys of Paradise ; and 
 the procession went forth. It was com- 
 posed of the clergy from the parish 
 Church, a goodly num})er of citizens, as 
 well as all the Indians in or around Que- 
 bec, and closed with that virginal bier, 
 borne by the young students of the Col- 
 lege ; four of our " Seminarists ", in whit: 
 dresses and floating veils, upheld the cor 
 ners of the muslin pall, while the otln'i 
 little Indian girls attired in a similar man- 
 ner, formed another group preceding the 
 mourners. When the parents and friend? 
 of the youthful Agnes, witnessed sucli 
 honors rendered to the mortal remain? 
 of one of their nation, it no doubt tendi'd 
 much to console them, as well as to giv 
 them 0. hi^h idea of that Faith whioii 
 
 
lY. 
 
 OLIMPSRS OF TIIK MONASTERY. 
 
 19 
 
 uus, with 
 licted pa- 
 
 orvico was 
 Ulinrch, so 
 LO Mission ; 
 the pupils 
 full oi'an- 
 L-adise; and 
 t was com- 
 th«> parish 
 t' citizens, as 
 iTOUnd Quo- 
 ivgiual bier, 
 5 of the Col- 
 s",iu whit: 
 leld the cor 
 le the otht'i 
 similar man- 
 eceding tlv 
 and friendj 
 nessed such 
 'tal remains 
 oubt tend^Hi 
 ell as to g-iv' 
 7aith whioli 
 
 knows no distinction of race, but embraces 
 all the children of Grod in one sentiment 
 , of charity. 
 
 "- For our part, assisting in spirit at this 
 touching ceremony, we have involunta- 
 rily brought to mind the iiaage of Ma- 
 dame de la Peltrie, and all her love for 
 the poor children of the forest, for whose 
 salvation she would have willingly given 
 her life : — and it has seemed to us fitting 
 : that the last lleq;uiem Mass, sung in that 
 IChurch where the pious Lady reposed, 
 ^should be for the soul of an Indian maid. 
 
 I The catastrophe which we have an- 
 ^nounced as A Memorable Date was 
 §now impending. 
 
 I The summer season quickly passes, and 
 
 ^October comes. The month brings one of 
 
 $^hose days, which, in a community, re- 
 
 f* emble a family-gathering : it is the Feast 
 f St. Ursula, Patroness of the Order. On 
 . these occasions, the Divine Office is chant- 
 ed with the rites of First-Class ; High 
 Mass is celebrated with solemnity; the 
 ^whole Church is brilliantly adorned, and 
 
 ! 1 
 
 .1 
 
-m" 
 
 li 
 
 fli! 
 
 :| I 
 
 M 
 
 1 :•■ 
 
 
 20 
 
 OLIMPdES OF TUB MONASTEUY. 
 
 the Altar fflows with lii?hts and flowers, 
 The consecrated Virgins who follow the 
 banner of the lar-famed Princess of Albion, 
 are filled with rejoicing, as they contem- 
 plate that heavenly kingdom, where they 
 too hope one day to follow the Lamb, 
 and sing that canticle, unknown to all the 
 other inhabitants of the Celestial Jeru- 
 salem. 
 
 But thoughts far different from these 
 are suggested by the date of the Vigil 
 of that festival, in 1080. 
 
 It was a Sunday, and as such the day 
 formed a part of the approaching solem- 
 nity, doubling its splendor and its privi- 
 leges. 
 
 Let us, for a moment, picture the aspect 
 of the Monastery on that memorable 20th 
 October. It was not, then, the " Old Mo- 
 nastery, " but young and fresh, peacefully 
 sheltering its happy inmates. The pre- 
 vious week, in that early autumn, had 
 realized the w^armth and loveliness of the 
 Indian Summer. Not a tree in that wide- 
 stretching landscape, had yet lost the 
 
 ^1 
 
 ru 
 
 ,,, it 
 
OLIMPSK. OP TFIE MONASTERY. 
 
 21 
 
 (1 flowers, 
 lb How the 
 i of Albion, 
 3y contom- 
 vhevQ they 
 tho Lamb, 
 u to all the 
 stial Jeru- 
 
 trom these 
 .r the Vigil 
 
 Lch the day 
 iuix solem- 
 d its privi- 
 
 e the aspect 
 orable 20th 
 " Old Mo- 
 , peacefully 
 The pre- 
 itumn, had 
 liness of the 
 1 that wide- 
 et lost the 
 
 wealth of its many-colored, aiid bright- 
 
 ited foliage. Embosomed in the trees 
 
 of I he original forest, the^Monastery stood, 
 
 like a counlry-residence ; the sombre hues 
 
 of Its grey stone walls, contrasting agree- 
 
 ^ably with the bright green of the still 
 
 Iverdant lawn in front, and the rich hues 
 
 fof its surroundings. 
 
 To the left, the pretty Church with its 
 eavenward-pointing spire, gave a finish 
 _;to the picture; while to the right, the 
 Tising walls of the new building, an- 
 nounced the enterprise and growing 
 prosperity of the establishment. 
 
 AVithin the Choir were assembled, on 
 this early JSunday morning, the entire 
 Population of the Monastery : the nuns 
 l^ere there, kneeling in their stalls ; young 
 jfirls, from the age of six to sixteen ; 
 l^varthy faces that denote the forest ehil- 
 iren of Canada, filled the lower extremity 
 0f the choir ; while, beyond the grating, 
 not a few pi<3us worshippers offered their 
 prayers in that quiet Church, rich in 
 gilding and tasteful architecture, where 
 
 P\ 
 
 I 
 
 ■■a 
 1 
 
«r 
 
 r 
 
 22 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE .MONASTEllY. 
 
 tM' 
 
 
 ' ■ ' I ! 
 
 the spirit of Madame do la Pol trio and 
 the Venerable Mario do riucarnatiou 
 seemed still to dwell. 
 
 Mass was nearly over: the nuns, in 
 theit long mantles, had lowered their 
 veilo over their faces, as they retired from 
 the Holy Table ;— it was thut blissful mo- 
 ment, the *' Thanksgiving^ " after Com, 
 munion, when each in peace and trust, is 
 wont to renew that total sacrifice of her- 
 self, implied in her sacred vows. 
 
 Suddenly, a confused sovind of human 
 voices, and the clangor of the parlor bell, 
 rung as by an impatient hand, startled the 
 peaceful congregation. Mother Superior 
 quits her place to answer the unwonted 
 summons, the import of which, in one 
 moment, was but too evident. 
 
 Her rapid footsteps bear her quickly 
 through the smoke that already filled the 
 passages, to the extremity of the main 
 building where a fire had been lit, in 
 the huge kitchen chimney of those olden 
 times.— O terror! the whole apartment 
 was wrapped in flames ! 
 
 .1 
 
 hiu 
 
 
 
:uv. 
 
 flLIMTSIS OF TIIK MOVASTKHY 
 
 23 
 
 oltrio and 
 ucarnatioii 
 
 3 nuns, in 
 orod their 
 tired from 
 blissful ino- 
 it'ter Com, 
 nd trust, is 
 ice of her- 
 vs. 
 
 I of human 
 parlor bell, 
 startled the 
 r Superior 
 unwonted 
 ch, in one 
 
 ler quickly 
 [y filled the 
 f the main 
 been lit, in 
 those olden 
 apartment 
 
 l'joni[)lIy closini^" the door thvou^'h 
 hich tlie smoke was densely pourin 
 
 
 ^he hurrios back to the Chapel, and, in a 
 'oi(;o ot distress, cries out : " Ail is lost [ 
 
 hole li 
 
 is 
 
 in Ihaaes: sret to a 
 
 tiouse 
 >laO(^ ol'sal'i'ly as (juiekly as possible.'" 
 
 That sad voice was all that broke the 
 aleiicc of the sacred fane. The order 
 'as olx'Vi'd with one imi)ulse. Th<» pupils, 
 tTcllowd ))y tht^ nuns, issued from the 
 ihearest door into the court-yard, while 
 Ihp smok(» aiul the seething flames, burst- 
 fco- from doors and windows, left no 
 doubt as to the urgency of this precipitate 
 flight. The citizens who had iriven the 
 Jprst alarm, were soon joined, with shouts 
 Ind lamentations, by all the population 
 ■ ,#f the city. Ihit, with the fire, a strong 
 ;wind from the north had arisen; and the 
 pry pine-floors and partitions, })ore swiftly 
 prward the destroying element through 
 ftie entire length of the main-buildinjj: 
 tbwards the Chapel and Church. Seeing 
 the certain ruin that threatened the whole 
 establishment, all efforts were now direct- 
 ed towards saving, at least, the vestments, 
 
 ¥.1 
 
 M 
 
 H 
 
 *■' j 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
 Pi 
 
 

 24 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE M(^NASTERT, 
 
 the sacred relics, and the furniture of the 
 altars. These were in pari secured, with 
 the business papers of the Community. 
 And yet, at what risks ! The heroic lay. 
 Sister, who was transporting the rich re- 
 liquaries, persisted, after evauy one else 
 had fled from the Janger, till, on a sud- 
 den she perceives that the flames have 
 left her no other egress but through the 
 attic over the Church. She speeds her 
 way, laden with her precious burden, and 
 is saved from her perilous situation, by 
 being helped down through the windows 
 in the roof! ^ It was enough that no life was 
 lost, although every thing else perished. 
 All the movables, including the Annals of 
 the Convent, valuable books, objects of 
 piety or of usefulness, that were almost sa. 
 cred from having belonged to the Vene- 
 rable first Foundress or her companions ; 
 all the stores and provisions ; the furniture 
 
 ■ii 
 
 * This brave Sister, whose name was Sr. Marie 
 Montmesnil de Ste. Cecile, was a native of Normandy. 
 She lived fifty-tour years after tlio narrow escape of 
 perishin<j; l»y fire, related above = yhe was aged 81, 
 at her decease* in 1740. 
 
 mi 
 
tare of the 
 lived, with 
 immunity, 
 heroic lay. 
 he rich re- 
 y one else 
 , on a sud- 
 imes have 
 iroug-h the 
 speeds her 
 Lirden, and 
 tuation, by 
 3 windows 
 no life was 
 
 perished. 
 ! Annals of 
 
 objects of 
 
 almost sa. 
 
 the Yene- 
 n pan ions ; 
 
 furniture 
 
 ?s Sr. Marie 
 )l"Noriuai)dy. 
 u\v escape of 
 I'lis aged 81, 
 
 QLIMPSV.S OF THE MONASTERY. 2& 
 
 of the school rooms, bods and clothing-, 
 ail were destroyed there, as at the iirst 
 burnins: of the Convent, in the space of 
 a few hours. The new building, consisling 
 yet of unfinished walls, underwent the 
 Jate of the rest, though with less dam.:ge. 
 trhe outhouses were included in the 
 |lestruction, with the exception of two 
 $mall buildings, the bake-house and 
 Wash-house : even these had to be un- 
 foofod, ill order to preserve them. One 
 small building, at tho distance of some 
 sixty yards, stood entire; it was the house 
 of refuge, left by Madame de la Peltrie, 
 which, thirty-six yi'ars before, had shel- 
 tered the Community in similar circum- 
 Itances. 
 
 But who can well imagine the scene 
 when the ilames, having obtained com- 
 plete mastery, drove all the spectators to 
 a distance, and revelled there with all the 
 fory of short-lived triumph. The roof of 
 the main building, with its cross-sur- 
 mounted cupola, hud sunk, while the 
 tossing llanics rose higher and brighter; 
 but it was on the Church that all eyes 
 
 I 
 
 ■41 
 

 ■I'l ; 
 
 m 
 im 
 
 lii 
 
 » 1 
 
 ti'' ' 
 
 26 
 
 GLIMPSK3 OF THE MOXASTKRY. 
 
 wore riveted. Its wide arched windows 
 glowed with the furnace heat within ; 
 when suddenly the spire was enveloped, 
 ;is with a iiery shroud ; another torrent 
 ran IVoui point to point along the pine 
 beams of the groaning roof, till the whole 
 gave way at a moment, with a tremen- 
 dous crash ; and there remained one glow- 
 ing heap of ruins, where an hour before 
 had knelt devout worshipj^ers in ];)eace- 
 ful adoration ! 
 
 Among the spectators of tliis fearful 
 scene, we lind three aged nuns, who at 
 the dead of a w^inter's night, thirty -six 
 years before, had witnessed the destruc- 
 tion of the first Convent, raised on that 
 same spot : — Venerable Mother St. Atha- 
 nasius, now seventy-three years of age, 
 Mother St. Croix, almost four-score, and 
 Mother St. Ignatia, nearly seventy : — these 
 knew by sad experience wdiat it w^as to 
 be driven from their Convent-Home by 
 fire. 
 
 And how dear must those halls, those 
 cells, that choir, the class-rooms, — the 
 
 •m: 
 
GLIMPSES OP THE MONASTEllY. 
 
 27 
 
 (1 windows 
 jat within ; 
 enveloped, 
 tier torrent 
 g the pine 
 I the whole 
 a tremen- 
 d one g-low- 
 iiour bel'ove 
 rs ill peaco- 
 
 this fearful 
 ins, who at 
 t, thirty -six 
 the destruc- 
 sed on that 
 ler St. Atha- 
 Bars of age, 
 r-score, and 
 nty : — these 
 it it was to 
 it-Home by 
 
 halls, those 
 ooms, — the 
 
 ^ery floors 
 
 where the Venerable Mo- 
 
 Ler Mary of the Incarnation had trod, 
 ave been to all these her beloved Mo- 
 thers and sisters, most of whom had lived 
 ^ere many years under her maternal 
 ^are. It was like so many relics doomed 
 |o destruction. But grace was not less 
 
 towerful on this occasion than on the 
 )rmer. They "who forsake parents, or 
 llrothers ond sisters, houses or lands," to 
 fcllow their Lord, should be careful not 
 "^ suffer their hearts to be captivated by 
 any thing earthly; so, when the flames had 
 made a holocaust of tlie fruit of forty 
 years' economy, there was neither lamen- 
 tation nor discouragement. 
 
 At eight o'clock, on that Sunday mor- 
 ning, the nuns, Iviieeling in their pious 
 Chapel, had heard the signal of alarm ; at 
 one, neither Chapel nor Convent remain- 
 ed to shelter them or their pupils : yet 
 hear what they have themselves testiiied 
 of their feelings in these trying circum- 
 stances : — 
 
 *' This calamity, although severe and 
 ignloreseen, hardly moved us, Divine 
 
 i 
 
IT" 
 
 >^m 
 
 Hi. :■' 
 
 i.::ii; 
 
 
 28 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 grace having so taken possession of our 
 hearts at that moment, when God had 
 given himself to us in his Sacrament of 
 love, that it w^as not possible for us to 
 regret the loss of earthly goods." 
 
 Here, pity must give place to admira- 
 tion ; — such sentiments tell how fully the 
 Community had imbibed the spirit of its 
 Saintly Foundress, or rather that they 
 too were saints : none else could be ca- 
 pable of such detachment ! 
 
 CHAPTER Iir. 
 
 1i 
 
 !», ' 
 
 ; ; j ■ 
 
 1 • 1 
 
 ) M 
 
 r 
 
 Ml 
 
 it 
 
 III 
 
 1 I 
 
 RESTORATION OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 In the mean time, measures were taken 
 to shelter the homeless Ursulines. It had 
 been, at once, decided that eight would 
 remain to guard the beloved site, and to 
 
If 
 
 5TERY. 
 
 jssion of our 
 m God had 
 lacrament of 
 lie tor us to 
 ds." 
 
 5 to admira- 
 LOW fully the 
 e spirit of its 
 3r that they 
 2ould be ca- 
 
 GLIMPSES OF TIIU: MONASTEllY. 
 
 29 
 
 A' 
 
 ASTERY. 
 
 s were taken 
 ines. It had 
 eight would 
 . site, and to 
 
 ^^ 'oct the most urgent reparations, prepar- 
 fcg the little asylum that was loi't thorn, 
 to be the future residence of the Commu- 
 nity. 
 
 Ai'ter High Mass at the Cathedral was 
 4j|rer, about half past twelve, the Bishop 
 ^int-Valier, and their Superior, Kev. 
 Father Beschefer, S. J., came to escort 
 flie others to the Hotel-Dieu, where 
 they were received with the utmost cor- 
 diality. Entering by the liospital, they 
 reque&led to be conducted to the Chapel, 
 where, on bended knees, they entoned 
 the " Laudate," to thank Grod for having 
 accomplished his holy will in them, by 
 depriving them of every thing ; then they 
 sang the "Memorare," to the Blessed 
 Virgin, their Mother and principal Supe- 
 ifioress,to beg her assistance and protection : 
 finally, before accepting any further rites 
 of hospitality, they assisted at the Holy 
 Sacrifice, offered for them by Iv-ev. Father 
 Beschefer, who had kindly deferred 
 saying his mass till that hour "in order 
 to console them more effectually.'-Happy 
 «)uls ! to whom the consolations of Heaven 
 
 m 
 
i'l 
 
 30 
 
 GLIMPSES OF TIIR iMONASTERY. 
 
 *. ■ 1 
 
 sulTieo : never will you be overcome ' hv 
 earthly trials ! 
 
 Ill tact, the courage of our Ursuliiic; 
 seems never to have faltered an instant. 
 
 Their income, during h;df a century, 
 would not have sufficed to enable them 
 to rebuild their Monastery ; yet, trustiii:.' 
 in the assistance of. Divine Providenco, 
 they resolved to attempt its reconstruc- 
 tion ; and until that was accomplished, 
 to live there amidst its ruins. The geuo' 
 rosity of friends, on every side, enabled 
 them to effect the first of these purposes : 
 their own generosUy in suffering, carried 
 them through the second. 
 
 Let us group a few of the incident? 
 that have been handed down to us o: 
 that period, duryig which our Mothers 
 had to contend with the accumulated 
 difficulties of poverty, sickness, and desti' 
 tution. 
 
 A part of the Community, as wc havt 
 seen, had sung their perfect act of resig 
 nation at the Chapel of the Plotel Dion 
 where they had found hospitality, afie: 
 
 % 
 
sTERY. 
 
 )vorcomo ' by 
 
 ur "Ursuliiiev 
 [ an instant. 
 
 f a century, 
 enable thom 
 yet, trustiiK' 
 Providence 
 reconstruc- 
 3complishe(l, 
 . Tlie gene- 
 dde, enabled 
 se purposes 
 ring, carried 
 
 be incident^ 
 wn to us o: 
 our Motbei; 
 accumulated 
 ss, and desti' 
 
 as wc hayt 
 
 act of resig 
 
 Hotel Dieii 
 
 )itality, aftei 
 
 GLIMPSES OF TUK MONASTEIIY. 
 
 31 
 
 ■ } 
 
 ^h;it disastrous Sunday morning. Their 
 kind hostesses did not tbrgi^t that the 
 following day was the Teast of St. Ursula ; 
 tnd made immediate prtjparations to have 
 High Mass, Vespers, Sermon, and IJene- 
 ^iction, in favor of their guests, The Ser- 
 Jnon proved to b(; a moving exhortation 
 ilrom the Bishop Saint- Via lier, who after 
 celebrating Mass for the Ursulines and 
 
 fivi ng them Holy Communion, sought, 
 s he said, to console himself, while con- 
 Soling with tliem; and who seemed, in- 
 deed, more aifected by the sad accident 
 than they were. Ai'ter such a proof of 
 the delicate sentiments of the good IJo^- 
 pil'ilieres, we are not surprised that the 
 two Communities lived like one, recitins: 
 their ollice, taking recreation, their meals, 
 nd serving the poor invalids, together. 
 Some may not be prepared to hear that 
 'Iho Ursulines were also seen at the Castle 
 of St. Louis. It was deemed i)roper that 
 the Mother Superior, with som>> of her 
 Sisters, should pay her respects to the 
 Marchioness de Denonville. Their con- 
 ductors on the occasion were Madame do 
 
32 
 
 GLIMI.-KS OF Tin-: MONASTKIIY. 
 
 111!;' i ; 
 
 j,^ 
 
 1 M 
 
 mm 
 
 Yilloray, and Madame Bourdon. It is 
 hardly necessary to say that th<'y wr'Vi' 
 received at the Governor's with all the 
 kindness and cordiality imaginable. Tak- 
 ini>' leave ol* their friends, the Marquis dc 
 ]Jenonville and the Marchioness, about 
 live o'clock, they proceeded to the Palace 
 of the Intendant. Here, they were not 
 less cordially welcomed than at tho 
 castle; but they had yet anolher call tu 
 make, liidding- adieu to Madame Cham- 
 pig-ny, they followed the streets back to 
 their Iionie ; and, alighting from their 
 carriage, they went in to wish a "Good 
 Evening" to their sisters, the eight who 
 had been left in possession of the house 
 of Madame de la Peltrie. When they, at 
 last, entered the IIotel-Dieu at six o'clock, 
 " the peace of the cloister seemed delight- 
 ful, after such a day of fatigue and dissi- 
 pation !" 
 
 On the 7th of November, the Convent 
 of the Ursulines, as the house of Madame 
 de la Peltrie was now styled, was in read- 
 iness, and the exiles prepared to return 
 The charitable importJunities of their 
 
 
 I'! 
 
 H 
 f ■• 
 
 f f: 
 
TKUV. 
 
 CiLIMPSES OV THE MONASTERY. 
 
 33 
 
 rclou. It is 
 i tlit'y were 
 with all tho 
 iuable. Tak- 
 ! Marquis do 
 7U0SS, al)out 
 :o the Palaco 
 ey were not 
 hail at tho 
 oiher call to 
 lame Cham- 
 •eets back to 
 from their 
 sh a " Good 
 3 eight who 
 »i* the house 
 lien they, at 
 t six o'clock, 
 ned delig'ht- 
 le and dissi- 
 
 the Convenl 
 of Madame 
 was in read- 
 ed to return 
 es of their 
 
 Jcind hostesses, were unavailing to retain 
 thcnn longer ; so, amid good wishes on 
 *the one side, and sincere protestations of 
 Jfcisting gratitude on the other, the adieus, 
 Sot without tears, were made. Three of 
 jiho good Hospital nuns were authorized to 
 Accompany the Ursulines, and visit with 
 lihem the other religious Institutions of the 
 ,«ity. The walk, thus extended, took them 
 4rst to the Seminary, wliere the illustrious 
 Bishop Laval, lived with his Community 
 of Priests and Levites, in the poverty, fer- 
 vor, and simplicity of the Apostolic times. 
 Thence, they passed to the gardens, and 
 to the Little Seminary, where the students 
 obtained a holiday in their honor. The 
 Cathedral came next; then the College 
 of the Jesuits; finally, entering the Cha- 
 pel of the Congregation, they sang an 
 anthem tu the lilessed Virgin, and con- 
 tinued their way, always conducted by 
 the Bishop ; their Superior, M. de Mai- 
 zerets (of the Seminary), and Rev. Father 
 Peschefer. 
 
 :h The procession had leno^thened, with 
 
 m 
 
 'f 
 
34 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONAhTKllY. 
 
 !(i,:i 
 
 !<l !; 
 
 
 the road, till it res(Mn])le(l a trininplia! 
 march. The door ol' their HttU? Convent, 
 at hist, opened before them, and the crowd 
 disappeared, as the nuns entered the nar- 
 row apartments provided i'or their recep- 
 tion. The walls had not g-rown wid»'r, 
 and if partitions had separated the lowei 
 story into a kitchen and a refectory, tlu 
 other, above, retained its full dimensions, 
 (thirty feet by twenty,) in order to accom- 
 modate twenty-eight persons with a dor- 
 mitory. 
 
 A little Chapel and choir had been 
 fashioned, not in the style of the Jie 
 i.aissance, bvit in that of the grotto o: 
 the Naissance in IJethlehem, — it was a 
 small building, which had formerly serv- 
 ed as a stable. This, with the other "ira-, 
 provements" around, seemed to movt 
 the company more to compassion than to 
 admiration. " My good listers, I soi 
 every thing prepared here to make yoi; 
 suffer," remarked the kind-hearted Eis- 
 hop : " But for our part, says the Annalist, 
 our joy was apparent to all, so delighteJ 
 
 
 1]^ M' ■ I 
 
 If 
 
 t;; 
 
 H! ! 
 
rKiiY. 
 
 [\ triumphal 
 tie CouvoDt, 
 ,d the crowd 
 ired the nar- 
 their rect'p- 
 rown \vid»'r. 
 ?d the lowoi 
 electory, tlk 
 dimensions, 
 [er to accom- 
 s with a dor- 
 
 ir had been 
 of the Jio 
 he grotto o; 
 a, — it was a 
 jrmerly serv- 
 le other " m\ 
 ed to moyt 
 Lssioii than tu 
 isters, I see 
 o make yon 
 •hearted Lis- 
 the Annalist, 
 so deh<]riiteil 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 35 
 
 rere we to find ourselves again reunited." 
 '^Erre (iwim hon/fin el qiiam jucundum ha- 
 bilarr, fntfrcs in unum. " — Yes ! it is a 
 ||)od and pleasant thing for brethern or 
 iiBter.s io dwell together in unity. 
 
 if If adversity is the hour to know one's 
 fi^ends, our Mothers had reason to congra- 
 tlUate themselves on the number, the liber- 
 ality, and devotedness of theirs. While the 
 smoke was yet rising from the ruins of 
 the ^Monastery, the Bishop had addressed 
 himself in their behalf, to the faithful, 
 assembled in the Cathedral for High 
 Mass. Soon alter, he issued a Circular, 
 informing the chn-gy throughout the dio- 
 cese of the accident, which, he said, in- 
 terested the whole country and was of 
 itself sudicient to excite their parishioners, 
 through gratitude and affection, to render 
 all the assistance in their power towards 
 repairing the disaster. 
 
 For his part, he contributes, at once, 
 three thousand francs ; and, during his 
 absence in P'rance, he pleads the cause 
 of his afriicted daughters so efhcaciousiy, 
 
 
\<'J> 
 
 ';'f 
 
 ■p'l" 
 
 3G 
 
 GLIMPSES OP Tlld MONASTEaV. 
 
 * -. 
 
 that Iho Annals name him ^ asth«»ir cliic;! 
 bonolactor in ilio roi'stahlislmipnt ol'thtT 
 Monastery. Tli(3 ]\Iar(|uis chi J)enonvill.'> 
 lirst oUorini*', is a thousand lV;uics ; \\\n\ 
 the Marchiont'ss makes it her duty to i: 
 from door to door throuL»'h the city, c<ii 
 lectiuG: tor her dear Ursulines, to whoL 
 she hears daily, with her sympathy, lli 
 fruit oi'her charity. ■ 
 
 The Rev. Falhers of the Society c 
 Jesus, after their llrst offeriiiu;- of a tho 
 sand francs, furnish for live or six tiiiii 
 that value' in goods and provisions. Tli 
 members of tho Seminary, and the Intci 
 dant, contiibnte with equal gencrosii; 
 The citizens of Quebec, the principal 1 
 mihes throughout the country, give a: 
 according to their means ; the ITis 
 lines of Paris, and the other Houses 
 the Order, the relatives of the nuns thti 
 especially the family Le Maiie, and! 
 Flecelles, again, on this occasion, as : 
 
 ^ The Bishop embarked in October, huviiiLi' j 
 concluded the episcopal visit of liis diocese, Caiui. 
 and Acadiu. 
 
 
 
 lli i 
 
 'Ml 
 
 iM! 
 
ASTKRY. 
 
 (;iJIMl»8KS OP TIIK MONASTERY. 
 
 37 
 
 as iht'ir clii* 
 
 llllK'llt of llu'i 
 
 *) Donoiivilk" 
 
 IVancs; wliil 
 her duty to l' 
 I iht^ city, c. 
 iiios, to wlioL 
 sympathy, th 
 
 the Society ( 
 riiiii,' of a tho 
 ve or six tiiiii 
 rovisions. TL 
 
 and tho Intci 
 nal o-enerosir 
 10 principal I 
 Lintry, givo ni 
 IS ; tho Ilrsi 
 )thor Houses I 
 'tho nuns thii 
 : Maiio, and 1 
 
 occasion, as : 
 
 'ctubor, liuving j 
 his diocese, Caiui. 
 
 [().') 1-2, S(Mid liboral sums to tho poor 
 Ijisuiinos in Canada. 
 
 'l\u) wnitor passed away in providini^ 
 the most neiMlfiil artich's of clothing, and 
 
 ti i>lyn!i»' dilii^ontly th(i noiMllo, in such 
 aiiity oml>roi(h;ry as would bring, hy its 
 |nle, some proiits to lessen tho necessity 
 ijor daily ahns. 
 
 ? J^]arly in spring, the labors oi' rebuilding 
 
 freie commenced, under tho skiU'ul di- 
 
 lection ot* Uev. Father F. Italaix S. J. 
 
 tfhilo tlui nuns invited to th-^ir humble 
 
 Chapel, the little girls of tho city for the 
 
 Instructions of the First Communion. As 
 
 ipon as the snow commenced to disap- 
 
 jij|ear, they made preparations for opening 
 
 Hlasses ibr day-i)upils, by putting up a 
 
 ^«)rt of shed, near Iho spot whore lately 
 
 ^iood that precious memorial of the past, 
 §18 ''Old Ash Tree." ^ This was no sooner 
 
 ■f ^ Tluit venerable relic of the primitive forest was 
 Ipll u inuirnificent tree at the 200th anniversary of 
 jtjj^e Fuuiuiation of the Convent (1SIJ9). It lost one of 
 life })!'inci|);il branches a few years later, anil, linally, 
 |d tho month of Aujj,iust, 18G8, was laid prostrate by 
 §k Btorni. 
 
 f 
 
 ' 4 
 
 Sv^l 
 
38 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 
 f 
 
 in readiriGss than fifty or sixty pupils as- 
 sembled, and the Ursulines found labor 
 congenial to their profession. 
 
 But, as the adage tells: *' Misfortunes 
 never come single." If already the hoat 
 of summer rendered their narrow lodii- 
 ings most uncomfortable, what would it 
 be in sickness? A contagious malady 
 (the measles) was raging in the city, 
 After attacking the scholars, it fell upon 
 the teachers, and it was necessary to have 
 an Infirmary. A small building, serving 
 as a wash-house, was forthwith accommo- 
 dated for this purpose ; and thither the 
 sick were removed and attended, till 
 nearly the whole community had paid 
 tribute to the unwelcome visitor. 
 
 The month of September brought with 
 it the mortal illness of the venerable 
 Mother Cecile de la Croix, now seven! v- 
 eight years of age. Her vigorous consti- 
 tution had enabled her to bear a large 
 share of the hardships of the foundation, 
 in the early times, and to continue her 
 services forty-eight years, edifying (lie 
 
 iih 
 
FERY. 
 
 CLIMPSKS OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 39 
 
 y pupils as- 
 found labor 
 
 Misfortunes 
 dy the heat 
 arrow lodu- 
 lat would it 
 ous malady 
 11 the city, 
 , it fell upon 
 isary to have 
 ling, serving 
 th accommo- 
 thither the 
 ttended, till 
 y had paid 
 dtor. 
 
 rought with 
 e venera1)le 
 ow seveniv- 
 orous const!' 
 boar a large 
 foundation, 
 ontinue hor 
 edifying jhe 
 
 ommunity by her humility, her charity, 
 id her lidelity to all the observances of 
 liiiious lite. The ofTices that she regarded 
 ■:hv\[\i dread, were those of Assistant 
 and Mistress of Novices to which she was 
 Icalled more than once, and lor which she 
 'wa^ well qualified, in every one's opinion 
 iut her own. She loved far better, to be 
 ^employed at the Externs : the poorest 
 Ischolars were her delight. " In short, says 
 LO Annalist, she was a true Ursuline." 
 
 ■^\ The ardors of a burning fever consumed 
 
 Ipie little remains of her strength, while 
 
 during three weeks she was attended iu 
 
 that miserable hovel, with love and im- 
 
 mi'iise compassion. It is the survivors we 
 
 jnobt pity, when ibr the bier of their be- 
 
 foved Mother, they could tind no better 
 
 ^lace than the porch of that poor little 
 
 |Cliaj)el ; no more convenient spot for her 
 
 jgrave than the ruins of their former lovely 
 
 IClioir ! To add to the sadness of the burial 
 
 ^Cf remony, a heavy autumnal rain came 
 
 ip(jurmi^ its waters over the funeral cor- 
 
 l|tege, as they bore the dear remains across 
 
 ^■.» 
 
 
 
40 
 
 GLIMPSES OP THE MONASTERY. 
 
 I 
 
 1 m: 
 
 li;!!: 
 
 i ;l 
 
 the open court to the last resting place of 
 the dead. . . r . 
 
 The generous resignation with which 
 the nuns had accepted the ailliction sent 
 them in the burning of their Monastery, 
 seems to have extended its soothing influ- 
 ence to this whole period of privation 
 and suffering. 
 
 " During this year, sajs the Annalist, in 
 order to second the desims of Divine Pro* 
 videnceover us, each one strove to advance 
 in virtue by the practices of mortification 
 and penance. Daily prayers and thanks- 
 givings were offered to God for the succor 
 and aid he sent us, as well as to implore 
 his protection for our benefactors. Among 
 other prayers, the Litanies of the Saintb 
 were recited every day, with the suffrages) 
 as marked for the Eogation days. The 
 anniversary of the conflagration, the 20th 
 October, was a day of special devotion 
 and fervor. In the morning there was 
 general communion ; in the afternoon we 
 went around the ruins in Procession, 
 singing the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, 
 
 ■•*■?". 
 
 
 ^ 
 
TERY. 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTEllY. 
 
 41 
 
 ing place of 
 
 with which 
 
 lictioii sent 
 
 Monastery, 
 
 thing' influ- 
 
 )f privation 
 
 Aiinaiist, in 
 Divine Pro- 
 3 to advance 
 lortification 
 and thanks- 
 r the succor 
 to implore 
 ors. Amono" 
 
 f the Saints 
 le suffrages) 
 days. The 
 >n, the 20tli 
 il devotion 
 there was 
 ternoon we 
 Procession, 
 sed Virgin, 
 
 air Mother and Protectress. Our hopes 
 ^%iave not been confounded, lor our (jrood 
 iMother has so watched over us that even 
 :#n our greatest distress, we have never 
 
 >een reduced to want for the necessaries 
 
 >fhie." 
 
 Meanwhile the busy scene presented 
 ►y the heroes of the trowel, the plane, and 
 "the hammer, at their respective stations, 
 •gave hopes of better days. In November, 
 .the new wing, ^ hnished as to the exterior, 
 - oll'ered, at least, one large Hall complete, 
 and ready to be occupied. This was at 
 once devoted to the use of the pupils, the 
 Annals marking with characteristic pre- 
 cision, that " twelve months and nineteen 
 days after their accident, they were ena- 
 ,bJed to admit Boarders again." 
 
 During the winter, the workmen cou- ' 
 
 ^ This wing, CO French feet by 25, was destined as 
 a habitation for tlie nuns ; tlie pupils occupied the 
 'Marge ilall " only till the next spring (May;, wheu 
 .J they removed to the apartnienls, which the nuns then 
 J quitted, in the house uf Mde. de la Peltrie. 
 
 ¥ 
 
 m 
 
 i 
 
'*'^* 
 
 lliiM! 
 
 it;! 
 
 '!■ . i 
 
 I 
 
 M 
 
 i'i'! 
 
 ': 
 
 1 . 
 
 H. Ml 
 
 42 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE .MONASTERY. 
 
 tinned their labors in the interior of tho 
 building, with siich success that on tho 
 18th oi' May (1G88), the house was solemn- 
 ly blessed, and dedicated to the Holy 
 Family : on the following day, the nuns 
 were occupied in removing to their new 
 apartments. It mast have been a joyful 
 exchange to them, especially to see the 
 thirteen most aged among them provided 
 with cells for their nightly rest, instead 
 of a narrow space measured oli' by inches 
 in a common dormitorv. 
 
 The humble Chapel we have pointed 
 out, after serving for Holy Mass and the 
 Divine Oflice during eighteen months, 
 after witnessing the profession of a fervent 
 Novice, Miss Juschereau, the funeral of 
 the venerable Mother 8t. Croix, the Ken- 
 ovation of the vows, the Exposition of the 
 Blessed Sacrament several times, w^as 
 abandoned for the large Hall/ already 
 
 ^ This apartment, beneath tlie Coninninity-Hall 
 \vhich served as a Cliapel tliirteen months, lias 
 become historical since its occupation by General 
 Murray for the sessions of his Council, Military 
 
 
 i, lull;: 
 

 terior of the 
 that on the 
 was solemn- 
 o the HoJy 
 y, the nuns 
 their ne\y 
 en a joyful 
 to see the 
 m provided 
 est, instead 
 ff by inches 
 
 ave pointed 
 ass and the 
 sn months, 
 of a fervent 
 ' funeral of 
 X, the lieu- 
 ition of the 
 imes, was 
 1, ^ already 
 
 iiuimnity-Hall 
 moiuh.s, lias 
 1 hy General 
 iciJ, Military 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTEIIY. 
 
 43 
 
 [mentioned, in (he lower story of the new 
 
 [wnig. 
 
 The restoration of the main- building-, 
 which gave another Chapel with the 
 apartments necessary for regular obser- 
 vance in the Community, a Kefectory, 
 an Infirmary, additional cells, <S:c., was 
 accomplished in the course of the same 
 year(lG88.) 
 
 The ancient choir rebuilt as class-rooms 
 2fbr the boarders, in 1080,^ at last restored 
 
 and Private, in 1759. It liad been occupied as a 
 ' Laumiry or clotiics-room, nntii tlie pre^^ent year, 
 1875. 
 
 -;* ^ ''In rol)uil(linir the choir, say tlie Annals, a part 
 \Only of tlie ancient loundations serveil, the width hav- 
 ,,ring been enlarged six feet on the south, and tlie 
 length also by several feet." 
 
 This building, as reconstructed in 1GS9, served as 
 ; class-rooms refectorv, &c., for the Boarders until 
 I 18a4, when new apartments having been provided 
 :, for them, by an additional stury the whole length of 
 J tlie mam building (! 12 x 35) the old classes were oc- 
 cupied by the Hall-Boarders. In 1871 tliis old build- 
 m ^'^^ ^^'^s demolished and rej)laced by another, aug- 
 iDented in dinieiisions and four stories high. 
 
 m 
 
 iil 
 
41 
 
 QLIMPSKS OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 w 
 
 m. 
 
 :it; 
 
 the house of Madame cle la Peltrie to its J 
 ordinary destination, school-rcoms lor the v '^ 
 Externs. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 io»i>. 
 
 CLOSE OF THE FIRST IIALF-CEiNTURY. 
 
 The events we have had to record thus 
 far, have presented enough of " hfe's 
 chequered scenes " to prove that this 
 edihce, destined to be lasting, had for its 
 firm foundation the sacred Wood of the 
 Cross. The Monasteiy, newly restored 
 after a second burning, again sheltered 
 the cloistered family, who felt they had 
 much to be thankful for in the past; much 
 to hope from tin protecting care of Pro- 
 vidence, in the future. In their recent 
 
 'J 
 
 ", M ' ',-i' 
 
 > y.ili 
 
GLTMPSKS OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 45 
 
 ^eltrie to its 
 :oms lor the 
 
 ENTURY. 
 
 record thus 
 of "life's 
 e that this 
 , had for its 
 ^ood of the 
 ^ly restored 
 ri sheltered 
 It they had 
 past ; much 
 care of Pro- 
 :heir recent 
 
 lisfortune, they had experienced prompt 
 1 generous sympathy ; all classes of so- 
 cit'ty rejoiced to seethe Con vent not only 
 , rebuilt, but enlarged, i The Church, 
 I alone, had not risen from its ruins. 
 
 The date of this restoration, moreover, 
 coincided with the liftieth anniversary 
 Mof the arrival of the lirst Ursulines in 
 PC an ad a. 
 
 The Community numbered, now, thirty- 
 bur members ;— ten others, including the 
 ;hree Foundresses, had, during that space 
 of time, passed to their reward. 
 
 No other year in those early times, 
 seems to have been so fertile in vocations 
 for the cloister, as 1G80. Twice the touch- 
 ing ceremony of " taking the veil," was 
 ^witnessed in the temporary chapel be- 
 
 ^ Tlie wing, called '^ La Sainte-Faniille, had been 
 ^ fxtendcd towards tlie south-west, forming an angle 
 |wilh the inaiu-building30 feet by 38 affording a kitch- 
 ' |en and its dependencies, an infirmary, etc. The 
 
 ,,^first stone was laid on the 19ih July, 1G87, by Made- 
 
 'f. J 1 1 J 
 
 rpnuiselle de Denonville, then a boarder, danjihter of 
 . tthe Governor of the Colony. 
 
 
 
"V 
 
 4G 
 
 OLntPSKS OP TIIK MOVASTKllY. 
 
 !'! '!i 
 
 iri; 
 
 neath the present Comiriunity llall. On 
 both occasions, the Bishop Saint- Vahor 
 oihciated, assistive! by his clergy and some 
 oi' the Itev. Fathers oi* the ^Society ot 
 Jesus. The JNEa^qnis de Denonville, the 
 Intendant, and their suite, were also pre- 
 sent, — the new " Brides of Jesus," being 
 Miss Elizabeth d'Ailleboust, and Miss 
 Louise-llose de Lanaudiere ; henceforth 
 known as Mother Marie de la (^roix and 
 Mother St. Catherine. After the ceremony, 
 the company were further gratiiied by 
 being allowed to visit the interior of the 
 Monastery ; — those cells which, with their 
 humble furniture, bare walls, and narrow 
 door with wooden latch, still excite the 
 curiosity, or admiration of the rare visitors 
 permitted to behold them ; that Com- 
 munity-ITall, with its deep-channelled 
 oaken wainscot, its plain benches around- 
 instead of chairs ; —wearing yet much the 
 same aspect as it did two hundred years 
 ago ; the new refectory and Chapel, — of 
 which we shall soon have further occa- 
 sion to speak. So well did the company 
 enjoy the treat, that it was almost six 
 
 
 j* 
 
 -.**. 
 
 1'. 
 
 I il'iJMl:!!":' 
 
 Ii'llt!'!,!;!*;:: 
 
GLIMPSES Ob' TlIK .MONASTEllY. 
 
 47 
 
 / Hall. On 
 Saiiit-Yalier 
 ^y and some 
 Society ot 
 lonville, the 
 ?re also pre- 
 L\sus," being 
 , and Miss 
 hencelbrth 
 a Croix and 
 e ceremony, 
 gratilied by 
 terior of the 
 |i, with then 
 and narrow 
 1 excite the 
 rare visitors 
 that Corn- 
 channelled 
 les around- 
 et much the 
 idred years 
 Chapel, — of 
 irther occa- 
 le company 
 almost six 
 
 ilock boibre the cloistered i^'roands, the 
 
 mrk and gardens, ha 1 re^viineu their 
 
 routed look of repose and quietude. The 
 
 food nuns console themselves with the 
 
 ouu'ht that their cloister Will not lowj: be 
 
 Lus ini'ringed upon, their new Chapel — 
 
 iaving an exttu'ior part destined to the 
 
 je of the public, being- nearly in readiness 
 
 )r Divine Service. 
 
 Four other young ladies, in the fresh 
 iarsofUfteen and sixteen, embalm the 
 jw Novitiate with the fragrance of their 
 wly sacritice, before the close of that 
 fiftieth year under consideration : these 
 were Miss Marie-Anne Robineau ^ de 
 
 "* Miss Hobineau, of Becaticoiir, daughter of Ba- 
 fOti Kene Kobirieau, officer of the Uogimerit of Tu- 
 Bniio, ChevaHer of the Order of St. Michtd ; her 
 )ther belonged to the ancient and noble fanuly I.e- 
 5uf de la Potherie. 
 
 Miss Gauthier da Coniporle, daughter of P. Gau. 
 thier, Sieur de Coinporle and Grand Prevost of 
 Qjiebec; her mother's I'aniily name was Basire. Her 
 
 §ter Marie-Anne de Compurte made profession five 
 irs later. 
 
 :;Miss Drouardj of Quebec, took the nanjc of Mother 
 
 > I 
 
 r 
 
 
 '•;'•,'• 
 
 ■.t. 
 
 
i'l 
 
 48 
 
 OMMPSr-S OF Till'] MONASTKRY. 
 
 1 ' 
 
 ti! 
 
 ^. 
 
 i . I 
 
 "Docnncour, Miss Mario Madeleine G;ui 
 thier de Coniporte, Miiss Marie-Madcleiii.; 
 Drouard and .Jeanne Chorel. 
 
 On anothcn' page of our old Ttecoid 
 mention is made oi' the Episcopal visii 
 which terminates to the mutual satisl'ac 
 tion of the Prelate and his spiritiu 
 daughters ; its close is marked by conlei 
 ring the ^Sacrament oT Conhrmation, upo: 
 a Tostulante and about tvventv of tli 
 Boarders, among whom are several littlr 
 Indian girls. On the 2ord of June, ih 
 Holy tSacriiice w^as ottered for the lav 
 time in the temporary Chapel under th 
 Community, after w^hich the JJlessed ^. 
 crament \vas borne, in ceremony, to tli 
 new Chapel at the other extremity of tli 
 Convent. The procession moved acro; 
 the grounds through a winding avenii 
 
 St. Michel, at ilie age of lllleen, and lived to the a. 
 of eighty-two. 
 
 Miss Chord de St. Rouiain was soon rejoined 
 the Nuvntiate by her sinter Marie-Fran^oise, who". 
 the first to bear (IGD3) the name of Mother Marie. 
 Sac re Cceur. 
 
 fal 
 
 ■■If 
 
 
 III 
 
 Mi ii 
 
 m 
 
iTRRY. 
 
 leloinc Grauj 
 ic-Madeleiin; 
 
 old Ttocord 
 i SCO pal visit, 
 Ltual satisl'ac 
 his spiritual 
 ed by coui'ei 
 •matioii, upoi 
 ventv of til 
 several litll: 
 of Jane, tlit 
 L for the la<: 
 pel under th 
 le Blessed S: 
 ^mony, to tli 
 tremity of tli 
 moved acro; 
 nding avenii 
 
 id lived to the a; 
 
 soon rejomea, 
 an^ctise, who ". 
 [Mother Miirie: 
 
 UIJ.\irsi:8 UL' TIIK MONASTKUY. 
 
 40 
 
 >or(lt'r<Hl Aviiii yotnig lir-trees, and strew- 
 id wiih 1 lowers The nuns, bearing- light- 
 Id tiii)»M\s, led the way, followed by the 
 hoarders, in iiolid ly attire ; the Clergy 
 ►recediHl the IJishop, who l>ore with care- 
 [1 step, the sacred Ciboriuin ; whde the 
 AM nil P(Uf<re lingnd, an I the Anthem, 
 sdcnmi Conririiun^ gave exprt^ssion to 
 le s^Milimeut.s ol* piety and devotion 
 ^hirli animated their hearts. ' ' 
 
 Th(^ lirst Mnss celebrated in that little 
 iiu 111 iry, destined to witness during tliir, 
 M'our y«nirs, the fervor, the rejoicings, the 
 larias, and ;hc trials of the Ursulines, 
 ''as on the feast of St. John Ijaptist, 1689. 
 
 Long since has that Chapel ceased to 
 ,0 with reliuious chants ; its sacred des- 
 [nation is but a picture of the fancy- 
 '"okiiiu" the records of the past; — let us 
 irn, then, to other memorials of those 
 U'ly times, witnesses to the piety of our 
 rst nuns, which are still in good pre- 
 n'vation. 
 
 Such of our readers as have ever made 
 ^e Convent their abode, have not failed 
 
 ^ "' 
 
7 -=■ 
 
 50 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 11' 
 
 • M^^- 
 
 ■tl. 1 
 
 ■iil 
 
 to iiotico, thosn niiciont statnos to wh'w] 
 wo alluclo ; th'-y are, aj)parontly, the Guar 
 dians of the " Jlouse of .lesus." 
 
 It was the Tth December of that .Iiibilc 
 year, 1(J80, that installed the Image of Hi 
 Immaculate Vir^'irrwithin its scuiptiuv 
 and gilded niche, at the entrance of Ih 
 Community-Hall. Another, of 8t. ,1 osopk 
 wau placed, with the same tender pietv 
 on the second landini? of the c^reat stair 
 way in tlie centre of the building, knowi 
 as " St. Augustine's stairs." The wlioi^ 
 community walked in procession, singiii: 
 Hymns, while the litter, covered wit! 
 llowers, on which the statues were placo! 
 was borne to their respective station^ 
 How many times, during the space 
 now nearly two centuries, has the siuli 
 of those statues been to theinhabitaiit.>i 
 the cloister, the signal of a quick thoual; 
 sent winged to heaven ; here by an ^i 
 Joseph, there by a Tola pulrhra es to tli 
 Virgin fall of grace and beauty. An 
 how can we recall the memory of our a: 
 cient Mothers, never too poor to liii 
 means to manifest their tender piety t' 
 
 if f^'ifM':^'': 
 
 
ULIMPSES OF TIIK MONAHTEIIY. 
 
 51 
 
 los to Avhiciil 
 tly, the Guar I 
 sus." 
 
 I'thnt.Ii-ibiW 
 
 Imai?o of th 
 
 in sculptum 
 
 itrance ol* th^ ^ 
 
 of St. .losoph 
 
 tender pii^ty 
 
 le f^reat stair 
 
 Idiiig", kno\vii 
 
 The whol^ 
 
 'ssion, singiii; 
 
 covered wii 
 
 s were placet"; 
 
 jtive station^ 
 
 the space > 
 
 has the sigli 
 inhabitants I 
 :^uick thoud. 
 ere by an jh 
 
 Irhra es to tli 
 beauty. An 
 lory of our a 
 
 poor to lin. 
 
 nder piety t' 
 
 ards (rod and his Saints, withont beino- 
 lOved bv a I'-tMierous impulse to follow 
 Ijos.'ly m ilit'ir footsteps, emulatin;^ tho 
 ^oly (\Kaniph's they have hd't us ! 
 
 Y«'t all \v;is not bright and peaceful in 
 at v^'iiv, l()8l). In the History of Canada, 
 iili ;ill its pugcs of terror and warfare, 
 UMO are none darker with anxiety. 
 'h<' counlrv seemed indeed on the brink 
 a total ruin. The Iro(|Uois, far from be- 
 g wi^akemul or disheartened by the long 
 #ar tlu'y had waged against the French 
 wad tln^ allitnl Inilian Tribes, rose bolder 
 and more aggressive after each encounter. 
 Th(^ environs of Montreal were infested 
 with sfraii'gling bands of the blood-thirsty 
 foe. AVe shall not here revive the 
 ||oomy pi dure of the massacre of La- 
 ||hine,i and the other feats of savage prow- 
 
 ls fn tlio year IG^O, tlie Iroquois made a fearful 
 JslauL^it iip!>n tlie T^laml of Montreal with 140O 
 irrjiirs. Tlie iiii^lit of tlie 4tli of August was sig- 
 lliz'd Ijy ati attack upon the ilwelliiigs of the inhab- 
 mt^; and settlements on the borders of theSault St. 
 )uls, of w]i')m several hundreds were ruthlessly 
 pk'ii and ma le captives. Shocking barbarities were 
 
 M 
 
 
 
 * ■ 
 
 •V. 
 
* \'\..'-< , 
 
 52 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 ,\ I 
 
 i:c| 
 
 ess, which rendered the year too sadly i:. 
 morable ; but opening that old parchni ]. . 
 bound Volume, our guide in revisi'iiu: 
 the scenes of by gone days, let us see wlun 
 record ol'passing events is there inscrilicd 
 
 A few days alter the event j ust alludoc 
 to has been recorded, the Annalist says :- 
 
 " A territying report came in all ha,sui 
 that Three Itivers had been laid in ])Ujji\ 
 and ashes by the Iroquois, who a 
 ravaging all the country around, 
 news proved false, but a letter froi ; IL 
 Governor, the Marquis de Denonvili>', re 
 ceived later, gave undoubted informrlioi 
 that he had lifteen or sixteen hunclm 
 Iroquois to contend against ; whilst ni 
 other party, in company with two ' ■": 
 dred English Coloaists, were waitiv'U 
 fall upon Three Elvers and the o;' j 
 habitations. This news caused the jr 
 
 perpetrated on tliis occasion, which is known 
 nadian histor}' as the ^' Massacre do Tjacliine." '> "i | 
 in the brief space of one lionr about 200 person 
 cruelly butchered, and about tlie same numb* i' i':.:| 
 ricd olT to be subjected to captivity and tord:*.^ 
 History of Can. by Dr. Miles, p. 202. 
 
ERY. 
 
 >osadl; : 
 parchin 
 
 us see V ■ 
 e insciii; 
 
 ust alludi 
 list says ; 
 
 in all ]; 1- 
 aid in ] i 
 , who 
 round, 
 ier lro]n i 
 nonvilli', : 
 inform pri 
 en hundiXM.j 
 ; \A^hilsl ! 
 h two 1 ^ 
 waitii- 
 d the (' 
 ed the *., 
 
 is known 
 
 iacliiuc.'* 
 
 00 persop : 
 
 mt' nnnilK r v..: 
 
 V and torti:'*'" 
 
 2. 
 
 GLIMP.-^ES OP THE MONASTERY. 
 
 53 
 
 io:-: ODijsternation at Qao))ec, there being 
 iojily two hundred and forty men hi the 
 Icitv, capable of bearing arms." 
 
 " "^lojor Prevost resolved to do all in 
 
 ^ . .ower to fortify the place. A fort was 
 
 :tod so near the Monastery (hat the 
 
 •-.lie passed through the court-yard 
 
 'warden. Sentinels were placed on 
 
 I at diilerent stations in the city, and 
 
 ;i patrol made the rounds day and 
 
 :d. 
 
 ?) 
 
 " I'igare to yourself, continues the An- 
 [':'. i , a city without wal Is or gates, whose 
 ill') cMtants have gone to defend another 
 
 .it we have put our conlidence in 
 who alone can deliver us from the 
 impending. For this reason we offer 
 Ku" ]>rayers incessantly to implore the 
 iiie protection. If God be for us, 
 have nothing to fe; r ; but if He forsake 
 s, v/e are undone. This great tribulation 
 xoites everyone to penitence. There are 
 nily processions and other acts of piety to 
 I'Pcase the wrath of God, irritated by 
 
 
 
 
 ■ u 
 
 1 I 
 
 ' fj 
 
I^o/ 
 
 1 
 
 •f'l 
 
 ill'' 
 
 ii 
 
 I,:;! 
 
 !l ;i' 
 
 •! ii; 
 
 ■Ml- 
 
 ! I :; 
 
 •1=1 
 
 :!i;i 
 
 .54 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 the sins 
 Am 
 
 
 people. On the feast oi ^Nt| 
 ced the ibllowiii 
 
 justin, we coinraen 
 devotions, for the preservation 
 country, the humiliation of the Iroquoisl 
 and the general welfare of all classes oil 
 society. 
 
 1° A weekly Communion to be oilerj 
 ed for these intentions. 
 
 2^ The Anthem, O sa^?/laris, sung aij 
 Mass after the Elevation, and the Stiln 
 Ilegina, after Matins. 
 
 3° Five of the Community, named 
 each week, will pray specially for these 
 intentions, as follows : — Two will say the 
 oflBice of the Immaculate Conception be; 
 fore the Jjlessed Sacrament ; two otheri 
 the office of St. Joseph; a lay sister ^viil 
 say nine times th j Gloria Fatri and An\ 
 Marii. All the other penitential acts aiic 
 good works of the Community, will N 
 offered for the same ends. These practiceij 
 of piety are to be continued the whole! 
 year." 
 
 Evidently, our nuns wt're not idle spec 
 tators, nor speculators on the state of pu 
 
rxy 
 
 TERY. 
 
 LB feabi ol\St 
 le Ibl lowing 
 ition of the 
 the Iroquois 
 :ill classes of 
 
 to be olfer-l 
 
 IS, sung all 
 id the Salul 
 
 GLIMPSES OP THE MONASTEUY. 
 
 55 
 
 affairs. Like Moses on the Mount, they 
 [had recourse to prayer, while their breth- 
 jren battled with the enemy ; — we know 
 that, of old, the victory depended more 
 Ion the prayer of Moses, than on the valor 
 [of the Israelites. 
 
 The Ursulines, in fact, had need, not 
 louly of pious zeal, but of courage, also, 
 kbr the enemy would not always be at a 
 distance. 
 
 ij 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 ity, namedl 
 lly Ibr th('«l 
 will say tliti 
 nception be| 
 ; two otheiij 
 ay- sister will 
 alri and Aii 
 tial acts ant 
 nitv, will 1)^ 
 ese practi( t-: 
 I the wlio!^ 
 
 lot idle i^P^'^gi 
 Laleof publif^ 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 IGOO, 
 
 THE ALARMS OF WAR. 
 
 When in the security of the present day, 
 
 one surveys at leisure the magnificent 
 
 j panorama of the fertile and cultivated 
 
 valley of the tSt. Lawrence, its scattered 
 
 
 l'^: 
 
 ?■■.;;■••*, 
 
56 
 
 OLIMPSES OF THE MONA>^TKRY. 
 
 cottages, hnmlof.^s i^inl villnf^'os, poacexuily 
 nestliiiL*' along' the ))ov(U'rs ol' tlio priiiit'- 
 \ix\ Ibivsls ; itb tliriviiiL>' l^wns, reposing 
 foarloss of an eiu'my ; lln' old Citadel o[ 
 Q,iie])oc diyriiautlod, and its bat lories at 
 rest; it may not ])e an easy nialter to hi inn- 
 to mind that i'ai" diihMtMit pieiure it pre- 
 sented in by Gfone days. 
 
 The occasional apparition of an Indi:;!! 
 in his characteristic cos! nine, may recall 
 to mind those times \vhi*n I he whole land 
 was peopled with a brave ])ut savaue 
 race, that have now almost totally disap- 
 peared ; and we think oi* the terror the 
 name of the Iroquois once :nspired. 1 iio 
 sii'-ht of the Eni-'lish ilai:'- r^'minds ns also 
 
 CD O ~ 
 
 of a terrible crisis ; and wo contrast the 
 present security and hai;piness of the 
 country, with the former stern and foarlul 
 realities of war ;uid blood&hod. 
 
 The TJrsulini o had their share in the 
 consternation which the name of the In- 
 dian, and the Ez/i^iis/u/iaj/, in turn, excited. 
 That old vohuuo of the Annals seems, 
 even now, to palpitate with dread, in the 
 
 u 
 
 \ 
 
IIY. 
 
 [^oacoiully 
 tlu' priiiu,'- 
 ^, reposing 
 C'ilndol (.1 
 latteries at 
 ^r to hiu\\f 
 ire it prt>- 
 
 nil liuli:;!! 
 
 nay recall 
 A' hole laiul 
 lilt sayaae 
 ally disap- 
 terror t!io 
 ired. liie 
 ids ns also 
 Diitrast the 
 _\<s ol" tlio 
 ind loarlul 
 
 are Ui the 
 ) oi' the lu- 
 ll, excited, 
 als seeiii.s 
 'ad, iu the 
 
 ca-iMi'iJw OF rnr. monastkrv. 
 
 i) 
 
 ]\'ciial it makes of the siege orcjucbec, iu 
 
 i(;!»0. . 
 
 Our readers will lollow 'Vvitli interest 
 Ith'^ events already known to them by his- 
 t(»i\', hut wliich lake th(3 coloring" ol' ac- 
 tualitv lis our Annalist describes the 
 jgc Mies oF which she was an eye witness. 
 
 ^' On tlio 7th October, slu^ writes, news 
 Kv IS receiviul tliat a.n Kni^lish fleet of 
 thirty lour vessels ^vas approacliin^* to 
 Itako possession of tlni country ; alrt^idy 
 [on the second oF the month, the enemy 
 hvas in sight at Mal])aie/ This news 
 IcriMt'Hl great alarm. Quebec could oiler 
 liio resistance^ there* 1)eing no soldiiM's in 
 the city, and but two hundred male ci- 
 [tizons. The Governor with all the troops 
 
 lad gone to Montreal, to defend that place 
 [aLiainst the [ro(]Uois. A canoe was de- 
 
 jpatched, immediately, to carry him the 
 [tidings of this new danger." 
 
 " In the mean time, the Major Prevost 
 worked at the foriiiiculious, batteries were 
 
 ' Ni'W calU'il Murruv l!uv. 
 
 4J| 
 
 'I M 
 
 
 
 r-i 
 
58 
 
 ar.LMl'SIiS OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 moiuited at the Lower Town ; the streets 
 were barricaded; the inhabitants ol'the 
 environs were called upon to aid in tlio 
 defence. There was a deliberation to 
 send the two communities of nuns to 
 Montreal ; but as no boats could be pro- 
 cured, it was decided we should go toj 
 Lorette. Four of us were to be sent toj 
 make prej)arations for the rest ; then, asl 
 soon as the enemy's sails should be in 
 sight, the others were to follow. A place 
 of concealment was contrived in the cel-| 
 lur, where we stowed away our linen, 
 stulfs, &c. AYe commenced a novena to the I 
 Holy Angels, and to St. Joseph, the Patron 
 of the country, hnving Mass said every | 
 day in his honor ; — omitting nothing to ap- 
 pease the Divine justice and to obtam tlie| 
 favor of God for the country." 
 
 " Onr vows w^ere accepted ; contrary! 
 winds were sent, so that in nine days the 
 enemv's? vessels did not advance as much 
 as they might have done in half a day." 
 
 " When the ileet reached Quebec, which I 
 was on the morning of the IGth Oct., the 
 
 ^i'lii'': 
 
OMMPSKS OF TIIK xMoNASTKRY, 
 
 59 
 
 city was prepare^!, liiw ing for its deriMice 
 two thousaiid men, iiioludiiig tho troo])S 
 ivc.iUod i'roiii Montreal, under the Count 
 ih Frontenac; and the Canadian militia, 
 und'.'rM. de Callieres. The same day, the 
 Eng'Hsh captain sent a herald to summon 
 the Grovernor to surrender. According to 
 the insolent terms of tlie letter, not only 
 the Fort, arms, munitions and stores, were 
 to be delivered up, hut all the inhabi- 
 tants of the city were to surrender at dis- 
 cretion. One hour only was oliered for 
 deliberation. The Grovernor gave imme- 
 diately the answer they deserved namely : 
 ' That Grod would not favor those who 
 were traitors to their King ^ and their re- 
 lii>'ion, and that he had no answer to i^ivo 
 them, but by the mouth of his cann ^n.' 
 The herald was dismissed without fur- 
 ther ceremony and the next day theliring 
 from the fleet commenced. On the 18th, 
 a part of the English troops landing at 
 JJeauport, there was a skirmish between 
 
 .-■ . ( . 
 
 , { 
 
 (• 
 
 • '^1 
 
 ^ JuiiR's Tl liiid beeinlrivcMi fivMu liis kitiLrilom, and 
 Williiiiii III culled in Lo lake lii^ place on tlic throne 
 
 of England. 
 
 
GO 
 
 GLIMPSES OV THE :MONASTERy, 
 
 i; 
 
 them and (ho French militia, with a loss 
 lor the enemy. 
 
 The ibllowing' days the cannonade Avas 
 renewed, but with less eil'ect. On the 
 iirst day, a cannon hall burst through a 
 window-shutter and sash, and finally 
 lodged at the bedside of one of our board- 
 ers ; another passed through the apron 
 of one Oi our Sisters, carrying oil the piece; 
 other balls fell in the garden, the parks 
 and the court-yards; but, by the protection 
 of Heaver, no person was injured. Our 
 house was crowded with people, and tho 
 Externs (house of Mad. de la l^eltrie) was 
 filled with furniture and merchandise, 
 placed there for greater security. Tho 
 Boarders' department, the classes for the 
 Indian girls, the refectory and novitiate, 
 with our three cellars, were filled with tho 
 pe^^pleofthe city, women and children, 
 so that we could hardly pass to and from 
 our kitchen, but ato our food standing c»ad 
 in haste, liki^ the Israelites when they ate 
 the Paschal Lamb.*' 
 
 " We passed the first night before the 
 
 iii|-'::;iiftHr 
 
 ^l^-X^ 
 
GLIMPSES OF TIIK MONASTERY. 
 
 61 
 
 Jjlcssed Sacrament in proyor : the I'ol low- 
 ing' nights, some took a iitt(^ rest in tht^ 
 tSacristy, others in their ceils, remaining* 
 dressed, awaiting death at any moment. 
 "VVe had placed in the Choir the statues ol 
 Jesus, Mary, Joseph, helbrc which a taptu* 
 I was kept burning, while some ol' the sis- 
 ters were constantly there in prayer. Wo 
 lent, on this occasion, our painting of the 
 Holy P'amily, to be exposed on the steei)lG 
 oF the Cathedral, to l)ear witness that it 
 was under their holy patronage that we(?) 
 were combating the enemy." 
 
 Having attempted^ in vain, to take the 
 city by assault on the side oi' the Littlo 
 iiivcr, (the St. Charles) where they were 
 vigorously repulsed by our Canadians, the 
 enemy retreated to their damaged ships. 
 
 This was on the 21st of October." 
 
 The evil fortune of the invaders pnr- 
 fsned them still, during their perilous nav- 
 igation hom<}w^T,rd. Several of their ships 
 were lost, and hardships incredible, from 
 [Want of food and the inclemency of the 
 weather, attended the scjuadron to the 
 
 "In 
 
 ■ f 
 
02 
 
 QLIMPSKS OP TUK MONASTKUY. 
 
 I.,i: 
 
 port oi' lioston, whifh they oiitorod only 
 six \v(3eks after losiim* sii>'ht ol* Quebec. 
 
 " The retreat of the enemy left th-j 
 country in g'reat joy. The people sought 
 to manifest their gratitude- to fleaven, ac- 
 knowKnli^ing they had no part in the 
 victory, but that it was Grod's rig'ht hiUKl 
 tliat had delivered us. For this end, thu 
 Bishop of Quebec ordered a procession to 
 be made, in thaidvSL>-ivinii^. The imai^^t* 
 of the Jjlessed Virgin was l)orne suc- 
 cessively to the four Churches, endiii<>' 
 at the Cathedral, where the Te Deiim was 
 sung'. In the evening there were l^onliies 
 (des feux de joie). 
 
 Moreover, our Prelate has decided that 
 the Chapel which is to be built in the 
 Ijo^^xu" Town, shall bear the title of " Our 
 Ladv of Victory," in fulfilment of a vow 
 made to this efF»'ct. Every year, the fourth 
 Sunday of October will be a commemo- 
 rative feast ; there will be a procession in 
 honor of the Blessed Virgin on the same 
 day. 
 
 Our readers know with what fidelity 
 
GL1MPSK8 OF TIIR MONASTERY. 
 
 03 
 
 niid lervor this anniversary is stili celo- 
 hnitod. Happy the country that has 
 marked it^ calendar by such testivals, 
 which arc kept alter two centuries, in ilie 
 spirit of their lbund«»rs ! 
 
 iNot to interrupt h<'r narration, our clois- 
 ttM'od historian has dehwed to anothiT 
 paii'e, her record ol'tho festival ol\St. Ur- 
 sula. It is in keepini^ with the s[nrit oi' 
 these primitive times. The city was be- 
 sieg'cd by an enemy, the roar of their 
 camions, at various hours of the d'ay, was 
 hoard so near that the balls ratih^d upon 
 the roof and walls of the monastery. ^J'he 
 danger was so real that the Blessed JSa- 
 cranient was removed from the Taber- 
 nacle, — nevertheless the N uns sim>' their 
 iirst Vespers. The Breviary Oihce connot 
 be recited, because their books, have been 
 stowed away, with whatever else they 
 held most precious ; but in order not to 
 dolVaud Heaven of their accustomed tri- 
 bute of prayer, they g'^ve an hour more to 
 meditation. On the Festival, the Bishop is 
 |in their Chapel to say Mass and give them 
 Communion. At two o'clock P.M. they 
 
 I 
 
64 
 
 aLlMl'Si;8 OF TIIK MONASTKllY. 
 
 iM 
 
 ImIvi^ Ihoir •^ccuslotiUHl places in tho cli> 
 to listen devoutly to a sermon, with ih 
 oxpectjitiou that at four, a great halii. 
 would icxkc. place vvitliin {siu,'ht of lli-ir 
 windows. The sacred preaelier (iM. >; 
 111 Colomhier*') after ii panegyric of ili' 
 Virgin martyrs, simzcs the occasion to ix. 
 hort his audit Jis to similar intrepidity iiil 
 the approaching danger, congratulatiii: 
 them on the happiness oi' being called lol 
 follow ho closely the i'ootstcps of tlnir 
 illustrious Patroness. He concludes hi? 
 exhortation in this pathetic style, wbi-ii 
 the Jjishop entones that jilaintive Ilynui; 
 
 *' 3Jaria Mdler ixraliic Et moilia liom 
 
 SNsclpe,'" Math such a voice that the gooiil 
 nuns were hall" persuaded that their In^j 
 hour had come. It is easy to imagiiuj 
 with what sentiments tlu^y i)rostrated lo 
 receive the blessing ol* our Lord in iIk 
 licnediction Service, at which the rrelaij 
 olliciated, closing the festal solemnity] 
 just as the roar of artillery recommencid 
 
 Later, it was known that this last car, 
 iionade of tht;» enemv was but a feint k* 
 cover their retreat which they eflecicc 
 
(JMMTSKS OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 05 
 
 Avith givat procipiliitioii during the night. 
 AVhoii tho report ol" this victory reached 
 the court of France, the conduct of Fron- 
 feline iuid that of the officers and men 
 uikUt his command, were so highly ap- 
 ])rociated, that the king ordered a medal 
 to hi3 struck in commemoration of the 
 event, 
 
 ^ome of our Readers may have seen this 
 modal : it bears the folloWing motto : — 
 
 IvEHECA LIBEKATAM. DC. XC ;— and o'n 
 
 the other side : 
 
 Fkancia in novo oebe victrix. — 
 Qnehe.c deliver edy 1600. France victorious 
 \in the New World. 
 
 
 
 !. 
 
 f. f 
 
 f . 
 
 . •]' 
 
 .] 
 
 A 
 
 ^i&; 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 lOO 
 
 REV. MOTHER MARGARET DE FLECELLES OF 
 ST.ATllANASIUS, 
 
 BKCOND SUPERIORESS OF THE MONASTEUY :— PA- 
 RISIAN NUNS. 
 
 !;.' 
 
 Early in the history of the Monastery, 
 we meet with the name of Mother St. 
 Athanasius : — our Yen. Mother Mary of 
 the Incarnation, her contemporary, has 
 left us an appreciation of her merU, in 
 terms of the highest eulogium. 
 
 Called to govern the Community dur- 
 ing eighi^^en years, and to edii'y it by 
 her virtues throuo^h her loni>' career of| 
 more than half a century, her memory 
 is still fresh among us, embalmed in that 
 gratitude, esteem, and afft^ction which, | 
 surrounded her during life. 
 
 In reading of the vocation of Mother 
 
 ^^.. 
 
OLI.MI'SES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 G7 
 
 M. (le rincariiation, we are struck with 
 the conviction that Divine Providence 
 had prepared her in a special manner for 
 her work; that, truly, the trials and the 
 toils of preceding- years, were her " no- 
 vitiate for Canada." 
 
 l]ut such was not the case with Mother 
 [St. Athanasius. In her youth, she was 
 the i'avorcd child of fortune, as well as 
 of nature. The honorable family de ^""16- 
 colies, to which she belonged, was dis- 
 iiiigiiished, even in the polished circles 
 of Parisian society. 
 
 Mirgaret, the pearl of that noble house, 
 was placed, at an early age, in the Board- 
 ing school of the Ursuline Convent in 
 the Fdubourg St. Jacques, (Paris), an 
 Institution then recently founded by Ma- 
 dame de St Beuve, yet already flourish- 
 ing and enjoying the highest reputation. 
 Here, while her rare talents were cul- 
 tivated with success, the excellent qua- 
 lities of her heart were developed and 
 fortitied by the relii^ious instructions and 
 pious exemples of lier teachers. Cheer- 
 
 
 I 
 
 rx- 
 
 
 ■'<*■ i 
 
 f- 
 
 ! -: 1 
 
68 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTi.RY. 
 
 1^ 
 > 
 
 fill and good humored, modost and 
 obliging, graceful and engaging in hei 
 manners^ the youthful Margaret was a 
 geiieral favorite, while the solidity ol hor 
 judgment, her sincere and unaflrctod 
 piety enchained the hearts of her iriond 
 in the lasting bonds of esteem and ai 
 lection. 
 
 Returning to the bosom of her family, 
 fitted to become its ornament as eh' 
 might have been its idol, she did noi 
 suffer her soul lo be fettered by the silken 
 cords of love and ease. tShe had heard 
 the voice of grace, calling her to a life of 
 s^lf-abnegation, and devotedness to the 
 good of souls: waiting only to obtain the 
 consent of her worthy parents, she has- 
 tened to present herself, in her fresh sev- 
 enteen, to the Superioress of the Ursu- 
 lines, in the same Convent where i^hei 
 had received her education. Admitted to 
 that Novitiate where all was fervor, she 
 pronounced her -^ows after two years, thH 
 usual period of probation, — and continued 
 her course with fresh ardor, aiming at the 
 highest perfection. Already seven yearsl 
 
GLIMP.SES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 69 
 
 had quickly passed away, in the service 
 ol* Him who has said that his "yoke is 
 easy and his burden light," when the 
 little missionary band, destined ior Que- 
 hi^c, received hospitality in the '* Grreat 
 Convent " ol* Paris, 
 
 Mother Margaret of St. Athanasius, does 
 not appear to have been attracted by the 
 sight of the Christian Heroines, to seek to 
 share their enterprise, as were others of 
 the Community. No! her vocation to 
 Canada, like that of her call to religion, 
 was one of pure generosity, unaided by 
 the sensible attractions of any special 
 grace. Crod had permitted her soul to 
 ])e visited by a season of desolation, as 
 dark as it was trying. In this interior 
 cunllict, — the precise nature of which is 
 not stated, — the faithful Spouse of Jesus 
 abandons her fate, more completely than 
 ever, to his mercy. " Though he slay me, 
 yet will 1 trust in him" said holy Job. 
 The pious Ursuline resolves to do still 
 more tor Him, whose hand presses so 
 heavily upon her breaking heart. Sho 
 
 1 i 
 
 n 
 
 n 
 
 hi 
 
70 
 
 QLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 VOWS to ofier herself to her Snperiors, to 
 be sent to that little Convent, devotpcl to 
 the Savag"e tribes in Canada. tSo g( Mic- 
 rons an act obtained its immediate ro- 
 ward, in that " peace of the soul which 
 passeth understanding;" a strength un- 
 known to her before, fortified" her w^iJl, 
 and urged her to fulfil her engagemeiil, 
 sacrificing a second time, her family and 
 friends, with the Mothers and Sisters 
 scarcely less dear of that second home, 
 where she had hoped to pass the re- 
 mainder of her days. Such was the first 
 vigorous step of Mother St. Athana^ius in 
 the rugged path to which she had com- 
 mitted herself. Let us now introduce the 
 amiable companion Providence had pre- 
 pared for her. Mother Anne Le Bugle, — of 
 St. Clare. 
 
 In her vocation, unlike Mother St. 
 Athanasius, she is borne on the winci-s of 
 a holy ardor, and deems the happiness to 
 be chosen for the mission, lightly bought 
 at the price of a final separation from her 
 beloved parents, and her community. 
 rier heart is so consumed with zeal lor 
 
GLIMPSES OP THE MONASTERY. 
 
 71 
 
 tho salvation of the benighted heathen 
 of America, that siie feels no longer bound 
 by earthly ties ; and we are forced to 
 sympathiz) with her weeping parents 
 more than with herself, when they at 
 last '\for Gofl's sake,'" as she had entreated, 
 consent to. let her depart. 
 
 Then she casts herself with an uttt 
 abandon, into the arms of Divine Provi- 
 d'.Mice, without solicitude for the present, 
 or the fature. On her voyage, every thing 
 turns out for the best : the ocean is never 
 seen but it is "calm;" the sea-breeze 
 ever proves " mild and refreshing" : as she 
 nears the shore, " a clear sky is overhead ; 
 verdant groves and lovely flowers rejoice 
 her sight." They reach Quebec, at the 
 end of two months (1040) without acci- 
 dent. 
 
 That little Convent on the beach in the 
 Lower Town, ^ has a poor Chapel which 
 to her looks devout : — within, she finds a 
 
 V, 'I 
 
 1(1 
 M 
 
 •at" 
 
 ■ i. ! 
 
 •s 
 
 f 
 
 ^ The sniiill lionso wlilcli served as a Convent 
 over tliHM^ V'ars, stood opposite the present Church 
 of Our Lady ctf Victory. 
 
72 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY, 
 
 sweet solitude, where with " most amia])lo 
 and saintly Sisters," she lives in •' wondor- 
 fulpeace and union." Her cheerfulness and 
 filial trust in God, fitted her for the trials 
 of h'fe; like the reed that, bending to the 
 wind, is never crushed by the storm. This 
 commencement was but a presage of the 
 edification which the life of Mother St. 
 Clare afibrded, serving her Master, as she 
 had resolved, with her whole heart, till he 
 called her to her reward, thirty-six years 
 later (1677). 
 
 The accession of these beloved Pari- 
 sian Mothers, seems to have been highly 
 providential for the little Convent of 
 Quebec. It obtained the powerful aid 
 and protection of that Monastery, the 
 Mother House of the Congregation of 
 Paris, which being of older date than 
 that of Tours, and situated near the 
 centre of the Missions of the Society of 
 Jesus, enjoyed greater facility for pro- 
 moting: the welfare of the new foun- 
 dation. 
 
 The Biographical Notice of "<5urmost 
 
d Pari- 
 1 highly 
 vent of 
 rful aid 
 
 ry, the 
 atioii of 
 te than 
 ear the 
 ciety of 
 tor pro- 
 foil 11- 
 
 ur most 
 
 GLIMPSES OF TIIK MONASTERY. 
 
 73 
 
 honored and belovi^d Mother Marg\ de 
 Flecelles of 8t. Athonasius," describes her 
 as a shining" rnirror of every virtue, 
 nourishing her union with God ))y a 
 special devotion to the Passion and to 
 the Blessed Eucharist, assiduous to pray- 
 er, walking in the presence of God, in 
 the constant exercise of that two-lbld 
 charity which is the abridgment of all 
 perfection. If she still remembers the 
 rich halls of the parental mansion, it is 
 to provide for herself, the poorest cell, 
 the poorest raiment, and the most meniaii 
 employments in the Monastery. When 
 her Sisters, pained to lind her in the 
 hake-house or in the wash-room, seek to 
 persuade her to spare herself, she insists 
 that it is her consolation to be there, and 
 the best preservative of her health. — 
 When from the place of command, she 
 descends to the rank of inferior, her 
 obedienre has only acquired the addi- 
 tional lustre of a more perfect submission ; 
 she is the willing servant of all who 
 need her services, more humble in heart 
 
 'M 
 
 
 %i '.ft 
 
 ■i . 
 
 l.l, 
 
 
 ■i: 
 
 •i: 
 
 f 
 
 ■'•■. ^i 
 
 I 
 
 ;•,. ' t' 
 
 .1 
 
 . i^ 
 
7t 
 
 GLIMPiSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 than it is possible for any outward cir. 
 cumstaiices to make h(3r. 
 
 Oiico, only, did Mother St. Athanasius 
 disoblige her Si^stv^rs, and give them cause 
 for ^orro\ iirl complaint. It was wheii 
 she sou£^hi ;i.ud btaiiied of her Kcclesias- 
 ticai Superior, th I^ishop of Quebec, the 
 permission to withdraw her ntme at the 
 election of a new Superior, of the Mo- 
 nastery, wishing to oijoy the full benefit 
 of her vow of obedience, the rest of her 
 days. 
 
 Guided in this demand by her humi- 
 lity, she found from the same motive, 
 abundant cause of confusion, witnessins: 
 the affliction of her Sisters, and by their 
 distress knowing, truly, how very dear 
 she was to them. 
 
 There would be much to add, here, of 
 her zeal for the int ruction of yonth— a 
 task from which she would never wil- 
 lingly be exempted, unless it were in 
 her old age, the last six months of her 
 life; — of her detachment, never sniftering 
 herself to be personally benefited by 
 
I^fll 
 
 GLIMPSES OF TFTR MOXASTKRY. 
 
 75 
 
 ^^ard cir. ^ the m; ly rich* donations of her family ; 
 oi'hor i»enitenti*xl spirit, her mo iilication, 
 
 hanasius 
 >m cans« 
 as whei! 
 ^]cclesias- 
 ebec, the 
 ic at the 
 the Mo- 
 il benefit 
 st of her 
 
 er humi- 
 motive, 
 
 itnessinsf 
 by tlieir 
 
 :ry dear 
 
 here, of 
 ronth— a 
 ver wil- 
 were in 
 IS of her 
 snfftn'ing 
 [ited by 
 
 her z '1 fv^r the conversion of sinners, 
 and particularly i'c i that of the poor In- 
 dians. But let us conclude ; citing from 
 the Annals the details of the last few 
 days of her life. 
 
 " Our venerable Mother Margaret de 
 Flecelles of St. Athanasius, charged with 
 years and with merits, fell ill on the 28th of 
 May, 1605, in the eighty-lirdt year of her 
 age. Eising, as usual, at four o'clock, she 
 had gone to the Choir to prostrate herself 
 before the Blessed Sacrament. Au hour 
 later, the inlirmariau perceiving that she 
 was feeble, conducted her to the infirmary 
 and pressed her to refresh herself by tak- 
 ing a little repose. ' Oh ! this will be noth- 
 ing,' said the venerable patient; — and, 
 in the afternoon, returning to the choir, 
 she approached the Sacrament of Penance 
 in preparation for the Feast of the mor- 
 row, the Holy Trinity. After Communion 
 the next mornin-r, and after assisting 
 at an assembly in chapter at nine o'clock, 
 
 
 I : 
 
 •J 
 
76 
 
 GlilMPSKS OF THE MONAhTKRY. 
 
 she look h(3r bod to rise no more. Duriiiir 
 three days, hor vigorous constitution af. 
 lorded hopes that the fever which wa.s 
 
 co)isunnn<»' 
 
 lit be abated : l] 
 
 er, iriigni be ar)atecl: but 
 on Wednesday the symptoms of aj)- 
 proaching dissolution appeared. Mother 
 St. Athanasius knowing the danger, asked 
 for the last Sacraments, and received 
 them w^ith exemplary piety." 
 
 " Althouah her snfIerinQ;s w^ere ffreat, 
 and her soul absorbed in God, she still 
 w^as attentive to all around her, receivino- 
 the visits of her Sisters with admirable 
 kindness and cordiality. 
 
 " Perceiving that her lips were dry and 
 parched with fever, one of us remarked 
 it to her, asking if she w^ould not drink to 
 allay her thirst. She was answered by 
 these w^ords so full ofmeaninc^: — "I have 
 another thirst w^hich cannot be allayed." 
 The Superioress, Mother Mary of the 
 AuG^els, seated bv her bedside, enterini.^ 
 into her thought, added : " You thirst, dear 
 Mother, to glorify God, to suffer for his 
 love, to o-ain souls to his service." To this 
 
 ; 
 
 lis. 
 
 ?J 
 
 
GLiMrsES OF Tin-: MONA.^TKIIV. 
 
 77 
 
 iht' vonorable MoiIkm* replied wilh I'orco : 
 ' V^es, yes! 1 thirst to gloiily God, and to 
 love him." Then, with th(» same fervor, 
 she exclaimed, in the words of the Psal- 
 mist : — " For thee niy soul hath thirsted! 
 Ill ades'^rt hind, and where no water is ! so, 
 ill the sanctuary have I come before thee, 
 God, to see thy power and thy glory." 
 The last moments of her hfe were 
 passed in that sweet and intimate com- 
 munion with God which was habiiual to 
 her, till, pronouncing three times the 
 holy name of Jesus, she gently gave up 
 her soul to Him who made it ; it was 
 the 3d of June, 1G95, — the sixty-third 
 anniversary of her religions profession 
 
 " Rev. Mother St. Athanasius will ever 
 bo regarded as a signal benefactress of 
 this Monastery. God alone knows how 
 much we are indebted to her. "We hum- 
 bly hope she already enjoys her re- 
 compense in the happiness of heaven. 
 Hl'V many virtues, and all our obligations, 
 render us most sensible to her loss, .....J!. 
 her memory will ever be held dear among 
 us." 
 
 
 f 
 
 5 .'fj. 
 
 . 
 
 -! 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 ! 
 
 »i 
 
 il 
 
 ■1^1 
 
 :.i! 
 
78 
 
 GLIMPSES OF TIIK MONASTERY. 
 
 In closing this slight tributo to I ho 
 memory of our two first Parisian Motliers, 
 wo may remind our Iveacb^rs of the thrto 
 others ol' th(^ same Congregation, who 
 were welcomed to Quel^ec in liJTl; 
 Mother Marie Le Maire — oi' the Angels, 
 Mother ]\Iarie Drouet—oFJesus, and Moth* 
 cr ]\larie Gihault du Breuil — ol'St. Josei^h. 
 
 Thirteen years previous to the decease 
 of Mother vSt. Athanasius, the Constitu- 
 tions of Paris, by Uie advice of the 
 Bishop, had been adopted by the Com- 
 munity of Quebec. These Constitutions, 
 published lirst in 1G23, and reprinted 
 with some slight amendments a few 
 years after, bear the impress of their 
 origin, — the linger of God guiding the 
 hand of his saints. Composed by per- 
 sons of the highest merit deeply versed 
 in theology and in the knowledge of the 
 human heart, every Chapter and every 
 sentence was made the subject of care- 
 ful examination, and tested by being put 
 in practice, before it linally received the 
 seal of l!]piscop;d approbation. The ex- 
 perience of two hundred years, has but 
 
GLIMPSES OP THE MONASTERY. 
 
 79 
 
 roudered those Coiislitntious more pre- 
 cious and venorahle in this Monastery, 
 where thoy are still in full ibrce, wilh 
 such moditications only as the circum.- 
 slaucos ol' the times have required, and 
 the proper authority sanctioned. 
 
 CUAPTER VII. 
 
 FOUNDATION OF THE UHSULINE CONVENT OF 
 TIlllEE RIVERS. 
 
 r 
 
 
 fU 
 
 
 "*' '/ (>'^ 
 
 Quehec had made provision, from an 
 early date, for the two classes of society, 
 the most helpless and the most in need 
 of succor, — children and the poor inlirm. 
 The College of the .Jesuits, the Ilrsuline 
 Convent, and the Hotel-Dieu, p^rew up 
 with the rising city : the Theological tSem- 
 
80 
 
 OLIMPSKS OF THE Mr NASTERY. 
 
 -,«'!■ 
 
 iiiavy, with its " Little Sominary " for 
 students, was founded by Bishop 
 
 L 
 
 aval. 
 
 in 16(jo ; the General Hospital, by Bishop 
 Saint-Valier, in 1G92 : these were all nour- 
 ishing institi]tions at the close ot* the 
 seventeenth century. . 
 
 Montreal had also, from a period near- 
 ly coeval with its first settlement, wel- 
 comed the heroic Mademoiselle Manse, 
 and the devoted Mar2;uerite Bour2;eois. 
 The former endowed Vllle-Marie with its 
 Hospital ; the latter, with an Institution 
 for female youth, the Congregation of Our 
 Lady (lu53) ; the Theological Seminary ot 
 St. Sulpice, founded in 1677, offered also, 
 the advantac^es of a Christian education 
 to youth. 
 
 Three liivers, which from the begin- 
 ning of the Colony was regarded as an 
 important post, and which received a 
 permanent settlement, with a local Go- 
 vernor in KHo, had not, at the end of 
 sixty years, an Listitution either of edu- 
 cation or of charity, beyond what the 
 Mission of the good Jesuits and the Fran- 
 ciscan Fathers airorded. 
 
 u 
 
GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 81 
 
 ■y" for 
 > Laval. 
 
 ]>isho[) 
 ill llour- 
 
 ot' the 
 
 :)d near- 
 Jilt, wel- 
 
 Manse, 
 )urgeois, 
 ? with \\> 
 stitution 
 )n of Our 
 ninary of 
 
 red also. 
 ducatiou 
 
 le begin- 
 ed as an 
 ceived a 
 
 ocal Go- 
 end oi' 
 r of edu- 
 hat the 
 he Fran- 
 
 This want had no doul)t seriously re- 
 tarded the prosperity and importance of 
 lhiM'isini>- City, whatever may have been 
 said by a late author of the lolly of 
 
 ibuiuli 
 
 Hospital, almost 
 
 le 
 
 [most contempor- 
 ary with the settlement of a country. 
 
 The zealous Prelate who had endowed 
 Qii»'l)ec with its second Hospital, con- 
 sulted with the local Grovernor of Three- 
 iiivers, M. Rigaud de Yaudreuil, and it 
 was dc ided that one establishment, at 
 least, should be undertaken. Unwilling, 
 ncveriheless, to leave tne sick and infirm 
 
 I unprovided ibr, he conceives the possi- 
 P bility of uniting the two works of mercy 
 
 in one Institution. Ursulines would teach ; 
 
 —it is an indispensable article of their con- 
 II stitutions: but they could also, by Episco- 
 M pal authority, attend to the wants of the 
 I sick, in a part of the Monastery to be 
 
 II callod The Hoi^inlal. The project was 
 S now and untried ; it is an additional proof 
 ^1 uf 1 10 zeal and spirit of sacrifice of our 
 
 auciont Mothers, when they accept the 
 foundation on these conditions. 
 
 h mansion on the marixin of the ^St. Law- 
 
82 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 rence had been built for the residence of 
 the Governor : the Bishop proposed to pur- 
 chase it, if it would be found suitable for 
 a Convent. This point being left to the 
 decision of the nuns, they must needs 
 make the journey to see it. Rev. Mother 
 Le Maire of the Angels with the newly ap- 
 pointed Superioress, Mother Marie Drouet 
 of Je^us, and a lay 8ister, issuing froui 
 the cloister, were met by the Grovernor of 
 Three Rivers, M. Kigaud de Yaudreail 
 the Bishop Saint-Valier, and M. de Men- 
 tigny, ^ the ecclesiastical Superior of the 
 Monastery. The voyage was without 
 accident, and business was settled to the 
 satisfaction of the parties concerned, 
 the contract passed, and the germ of a 
 tuture Community planted. It was plain 
 that the nev/ foundation would not have 
 to endure the hardships and privations 
 which had attended that of Quebec ; but 
 it is possible there will be other trials, 
 for the works of Heaven are ever buih 
 upon the Cross. 
 
 Of tlie Seiniuary of Quel-ec. 
 
GLIMPSES OF THK MONASTERY. 
 
 83 
 
 A few day later, there is another part- 
 ing scene at the Ursulines of Quebec. 
 Mother Mary of the Angels stands in 
 readiness to conduct an Assistant, Mother 
 Le Vailiant of kSt. Cecile, ^ and two more 
 ot her daughters to the new Convent: 
 Mother Marie Amiot of the Conception, 
 and Mother St. Michel have been chos- 
 en.— i]ut let us join the little colony, 
 die day preceding their departure from 
 the dear Monastery, when they go forth 
 to nay their farewell visits to their 
 friends in the City. Their first station is 
 at the Castle, where they offer their re- 
 spects to the veteran Count de Frontenac, 
 and receive his compliment of adieu. 
 They next visit the new Monastery of 
 'the JxecoUets, and the Bishop's palace, 
 where a most cordial and paternal re- 
 ception awaited them : the eminent Pre- 
 late conducted them himself to the Se- 
 minary, to present their homage to the 
 
 i < 
 
 1^^^ 
 
 
 ' ■ i . 
 
 
 ! 
 
 !:■. 
 
 ^ Mother St. Cecile luid l)Ut lately arrived from 
 licr Convent in IJayeiix', Fninee: she was a persou 
 (if rare nun'h, — ])Ut lived only twu years after joiuiug 
 the Ursuliucs of I'hrce Kivers. 
 
'If' 
 
 "I 
 
 84 
 
 GLIMP6ES OF THE MONASTEllY. 
 
 venerable Bishop Laval, and the mem- 
 bers of hiS Community. Here, again, 
 all was cordiality, and tlni most obligiiin- 
 testimonies of good will. Thence, M. 
 de Montigny led the way to the Colleiie 
 of the Kev. Fathers, whose hospitality 
 was displayed by a collation, of which 
 the nuns must partake, betore they pro- 
 ceed to the Hotel-Dieu. The scene here, 
 may easily be imagined. Foi" some, it was 
 the meeting of old schoolmates and 
 early friends ; for others, the cherisiu'd 
 hostesses who had received with such 
 sympathy, eleven years before, a Com- 
 munity without a shelter. 
 
 But let us hasten on, for at the Intoii- 
 dant's palace Mr. and Madame Champi- 
 gny are old friends of the Monastery, wait- 
 ing to give a hearty welcome to these rare 
 visitants. — At the newly-founded General 
 Hospital they are also eagerly expected. Is 
 there not indeed, a new lie added to tIi*Mr 
 friendship by the adoption of the title 
 of HospiUUicres, added to that of Ursu- 
 hues? The day was scarcely longenoniili 
 for all these demonstrations of interos^ 
 
3 mein- 
 , agiiin, 
 Dbliginq- 
 iico, M. 
 
 College 
 spitality 
 r which 
 hey pro- 
 ne here, 
 le, it was 
 ties and 
 ;herished 
 ith siu'h 
 
 a Corn- 
 
 he 1 11 ten- 
 Chaiii[)i- 
 
 ry, wait- 
 Ihese rare 
 1 General 
 
 ected. Is 
 I to tht'ir 
 
 the title 
 
 of Ursiv 
 kenoiiiili 
 hiterost 
 
 ,4 
 
 mi 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THR MONASTERY. 
 
 85 
 
 and kindness. The following morning, 
 at an early hour, w^e find our missionary 
 Histers hastening their departure, lest the 
 farewell embrace should move Ihem too 
 deeply: — they only alight from the car- 
 riau'e to get their w^orthy Prelate's bless- 
 ing ; then, descending Mountain Street 
 to the Low^er Town, they embr.rk for 
 their future home in Three Rivers. 
 
 Another voyage up the River, m the 
 leisurely style of those days, gives Motuer 
 Mavy of the Angels an opportunity to 
 accustom herself to the features of that 
 laudsoape, w^hicli still strikes the behold- 
 er Avitli its grandeur and beauty. Tl^^. 
 milder borders of the Seine w^ould havo 
 Ijrought her pleasing reminiscences of 
 her youthful days ; — the St. Lawrence 
 carried her back to the lirst time she had 
 beheld, a cjuarter of a century previous, 
 the wild scenery of her. adoi:>ted country. 
 
 Our limits will not permit us to follow 
 them further, unless it be to see the return, 
 three years later, of one of these young 
 nuns, Mother Mary of the Conception, 
 
S6 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 J '■'■ 
 
 whose absence had taken the light from 
 her Mother's hearth. Mrs. Amiot had 
 made the sacrifice of her daughter, in 
 giving- her to the Ursulines of Quebec, 
 but she had counted on the pleasure oi" 
 seeing her, from time to time, in the House 
 where she had consecrated herself to 
 God. IMeadiiigher cause with a Mother's 
 eloquence, she moved the Prelate to de- 
 cide upon recalling her to Quebec. Here, 
 her mission extended to long and useful 
 years, as our Annals show. 
 
 In the spring of 1699, we iind Mother 
 Mary of the Angels, returning to Three 
 Rivers as Superioress. The ]]ishop and 
 the ecclesiastical Superior are there to 
 receive the vows of live novices, and give 
 the veil to another; thus the Community 
 numbered eleven members, four of whom 
 were the professed of Quebec. 
 
 Its generous founder, l>ishop Saint- Va- 
 her, spared no pains, economising even 
 upon his personal expenses, to assure the 
 prosperity of an Institution whose useful- 
 ness he fully appreciated. During the 
 
GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 87 
 
 yet perilous period of its foundation, 
 Mother Mary of the Angels writes:—" I 
 may be blamed for having undertaken 
 this work, but after the proofs I have hud 
 that it is the will of God, 1 cannot 
 repent of the essay. If I am in error, it 
 is in company with many persons of va- 
 rious rank and condition, who are more 
 enlightened than I am ; and should G-od 
 permit it, I shall witness the failure of 
 the enterprise as cheerfully as its success, 
 for I desire nothing but the accomplish- 
 ment of the will of Heaven. " 
 
 With sentiments like these in the foun- 
 di esses of the new Monastery, it is not 
 si.rprising that the blessing of God rested 
 upon it. Superiors, already exercised in 
 the difficult art of governing well, like 
 Mother Le Maire of the Angels, Mother 
 Marie Drouet of Jesus and Mother St. 
 Teresa, were deputed from Quebec by 
 the Bishop to guide the young Community, 
 until, in 1781, it was found capable of 
 subsisting by itself. Ten years previous, 
 it is mentioned by the historian, Rev. F. 
 
 hi 
 
88 
 
 GLIMPSES OF TIIK MONASTERY 
 
 Charlevoix, as a " flonrishiiig' Monastery, 
 composed of I'orly Ursiiline nuns, who 
 have the care of a line Hospital, in addi- 
 tion to the labors of their Institute." 
 
 The trials which were spared in tho 
 commencement, were reserved for a lator 
 day. In 1752, the noble mansion which 
 had sheltered the devoted LTrsuiines in 
 their double mission of charity, during 
 fifty-hve years, became, in the space of a 
 few hours, the prey of a destructive con- 
 flagration. The same iire ei>veiop<Hl a 
 good part of the town in a like misfor- 
 tune. 
 
 The nuns were offered hospitality l)y 
 the /"ranciscan Fathers, who gave up tlieiv 
 ow^n house, retreating to a smaller ono, 
 in order to accommodate a Community in 
 distress. An appeal to the public in ia- 
 Tor of the victims of tke conflagration, 
 was follow^ed by a gradual restoration of 
 the ruined town. The Convent, also, was 
 rebuilt in the course of the following year, 
 Bishop de Pontbriand, in person, over- 
 seeing and sharing the labors of the re- 
 
I 
 ■ i 
 
 GLTMPSr.H OF TIIK MONASTERY. 
 
 80 
 
 construction, Iodising ill tho house of tli(3 
 J (lomesiics, and paying the vv'orkuK^n IVom 
 ^ his own purse. The eminent rreiate 
 died seven years later, with the li'lory oi' 
 having accomplished to the letter thi^ Gos- 
 pel precept ol' |jestowin«i' his g'oods upon 
 Ww. poor, that he mii^'ht have a treasure in 
 heaven :— hi^ is justly considered as the 
 second founder of the Ursulines uf Three 
 Itivers. After a lapse of another half- 
 ceiitary, a second disaster called for a simi- 
 lar devoted uess and generosity on the 
 part of another Bishop,-— but thore are 
 details connected with that event which, 
 to avoid anachronisms, must be reserved 
 for a future page. 
 
 Let us not delay however to inscribe : 
 —Honor to the Institution, which during 
 nearly two hundred years has rendered 
 services of inappreciable value to all 
 classes of society, both by its well-con- 
 Uicted Hospital and by its nourishing 
 educational department. 
 
CHAPTER viir. 
 
 iroo. 
 
 FEAST OF THE SACKED HEART ESTABLISHED. 
 
 Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus 
 is no longer a practice reserved to a lew 
 pious souls, who, like a St. G-ertrude, a 
 St. Catherine, a Saint Francis of Sales, 
 or like our own Ven. Mother Mary of 
 the Incarnation, have known, in their 
 silent communion with Heaven, that the 
 graces, and gifts from on high, flow most 
 abundantly through this sacred channel. 
 
 Since that auspicious day, when, in the 
 solitary cloister of Paray-le-Monial, (IGTo) 
 the voice of inspiration was heard, direct- 
 ing this devotion to be made public and 
 extended to all the faithful, it has gra- 
 dually taken root; the fair tree has risen, 
 its branches have spread, its delicious 
 fruit has been ofiered to every palate. 
 
■•• ) 
 
 m> 
 
 OMMPSES OF THE MONASTKRY. 
 
 91 
 
 ).; 
 
 ]]\\i the finger of God is apt to move 
 slowly Avhilo it leaves its broad, and 
 bright, and indelible trace. Thus it was, 
 that the decree i'or the celebration of the 
 Feast of the Sacred Heart throntihout 
 the Church, which has filled all Thris- 
 trndora with joy, was delayed two full 
 centuries; and has but lately issued from 
 the heart of the illustrious J^ontilf, our 
 weil-beloved Holy Father, Pope Pius 
 IX. 
 
 Canada may well exult in having 
 understood and accepted the blessed, cou- 
 soiinu" devotion, as soon as it was made 
 known : if it met with opposition in some 
 parts of Europe, it found none here. 
 
 It is not surprising that the Feast of 
 the Sacred Heart, with the other pvac- 
 tices of adoration, reparation, and special 
 love, which belong to it, first found a 
 shri)ie in that spot where the Yen. 
 Mother Mary of the Incjarnatioii had so 
 often prayed, offering her petitions to the 
 Eternal Father on the living altar of the 
 Sacred Heart of Jesus, and where her 
 

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 92 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 daughters had since labored to keep alive 
 the llame she had once kindled. 
 
 During the thirty-three years of Mother 
 Mary's sojourn in Canada, she had each 
 day lifted up her great soul to God, in 
 that ardent effusion : — " It is through the 
 Heart oi my Jesus, my way, my truth 
 and my life, that 1 approach thee, 
 Eternal Father," — that form of prayer 
 which, to day, w;«rms thousands of hearts, 
 happy to learn from its burning accents 
 the secret of obtaining most efficaciously 
 those graces which have been purchased 
 for us by the siiiferings of our Saviour, 
 but which must be sought in an acceptable 
 manner, ere chey are bestowed upon us. 
 
 The daughters of Mother Mary of the 
 Incarnation, imbued with her spirit of 
 zeal and devotedness, adopted as natu- 
 rally, not only her sentiments, but even 
 the expressions that were so familiar to 
 her. 
 
 Thus, as we meet throughout her nu- 
 merous letters allusions to this efiect :— 
 ' " I salute you in the Sacred Heart of my 
 
QLIMPSES OP TnE MONASTKRY. 
 
 93 
 
 Diviiio Spouse." — " I offer you daily to the 
 Eternal Father on the sacred altar oi" the 
 Heart of Jesus, &c." — so, in a letter writ- 
 ten by one oi' tht; nuns I'rom Paris, a short 
 time alter she had reached the Monastery 
 oi' Quebec, we iind this tender a[)peal : 
 " I entreat you to meet me ol'ten in the 
 Sacred Heart of Jesus, beseeching* iiim to 
 accomplish his holy will in me. It is 
 there I embrace you, &:c." 
 
 U as yet this devotion had not taken the 
 form of its exterior manifestations, as was 
 revealed, later, to Blessed Magaret-Mary, it 
 was latent here, in every heart, and only 
 needed a signal to burst forth. As early 
 as 1G02, we iind the name of *' Sr. Mary of 
 the Sacred Heart" bestowed upon a novice. 
 Ill 1G99, while yet the practices of piety 
 which are now so familiar to all Catho- 
 lics, were scarcely known, in Europe, be- 
 yond the cloister walls of raray-le-Monial, 
 the Superioress of our" Monastery, Kev. 
 Mother Mary of the Angels, consults her 
 nuns in Chapter, and wnth their advice, 
 the first Friday of the month is set apart 
 
 
 ij^ ■'ts 
 
 ■m 
 
 [imfi 
 
 ;!■: 
 
 
 '■1 -I 
 
 .«;' 
 
 'ft: :■: 
 
 
 -i 
 
 mvf 
 
 m 
 
94 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 for the act of Reparation to the Sacred 
 Heart. 
 
 Ill the following June, the tirst Friday- 
 after the Octave of Corpus Christi, was 
 kept as a Feast of first class, with High 
 Mass, Vespers and Benediction of the 
 Blessed Sacrament. The festival was 
 established : — and never can theUrsulines 
 of Quebec be sufficiently grateful to G-od 
 for having chosen their Chapel as the first, 
 and during many years the only sane-, 
 tuary in Canada, where the Sacred Heart 
 received that public tribute of adpratiou, 
 iove and reparation which He is pleased 
 to accept from his feeble and erring crea- 
 tures. 
 
 If the homes of genius and the haunts 
 of learning affect the spirit with a species 
 of fascination, what must be the influence 
 of those pious fanes, those holy places, 
 where the pure in heart have received 
 the visits of Angels, nay of the Lord of 
 Angels, and have conversed with G-od in 
 the manner most acceptable to his Divine 
 Majesty. 
 
GLIMPSES OP THE MONASTERY. 
 
 95 
 
 And what is more touching for us, in- 
 habitants of the Old Monastery, is to see 
 in what a poor and humble shrine our 
 Divine Lord, during fifteen years, deign- 
 ed to accept the homage of his servants. 
 
 Let us re-people that little Chapel,^ long 
 since abandoned to other uses, but which 
 must ever be sacred in our eyes. 
 
 Entering, w^hile some pious members 
 of the Confraternity are engaged in per- 
 forming their stated " hour of adoration,^ 
 we behold them, oblivious of the world, 
 
 1 This apartment, at the soutli-eastern extre- 
 mity of tlie main-building, now called tlie Old » 
 Depot, served as a Cliai^el in tlie time of Mother 
 Mary of the Incarnation, both before the first 
 coutiagration of the Monastery in 1G50, and 
 after its restoraj^ion, till the Church was finish- 
 ed in 1GG7. The martjrs^ Fathers Brebeufand 
 Lalcmant ; Mgr. Laval, the Missionaries, have 
 all offered the Holy Sacrifice there. 
 
 2 In the original Association of the S. II., 
 each member was expected to pass an hour in 
 prayer, in presence of the Blessed Sacrament, 
 on one day in the year, as specified in the ticket 
 of admission. 
 
 ' »' :>3 
 
 
 It* 
 
 s 
 
1 
 
 il: ? 
 
 96 
 
 GLIMPSES OF TUE MONASTERY. 
 
 its cares or its enjoyments: their 'eyes are 
 closed to meditate, or lixed upon the Ta- 
 beriia^.le, where i'aitli piv^ces the mys- 
 terious veils and shows the JSaviour, dis- 
 phiying in proof of his love, that furnace 
 of llames, his own divine Heart. Yes ! 
 " G-od has so loved the world " and shall 
 we not return love for love ? 
 
 Many adorers are present, perhaps, al- 
 thoug"h it is not the Festival of the Sacred 
 Heart, for each great feast of the year 
 brings a certain number. The highest 
 kneel beside the lowest before their com- 
 mon Grod. 
 
 But who shall tell with what sentiments 
 the nuns, w^ho had so long practised the 
 devotion of the Venerable Foundress, 
 welcomed that hrst Feast of the Sacred 
 Heart ! Entering their little choir, with 
 holy joy, they adore "in spirit and in 
 truth." -Now, it is the aged Mother St. 
 I;[^natius (Charlotte Barrej, who seems to 
 have but waited for the triumph of this 
 .precious devotion, to sing her " Nunc 
 dimiltis in pace r Now, it is Kev. Mother 
 
 ill! 
 
GLIMPSKS OF TIIK MONASTERY. 
 
 1)7 
 
 8t. Ag'iios, just elected Superior, with 
 some of those teu nuns still livinoj, v/ho 
 like herself, have learned the secret of 
 the devotion to the vSacred Heart, with 
 the lessons of religious perfection, from 
 the lips of the Ven. Mother Mary of the 
 Incarnation. 
 
 But when the fair proportions of our 
 present (church arose (1723), to replace 
 that little (Jhapel, it was a welcome ex- 
 change. Then the artistic taste of the 
 nuns was called in requisition, and they 
 vied with each other in adorning the 
 sanctuary, especially the altar of the 
 Sacred Heart. Not a few of our good 
 Mothers are commended, in their obitu- 
 aries, for their zeal in decorating that fa- 
 vorite shrine, over which the spirit of the 
 Venerable Mother Mary of the Incar- 
 nation seems still to brood. 
 
 New members of the Association have 
 been added from year to year, while 
 volume after volume has been filled with 
 the names of the best and the highest in 
 rank and virtue^ throughout the land. 
 
 v^ 
 
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 K 
 
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 M 
 
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 4'-,-. 
 
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 f ti" ' , ''1 
 
 
1^' 
 
 98 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 4 I 
 
 ■3;; 
 
 A glancft at those early Registers shows 
 us such names as the following": — Bishop 
 Saint-Valier, whose name heads the list,— 
 the Marquis de Vaudreuil ; the Chevalier 
 de Repentigny, — des Meloises, — de Ville- 
 donne, — deContrecoeur,— d'Argenteuil,— 
 de Lanaudiere, etc. The Marchioness de 
 Vaudreuil, and her sister Mrs. Tascho- 
 reau, — Mrs. de la Gorgendiere,— de Ver- 
 cheres, — de St. Ours,— d 3 Lery, — de Gas- 
 pe,— de Salaberry; — the Baroness de 
 Longueuil, etc., etc. 
 
 Now^ it is a long list of young girls ; — 
 for, of course, no pupil ^vould leave the 
 Monastery without t^ntering into the As- 
 sociation, so dear to her Convent Mothers. 
 As we examine those long pages of names, 
 priests and missionaries; magistrates and 
 lawyers ; officers and soldiers ; here, w^hole 
 parishes ; there, congregations, families;— 
 the thought naturally arises ; — Were not 
 the people of Canada, in that eighteenth 
 century, preparing for themselves by 
 these most salutary practices of piety, a 
 means to escape the deluge of woes that 
 was about to inundate the mother couu- 
 
CL MTSKS op TFIK MONASTEHY. 
 
 99 
 
 try; niul thus to prosorve, yot a whilt\ the 
 spirit ol'tho mid llo agos, when the ac- 
 kiiowliHloHMl Sjpct ot'lifo was to know 
 (rod. and to advance daily in the path 
 that loads to heaven ? 
 
 And, it* our Lord himself has promised 
 to those who e8tal)lish, practise and pro- 
 paiiate, the devotion to the Sacred lleart» 
 "peace and concord, fervor in the service 
 of God, consolation in troubles and trials, 
 with a calm confidence in the hour of 
 ecid we look further for the 
 
 death 
 
 ." 
 
 n 
 
 source and orii^in of all the graces and 
 blossings bestowed upon this Monastery 
 since its foundation to the present day? 
 
 E-," * -li 
 
 bM^'^' 
 
 ^^R 
 
 nm-^ 
 
 ■■^'■'1 
 
 Mr'* 
 
 '■ fri*'fl 
 
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 k't'-' i 
 
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CHAPTER IX. 
 
 THE LAST SURVIVOR OF 1G39. 
 
 <i;<' 
 
 f^ 
 
 **Oii the 22d January 1701, our dear 
 Mother St. Ignatius, witnessed the dawn 
 of the great day of eternity, ardently 
 desiring her hist hour, in oider to end, 
 as she said, her sinful life, and to be unit- 
 ed to her God. She expired in admirable 
 sentiments of piety and joy, her last act 
 being to press the crucifix tenderly to her 
 dying lips." 
 
 *' She was eigbty-one years of age, hav- 
 ing passed fifty-five in religion." 
 
 Thus concludes, after a long enumera- 
 tion of her virtues, the Biographical Notice 
 of Miss Charlotte Barre, the first professed 
 of the Ursulines of Quebec. This name 
 carries us back to the time of Madame de la 
 Peltrie, and reminds us of scenes worthy 
 of being portrayed before our Headers. 
 
 It is not an everyday occurrence to 
 
QLIMPSKS or THE MONASTEllY. 
 
 101 
 
 meet with instances ol* magnanimity, 
 such ns Miss Barre, at the age of nineteen, 
 Avas enabled to disphiy, and which won 
 her valuable and prolonged services to 
 this Monastery. 
 
 Horn in th'^ town of Azay, near Tours, 
 in France, of parents truly christian, Char- 
 lotte, at the age of thirteen, had already 
 found within her heart an immense de- 
 sire to consume her life in the service of 
 Clod, for the salvation of souls, — but how ? 
 or where — ? that was the secret of divine 
 Providence. Her piety seems to have 
 run in the smooth channels of fervor and 
 peace, when, at the age of nineteen, she 
 is sent one day, by her director, Rev. 
 Father Salin, to introduce herself 'o 
 Mother Mary of the Incarnation, and 
 Madame de la Peltrie. From them she 
 hears of the enterprise they have in view, 
 and learns that Madame de la Peltrie, 
 disappointed in a companion who had 
 promised to accompany her, is in search 
 of another. To the question : — " Are you 
 willing to go with us to Canada ? " Miss 
 
 
 
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 'A n 
 
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 :;»' 
 
 liii' 
 
 ■'hi 
 
 102 GLIMPSES OF THE MONAbTEUY. 
 
 Barre roplios: ''All my dc-^iro is to con- 
 secrate inysoll'to God, ajul I shall iiio.st 
 gladJy embrace this oirci, which furnishes 
 me ail opportunity of risking my lil'e lor 
 Him." 
 
 Like the Apostles, she obeys the call 
 of the Divine Master williout hesita- 
 tion, and susiains unmoved the solici- 
 tations of her family, who would have 
 retained her. There was indeed, no time 
 for delay, the vessels being ready to sail, 
 — and the only favor the generous girl 
 requested, was to take the key of her 
 trunk, before it was carried off with the 
 other baggage, to a trust-worthy person, 
 in order to return some article of value, 
 which she w^as keeping for a friend. 
 
 Madame de la Peltrie knew, from this 
 moment, what a treasure she possessed. 
 She was happy to retain her, and pro- 
 mised to facilitate later her entrance into 
 the Convent, w^hich they were going to 
 establish, by paying her dowry. Char- 
 lotte, on the other hand, was overwhelm- 
 ed with the conviction of her own un 
 
 ■ 
 
 1 'i! 
 
OLIMPSKS OF TIIR MONASTERY. 
 
 103 
 
 \vorthinoss, and unal)le to understand 
 how it was that God had i)laced her in 
 the company oL^difits, calling her to share 
 the labors, the merits, and the glory oi* 
 ail enterprise so sublime. In these sen- 
 timents, she humbly accompanied Mad. 
 de la Pel trie wherever she went, as long 
 as her services were required ; then as a 
 novice, in 1640, she applied herself with 
 fervor to fullil the new duties that de- 
 volved upon her, aimmg at nothing less 
 than a perfect imitation of the Divine 
 {Saviour, in his life of obedience and morti- 
 fication. Her zeal for the instruction of 
 youth, and her talent for teaching — ,her 
 aptitude for every other office in the 
 Community, rendered her most useful 
 during her long career, while her kind- 
 ness, her universal charity, her amiability, 
 won her as much love as esteem. 
 
 The magnanimity she had given proof 
 of, in bidding adieu to her home and 
 country for God's sake, without a sigh, 
 did not relapse into love of ease and con- 
 tort in later years. If she once rushed 
 
 i^ 
 
 f: 
 
 • J 'I 
 
 i < 
 
 :.i 
 
 : it 
 
■ 
 
 104 
 
 GLIMPSES OP THK MONASTERY. 
 
 into the flames to save those chihlnni ^Yho. 
 ill the conflagration of the Monastery ^ 
 were exposed to perish, she never on any 
 occasion spared herself, whi^n there ^velv 
 crosses to be borne, or hardships to he eu- 
 dured. Whether she must have had many 
 of these, can best be told by those who 
 have read at length the history of the 
 Monastery, during the first sixty years of 
 its existence. 
 
 One that truly loves God never says : 
 " It is enough," when there is question of 
 corresponding to grace in the practice of 
 virtue. " This generous soul, says the 
 Annalist, following the exjlmple of her 
 Divine Spouse, who calls himself the hid- 
 den Grod, had no other ambition but to 
 be ULknown and forgotten, treating her 
 body as her greatest enemy, seldom ap- 
 proaching the fire even in the extreme 
 rigors of winter, abstaining from food so 
 far that she may be said to have fasted 
 continually, refusing herself the most in- 
 nocent satisfaction. Whatever leisure re- 
 
 ^ Glimpses, Part I, p«Mge IIG. 
 
GLIMPSKb OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 105 
 
 mninod to her, al'tor her numerous occu- 
 pations, was given to ])rayer. Hastening 
 to the loot of tlie altar, prostrate in the 
 hunil)le attitude of the rublican in the 
 Gospel, she sought to annihih\te herself 
 before God." 
 
 The Ions: career of Mother St. Ii^natiu'^, 
 who had crossed the Atlantic with our 
 lirst Mothers, and w^ho knew every inci- 
 cident of those strange early times, must 
 have furnished a strong link in the chain 
 of traditions that have come down to us. 
 As we have already stated, she was the 
 lirst professed of the Convent of Quebec : 
 twenty-six choir Sisters surrounded her 
 death bed, having made profession alter 
 htT. One of these w4io had also seen 
 Mother St. Athanasius, Mother Genevieve 
 Boucher of St. Peter, prolongs her vigor- 
 ous existence till 17()5, having passed 
 seven ty-t wo years in the community. At 
 that date, we find, among others. Mother 
 Louise Taschereau of St. Frs. Xavier, who 
 was still living in 1825, and consequently 
 known to six of our present aged Moth- 
 ers, who impart to others the precious 
 
 
 
 
 
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 i .-• 
 
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 W ^'■' 
 
106 
 
 GLIMPSES OP THE MONASTERY. 
 
 ir 
 
 Ik 
 
 souvenirs, once derived from the vener- 
 able Mothers St. Athanasiusand St. Igna- 
 tius. 
 
 Doubtless in those former times, as at 
 the present day, it was a pleasure for the 
 younger members to surround the aged, 
 seeking wisdom in the company of those 
 whose minds have been enriched by the 
 experience of multiplied years. It is in 
 this manner that many points of valuable 
 information, many interesting anecdotes 
 which have eluded the notice of the 
 cloistered historian, are perpetuated by 
 tradition, and thus finally transferred to 
 record. 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 iroo-ins. 
 
 DAWN OF THE XVIII. CENTURY, 
 
 There are some gloomy pages on our 
 old Iiegister, at the begiiiniiig of the 18th 
 contary. "Within the space of thirteen 
 years, famine, pestilence, and war, alter- 
 nately menace, or invade the Colony ; and 
 oil such occasions the Ursulines necessa- 
 rily have their share in the common mis- 
 Ibvtuues. The scant and blighted harvest 
 of 1700, is followed by a scarcity border- 
 ing- on starvation ; while an epidemy, as 
 unknown to the medical art as it is 
 fatal in its attacks, augments and renders 
 more poignant the general distress. There 
 are not enough people in health to have 
 care of the sick, nor priests enough to 
 attend the dying and bury the dead. 
 
 The Convent escapes the famine, but 
 pays its tribute to the cruel malady. So 
 
 m 
 
 
 K 
 
 
 1 ^evvsfi 
 
108 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 many of the nuns were prostrated by the 
 fever, that the Infirmary not sufficing to 
 lodge them, it was necessary to take care 
 of them in their cells, those who waited 
 on the others being almost as ill as their pa- 
 tients. The two victims of this epidoinv 
 were the Mistress of Novices, Mother 
 Bourdon of St. Joseph ; and the charitable 
 Inlirmarian, Mother Boutet of St. An- 
 gustin. 
 
 Two years later, another malady, evei 
 dreaded in proportion as it is known, 
 (the small pox) made still greater ravages, I 
 carrying off', it is said, in the space of a 
 few months, one fourth of the inhabitants! 
 of Quebec, making victims in every house, 
 as well as in the religious Communities. 
 
 In the Monastery, every precaution had 
 been taken to keep the unwelcome visitor 
 at a distance, and with success until ii 
 had raged during six weeks in town. Ii 
 penetrated, at last, from the adjacent 
 Chapel, where the people had come in 
 procession to offer prayers, and perforn] 
 their devotions. A lay Sister and several 
 
GLIMPSES OP THE MONASTERY. 
 
 109 
 
 boarders were first attacked ; a lew days 
 later, the list included seventeen nuns, 
 and thirty-seven boarders. 
 
 In the lodgings ol the servant-men, out 
 of seven, one alone remained in health, to 
 wait upon his companions. The depart- 
 ment of the Externs (Madame de la Pel- 
 Irie's house) was transformed into an 
 hospital for the sick boarders ; the Infir- 
 mary and Novitiate served for the nuns. 
 Class-duties were suspended, it being 
 impossible to find teachers, while so many 
 sick needed attendance night and day. 
 There were besides, other and more sorrow- 
 ful duties to be ptirformed. Three among 
 the nuns, all of them young, were, in the 
 space of ten days, consigned t^ the tomb ; 
 with the usua' mournful rites, but without 
 the ringing of bells, lest that tribute to 
 the departed, should overpower the 
 poor patients yet struggling with the 
 fearful disease. The city authorities had, 
 indeed, issued an order, forbiddino: to 
 ring for funerals, the oft-repeated knell 
 having so affected several persons as to 
 hasten their death. 
 
110 
 
 GLTMPSKS OP THE MONASTERY. 
 
 After another respite of two years, the 
 winter months pass again (1700,) in 
 bestowing compassionate cares upon the 
 sick ; seven or eight patients were con- 
 lined to their bed all winter . — it was a 
 strange intermittent fever, requiring night 
 watching, and attentions of every kind. 
 
 Other epidemics appear again in ITOli 
 and 1711, continuing to depopulate the 
 Colony. On these occasions, there was 
 much suffering, but no death occnrrpd 
 among the inmates of the cloister. Thouah 
 our pen is weary of so mournful a pane, 
 we have yet to enumerate other calami- 
 ties which befel the city, or the country, 
 during that period of twelve or thirteen 
 years at the beginning of the century, 
 If these did not regard our nans person- 
 ally, they shared them by sympathy and 
 compassion. Let us mention, first, the 
 conflagration of* the Seminary of Quebec, 
 1701, while the gentlemen were absent at 
 >St. Michael's with the students : then fori 
 "a second time, four years later, wlitMiJ 
 coJi.sidering the recent improvements, the 
 loss was greater thaji on the prectnliiig 
 
GLIMPSES OP THE MONASTERY. 
 
 Ill 
 
 occasion. The buildings were all nearly 
 finished, when a carpenter, carelessly- 
 smoking in the midst of shavings, let a 
 [spark fall, which caused this second dis- 
 aster. The details are all duly consigned 
 I ill our Annals, with expressions of con- 
 dolence, and regret at not being able to 
 lend any assistance in the restoration of 
 jan Institution so precious to the Colony. 
 They do not forget the venerable Eishop 
 [Laval, whose affliction must have been 
 great, if it was in proportion to the inter- 
 est he bore this Institution, which he had 
 founded and watched over during forty 
 lyears of his episcopacy. 
 
 The captivity of Bishop Saint-Valier, 
 Idetained nine years (1704-1718) as a pri- 
 soner of war in the Tower of London ; 
 the death of Bishop Laval, (1708) leaving 
 the Colony without a chief Pastor during 
 live years; a scarcity, bordering on fa- 
 mine, caused by a failure in the grain 
 crop, ravaged by an army of caterpillars 
 1(1709); the menace of war (1710, 11) ever 
 rowing louder and more alarming, while 
 [the military preparations to defend the 
 
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 it 
 
 »•■ 
 
fi..-" 
 
 If 
 
 OMMPSES OP THE MONASTERY. 
 
 city, commenced in 1689, in the imme- 
 diate vicinity of the Monastery, wore 
 continued, to the gieat annoyance of the 
 inhabitants of the cloister :— these are the 
 events detailed on several pages of the 
 Annals, forming a picture suificiently 
 gloomy, yet never tinged by impatience 
 nor by despondency. The nuns are evid- 
 ently not vvathout their consolations. In 
 fact, the life of a good religious has an 
 intrinsic joyousness of its own, indepen- 
 dent of outward circu nstances. 
 
 Onr Mothers were joined by several 
 aspirants to the religious life, during this 
 period, as may be seen by referring to 
 the list ol entrances. The classes were 
 interrupted but once ; and with youu!:: 
 girls to instruct; Ursulines must be happy. 
 
 Our readers remember how provi- 
 dentially for Canada that dreaded inva- 
 sion of 1711, combined with so much ap- 
 parent ability on the part of the Colonists 
 of New England, came to naught : a 
 powerful fleet having been held in check I 
 by dark fogs and ^strong winds till, with 
 the loss of eight hundred men by ship- 
 
GLIMPSES OP THE MONASTERY. 
 
 113 
 
 wivck, the discomfited invaders retire 
 witliQiu even seeing the heights of Cape 
 Diamond ; or meeting with any other 
 enemy but their own adverse fortune. 
 
 This event was recorded to posterity, 
 by the pious Colonists, who in memory o' 
 Heaven's protection, erected an enduring 
 monument to testily their gratitude. The 
 votive Churck of Our Lady of Victory, 
 received the addition of a graceful por- 
 tico, reared by public contribution, while 
 the titular cognomen was changed to, 
 *' Our Lady of Victories." 
 
 But these long years, so beset with 
 (lifiiculties, were drawing to a close. 
 The Treaty of Utrecht (1713), setthng 
 many political differences, was favorable 
 to peace in America. This Treaty had 
 also set free, after nine years' imprison- 
 ment, the illustrious Prelate, Bishop 
 Saint Vaiier ; and we seem to share the 
 glad anticipations of better times, with 
 which the "joyous firing of the cannon" 
 announces his arrivaL 
 
 " All the population hasten to the wharf 
 
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114 
 
 GLIMPSES OP THE MONASTERY. 
 
 (i 
 
 to welcome the venerated Pastor, and con- 
 dact him in triumph, while the chime of 
 bells and the roar of artillery, mingle with 
 their shouts of joy." 
 
 " In the course of the afternoon, adds 
 the Annalist (August 18th, 1713), we had 
 the pleasure of seeing our good Bishop 
 and hearing him express his joy. For 
 our part, great is our gratitude to the 
 G-od of goodness, who has vouchsaf'jd to 
 grant us such consolation after our long 
 and heavy trials." 
 
 I • 
 
 
 w 
 
CHAPTER XI. 
 
 THE THREE CAPTIVES. 
 
 MISa WHEfiLWIUQHT MAKES PROFESSION, 
 
 • V 
 
 %.i 
 
 in4. 
 
 Who that has read the history of New 
 England, or of Canada, knows not the 
 meaning of that fearful word, ** captiv- 
 ity"? It tells of treachery, of long and 
 bitter fireside mourning :~ it brings me- 
 mories of all that is most lamentable in 
 that long dismal period of Indian w arfare, 
 and of conflict between the French and 
 English colonies. 
 
 Our Annals and our traditions, furnish 
 us the means of tracing, even among the 
 Indian captives, the hand of Providence, 
 accomplishing that truly Divine work, 
 bringing good out of evil. 
 
 Three of pur Ursuliue Mothers of the 
 
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 Mt; 
 
 ■ 1*1 
 
 
IIG 
 
 OLIMPSES OP THE MONASTKUY. 
 
 eighteenth century, owed to cnptivitj' Ihi? 
 inestimable gift of faith, and that of a 
 vocation to the leligious life. Let us ro- 
 hearse some of these tales of— happily, by. 
 gone days. 
 
 In the environs of Boston lived, at the 
 commencement of the last century^ a 
 highly respectable family oi' the name ol' 
 Wheelwright. 
 
 Surrounded by such comforts as a Now 
 England home aflbrded, even in th(j^e 
 early times, possessing ailiuence and ro- 
 linement, blessed with lovely childroji, 
 more precious than riches ;- -happiness 
 might have taken up her abode in that 
 quiet country-residence, had it not booji 
 for the cruel feat of Indian treachery 
 which we are about to relate. 
 
 Whether it was in the early spring of 
 that year, 1703, when the red twigs of the 
 young cherry-trees, piercing the last snow- 
 bank, enticed children into the verge of 
 the forest ; or whether it was in autumn, 
 when the bright-tinted leaves of the ma- 
 ple, or the ripe beech-nuts rattling on the 
 fallen leaves, tempted them to stray a few 
 
OMMPSES OF Tlir. MONASTUUY. 
 
 117 
 
 rods IVoni Iho path that led to the school- 
 honso, we caiin'ot jsay : — but we know that, 
 at a liiven moment, a hapless child of six 
 or seven years, was tightly bound in tlie 
 grasp ol' a prowling Indian, who, cover- 
 iiin- her lace with his brawny hand, bore 
 away our little Esther with rapid strides, 
 to thi^ thickest of the wide, old forest. 
 Jveaching the camp, and hailing with a 
 prolonged, ho ! ho! his savage brethren, 
 he set down his trembling prize, by the 
 side of his own half-clad children and 
 their tawny mother. Then commenced 
 the wanderings of this innocent lamb, sud- 
 denly purloined from the fold, and forced 
 to dwell in a den of wolves. Yet, for her, 
 thpy relaxed their barbarity, as far as was 
 possible for the circumstances of savage 
 life The dark-eyed squaw spoke in gen- 
 ik tones, and guarded with marked pre- 
 ference the pretty little " pale face ". 
 
 But, alas! what altered scenes, what 
 dismal company, for that little girl brought 
 up with tenderest care, by her own 
 g<Mitle-born, loving English mother ! How 
 long were the marches, and how tangled 
 
 .11. 
 
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 118 
 
 GLIMPSES OP THE MONASTERY. 
 
 ■^,^•'^, 
 
 the paths, when the camp broke ap and 
 the whole party set out for the chase! 
 How rude the fare, and how repulsive 
 the resting-place at night; — while the days 
 lengthen into weeks, and still our little 
 Esther solaces her childish hear . with its 
 thoughts of revenge. — "I will tell my 
 Papa, indeed 1 will." — But no papa is 
 there more for her ; and the months roll 
 on. Her tattered school-dress, still clings 
 to her, but it is getting short ; her blond 
 tresses forget to fall in clustering ringlets, 
 smoothed only by the oily fingers of her 
 squaw mother. More than this, her En- 
 glish prattle is almost lost, and her tongue 
 is getting used to the strange dialect of 
 her companions, when, one day, a Mis- 
 sionary appears in the midst of the Indian 
 village. 
 
 The Black-robe is not a stranger, even 
 to the savage Abenakis. He is invited to 
 the best lodge, where the children are 
 assembled to hear him tell of the Great 
 Spirit. What does he there behold ? A 
 little white girl among the rest, a child 
 of some eight or nine years, whose grace- 
 
JC 
 
 .1^ '• 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 119 
 
 
 ful manners still betray the gentle teach- 
 ing's of her infancy. To rescue the little 
 captive was the lirst thought of the good 
 Father l3igot ; to restore her to civilized 
 life, and to her parents, if they could be 
 discovered. But it is well known with 
 what difficulty an Indian would relin. 
 qiiibh one of these adopted children. It 
 was not possible to move, by threats or 
 promises, the proud Abenakis, who had 
 placed the pale flowret in his cabin. 
 What then could the Missionary do ? — He 
 could yet do much for her. He could 
 watch over her ; he could teach her, like 
 the little Indian girls, to adore and love 
 Grod, there in the forest, while he waited 
 some favorable conjuncture to set her at 
 liberty. 
 
 No wonder that the child, intelligent 
 beyond her ai^e, and speaking the In- 
 dian dialect at the end of three years, 
 as wel I as if it had always been hers, was 
 ever the most attentive listener to the good 
 Father's instructions. No wonder the 
 woods grew pleasant to her, now that the 
 love of Grod filled her young heart. 
 
 f^ 
 
 
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 1 i'd 
 
'-■■■t' ;<i 
 
 120 
 
 GLIMPSES OP THE MONASTERY. 
 
 Hi 
 
 tiil: 
 
 But when those bereaved parents, who 
 had mourned their child as dead, learned 
 that she was still living, and living in the 
 depths of the forest with the Abe n aids, 
 the enemies of their nation, — what must 
 have been their sentiments? The only 
 hope of recovering their child depondc'd 
 npon the possibility of obtaining the in- 
 fluence of the French Grovernor. Trusting- 
 in his humanity, they present him their 
 petition ; and little Esther, through the 
 intermediary of E.ev. Father Bigot, be- 
 comes the subject of serious negotiations 
 between the Marquis de Vaudreuil and 
 the Chief of the Abenakis. Even under 
 such patronage, it was no easy matter to 
 obtain the release of the charming and 
 well-beloved prisoner. 
 
 Powerful presents, at last, overcome 
 their reluctance, and the Indian Chief 
 delivers up the little English girl to the 
 great Captain of the French. 
 
 Exchanging the bark-roof of the wig- 
 wam, for the Yice-regal residence of the 
 Governor, at Quebec, the youthful Esther, 
 
 I* 1 i 
 
GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 121 
 
 HOW ill ^he eleventh year of her age, 
 speedily wins the love and admiration oi' 
 her new friends. The Marquis feels for 
 his protegee the tenderness of a father, and. 
 "while awaiting an opportunity to restore 
 her to her parents, provides for her wel- 
 fare as if she were, indeed, his own child, 
 by placing her in the Convent. Her home 
 still lay at the distance of seven hundred 
 miles ; the intervening wastes, without 
 roads, were at this time infested by wan- 
 dering bands of savages, at enmity — the 
 Iroquois and the Abenakis. — Four years 
 passed away, without lessening that dis- 
 tance, or the difficulties of communica- 
 tioii. 
 
 The young girl, happy in her Convent- 
 home, had made her lir&t Communion, 
 with angelic fervor ; and having acquired 
 the graces and accomplishments which 
 became her so well, she w^as recalled to 
 the home of her protector, at the Castle of 
 St. Louis. Very soon, however, the Mar- 
 quis Wi.s informed that Miss "Wheel right's 
 only desire W'"».s to prolong her stay in the 
 Monastery, and even to share the life of 
 
 
 
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 ■' I 
 
 
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 ! ". 
 
 122 
 
 GLIMPSES OP THE MONASTERY. 
 
 her pious Convent- Mothers; but he na- 
 turally refused his consent, and souo-ht 
 with more activity, to discover some 
 means oi' sending the lovely young girl to 
 her parents, whose grief he compassjiou- 
 ated so sincerely. He conducted her to 
 Three Rivers, placing her, while he re- 
 mained there, with our Ursulines; and 
 afterwards to Montreal, where she \vas 
 protected by the good Mothers of tlie 
 Hotel-Dieu. 
 
 Unsuccessful in his laudable attempts, 
 on account of the continuance of hostili. 
 ties between the Colonies, ^ the Grovernor, 
 at last, consented to her return to the 
 convent. Our Mothers, struck Milli 
 the peculiar circumstances of the case,- 
 the long years during which the two 
 countries being in a state of warfare, it 
 had been impossible to restore her to 
 her parents ;— the changes that might 
 have taken place in her family;— and, above 
 all, the wMU of Divine Providence inaiiij 
 festing itself by the course of events, adj 
 
 1 In 1711 a floet, uiulor the Ailmiral W^alker a:| 
 tempted to talte Quebec. 
 
GLIMPSES OF TIIK MONASTERY. 
 
 123 
 
 niittoil the interostinn- captive to tho 
 Xovitiate, in October, 1712. During* the 
 following' year, newsol'the treaty ol' peace 
 bt't\vee)i France and England, restored 
 the Colonies to comparative security, and 
 the Ursulines were in daily expectation 
 of liearin<^ from their beloved novice's 
 family. She had taken the white veil, 
 with the name of Mother Esther of the 
 hilimt Jesus. Her two years of pro- 
 bation had not expired, when, at last, mes- 
 sengers reached Quebec, bearin<^ letters 
 from Mr. and Mrs. Wheelwright. Her 
 heart was not insensible to the pleasure 
 of beholding the signature of a beloved 
 father and mother; — but the voice of 
 grace was louder than that of nature 
 I in her well-balanced soul; and she linds 
 Istrength to resist thj importunities of her 
 family, as well as the exhortations of her 
 friends at the Castle. Far from renounc- 
 ing her cherished vocation, she entreats 
 the Bishop to hasten the day of her final 
 engagement, by admitting her to the vows 
 |of religion. 
 
 She addresses the same petition to the 
 
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 m^..-y:^ 
 
i ■ 
 
 124 
 
 GMxMPSE.S OF THE MONASTKRY. 
 
 Goveinor, whom she cons-iders as her 
 adopted i'ather, and to the Coininunitv, 
 the Mothers and Sisters ol' her choic, 
 who were now dearer to her than iaiui;v 
 or home. Al'ter mature deliberatiun, 
 taking into consideration that the youiiir 
 girl, according to the French laws was 
 now of age, and that on the other hand 
 she had no longer the use ol' the languaire 
 of her native country, nor would she 
 find there, the means to practice the re- 
 ligion she had embraced, — ascertaining 
 also that the Bishop, as well as the Govlm- 
 nor, had given their assent, the nuns admit 
 her to pronounce her vows : thus settling 
 the question according to her desires, be- 
 yond repeal. 
 
 In the eloquent address ot the liev, 
 Father Bigot to the youthful novice, at I 
 her reception, we have noticed that he 
 makes mention of this circumstance 
 *' that as long as she had been a minor 
 she had no opportunity of returning' to| 
 her country ; that now being of age, he: 
 parents cannot object to her choice of a 
 vocation, or ii they should disapprove, 
 
GLIMPiiKS OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 125 
 
 it will be because they are not aware of 
 ers as lier ^| j^j; excellence and its saiieliry : he exhorts 
 
 the happy novice to lasting gratitude I'or 
 the favors of Divine Providence in her 
 ii'gurd, and tells her she may well ex- 
 Iclanii in the words of the prophet King: 
 The God who has wrought these 
 wonders in my behalf is the Lord of the 
 eternal ages : ever shall he be my God ! 
 under his amiable law I shall live 
 
 Igecure 
 
 !' 
 
 Mother Esther "W'hechwright of the 
 llnfant Jesus is another of those ancient 
 
 inns whose names are never pronounced 
 iLut with love and veneration in the 
 [Cumrniinity which she edilied and served 
 
 hiring sixty-six years. 
 
 She is not however, the only one of the 
 Indian captives who iound the liberty of 
 lie soul and the light of faith, in recom- 
 )t'nse for earthly misfortunes. 
 
 With her memory we naturally associ- 
 ate Miss Davis and Miss Jeryan, rescued 
 |ike her from captivity among the Abe- 
 lakis, to end their days in the sweet 
 
 ■ m. 
 
 mm 
 
 •» : ctM 
 
 '.hm 
 
 "/' 
 
 i n 
 
 : "4 
 
 11 
 
 
 " .« 
 
 
 <■'•■■ iH 
 
 
 ^m 
 
 > ' '. 
 
 •^iF 
 
 'i It 
 
 "^ ♦ 
 
 = ■>; 
 
 
 
 ■' 
 
 i: 
 
 ■ J. 
 
 I, 
 
 
126 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 captivity of Jesus Christ in the Mo. 
 nastery. 
 
 Miss Mary-Ann Davis, in religion 
 Mother Mary Benedict, was already a 
 professed nun some years, when our 
 little Esther entered the Convent as 
 boarder. 
 
 Born in the village of Salem, Massa- 
 chusetts, she had been taken captive 
 (1686) at the age of six years, by a war 
 party, after seeing her parents massacred 
 and her house in flames. To recount her 
 subsequent fate, her adoption by the 
 Chief of the tribe, who cherished the 
 little orphan more tenderly than his own 
 children ; — her life in the woods, where 
 she learned to plant the maize or gather 
 baskets of fragrant wild-berries, but knew 
 not the taste of bread, nor the use of a 
 needle; — would be to repeat, in parti 
 what has been related of our interesting 
 Esther. Let us merely tell how another 
 Apostle of the Abenakis, Rev. Father 
 Rasle, found little Mary-Ann d jcile to his 
 instructions, and faithful in following m 
 
GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 127 
 
 counsels, till after many dilliculties and 
 delays, he succeeded in extricating* the 
 young girl, at the age of seventeen or 
 eighteen, from the perils and hazards of 
 s;\vage life i—then, after finding friends for 
 her among the French, he placed her as 
 boarder in the Convent. This was the 
 House of Jesus" of which she had heard 
 I so much, and which she already regarded 
 I as her future home. Passing from the 
 classes to the Novitiate, in 1698, she was 
 admitted to profession two years later, 
 and was thus the first Ursuline of English 
 Idescent in the Monastery of Quebec. 
 
 Fifty years spent in the service of Him 
 h'ho had spoken to her heart there in the 
 [depths cf the primeval forests, were not 
 too long to testify, every day, her grati- 
 tude, by her fidelity to the least point of 
 the rule she had embraced. Humble, 
 leek, laborious, submissive and pious, 
 ler life in the Convent was like the fra- 
 grant May-flower of the woods of Maine, 
 
 )lighting all by its gentle perfume, while 
 It hides itself in the most shady recesses. 
 
 
 V 
 
 m 
 
 \J 
 
 %l 
 
128 
 
 OI.lMP.-rES OF TIIK iMONASTKllY. 
 
 t. ■ 
 
 ol'tho valley where it has chosen its iv. 
 treat. 
 
 The third captive who became an Up 
 snline nun, wa.s Mi.ss Mary-Dorothea Joiv- 
 an. liorne ofl' to tlie woods at so toiKk-r 
 an ag"t» that she had no recollection oi'aiiv 
 other house but tlie wigwam where !^ht> 
 w^as living, she hnd marked the lapse of 
 years only by the springing flowers or the 
 I'-dling snow, until the same missioiuirv 
 who had baptized IMiss J)avis, met this 
 other little wanderer, and taught her to 
 kiiow the true Grod. J^egenerated in the 
 saving waters of baptism, and instrnctcj 
 in the sublime truths of religion, Mary- 
 Dorothea feit her youthful heart boat 
 with the desire that constitutes an Lrsii- 
 line,— that of teaching oWwx souls the 
 wav of salvation, while the Celestial 
 Bridegroom, inwardly inviting her, bade 
 her hope for the day when she woiiltl 
 become his consecrated spouse. 
 
 Another missionary succeeding the I 
 martyred Father Rasle, cultivated \yilli| 
 care this lily of the woods. Transplanted, 
 
GLIMPSES OP TIIR MONASTERY. 
 
 129 
 
 Tie an I'r. 
 jihoii.loiv 
 
 • 
 
 t so teiuk 
 tiou of any 
 where s^he 
 he lapse o[ 
 wers or the 
 missioiuiry 
 is, mot this 
 Liight hi'r to 
 rated in the 
 id instructt'd 
 
 gion, ^lary 
 heart beat 
 es an rvsw 
 V souls the 
 e Celestial' 
 o- her, bade 
 she would] 
 e. 
 
 at leii^'th to another soil, after some lifteen 
 years had gone by, and placed within 
 ihe pale of civilization, it was yet a toil 
 to engraft upon those rudimentai dispo- 
 sitions, the forms of education and retiue- 
 mont. 
 
 Her liberator, Rev. Joseph Aubery, 
 constituted himself her teacher, until 
 having acquired a sufficient knowledge 
 ol' the French to be able to make 
 horself understood, she was placed at 
 our classes. The progress of the new 
 pupil was not rapid ; but our Mothers, 
 hiving regard to the good will of the 
 subject, her precious dispositions, her 
 piety and zeal, admitted her to the Novi- 
 tiate ; and, after the usual delay required 
 by our rules, to profession (1722). 
 
 The future career of Mary-Dorothea, 
 i now known as Mother St. Joseph, fully jus- 
 I tilled the hopes that had been entertained 
 pi" her usefulness. The Monastery became 
 jh»r second home and country, a thousand- 
 jfokl dearer to her than her birth-place 
 )r native land. During the siege of 
 
 
 n 
 
 ! 
 
 ,>!v 
 
130 
 
 OLIMPSE.S OF TIIK MONASTKIIV. 
 
 '4 
 
 I'i 
 
 Quoboc by tho Eng'lish in nr>0, wlii^i 
 the nuns wim'c Ibrcod to nhaiiddn 
 their s;icrocl asylum, soekinii^ saloiy ]w. 
 yond tho wails oi' tho bosioi^od city, ii(;. 
 thing', could equal tho grieroi* Moihor St. 
 Joseph. 
 
 Would tho victors, hor count! yiiiiMi, 
 now ])oconio tho persecutors oi* h^u* Coin- 
 uiunity? Was tho country of lior ado|). 
 lion destined to lose tho priceless gilt 
 of faith, tlirougli tho instrumentality of 
 her own race ? — These afUictive thoiightM 
 joined to an enfeebled state of hcahh, 
 rendered her exile from her belovoii 
 cloister, one long agony. Iler heart had 
 received its death-wound, and when, on 
 the 13th September, she became aware i 
 ot her approaching dissolution, she h'<\\U\i\ 
 the approach of hor last hour, as a pri- 
 soner would welcome the joyful lu^v? 
 of his speedy release. The reception oil 
 the last consolations which the Chuicii 
 offers her children, soothed her dyind 
 moments, as she passed away to a betterl 
 country, on that memorable 14th ^m 
 
aUMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 131 
 
 l" hv»v Com- 
 
 hov ado\v 
 
 itteloss gill 
 
 ;o thonglit>' 
 
 . of lu'^Hh. 
 
 XQX bolov»nl 
 V heart h^d 
 (1 when, on 
 
 Icame awaie 
 
 \\\\ as a pi'i'' 
 joyful ne^^•^' 
 [recoptioii oil 
 the Chuvc'n 
 her ayiii: 
 to a betteil 
 .e 14th M'\ 
 
 tt^mbor, (1750) which marked the down- 
 lall of the Fro>ich Government in Canada. 
 
 [This temporary sojourn of the Ursu- 
 linos with the beloved Mothers of the 
 General Hospital, was marked in many- 
 ways for lonp: remembrance : we shall 
 only mention here, with gratitude, the 
 cordial hospitality, exercised towards our 
 whole Community by those true friends, 
 during' that memorable period ; — reserv- 
 ing other details for the proper date, 
 1-1750.] 
 
 . 
 
 I > 
 
 . i 
 
 
 ' ^1 
 
CHAPTER XIL 
 
 17"1?^-1^«3, 
 
 THE MONASTERY ENLARGED. 
 
 Within the space of eleven years, from 
 1712 to 1723, the Monastery attained th. 
 proportions which were found sufficient 
 for the wants of its inhabitants till more 
 than a century later. 
 
 It was a period when the Colony Avas 
 entering upon a new phase of its exL- 
 tence. Public calamities were to be fol- 
 lowed by a season of comparative repose 
 and prosperity ; there was to be a respit 
 from hourly dread of the Iroquois; thel 
 future conquerors of Canada also were,| 
 unknowingly, willing to wait their day. 
 During the judicious administration ol| 
 Grovernor de Yaudreuil, up to 1725, the 
 resources of the country were considtil 
 ably developed ; many internal improvej 
 ments were effected, while the populatioc| 
 increased to 25,000 souls. 
 
GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 133 
 
 The Ursulines seem to have noted the 
 'signs of the times." As early as 1712, 
 we Hiid them deliberatiii<]^ m Council, 
 and unnnimously deciding upon enlarg*- 
 iiin- the Monastery and rebuilding the 
 Church, notwithstanding the depressed 
 state of their finances. According to the 
 oiiu'inal plan, the buildings to be con- 
 .<truoted would have completed a quad- 
 rangle, with a IVont of more than two 
 hundred feet, facing Donnacona Street, 
 and ibrming a large interior court-yard. 
 
 It was Rev. Mother Le Maire of the 
 Anuels, the last survivor of the nuns from 
 France, who at the age of seventy-one, 
 undertook this arduous enterprise ; press- 
 ing its execution with vigor and obtain- 
 iiio", several times, generous subsidies from 
 her wealthy relatives in Paris. The pro- 
 cess of construction was necessarily tedious 
 and expensive ; but far greater were the 
 diiliculties, when it was ascertained that 
 the phin was really too vast for the im- 
 I mediate wants, as w^ell as the actual re- 
 isoLiices of the Community. The found- 
 
134 
 
 GLIMPSES OP THE MONASTERY. 
 
 
 ations already commenced had to be 
 abandoned, and begun anew in another 
 direction, at the price of much loss and 
 delay. 
 
 The only part Eev. Mother Mary of the 
 Angels saw completed, was the Novitiate, 
 an addition, seventy-five feet in length. 
 to the wing styled, " La Sai7ite FamiUe:^ 
 which had been erected in 1687. 
 
 The parlors were also commenced by 
 her, and the foundations of the present 
 Church ; but the aged Mother was then 
 taken from her labors to Ker eternal rest, 
 and the task of continuing them devolved 
 on another Superioress, Rev. Mother An- 
 gelique of St. John. The building front. 
 ing the street, destined for the conventual 
 entrance, and the parlors, was completed 
 in 1717. Then, only, could the nuns 
 continue the construction of their "se- 
 cond Temple, " and that they did with 
 such ardor, that they labored at it with 
 their own hands. 
 
 The Annals relate the buildinG: of the 
 Church as follows : — " On recommenoinii 
 
in 
 
 OLIMPSKS OF TIIK MONASTKRY. 
 
 135 
 
 loiumeiicing 
 
 the labors, vve drossed a little Indian boy, 
 to represent the Infant Jesus, and caused 
 him to lay the corner-stone in honor of 
 St. Joseph Then each one devoted her- 
 self with all the energy of which she 
 was capable, to contribute to the erection 
 of that sacred editice which had so long 
 been in contemplation. At the hours 
 when the masons were absent at their 
 meals, we used to mount upon the scaf- 
 folding:, carrying up the stone and the 
 mortar, our Mother Superior leading the 
 way, and the Community following her 
 example with alacrity and emulation. 
 ^Vith the blessing of Grod, every thing 
 seemed to succeed marvellously. 
 
 " When the masons were served, all re- 
 turned to their respective labors, some 
 to painting, gilding or embroidery ; 
 some wrought tapestery or bark-work, 
 others made artificial flowers :—- this was 
 to augment our revenues and aid in 
 pnying the workmen. During ail this 
 time, adds the Annalist, we omitted 
 none of our spiritual Exercises, we in- 
 fringed upon none of our holy rules and 
 
 til 
 
 
 n 
 
 : ■ ■ i 
 
!!• 
 
 136 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 I ! 
 
 observances. We have alpo io be thank- 
 ful that not one of the laborers met with 
 any accident while working on our build- 
 ings. A kind Providence has blessed us 
 in a special manner, enabling us to meet 
 all these expenses, notwithstanding the 
 loss of half our income, by the reduction 
 of the funds on the liotel-de-Yille, in 
 Paris." 
 
 The construction of the Church was 
 terminated ; an altar had been raifjed : 
 and, although no pillars yet lifted, their 
 crowning capitals around it; no sculptured 
 decorations adorned the sanctuary, no 
 paintings hung along the naked walls, 
 yet the sacred edifice, bare of all orna- 
 ment, could be called the " House of 
 God ;" — and great were the rejoicings of 
 the Ursulines, w^ho, for thirty years, had 
 suffered to see the Tabernacle reposing 
 ?n that narrow chamber, on which, through 
 courtesy alone, they could bestovv^ the 
 name of Chapel. 
 
 These rejoicings were not confined to 
 the inmates of the cloister : the citizon*? 
 
' I- 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 137 
 
 of Quebec shared the same sentiments, 
 as ihoy proved by coming in crowds to 
 celebrate with them three const'cutive 
 festivals:— the ceremony of the consecra- 
 tion, the Feast oi' the Assumption,' and 
 that of the holy Ivelics. At all these })ious 
 festivities Bishop tSaint-Valier presided, 
 ^vith his clergy, in the midst of all that 
 was then most distingnished in the City. 
 
 Although consecrated, the Chapel still 
 required the presence of workmen, and 
 did not serve regularly for Mass and the 
 observances, until the 19th March follow- 
 ing' (1723). 
 
 It belonged to St. Joseph the titular 
 
 patron of the Church and of the Monas- 
 
 terv, to h'ansfer the Blessed Sacrament to 
 
 :tlie new Altar, as to another Nazareth, 
 
 after a Ioniser exile than that he once en- 
 
 CD 
 
 I (lured in Egypt. 
 
 It was only thirteen years later (1735) ^ 
 Ithat the architectural decorations, design- 
 led, it is said, after a plan of the private 
 
 ^ The ('(ill('<r(ii of the Jesuits coninKMiccd i)i lO'i,"), 
 hiis cuinpk'ted about l1ic .same time (17IJi)). 
 
 ^ .* 
 ■* 
 
 I t 
 
 IP 
 
 i Ml 
 
 ■ i 
 
 M 
 
 I, 
 
 I' I 
 
138 
 
 QMMrSKS OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 chapel of Louis XIV, gave the last Iinisli 
 to the interior, rendering the Church of 
 the Ursulines one oi'the neatest, consider. 
 ing its dimensions, of the four principal 
 churches in the City. The gilding, ot 
 which there is that profusion required by 
 the taste of those times, was all executed 
 by the patient toil of the nuns themselves, 
 The paintings with which it is adorned 
 at the present day, belong to a later pe- 
 riod,— the beginning of the nineteenth 
 century.' 
 
CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 QUEBEC IN 172U :■ 
 
 UKVIEAV CF THE NOVITIATE OF THE URSULINES, 
 AT THE SAME DATE. 
 
 All amiable historian, writing in 1720, 
 has left us a picture of life and manners 
 ill Quebec, at once so graphic and so 
 curious in its details that, although it has 
 often been copied, it will bear r(^.petition, 
 and will help to set off another picture 
 less known, — that of life and society in the 
 cloister. 
 
 Recording his personal observations, 
 Charlevoix says: — "There are not more 
 than 7,000 souls in Quebec ; but one finds 
 there a little world w^here all is select, and 
 calculated to form an agreeable society. 
 A Grovernor Greneral with his staff, — no- 
 bles, officers, and troops ; an Intendant, 
 with a Superior Council, and inferior 
 courts ; a Commissary of Marine, a Grrand 
 
 
 
 '• I 
 
 ; 
 
 ' ; 
 
 
 \ • i! 
 
 
 K-ll 
 
 
 
 ■> ' ■ V*.*" 
 
 J 
 
 
 
140 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 fv 
 
 rrovost, a Grand Yoyer ; a tSuperiiiton. 
 daiit ofAVaters and Forests, whose juris. 
 diction is certainly the most extensive in 
 the woild; merchants in easy circum- 
 stances, or, at least, living as ii' they weiv; 
 a Ijishop and a numerous clergy; Uecol- 
 l(3ts and Jesuits; three female commun- 
 ities, well established ; other circles olso> 
 where, as brilliant as those surrounding' 
 the Governor and Intendant : — in short, it 
 seems to me, that for all classes of person:,, 
 there are abundant means of passing the 
 time agreeably. Every one contributes 
 to h.;s utmost. There are games and ex- 
 cursions, the parties using in Summer 
 calec'ttes or canoes ; in winter they have 
 sledges and snow-shoes to bear them over 
 the snow and ice. Hunting is a favorite 
 amusement : many gentlefolks have no 
 other resource for living comfortably. 
 
 " Current news are confined to a few 
 topics, as the country does not ailbrd 
 many. The news from Europe comes all 
 at once, but lasts all the year, furnishing 
 endless comments upon the past and con- 
 jectures upon the future. The arts and 
 
 i? . !| 
 
 
GLIMPSES OV THE MONASTERY. 
 
 Ul 
 
 scitMicos have their turn, so that conver- 
 sation never languishes. 
 
 " The Canadiiins breathe, from their 
 birth, an air of liberty which renders 
 them very agree. ible in social intercourse. 
 Nowhere else is our language spoken in 
 oToater purity : one observes no defective 
 accent. 
 
 " There are no rich people here ; if there 
 ■were they would do honor to their for- 
 tune, as very few persons trouble them- 
 selves about laying up riches. They live 
 well, if they can also afford to dress 
 well ; if not, they spare at table in order 
 to wear richer apparel. And it must be 
 allowed that dress becomes our Cana- 
 dians. They are fine looking people, and 
 the best blood of P'rance runs in their 
 veins. Good humor, refined and genteel 
 manners, are common to all, and rusticity 
 either in language or habits, is unknown, 
 even in the distant country-places." 
 
 Thus far our historian: let us now 
 inquire at the Ursulines, how that "little 
 world " described as so deliR'htful, is re- 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 ' ( 
 
 ' 'it 
 
142 
 
 GLIMPSES OP THE MONASTERY. 
 
 1 1. 
 
 presented with ihem. l]ntoriiig* the No- 
 vitiate, new and lightsome, commaiidinff 
 a pleasant prospect from its windows thai 
 overlook the garden and wide extendin^r 
 landscape, we lind assembled under the 
 eye of a grave but gentle Mother- Mistress, 
 twenty young ladies, of whom lour wear 
 the badge of x^robation, the white voil. 
 These must have but hitely renounced 
 the good cheer, the pleasurs, and amuse- 
 ments, which even the dispassionate 
 Jesuit seems to have found so engaging. 
 
 A glance upon the old Register shall be 
 our guide, for in the cloister rank and 
 title count as nothing : the only prece- 
 dence acknowledged among sister-no- 
 vices, is founded on the relative date of 
 their entrance. The familvname however 
 prouil or honorable, is laid aside, and 
 the spouse of Christ is henceforth known 
 by some appellation that serves to remind 
 her of heaven, more than of earth. 
 
 First, then, in seniority of profession, 
 we meet Mother Esther Wheelwriofht— of 
 the Infant Jesus : she has nearly com- 
 
 ■ !' i'i 
 
GLIMPSES OP THE MONASTERY. 
 
 143 
 
 plctod hor sixth year in the Noviliate, 
 and will thorclbre soon exchaip^i^ thi» lirst 
 phioo here, I'or the la^it in the Coninmnity ; 
 and happier will she esteem hersoil' in 
 occupying' that last place, than when, in 
 later years, she will be called to g'overn 
 the Monastery as Superiores.s. Jler his- 
 tory is somewhat known to our readers, 
 as well as that of the last white -veiled 
 novice, Sr. Mary-Dorothea Jeryan of tit. 
 Jose[)h; we have called them: — ''The 
 Captives. 
 
 Unmindliil of the etiquette of the Con- 
 vent, we shall revive, for the moment, 
 discarded honors, to present Miss Char- 
 lotte de Muy (Mother tSt. Helen) daughter 
 of the Chevalier Danneau de Muy, G-ov- 
 ornor of Louisiana ; and her cousin Marie- 
 Anne de Eoucherville (Mother St. Igna- 
 tius), naming one of her venerable an- 
 cestors, Pierre Boucher de Boucher vi lie, 
 first Governor of Three. Rivers. 
 
 Not six months after the entrance of 
 Miss de Muy, the Monastery-door opened 
 to the eager appeal of Miss Catherine do 
 
 
 
 
 ^,'i 
 
 I, ■ 
 
 t 
 
 ■ 
 
 W ' tj ' 
 
 
 ',! 
 
 i 
 
 ' J 
 
Ill 
 
 aMMP.SK3 OF THE MOVASTKRT. 
 
 ■■'i, 
 
 Iiarnosny, now known as Sr. 8t. Rada. 
 gon(l(», (lani^htor ol' the ChoviilitT (Maiul' 
 de Itaiiiosjiy, ^Seio-ncnir of tSorcl and kSu.. 
 Mario K^ Mannoir, Oovernorot' Mojitr^a;, 
 The absj'iic^*^ of Mi.ss dt) Itamosay uiul 
 Mij<s do May IVom the circles oi' lashion 
 ill Moutical, doubtless produced, a si'iisa- 
 tioii, at the time : —iu the parental mansion 
 above all, there was a void left which 
 it was dilHeult to lill. IJut thc^y, iC not 
 indillerent to the charms of a llattiMJii^ 
 world and their own high position, Ibund 
 strength to despise them, and they consi- 
 dered it as gain to exchange the hightM 
 worldly distinctions their country could 
 ailord, for the humblest rank in Ihe 
 House of the Lord For the benelit of 
 such as cannot believe in a disinterested 
 sacrilice, let us open the Annals at once, 
 to see to what grade Miss de Ramesay as- 
 pired in religion, on quitting the highest 
 in society. " From the day of her en- 
 trance into the Novitiate, she gave proof 
 of the excellence of her vocation by 
 laboring seriously to advance in poriec- 
 tion.— She pronounced her vuws in the 
 
 ,,ll!i 
 
(ILIMTSES OF TlIK MONASTRllY. 
 
 145 
 
 most oclifyiii!^ dispositions, to her groat 
 satisi'aclioii as woU as to ours. From this 
 momoiit she advanced daily in the prac- 
 tice of every virtue, detached from every 
 thiii^' created, zealous for the instruction 
 ol' youth, and for all that regarded the 
 si'i'vice of G-od, avoiding the parlor, and 
 every thing that could remind her of the 
 world she had abandoned." 
 
 As to Mother Marie- Anne de Boucher- 
 ville, of St. Ignatius, one line will suffice 
 to characterize her. On our usual author- 
 ity,— the Annals — we can assert thai she 
 had retained one predominant passion: it 
 was " to employ every moment of her 
 time for the benefit of the Community, 
 or ill aiding and rendering service to her 
 Sisters. 8he rejoiced to be second in the 
 odices, seeking in the obedience she ren- 
 dered her companion, more frequent op- 
 portunities to practise her favorite virtue, 
 humility." 
 
 Not less edifying in piety and abnega- 
 tion, v^as the religious career of Mother de 
 Muy— of St. Helen, whose health gave 
 small promise of a long life. Delicate and 
 
 / 
 
146 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 ) •: 
 
 fragile as was the casket, the pearl it 
 enclosed was of great price : - a gifted and 
 energetic mind, "enabled her to reiukr 
 great services in the classes, notwith- 
 standing the long sufferings which she 
 endured with astonishing courage." To 
 her pen, as Annalist, the Convent oww 
 long and interesting details of the seven 
 years' war, that closes the French domj. 
 nation in Canada; her own death on 
 that memorable 14th September, silently 
 imparting new pathos to the sad picture 
 she draws of the distress and defeat ul 
 her countrymen. 
 
 But returning now to the .31st Auirnst, 
 1717, the day when Miss Kamesay, in the 
 midst of the elite of the society both of 
 Quebec and Montreal, recei'/es the white 
 veil from the hands of Bishop Saint-Vnlier, 
 and Rv. Father Gerard, S. J., makes a "rav- 
 ishing discouiovi " on the happiness to he 
 found in the service of God, we may 
 discover among his auditors the sudden 
 awakening of another religious vocation. 
 
 The sermon wrought the conveision ol 
 
 4^? * 
 
;',<■• 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 147 
 
 a "young worldling," whom we now in- 
 troduce as Mother St. Borgia, lately Miss 
 Catherine-Margaret des Meloises. That 
 white veil and linen band conceal a brow 
 which was then adorned with all that is 
 most admiied in wreathing tress, or spark- 
 liim' gem, or opening rose-bud. That sable 
 robe of serge, replaces the rich brocade or 
 liortting gossamer, that often enveloped 
 her gr;icefal form, radiant with the fickle 
 joys of the ball-room, at the Castle, the 
 palace of the Intendant, or the " brilliant 
 circles elsewhere." 
 
 The transformation is due to divine 
 grace, which, after pursuing her with 
 gentle importunity from her early years, 
 had asserted its claims victoriously on 
 the occasion just alluded to. Issuing 
 iVoiii that little Chapel, where the voice 
 of an internal monitor had seconded the 
 eloquence of the sacred preacher, unable 
 to control her emotion, she flies from the 
 presence of the gay company that had 
 attended her ; she hastens along the yet 
 d^'serted streets. " Passing the door of 
 the Jesuits Church sh(^. enters. There, 
 
 
 
 mi 
 
 If * if^ ] 
 
i^ 
 
 
 148 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 al(?ne with her reflections, in the presence 
 of God, listening to the reproaches of 
 her conscience and to the voice of grace, 
 she begins to detest a life of vanity ; she 
 begs pardon for her long resistance and 
 delay; she implores the divine mercv 
 for strength and courage to break the 
 ties that bind her to the w^orld, humbly 
 confessing her own weakness and ina- 
 bility without (he powerful aid of 
 Heaven : she addresses herself to the 
 Blessed Virgin and to the saints, par- 
 ticularly to St. Francis Borgia, to whom 
 she had a special devotion. 
 
 " Her prayer had been already accept- 
 ed ; she rises comforted, strengthened in 
 her resolution to give herself entirely to 
 G-od. During the two years she was still 
 obliged to delay entering che Monastery, 
 never more was she to be met with at 
 soiree or ball, or party of pleasure. And 
 when, at last, having arranged with her 
 brother and sisters all that regarded her 
 inheritance, she humbly demanded and 
 obtained admittance amonff the daughters 
 of St. Ursula, the Novitiate appeared to 
 

 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 149 
 
 her the gate of Paradise ; she longed for 
 the day, when she would put off her 
 worldly attire, as a mark of her voluntary 
 divorce with the world, 
 
 " From that moment she seemed indeed 
 to become a new creature in Jesus Christ. 
 Her piety was most exemplary, her cha- 
 rity unbounded. Her detachment from 
 self and from every thing earthly ; her 
 mortilication, her fidelity to the obser- 
 vance of the rule and her holy engage- 
 ments, rendered her a bright example 
 of what is meant by religious perfection. 
 It was necessary, on more than one occa- 
 sion to moderate her fervor, which always 
 exceeded her strength. Her services, 
 which were extended to all, even to the lay- 
 Sisters in their laborious avocations, were 
 especially precious in the classes, where 
 her zeal for the salvation of souls, and 
 her own experience of the vanity of the 
 world, made her eloquent in exhorting 
 her young charge to avoid its snares, 
 and to assure their salvation by the prac- 
 tice of virtue. 
 
 
if 
 
 150 
 
 GLIMPSKS or THE MONASTERY. 
 
 (' 
 
 " Although she loved her family tender- 
 ly, she was extremely guarded in spenkinir 
 ol' her relatives, and if, in conversation, 
 there was any allusion to the nobility of 
 her birth, she evidently suffered, and 
 would adroitly introduce some other topic 
 of discourse. 
 
 " One which suited her humility better 
 was, to be reminded of her defects; and, 
 seeking to expiate the self-love which 
 once led her to relish compliments, she 
 would willingly tax herself with hypo- 
 crisy, when her piety — for want of some 
 other fault more apparent— would be dis- 
 creetly blamed, as excessive. 
 
 " in short, our fervent Mother St. Bor- 
 gia, pressed with such ardor the affair ofher 
 perfection that she won her crown early, 
 passing from the Novitiate, her earthly 
 Paradise, to that above, just as she \vas 
 completing the fourth year of her reli- 
 gious profession." 
 
 We have insensibly been led to dwell 
 too long, perhaps, upon the interesting 
 Miss des Meloises. The *' little world " ol 
 
GLiMPSi.S OF THE MONASTEUY. 
 
 151 
 
 Oiiolx^c has yet other representatives of 
 its hifi"h'\st circles in this Novitiate of 
 172i). Plere are the two daughters of 
 Mr. Charles Graillard, member of the Su- 
 preme Council, — Mother Marie-Louise of 
 the Vn'^in, and Mother Marie-Clare of St. 
 Thomas; these fervent young girls, have 
 each chosen the narrow path, in prefer- 
 ence to the broad and flowery one, before 
 thoy had attnnied their sixteenth yiiar. 
 Here are also, daughters of erchants 
 and professional men, of the type named 
 by our historian, " in easy circumstances.*" 
 —Miss Angeli(|ue PtM*thiu8,(Mother of the 
 Angels), novice of the white-veil ; and 
 among the professed, Mother St. Francis 
 Xavier, (Miss Louise C. Pinguet-Vau- 
 coars). Mother Teresa of Jesus (Miss Fran- 
 9oise Baudouin) ; Mother St. Elizabeth, 
 (Miss Angelique Langlois) ; Mother St. 
 Stanislas, (Miss Angelique Normandin). 
 These four young girls have discovered 
 in early youth, that the world, all fascin- 
 ating as it may appear, is insufficient to 
 satisfy the cravings of the soul for hap- 
 piness : they have sought it in the service 
 
 f k' .■!- 
 
 li 
 
152 
 
 aLTMPSFS 0^ THE MONASTERY. 
 
 of Him who has declared that " His yoke- 
 is easy and His burden light :" the test- 
 imony of those who lived with them, till 
 the close of their peaceful lives is ;— thai 
 they found within our cloislor " the hun- 
 dred-fold " that is promised by One who 
 cannot deceive. 
 
 Let us now introduce a few more youii2 
 ladies from Montreal. In the course of 
 the same year that saw Miss de Ramesny 
 quit the gay w^orld for the cloister, htr 
 example v/as foPowed by three of hir 
 former companions. Miss Marie-Rence du 
 Mesnil, (Mother St. Grertrude), w^hose hi- 
 ther accumulates the titles of Major in 
 the army, Lieutenant of the Navy, Knight 
 of the Order of St. Louis, &c. "This 
 amiable Mother, writes the Annalist 
 thirty four years later, adorned with all 
 the qualities that would have enabled 
 her to occupy with advantage the high 
 position Providence had assigned her in 
 society, had the greatest esteem for a life 
 hidden in God. Penetrated wath seiiti- 
 me'iits of humiiitv, and submissive to the 
 will of Heaven, she rejoiced in those in- 
 
GLIMPSES OP THE MONASTERY, 
 
 153 
 
 firmitios which roiidered her incapable of 
 occupyin;^ any oflice of importance, or of 
 discharging those dutiesof the Institute, at 
 once so delightt'al, so meritorious, and so 
 honorable. 
 
 m 
 
 Another of Montreal's high-born ladies 
 among oar novices is Mother St. Anthony, 
 dauMiter of Charles-Juchereau Duches- 
 nay. Like the other young ladies we have 
 named from Montreal, Miss Teresa Jii- 
 chereau formed her lirst acquaintance 
 with the Ursulines as a boarder. Iveturn- 
 ing to the bosom of her family, where she 
 was cherished most tenderly, at the same 
 time that she was surrounded by all that 
 lis most calculated to dazzle the youthful 
 imaorination and soften the heart, she had 
 I not always paused, to distinguish between 
 what she owed to her position in society, 
 and what she was giving to her ow^n love 
 [of the world, and to vanity. That danger- 
 ous passion was taking deep root in her 
 heart, while the daily round of dissipation 
 and pleasure was as surely extinguishing 
 all true piety. Our Annalist notes the vo- 
 cation of Miss Juchereau as "a conquest 
 
 
 ' I 
 
 
 t3 
 
 B 
 
 ^11 
 
154 
 
 OMMP>ES OF TIIK MONASTKIIY. 
 
 \h.'- 
 
 $ 
 
 V 
 
 of £^raco, the IVuit of a fervent rotrcai, 
 " This pi'ivih^ged soul won heaven eaiiv, 
 her exile hi'ing ahridired by the Divm,. 
 Master in order to hasten her recom- 
 pense." 
 
 As to Miss de Repentigny (Mothnr 
 St. j\gatha), although Miss Jueh.'ro;Hi's 
 friend, we shidl reserve the particulars ol 
 her vocation for anothi'r momiMit ; anl 
 inlrodnce next, Miss r]liz:i!)eth Jost'ph de 
 Villedonne, whose lather was Etiemie de 
 Yilledonne, Ca|:(ain of a detachnieiU of 
 the Marine. Uidike the two hist namej 
 young ladies, Miss de Villedonni', dur- 
 ing Ih;) two or three years of her absence 
 from the Convent, never shared but with 
 reluctance, in the gay amusements thai 
 offered her their attractions. 
 
 Three other novices remain to be in- 
 troduced : thev are not from the cities ol 
 
 1 i 
 
 Q'lebec or Montreal, but from coniitrv- 
 manor or farm-house, not less attractive, 
 
 From the Island of Orleans there is I 
 Mother St. Margaret, (Miss Le Clerc); 
 from Chateau-Richer, Mother St. Monica 
 
OLIMPSKS OF THE MONASTERY. 155 
 
 (Miss Marguerite Cloutior); from the 
 parish of St. Joiichiin, Mother St. Agnes, 
 (Miss Marie- Ann Uuteau), who is destined 
 tooutHve all her companions of the Novi- 
 tiate, prolonging her active and uselul 
 existence to the age ot* eighty-three years. 
 
 The ceremony of this introduction has 
 been long, yet would we name our three 
 (rood lay-Sisters, whose services are not 
 loss precious in the eyes of God and of 
 his Saints, nor less appreciated by the 
 Community, than those of the Choir- 
 ^^isters. 
 
 They are Srs. St. Thecla (Blanche 
 Marier), Mary of the licsurrection (Marie- 
 Anne Kacine), and Sr. St. Andrew (Marie- 
 Julienne Mauhs) : the two hist named 
 live cheei fully their fifty years, in the 
 humble occupations to which are attached 
 equal rewards, and far greater facilities 
 for .cquiring them, than in the more ar- 
 xiuous, or honorable offices in the Com- 
 munitv. 
 
 As we retire from that Novitiate, where 
 we have seen so many young ladies 
 
 
 ! ■. I.: 
 
 ^-1>. 
 
156 
 
 aiilMPSES OF TUE MONASTERY. 
 
 I, 
 
 ^l'' '" 
 
 goiiorously triumphing over the m\\. 
 iniMits ol' nature, and trampling upoiiaii 
 that is most esteemed aiul sought altn; 
 in the world, are there not some ainoii; 
 our readers who are struck with appr^ 
 hension and pity, as if they had just be- 
 held so many victims doomed to feel ik 
 intok^rable weight of perpetual solitude, 
 and to drag out their weary exiv 
 tence in the bonds of an unvarying sub 
 missiou to obedience and rule? Are 
 there not some who forget what the 
 Apostle says of himself: " That the world 
 is crucified to him, as he is to the world, 
 and yet that he superabounds in joy V 
 
 Bat the firm decision of each id the 
 trying moment of separation from home, 
 and lier perseverance in her cherished 
 vocation, h the best reply to any mis- 
 giving of the kind. Truly the cloistered 
 nun may say : I have separated myself 
 from all that the world holds dear and 
 delightful, but I have done so willingly. 
 and I consider such a loss my greatest 
 gain. It is my pleasure, my honor, hence- 
 forth to seek to live for Grod alone. 
 
GLIMPSES OP THE MONASTERY. 
 
 157 
 
 nviiiL^' my follow croaturos for ilu» lovo 
 lol' (rod. I trust myself to one who does 
 Inot eliang-e ; in him I shall iincl a remedy 
 for my own inconstancy. " Hero, as Tho- 
 nias a Kempis promises, I am excited to 
 [good by example, and warned from evil 
 ]bv admonition. Here, are diverse olHces, 
 and one spirit of charity. Here, when 
 one is weary of attendance on duty, 
 another supplies her place ; while one 
 roads many are edified, and each having 
 her weekly course, all are mutually re- 
 liovod. When one happily sleeps in the 
 JLord, she has many intercessois to deliver 
 hor the sooner from the place of expia- 
 tion.— Her labor and good conversations 
 Kvill not be forgotten, but will prolil 
 many, in future times for an example." 
 
 Here, as St. Clement and St. Basil tell, 
 I" One is able to pray for me to God, 
 another to console me when sick ; another 
 to teach me what is useful to salvation : 
 another will correct me with kindness, 
 or consult together with me like a friend ; 
 and all will love me truly, without guile, 
 |^Yithout flattery. O sweet attendance of 
 
158 
 
 UI.lMrsKS OV TIIK >H>NASTKHY. 
 
 iViomls, O blossoJ mini^lvj'' ot'ooiulnrt % 
 O iho faithful sin'ioosof (li(\s«» \vli(>;. 
 onlv Ciod, () tho truo sinn^lioitv Nvhiih* 
 iiuwpahlo of a falsohooil. O tho hon •. 
 ablo h\bov whioh i?^ in obodionoe to G : 
 to pKw^o (lOil ! 
 
 "() nionastio Hfo, holv, anuvlioal. Monj. 
 oJ ! Xo toiiiiuo can oxpross tlio so;,. 
 niouts of lovo whioh I fool for thoo. l 
 voioo oaii paint tho joy witli whioh llu: 
 dost lill uiv hou-t!" 
 
 * 
 
 No woiidor, thon, that tho happy so;;, 
 ohoson bv Ibwvon lor so sublinio avo:.- 
 lion, makos hor wholo lifo tiiiio, oiio livni:; 
 of t hail ksui vino-. 
 
 l>y lidolity to.horrulo, to j^rayor, aiic 
 
 tho saorainonts, sho obtains stronuih ! 
 
 sustain witli iov tho o'ontlo vokoof Chii>; 
 •» « I. . 
 
 laborino' at statoil hours in tho soluw 
 room or ii\ tho sorvico of lior sistors; hav- 
 inu' no othor ond in viow but to accoiii- 
 plish hor duty for tht» lovo of God. Ik: 
 lot us also iiu]uiro, ^hat provision h;i> 
 boon mado for rolaxation and ropo.^o. 
 
 The Order of the Day, as mapped out 
 
STKUY. 
 
 t>M^ who : • 
 iMty whuh i 
 ) \\w \w\\ •■ 
 on 00 to Ti , 
 
 li'olical, Mo<i 
 ss tho 8tMi:>| 
 tor thoiMi: 
 I which ih : 
 
 h:\ppy so::. 
 ihliino a voo;v 
 no, ono hyu;:. 
 
 > pvayor. aiic 
 s stron<:'ili i 
 okoofChrw 
 tho sohiV, 
 sistors; li;iv- 
 ut to accom- 
 r God. ]k\ 
 »rovisjoii hA> 
 d roposo. 
 
 mapped out 
 
 D 
 
 nl.lMrSES OF TUP. Mi>NASTF.UY. 
 
 1 M^ 
 
 oKUmi linios, and still adhoviul {o as 
 li as is possihlo, is soniotlunn* roniark- 
 iMo. Kaoh honr has, it is tnio, its aUottod 
 HMipatiiMi. IVoni tho tinio whon tlu» hril 
 
 in 
 
 Ut lour o c 
 
 [ock announoos tho lu>nr to 
 
 in 
 
 (\ till iho si;Linal lor rotirinj; ln^loro nino 
 tho ovoninu"; vot withsuoh aniplitnvlo 
 
 )f spac 
 
 »«v s 
 
 uol 
 
 I " rooifimrss as 
 
 Kal 
 
 )or i'alls 
 
 11: 
 
 ii ; that ono dnty prosst\s not on tho sti'ps 
 )l aiiothor, in snoh a nianniM' as to uivo 
 tho loolinu' of hiMnii" omdiainod or on>lav- 
 J TluMo aro intorvals, of nioro or loss 
 iliratUMi, wliioh sorvo as a halt or rostinii- 
 ;> ot for tht* I'oohlo, at tho sanu' tinit* that 
 ii s a spur to tho vigorous, hy allonlini;- 
 evasion lor sonio spontanoous aot o[' 
 )w\\\ kiudnoss, or zoal. 
 
 Tho hour oi' rocroation is ostooniod of 
 llu^ sanio valuo for Innivon as tho hour ol' 
 >ravor ; it is onjoyod with zci^i, in i>ro- 
 )ortion to tho siK^ioo that prooodi^s. Tho 
 ayoty of convorsation is puri» and sin- 
 'vo. It is tho family oirclo, wilhoul its 
 mxirtios and caros ; it is sociotv, without 
 fts tedious forms and shallow compli- 
 leiUs. 
 
 % 
 
 ^h 
 
 '■* , s 
 
160 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTEKY. 
 
 * , r 
 
 There are excursions too, in summer, 
 when the day is fine; for the Con\ent 
 grounds are spacious, and not devoid of 
 shade. The birds seem to sing more 
 sweetly there than any where else, and 
 build their ncsts, in security, in every 
 clump of lilac, plum, or cherry trees. 
 Ine buzz and hum of bees and every 
 gay-winged insect that loves to nestle in 
 the cups of liow^ers, make music that is 
 not lost by the ove .'-boisterous merriment 
 of the groups that stroll leisurely through 
 the winding alleys of the old garden, 
 
 Here, a favorite bed of pansies, there, a 
 mingled glow of roses, pinks, and lilies, 
 the gaudy tulip or the gladiolus, attr'\cl 
 and delight the eye ; or it is growih 
 of some new shrub or tree that is watched 
 with interest. The wonders of vegeta- 
 tive life, the special beauty of each leal, 
 afford pleasure to the contemplative 
 mind, shadowing forth the beauties and 
 wonders of that unseen world, to which 
 she constantly aspires. 
 
 Or, let it be a later hour, when the offieej 
 
h 
 
 -^ ■■ 
 
 GLDirSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 161 
 
 anddutios of the day being over, the eve- 
 ning is closing around the Monastery in 
 that mysterious silence which is its great 
 est charm. Then it is that the S'lcred words 
 of the iJivine Office are heard, from many 
 voices that form but one chant, in which 
 the Angels join, although their heavenly 
 accents m:.y bo inaudible to mortal ear. 
 
 Thus falls the curtain of night around 
 the peaceful cloister, while each one, ac- 
 cording to the attractions of grace, enters 
 into the recesses of her own conscience; 
 there, finding all at rest, all passions 
 hashed, who can tell the deep feeling of 
 security and thanksgiving that sweetly 
 lills the soul, rendering that humble cell 
 au image and an anticipation of Paradise. 
 
CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 THE CHAPEL OF SAINTS. 
 
 A little sanctnciry, mncli IVoqueiitt'd by 
 the inmates of the cloister, a, sort of pil- 
 grimage to which they resort with special 
 coiilideiice and consolation, is known ;i8 
 the Chapel of Saints. An ancient gilded 
 statue of Our Lady of Great Power, occu- 
 pies the centre of the altar, amid sculp- 
 tured decorations ; — the whole breadth of 
 of the Avail on either side, Ixuni.': covered 
 with paintings, and reliquaries of various 
 size and. form ; the larger ones resting on 
 gilded stands, the smaller ones, endorsed 
 under glass, in the four pilasters that sup- 
 port the arching entablature. The vault- 
 ed ceiling, painted of the color of the sky, 
 is studded, with gilded stars, while the 
 central arch, over the altar, encompa.^ses 
 a painting ; as if the skies had opened 
 there to permit the view of the heavens 
 beyond. The nine choirs ol' Angels, the 
 
 \^ 
 
.entod by 
 ft of pil- 
 li special 
 vuowu as 
 nt gilded 
 ^^er, ocen- 
 id sculp- 
 ireadth of 
 <• covered 
 of various 
 estiiig on 
 enclosed 
 
 that Slip- 
 .'he vail it- 
 r the bky, 
 vhile the 
 oin passes 
 d opened 
 heavens 
 Ingels, the 
 
 arJMPSKS OF THE MONASTRIIY. 
 
 1G3 
 
 various ranks of Saints, hearing- aloft the 
 symbols oF their triumph, surround the 
 th one ot the Most High, in the midst of a 
 ii^lory, to which the uiuiccustomed eye 
 l(Mids sj^lendors ev(U' new, and depths 
 ever widening into the vast ahyss of 
 eternity. 
 
 [This is the Chapel of Saints as it was, 
 not many years ago, and a? we hope it 
 yi^t will be : — its present a])pearance is 
 not so striking.] 
 
 But the wealth of the Chapel consists 
 in the quantity of relics with which it has 
 been endowed: the antiquity of the 
 shrines even, that enclose them, and the 
 names of the donors, add new interest to 
 the objects, already so precious in them- 
 selves. 
 
 Among ihe iirst of these pious donors 
 we may mention Don Claude Martin, 
 who was a Benedictine Monk. He had 
 already in 1662, procured for the Monas- 
 tery which his Ven. Mother had founded, 
 and where she was then living, the relics 
 ol'the martyrs, Justus, Modestus, Maxim- 
 in and Fehx. 
 
 CEijir 
 
 
1G4 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONAbTEUr. 
 
 One of the Ursiilinos of Metz, sent us 
 from Cologne, precious relics of St. Ur- 
 sula and her companions. 
 
 Madame de Guise, Abbess of Mont 
 Martre gave others. In 1071, Mother 
 Le Maire of the Angels, coming to the 
 Monastery, brought relics of the mar- 
 tyrs, Placide, Firniin, .lanuarius, Tere- 
 grinus and Honorius, which her brothvM* 
 the Abbe Le Maire, had procured for 
 her in Rome. Some years later Kov. 
 Father C Uoilleau, another relative of 
 Mother Mary of the Angels, enrich- 
 ed the Monastery vsath a casket con- 
 taining the entire body of the holy 
 martyr St. Clement, which he had ob- 
 tained from Pope Innocent XI. Other 
 relics of the Martyrs, Vital ,Amy, Denis, 
 Candid, Marcellinus, &c., whoso names 
 are venerable and illustrious for their 
 sufferings for Jesus' sake, were bestoAved 
 by the same generous friend. 
 
 In short, so large a quantity of these 
 treasures had been received, from various 
 pious donors, that in 1G74, it was decided 
 
OLiMPsEs OP Tni-: monastery. 
 
 165 
 
 to prepare a Chapel where they might bo 
 deposited with special honor. 
 
 This primitive Chapel perished in the 
 coiillag-ration of the Church and choir, 
 oi' which it formed a part, in 1G80. 
 
 Bat the relics were not safFered to 
 perish. A lny-8ister, animated with such 
 liU'vor as gave her new strength and cour- 
 age, persisted in transporting them, till 
 she had nearly become herself a martyr 
 to her pious zeal, as we have elsewhere 
 related. „ 
 
 In times more recent, other treasures 
 of a similar nature have been added. 
 Looking over the Catalogue, we find the 
 names of St. Augustin, the great Legis- 
 lator of Monastic mstitutions, St. Francis 
 of Sales, *' the most amiable saint ;" Igna- 
 tius of Loyola and others formed to sanctity 
 in his Society, — St. Fr. Xaverius ; St. Aloy- 
 sius and St. Stanislaias, the patrons of 
 youth; St. Angela Merici, foundress of 
 the Ursulines; St. Madeleine de Tazzi, 
 &c. The recent martyrs of China and 
 
 ^11 
 
 , :.S.,-,|i 
 
166 
 
 GLLAIPSKS OF THE MONAsTEliY. 
 
 ) 
 
 Japan are also represented there, as well 
 as those of Canada. 
 
 Our Chapel of Saints has other objects 
 of still higher antiquity. Like the " Saiiito 
 Chapelle " in Paris, it has a parcel of the 
 True Cross and of the Crown of Thorns; 
 the former enclosed in a small crystal 
 tube, forms the centre of a silver cross 
 about fourteen inches in heiuht; it was 
 presented to the Monastery in 1G77, ])y 
 Don Claude Martin. Other touchino; sou- 
 venirs of Grolgotha, are a Fac Simile of 
 one of the nails that pierced our ]jlesso(I 
 Saviour's hands; another of the holy 
 shroud that enveloped his sacred liody in 
 the tomb ; a crown of thorns, made (lately) 
 from such thorns as grow in Palestine,— 
 long, sharp, and thick-set. 
 
 Is it necessary, here, to make the apology 
 of the Chapel of Saints? to tell w^hy, and 
 how, we honor the friends of God, the 
 champions and defenders of the Faith? 
 and, wdien they have gone to their re- 
 compense, how w^e love to have some 
 memento of them, some souvenir to recall 
 
GLLMP. LS OF THE MONASTEUY. 
 
 167 
 
 tlicm to miiul, with the thoiig'ht of the 
 heaven win re thev are rewarded, and 
 where we linally hope one day to dwell 
 with them ? 
 
 It is a sent uient .so natural that we all 
 practise the devotion to relics, when there 
 is question oT lri<^nd.s or relatives. Not 
 many years au'o, the grateful countrymen 
 of AVashinL»t.)n, bore in a procession, a 
 lociv of his hair, as a trophy of which they 
 might be proud, and were not afraid of 
 being' called superstitious. Our shrines and 
 reliquaries enclose similar objects, and 
 we venerate them with a kindred feeling, 
 ho:2:htened bv the knowleds2:e of favors 
 granted by Heaven, on more than one 
 occasion, to tJiose who thus honor them 
 "whom Grod delights to honor." It is a 
 feeling similar to that which renders the 
 Catacom])s sacred, or makes the soil of 
 the arena within the crumbling Colise- 
 um, seem holy ground. 
 
 Yes ! when the first twilight shades are 
 descending, after that plaintive anthem of 
 the Yesper-Ofiice ; " lit manus luas Domine, 
 
168 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTRRY. 
 
 etc. ** Into thy hands, O Lord, I commt lul 
 my spirit," — one loves to knool in that 
 little sanctuary where repose, so many 
 memorials of those that hiive s>iven their 
 soul to Grod in peace. And when, at ear- 
 liest dawn, one ent'^rs 1h to, rememheriiiir 
 tliose who i'ko the J ^-cihiiist could say: 
 Ad ie de luce vi;i^iL--" To thee, O Lord, 
 have I w^atched from the earliest lidit 
 of day," the soul will ever be refreshed, 
 and prepared for the sacred hour of morn- 
 ing prayer. Nor is it less ^.alutary to 
 bring to mind, that for the last one hun- 
 dred and fifty years, every nun who has 
 lived in the solitude of the Old Monastery, 
 has aften prostrated herself in prayer 
 before that antique statue of Our Lady of 
 Great Power, m this same quiet Chapel. 
 
 The ashes of the heroic Foundresses, 
 those of the Venerable Mother, who now 
 awaits the highest honors the Church of 
 God awards to her most faithful children, 
 seem to speak in words of gentle encour- 
 ao-ement. Oh ! how fervently should 
 each one pray that nothing may ever 
 penetrate within the precincts ol the 
 
CLT^iPSES OP THE MONASTEHY. 
 
 169 
 
 Monri.-story to derogate in the least from 
 the spirit of M^aco and sanctify which is 
 here so pal] 'b!y felt. — J.>ut there is 
 something hev) more Langible, even, ^liaii 
 the sphit of :.ao place :— there aro also 
 
 Ex-YoTOS. 
 
 An fix-Yoto ! the word tells of pressing 
 (lanGCor and of succor obtained in the 
 moment of peril. It tells of some suf- 
 fering relieved, for which there was no 
 earthly alleviation to be obtained ; and 
 who has not, at some time, su tiered such 
 anxiety, or seen such woe threatening, that 
 there went up to God the deep cry ot 
 the heart, which pierced the heavens, 
 and brought speedy help for the hour of 
 need ? 
 
 For all who have thus prayed, that 
 little twinkling llame, dimly lighting an 
 ancient sanctuary, has a language; and 
 they turn to view it again, with more of 
 sympathy than curiosity. If they have 
 read a delicious page in the " Ilisfoire dii 
 MonasterCj^ under the title of " La Liunpe 
 
 iC 
 
 'VSt 
 
 t .. 
 
170 
 
 OLIMISE' OP TIIK MONASTKRY, 
 
 qui ne iiclcint w/s," thoy ask no ruilhiM- 
 oxplniKiiion. For those who have not, 
 we shall inscribe here the rollowin<? Hues 
 
 on 
 
 TriF, Votive Lamp. 
 
 twinklinii; Lamp ! tliy feoblo ray - 
 
 Sheds no rc'fiilu;ont ijjbire ; 
 And yet tliou knowest no decay, 
 
 Since once — thrice {ifty-y(;ars away, 
 Thou first wast, trimmed with care. 
 
 Dire was the conflict, when her chains 
 That maiden sonujlit to break: 
 
 Now in her soul triumpliant reljj^ns 
 God's holy love, atid now it wanes, — 
 
 *Tis earthly flames that wake. 
 
 " Mother, Powerful ! lend thine aid ; 
 
 Pity my dire distress ! 
 I've fled me to this cloister's shnde ; 
 
 Let now all worldly phantoms fade, 
 If Heaven my project bless." 
 
 *• Will not the pitying Virt^in hear 
 
 A suppliant in her need ? 
 AVill she not make my pathway clear, 
 
 Sending me grace to persevere. 
 From all this darkness freed ?" 
 
arJMI»SF.S OF TIIR MONASTRUY. 171 
 
 Lo ! swift dopcciidniii; froin on hi,i:,li, 
 
 I'oace to hur bosom flows ; — 
 As swi.' i tho ^loom Jind sorrow fly, — 
 
 Ilcr soul ii! sweet security, 
 Forgets its recent throes. 
 
 For liu^lit so pure in d.irkost iiour, 
 A L;nnp bnriift r- 'ar the shrine 
 
 Where Mary Mother of Great Power, 
 
 Still liears our prayers : and graces shower, 
 
 Where beams so tender, shine. 
 
 Now, many circlinij; years have sped 
 
 While yet that tiny flime, 
 By gratitude is fotully fed, 
 
 As when at first its light was shed 
 Around that hiirh-born dame. 
 
 Still does it point the way secure 
 
 To Her, our Queen above; 
 Whose tender bosom, ever pure. 
 
 Pities the woes we may endure, 
 And succors us with love. 
 
 Come, then, at twilight's pensive liour ; 
 
 Come, in the early dawn 1 
 Come, when the skies around you lower, 
 
 Come to Our Lady of Great Power, 
 Sure Help of the forlorn I 
 
172 
 
 OLIMPSKS OP THE MONASTERY. 
 
 Tliouuh titles new, round Miiry's n;uno, 
 
 May cluster every year, 
 Yet aa I vii'W that votive flamo, 
 
 Jjit by the hand of noble dainc, 
 T love tlio more that ancient claim, 
 
 " MuTiiKU OF PoWKii " reij^n here ! 
 
 Who, then, had lit that tiny Lnmp 
 helbro tho shrine of Our Lady of Great 
 Power ? that hirnp which has llickcrcd 
 and spent daily its little life, to see it per- 
 petually renewed during one hundred 
 andlii'ty years? — That maiden's name was 
 Miss Marie ]\Iadcleine de llepentij^niy. 
 Her vocation altords an instance of the 
 manner in which God sometimes pur- 
 siies a soul, rebellious at hrst, forcing her, 
 as it were, to take place at the " marriage 
 Feast " to which he had long invited her 
 by the voice of his secret inspirations. 
 
 The family de liepentigny were among 
 the lirst of the UDbility that came out to 
 settle in the Colony. Mother Mary of 
 the Incarnation makes mention of them 
 with eulogium, writing in 1GG4. The 
 daughters were always to be found 
 
OLIMI'SES OF THE MONAKTERY. 
 
 173 
 
 anionic our boarders : Maric-MadrhMno 
 h;ul hor turn irom the ago of about ten 
 years, till her education was considered 
 to bo in accordance with her rank and 
 jiosition in society. 
 
 Oil leaving tlie Convent, slu', had not 
 like many o thins, formed to hersell'any 
 lixiul plan of life, and she soon found 
 hor.solf surrounded wi<h those temptations 
 that often l)eset the pathway of a young 
 ^irl on her entrance into the world. 
 
 Cray parties of pleasure, frivolous amu- 
 sements, idle conversations, filled u^) the 
 precious hours from day to day, leaving 
 her little time for rellection, serious read- 
 ing*, or prayer. The prestige of rank, wit 
 and beauty on the one side, that of merit, 
 politeness and noble demeanor on the 
 other, soon resulted in the preliminaries 
 of an alliance, which appeared advanta- 
 geous in the eyes of the world ; and which 
 met the approbation of Marie Madeleine's 
 parents, as well as those of the young 
 officer, who was a relative. On isuch occa- 
 isions, when all seems so bright in the fu- 
 
174 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MOXASTFIIY. 
 
 I I 
 
 ture, \\'lio thinks of soriouslv coiisullino- 
 to know the will of Grod ? 
 
 Suddenly the young officer is calloij 
 away on duty. Alas ! for the fallacious pro- 
 mises of earthly happiness, — the next 
 news is of his death ! 
 
 To the violent gri<'f and mourning of 
 the lirst months, succeeds an attempt to 
 dissipate this irksonn^ gloom of mind, by 
 X:)lunging anew into the vortex of worldly 
 pleasures. 
 
 But the kind hand of Trovidence wis 
 stdl extended, waiting the moment to 
 TPclaim this prodigal child, and reconduct 
 her to a mansion of peace and seciirity, 
 At one of the churches in the citv, an 
 eloquent an'd zealous Jesuit was givii]!,^ 
 the exercises of a retreat, for youno' ladies 
 Marie-Madeleine went with the rest, but 
 soon found that the Sacred Orator was 
 preaching— so it seemed to her — for he" 
 alone : — 
 
 ""What wnll it avail a man to v:m 
 the whole world, and yet to lose his -.vii 
 
GLIMPSKS OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 1 '"rc 
 1 i'O 
 
 sonl. or what shall he ji:ive in exchaim'e 
 for his soul ? ' 
 
 These solemn words of our Jjlessed 
 Lord sank deep into her soul, and she 
 then })erceived that there had been a void 
 in her heai^t, which the vanities of the 
 world had never been able to lill. But 
 long habits of sell indulgence, the ener- 
 vating influence of ease, and the servitude 
 of fashion, do not impart energy to the will, 
 nor consistency to the character. Marie- 
 Madeleine hesitates stillj when, behold 
 the merciful hand that pursue, her, rais- 
 es an impediment to her vanity, in an 
 accident almost imperceptible,— yet ef- 
 ficacious. 
 
 The swelliuf^: of a a'land in her throat 
 threatens to mar her beautv. She con- 
 salts an experienced friend and learns 
 that it is not dangerous in itself, but may 
 become so, if healed. She is thus led 
 to serious thoui^'ht :-~the future seems to 
 stand before her, wnth its chances. She 
 t;'kes times T>r reiiection, and. at last, 
 beginning to perceive the designs ol' Pro- 
 
 
17G 
 
 GLIMPSES OP THE MONASTERY. 
 
 vidence, she resolves to correspond to 
 them. After due consultation, she solicits 
 admission into the No\atiate of the Ur- 
 sulines. The nuns, remembering her many 
 good qualities, willingly accept her. 
 
 But all is not yet settled between her- 
 self and God. kShe has long been rebel- 
 lious to grace ;— that grace now demands 
 a restitution ; ^he homage of a will sub- 
 dued bv sulFerini]^ the assaults of its own 
 inconstancy. 
 
 No sooner had she reached the Con- 
 vent, than she began to experience the 
 torments of doubt and perplexity. " Was 
 she truly called ? Had she strength to 
 embrace the austerities of the cloister?"— 
 
 She overcomes this ilrst temptation ge- 
 nerously, conscious that a passing feeling 
 of repugnance, is no proof that she is not 
 in the path of duty. Once in the Novitiate, 
 the trial disappears for a time : later it re- 
 turns with such violence that the Con 
 vent seems to her as irksome as it had 
 appeared delightful. 
 
 But Marie-Madeleine, now Mother St. 
 
GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 177 
 
 Agatha, had learned the force oi' prayer. 
 She taki^s reiuge at the I'eet of Mary. 
 She calls upon her as the Mother of 
 Mercy, the Virgin Most I^owerful, — 
 and is heard. The clouds have rolled 
 back from her soul, that now basks in the 
 eifulgence of joy ! 
 
 Confirmed, henceforth, in her voca- 
 tion ; grateful for the protection of 
 Heaven, she begs permission to found a 
 perpetual memento of the grace, the 
 invisible //g/// she has received. Her 
 own life, cheerful, courageous, mortified, 
 (luring the twenty years slie had yet to 
 spend within the Monastery, was another 
 light, rejoicing her companions more 
 than the Vollve Lamp which she daily 
 trimmed with sentiments, ever fresh, of 
 piety and gratitude, 
 
CHAPTER XV. 
 
 lO'ra— iT3i>. 
 
 STATE OF EDUCATION IN THE CONVENT. 
 
 In picturing the Monastery at any pe- 
 riod, we must surround it with that 
 interesting portion of humanity, joyous, 
 careless, ingenuous youth. 
 
 For the sake of these lambkins of the 
 fo]d of Christ, the cloister of the Ursulines 
 is not as strict as in the contemplative 
 Orders. The conventual door opens as 
 readily to the appeal of children to ])e 
 instructed, as if it had not a double lock: 
 the welcome that awaits a pupil is as 
 warm, the greeting as tender, as if the 
 inmates of the Convent were the house- 
 hold friends of her infancy. 
 
 ,The name of Mother, which she is 
 allowed to bestow on those who are re- 
 ceiving her vith open arms, tells the 
 measiiro of love she may expect; iht- 
 
GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 179 
 
 amount of care and solicitude she may 
 claim as her right. For the Spouse 
 of Jesus remembers the word of Him, 
 who once took little children in his arms 
 and blessed them, sayi.ig : "Let little 
 children come unto me and forbid them 
 not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven : 
 *' Whosoever receiveth one of these little 
 ones in my name, receiveth me." Far 
 from regardin^^ the duties of a teacher as 
 irksome, she rejoices in them ; and esteems 
 no employment more sweet and hono- 
 rable, than that ot forming the youthful < 
 heart to piety, and storing the tender 
 mind with useful knowledge : convinced 
 that she is thus contributing, most cer- 
 tainly, to the welfare and happiness of 
 society. 
 
 The Boardino^-School, like the Commu- 
 nity, is a little commonwealth in itself, 
 with its own statutes, privileges, and 
 immunities. The " Local Grovernment" 
 nominated by the Superioress, is com- 
 posed of a General Mistress, with her 
 daff of Teachers and Aids, — as many as 
 miiy be required for the intellectual, the 
 
 
180 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 spiritual, and the physical wants oi' tliu 
 pupils. 
 
 It is the Crcnoral Mistress, for instance, 
 who welcomes the little stranger as she 
 enters, and dries the tears that will come 
 when we say adieu to fond parents for 
 the lirst time ; it is she who comforts the 
 trembling child with gentle words, and 
 conducts her to the Chapel, near by, to 
 ask the blessing of Grod on her sojourn 
 in the Monastery. Then, the same ma- 
 ternal hand, after weighuig the little stock 
 of knowledge the new pupil may already 
 possess, guides her to the class to which 
 she will belong, continuing, as the year 
 advances, to note her progress by the 
 Report of the different Teachers: for the 
 General Mistress is entrusted with the 
 Porie-FeuiUe ; she distributes the certifi- 
 cates, and is responsible to tlie parents. 
 In short, she is the intermediary of autho- 
 rity, maintaining tiiat of the subordinate 
 mistresses, and applying to the tSupeii- 
 oress in all cases beyond the limits other 
 own jurisdiction. Thus, as the Apostle 
 has advised, " all things are settled in 
 
QLIMPS'IS OF TTIE MONASTERY. 
 
 181 
 
 oi'iliM*, thnt all being of one mind and 
 living in union, the God of peace and 
 love may be with his servants." 
 
 Our little pupil is soon at home in the 
 Convent ; and, passing* from the class- 
 rooms, where the toil of learning is sweet- 
 ened by the kindness of the teacher, to 
 the refectory where she is served with 
 love ; to the recreation-hall, or the play- 
 grounds, where innocent sports make the 
 hour pass only too swiftly, she forgets the 
 sadness of the parting scene, at the con- 
 ventual door. 
 
 Then, as the months roll on, the crood 
 seed, destined to produce ten or a hun- 
 dred fold, is gradually sown : — the love of 
 God ; the fear of offending Him ; respect 
 for authority; fidelity to order and duty; 
 lial)its of virtue and self-government : 
 such is the basis which the conscientious 
 teacher seeks to lay, broad and deep 
 when laboring to form the character of 
 her youthful charge. 
 
 In the early part of the eighteenth 
 century, which is the period we are about 
 
182 GLTMP>ES OF TIIR MONASTERY. 
 
 to consider, ino Course of Studies in ouv 
 Convent school, was the same as that 
 followed in the Mother-House in Pcuis; 
 the Ursulines of Quebec having adopted, 
 with the Constitutions of that Con^ro- 
 gation', their Ivules for the educational 
 department. Th(i curriculum embraced 
 Heading and G-rammar ; Arithmetic 
 and Penmanship; Ileligious Instruction, 
 including Sacred History; with occa- 
 sional recitations in prose and verse, to 
 impart a taste for reading, as well as to 
 ornament the memory and improve the 
 mi Li I. Dramatic dialoi^ues on moral or 
 pious subjects, Pastorals, or compliment- 
 ary apologues on anniversary occasions, 
 were held in steem, as a means of forming 
 the pupils lo grace of manners, and that 
 degree of modest assurance which is so 
 becoming, yet so difficult to attain in 
 youth. 
 
 Embroidery, in its various styles, and 
 needle-work in general, received great 
 attention, as well as domestic economy. 
 
 Such a course, announced in the Pros- 
 pectus of an Educational Institution at 
 
OMMI'SFS OP TIIK MONA«TKRY. 
 
 183 
 
 tho present day, woald excite surprise 
 and be declared positively too elementary. 
 Yet we may be allowed to doubt, whetber 
 any system of modern education can be 
 foaiul that does i^reater justice to the re- 
 cipient of it, than the old training did ; the 
 chief object of which seems to have been 
 to prepare the mind for the great object 
 of life: — that of living well, and perform- 
 ing well the duties of one's state of life. 
 
 AVhen we can name such women as 
 Madame de Maintenon, and many other 
 distinguished ladies of her time; w^hen 
 we see a Marchioness of Vaudreuil, a 
 pupil of our Convent, called (1700) wath- 
 ont any further preparation, to fill the 
 oflice of sub-governess to princes of the 
 royal line of Bourbon ; when w^e have 
 read the lives, and the writings of many 
 of our ancient nuns : we cannot but ad- 
 mit that there are reasons for not depre- 
 ciating the old system of education in 
 Convents. 
 
 Zeal for the education of their children 
 is one of the honorable traits of the 
 
184 
 
 GLIMPSES OF TIIK MONASTERY. 
 
 •/ 
 
 early settlers of Ciinada ; " many oCwliom 
 would never have crossed the Ocean to 
 New France," so they assured Father 
 Lejeune, " it' tliey had not been ceriiiiu 
 oi' finding there, persons able to auidtj 
 their consciences in the care oi' th(Mr 
 salvation, as well as to instruct tlieir 
 oflspring in virtue and K*arning." In 
 this respect as Le Cierc says, " Canada 
 was more fortunate then new settlements 
 in other parts of the world." 
 
 It is not, therefore, surjMisinii', that 
 our lists show the prominent names of 
 the country, from one g'eneration to 
 another; those of lesser note come, also, 
 intermingled, while the Day-school or 
 Externat provided for the religious ins- 
 tructiou and primary education of all 
 classes, rich and poor, in the city. 
 
 ^ Terms for board were always moderate, 
 and our good Mothers accomodating. 
 Money being rare in the Colony, pay- 
 ments were made in goods and provision,^, 
 sometimes in wood for fuel, or in ma- 
 terials for building; and not unfrequently 
 from the alms box of the Monastei y, or 
 
OM.MPSEs OF Tin: M(>nastf:uy. 
 
 185 
 
 fioiii the smus occasionally runii,>liod by 
 thi.' French Government. 
 
 The best laniilies \ver(^ often not less 
 in need of concessions and " favors," 
 ihiiii the poorer vAas^ ; for, if ilie latter 
 hiivini^ to labor ibr their subsistence, 
 were dependant on " \viiid and weather," 
 a lino, season or a g-ood hu'vest ; the 
 former liad to reckon with the casualties 
 of the Ocean, or tlie acci<lents of war, 
 and the rrrlainties of an inadequate sa- 
 lary. 
 
 As to the number of pupils frequent- 
 ini^' the Day-school, or residing in the 
 Convent as ])oardors, our anciiuit mothers 
 seem to have left to the good A)igels 
 who assembled them, the care of counting 
 and comparing one year with another. 
 Lists are often without date ; the Registers, 
 held by dillerent hands, are incomplete, 
 or defaced ; moreover, that epoch of 
 renovation ami reckoning, the Vacation, 
 heiiig unknown, there were [)upils 
 entering or leaving throughout th(» year, 
 without any obligation or motive for 
 presenting a /ola/, ibr any given period. 
 
 
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 OLTMrSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 Tf'tho Annals state that there w^ro, in 
 such a year, "sixteen little communicants," 
 or "twenty" on another occasion, it is 
 not in order to enumerate, but to record 
 a trait of benignity of their chief Pastor, 
 who, ** addresses the dear children a mov- 
 ing exhortation, and communicates them, 
 as well as the nuns, from his own 
 hand." Or the good Bishop is present 
 on a Passion-JSunday, and witnesses a 
 little action in honor of the mystery, at 
 which " he manifests his entire satisfac- 
 tion." When, at the beginning of the 
 century, there is a terrible epidemy, and 
 thirty-seven of the boarders are ill at 
 one time, the Annalist records the fact ; 
 but she does not tell us how many escaped 
 the malady, only that the classes were 
 suspended for want of teachers. 
 
 We see that from year to year, there is 
 a gradual increase; new classes are form- 
 ed; new class-rooms provided. The "Mon- 
 astery enlarged " (1717), has shown us the 
 whole building, adjoining the parlors, oc- 
 cupied by the boarders. 
 
 A class of little Indian girls continued 
 
GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY, 
 
 187 
 
 till about the year 1725. The extern- 
 school was, nt all times, formerly, far more 
 numerous than that of the boarders. 
 
 Some ofthe pupils entered the Convent 
 very young, and remained seven or eight 
 years ; generally, they came at the age 
 of ten or eleven, to be prepared for their 
 lirst Communion —remaining from two, 
 to four or live years. The biographies of 
 the nuns have enabled us to form these es- 
 timates; and to observe, at the same time, 
 that a young girl of fourteen or iifteon 
 was able to give proof of a maturity of 
 judgment, and a decision of mind, which 
 at the present day, we hardly expect at 
 eighteen. The phenomenon may not be 
 easy to explain ; but it must be admitted. 
 
 Could we now follow in spirit, through 
 the devious paths of life, some of these 
 ancient pupils ; could we consult family 
 records, as we have passed in review thcde 
 of the cloister, it would complete, in a satis- 
 factory manner, our appreciation of the 
 value, and the effects of education in the 
 eighteenth century. 
 
 
 ■ 
 
 i:.! 
 
 i I' 
 i ! 
 
 i! 
 
188 
 
 OLniPSES op THE MONASTERY. 
 
 When as competent a judge as Jiov. 
 Father Charlevoix, tells us, in 1720, "da 
 total absence of rusticity throughout the 
 country;" that he Ibiind the colonists 
 " most respectable lor their probity, their 
 candor and solid piety," we naturally 
 attribute no small share of the merit to 
 the good religious instruction the mo- 
 thers of these families hid received. AVho 
 knows not the iiilluence of the mothiT, 
 on the rising generation ? AVhocan cloubt 
 the truth of the aphorism of the old i)io- 
 tons, upon wliich the ancient settlers of 
 Canada seem to have acted : " It is bettor 
 to indrucl a little child than to gather 
 wealth for him." \ye might fancy we 
 hear one of those good Christian mothers, 
 imparting to her offspring the lessons of 
 piety she had learned at the Convent, in 
 huigunge as simple and sweet, as in the 
 following song of the blind minstrel 
 Herve, the monastic bard of Armorica :— 
 
 "Approach my little children; come 
 and heiiv a new song which I have com- 
 posed expressly for you : take pains to 
 remember it entirely. 
 
GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 189 
 
 ""When you awake in your bod, ollor 
 
 your heart to the i»-ood God. make the 
 
 si^u of the Cross, and say with I'ailh, 
 hope, and love : ^ 
 
 'SSay : my (Jrod, I give thee my heart, 
 my body and my soul ; make me to be a 
 good man, or else to die before my time. 
 
 " When you see a raven lly, think that 
 
 sill is as black and wicked ; when you 
 see a little white dove llv, think that vour 
 soul, if pure, is as sweet and white." 
 
 Oh! happy the child that has a good 
 mother. Never will her lessons of piety, 
 her examples of virtue be totally cilaced 
 Irom the mind ! 
 
 Let us now take a specimen of the 
 names that occur on our lists, bei^innino' 
 by Miss Jeanne Le Ber, the admirable 
 liecluse of Montreal. The piety of .Jeanne, 
 her tender love of God, and her desire to 
 imitate the Child of Nazareth, in sim- 
 plicity, in silence, in labor and humility, 
 were manifest,* even at the age of eleven 
 and twelve, when she was an inmate of 
 the convent, in 1675. Siie found compan- 
 
 
 ?\f.: 
 
 
i 
 
 m; 
 
 190 
 
 GMMPSK8 OF THE MONASTERY, 
 
 ( ;.' 
 
 ions of her fervor in such young ladies as 
 the Misses Denis, — des G-rpnges, — JSt. 
 Amand, -Neveu, — La Forge, — Nolan,— 
 Marie and Margaret Le Grardeur, — Marie 
 lierthelot, — Angelique de Lauson, <Jfec. 
 
 Taking up the list at anothjr date, we 
 meet with the name of Miss Mavie- 
 .Tosephine Fezeret, followed by the three 
 Misses des Meloises, the two Misses Ville- 
 donne ; Margaret Gravelle, etc. 
 
 Miss Fezeret affords us a noble exam- 
 ple of energy and filial piety. Returning 
 to her home in Montreal at the age of 
 seventeen, she finds her family plunged 
 in the deepest affliction ; her three bro- 
 thers had fallen in battle where they had 
 hoped to win glory and fortune ; her aged 
 parents, left without resource, were dis- 
 hearted^nd overwhelmed with the weight 
 of their misfortunes. Miss Fezeret, far 
 from adding to the afflictions of her fam- 
 ily by her own despondency, exerts her- 
 self to find, at least, a remedy for the in- 
 di2:ence that threatened them. She draws 
 up a petition to present to the Governor 
 
GLIMP8KS OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 191 
 
 to obtain a grant of lands, " with all sei- 
 gniorial rights," pleading the losses her 
 f'niily had sustained " in the King s ser- 
 vice," and their present necessities, with 
 such ability that she gains her cause in its 
 lull extent. The Mnrquis de Vaudreuil as- 
 signs to the young claimant, in due form, 
 a remnant of ungranted lands to which 
 he gives the name of Eourg-Marie, under 
 the title of lief and seigniory, "sub- 
 ject to fealty and homage to be. render- 
 at the Castle of St. Louis in Quebec." 
 
 Miss Fezeret was destined to enjoy the 
 blessing of surrounding the declining 
 years of her aged parents with joy and 
 comforts, — happy especially, in having 
 nobly fulfilled a noble duty. Her subse- 
 quent marriage with an officer of the 
 marine, M. de Thiersant, seems to have 
 been equally blessed by Heaven. The 
 name of Mrs. Thiersant, found among the 
 few who in ancient times obtained the 
 privilege of " Parlor boarder " ( pension- 
 naive en chambre) proves that she never 
 forgot her Convent-mothers, nor the clois- 
 
192 
 
 (JLLMPSKS OT- Till-: MONASTF.UY. 
 
 t(T wlu'io feho had sp<'iit hor yonnM-ev 
 yt' Ill's. 
 
 Itotununi:^ to our lists, wo Avrilo \\'\\]i 
 plensnro tlio iiaiiio ol* Miss C AulxMt 
 de \[\ Chesnayo, oiu^ of iho ancestors ol' 
 . the family Do Gaspo, avIioso doscoiidaiits 
 occur at all datos dowu to the prosont 
 day; — tho Missos do Chavig'iiy, — do la 
 Gorg'oiidioro, — do Jjoauliou, — do la Tos- 
 sorio ; — with tho uainos equally anciiMit 
 of Lo Moino, — d(\s Crrosoiili(M*s, — do la 
 Garoinit% — do Jj''cai\oourt, — Mig'i^oa de 
 Bransac, — Bolduc, — du Tuy, — Landron, 
 — Picard, — Joly, etc ; 
 
 i'^.^iiong the companions of the young* 
 captive, ]i]sthor Whoolwright, (1709) we 
 may notice tho daughter of the Gov- 
 ornor her protector, Miss Elizabeth do 
 Vaudreuil, placed tho Coiivont, at the 
 same time;— and, in their company, Missos 
 Anne Denis de St. Simon, Charlotte Lo 
 Gardeur, — Couillard, — d'Ailleboust dos 
 Musseaux, — du Meiiil, — Duchesnay, — 
 Ivoy, etc. etc. 
 
 In 1712, tho Monastery was edilied by 
 
 I'^i 
 
GLIMPSES OP THE MONASTERY. 
 
 193 
 
 r yonnirev 
 
 the yontht'ul virtuos of Miss Margaret du 
 Frost de la Gosmorais, bettor known to 
 our readers by the name of Madame 
 (i'Youville ; who after experiencing the 
 bitter vicissitudes of life, constituted her- 
 self the servant of the poor, the maimed, 
 and the sick; triumphing over misfortune 
 by the cheerful practice of the works of 
 mercy, and endowing h^r country with 
 that noble institution, bearing the time- 
 honored name of Scciirs-GriseSy or Sisters 
 of Charity. 
 
 Contemporary with the heroic exam- 
 ple of Miss de la Gesmerais, ^ we find the 
 admirable charity of the three daughters 
 of the ancient Governor of Montreal, the 
 Misses De Uamesay. The six amiable 
 
 1 Miss (le Li Gosinorais wua djiugliter of a dis- 
 tint^ulsliod officcM- who served inider tiie Marquis de 
 Dcnonvillo : lier Motlier was Miss Rene de Vareur 
 IK'S. Several of her relatives were Ursuliues; — 
 her tliree aunts were tlie Mothers Varennes de la 
 Prosentatlou ; dn Me.y de Ste. llelene ; Anne-Ma- 
 rif de 15ouc,herville de St. Ignace : tlie Rev. Mother 
 ]?nu(']ier, de Boiiclierville dn St. Pierre was her 
 graii(J-a!unt. 
 
 f 
 

 ' i ) 
 
 ' . I 
 
 I 
 
 ^' 
 
 .v± 
 
 GLIMPSES OF TUE MONASTEUY. 
 
 sistors had passed through our classes, 
 to the mutual satisl'actioii of teachers and 
 pupils. The eldest, after a brief sojourn 
 in her family, had returned to Qut'hce 
 and entered the General Hospital, where 
 she lived nearly half a century, servin;r 
 with angelic piety the suflering menihors 
 of our Lord, for the sake of his lovo. 
 The second, Marie-Catherine, bade a 
 cheerful adieu to the oijoyments her 
 position in society promised her, to ho- 
 come an Ursuline; Genevieve, the third 
 had accepted an alliance in the world. 
 
 ^ The three youngest remained in their 
 family, leading a life worthy of the clois- 
 ter. Their chief delight was to succor the 
 indigent, to visit and comfort the sick ; 
 being ever ready to expose their health 
 or to endanger their life, if thereby they 
 might procure relief for the distressed, or 
 minister to the corporal or spiritual ne- 
 cessities of the dying. 
 
 One instance will suffice to show how 
 they understood and practised the pre- 
 cept of charity. 
 
OLIMPSES Oi THE MONASTERY. 
 
 195 
 
 In IT-)'), tlio city of Montreal was vis- 
 ited hy :i violt^iit and loari'ul epidomy. 
 The Hospitals woio soon filled with the 
 sick and the dying. Nine of the Hospital 
 8isters had fallen viciinis to the cruel ma- 
 lady, when by the interference of the 
 ecclesiastical and the civil authority, 
 limits were set to the devotedness of the 
 worthy nuns. The remainder of the 
 Community, were ordered to quit the 
 cloister and the city, in o-der to breathe 
 the pure air in the country; six, only, 
 W(Te excepted, and these olfered the sa- 
 crifice of their lives, in order to continue 
 serving the unfortunate sufferers in the 
 Hospital. 
 
 At this moment of terror and general 
 consternation, the Missi sdeRamesay did 
 not abandon their usual post by the sick- 
 bed. Knowing that the worst cases of the 
 malady were assembled in the Hospital, 
 they hastened to offer their services to aid 
 the nuns in their sublime act of charity 
 stipulating the following conditions in 
 their own faror, namely : to have a place in 
 
I i 
 
 !?■ 
 
 it' 
 
 m 
 
 196 
 
 OLIMPSKS OP THE MONASTr.IlY. 
 
 the Hospital, should th<»y l)0 attacked })y 
 the disease ; ami to bti l)iirii»d in the 
 Chapel of Our jjady oT (lood Il<'ii)-ilie 
 cemetery ol' the nuns, — in case ol'tleath. 
 
 "We must add that by a reciprocal act 
 of generosity their oiler was not accei)ted ; 
 — but who can doubt of the recompense 
 it obtained in the sight of Him who es- 
 teems and rewards the will for the deed ? 
 
 Let us take a few more names, se- 
 lecting from the list published in the 
 llisloire du Monaslere, for the year 1722. 
 There is mention of a little pupil's death, 
 at the age of six years: the innocent 
 child had her last resting place in the 
 cemetery reserved to the nuns, beneath 
 the choir. She was the youngest of tlie 
 three Misses Begon, who were all in the 
 Convent that year, — the daughters of the 
 Intendant M. Begon, Captain and Knight 
 of St. Louis. The list reads on as fol- 
 lows : — Misses Fran^oise de Lotbiniere,— 
 Cartier, — Pugibault,— de Beaujeu, — Te- 
 rese d'Aillebout, — Felicite du Chesnay,— 
 Jeanne Pinguet-Vaucours, — Lemieux, — 
 
 ! 1 
 
t 
 
 GLIMPSES OF TUB MONASTERY. 
 
 197 
 
 do la Cliovrotiore, — de Lery,— Baby, — 
 deJorifjiiirres, — Duiruet, — do Crirardin, — 
 de la Croix, — de llertel, — Boucher, — de 
 Nivorville, — th<» Misses Bissot, — tSt. Ours 
 Ueschaillons, — JJedard,— Divvis,—de lieau- 
 jeu. — Bouneau, — St. Lucde la Come, etc, 
 Charlotte iTAnlicoiiti^ * \vhose ancestor 
 Louis Joliot, with Kev. Father Marquette, 
 discovered the Uiver Mississippi; 
 
 Let us mention, for the last time, the 
 little forest girls, as boarders, having their 
 separate class under the title of '• <Se»u/i- 
 art/.^^ Frum time to time, even after our 
 Mothers had ceased to name them in . 
 their vow of instruction (1725), the mis- 
 sionaries would send some unprotected 
 child to the Convent, as in earlier days, 
 but these were no longer little pagans to 
 be instructed in the Faith. The rem- 
 nants of the Indian tribes along the 
 
 
 ^ Tlierojulor wlio would see injiny curious details 
 of Jcnculogy etc. is referred totlie lists publislied iu 
 tlio diffen'iit Voluiiu^s of tlie llistoire du Manas- 
 the : tlie extnu^ts printed here are tulicn from Vol. 
 2. p. 174. uud p. 175. 
 
 M 
 
.1 
 
 i 
 
 if ■: I 
 
 198 
 
 GLIMPSES OF TIIK MONASTERY. 
 
 Lower 8t. Lawrence, which war and sick- 
 ness had spared, had embraced Chris- 
 tianity ; while their incapacity to adopt 
 the civilization ol' European nations, luid 
 become an acknowledged i'act. JLiiico- 
 forth, the devoted priests who continue 
 to labor for the salvation of these natives 
 of the frreat forests of America, find amonji: 
 them evident traces of a christian Mother's 
 influence ; and have less difficulty in ins- 
 tructin<]f them in all that is needful for 
 the service of God. We know that, as a 
 judicious author ^ has remarked, " thoy 
 often exhibited, by their lives, a simplicity 
 and fervor of intelligent faith, which races, 
 called superior, would do well to emu- 
 late. " 
 
 ^. How far the teaching of young females 
 from these tribes, in the Convent, during 
 a period of eighty years, may have aided 
 the missionary in his God-like task, 
 is only known to he Remunerator of 
 good deeds. 
 
 ^ Rev. X. D. MacLeod : Devotion to the B. V. iu 
 Auiericii, p. IGii. 
 
CIIAPER XVI. 
 
 ANCIENT SUPERIORS : 
 
 o the B. V. iu 
 
 MARY, PERPETUAL KUPERIORKSS OF THE URSU- 
 
 LINES. 
 
 A Picture Gallery, hung with the por- 
 traits of our Ancient ^Superiors, would 
 not be, for the cloistered Family, the least 
 interesting part of the Monastery. 
 
 Placed in their order, aftci" that of the 
 Venerable first Superioress, Mother Mary 
 of the Incarnation, they would now 
 amount to twenty- four ; — ten of them 
 belonging to the first centennial period, 
 from 1639 to 1739. 
 
 Our readers are already familiar with 
 the names of several of those Mothers, 
 who have been called by Divine Provi- 
 dence " to bear the heat and burden of 
 the day," at the post of chief respon- 
 sibility, while their sisters enjoyed the 
 enviable priviiege, the merit and security 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 t\ 
 
i|-!H 
 
 
 200 
 
 GLIMPSES OP THE MONASTERY. 
 
 of obedience. It may be said that the 
 Superioress, also, governing with humility 
 and condescension, performs an act of 
 meritorious obedience; — yet how unlike 
 that of the private religious, who, with- 
 out solicitude or anxiety, makes a peace- 
 ful and happy voyage, leaving to the 
 watchful and careworn pilot the charge 
 of guiding the vessel. 
 
 The following list will serve as an 
 introduction for the first ten Superiors of 
 the Monastery of Quebec, presenting at 
 the same time an epitome of their ser- 
 vices : — 
 
 Superiors from 1639, to 173D, 
 
 1. Ven. Mother Marie Giiyart de 1 'Incarnation : — 
 Sup. from 1639 10 lCi5:— 1651 to 1657:— 
 1663 to 1669. = 18 years. 
 
 2. Ilev. Mother Marguerite de Flocelle do St. 
 Athanase : — 
 
 Sup. from 1645 to 1651 : -1657 io 1663 :- 
 1669 to 1676.-18 years. 
 
 3. Rev. Mother Marie Gibault du Breuil — of 
 
 St Joseph: — 
 
! 1 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 201 
 
 Sup. from 1676 to 1682 :— 1688 to 1694.= 
 12 years. 
 
 4. Rev. Mother Marie Dronet — do Jesus : — 
 
 Sup. from 1682 to 1688:— [also Sup. at 
 Three Riv<T>^] = 6 years. 
 
 5. Rev. Mother Marie Lo Maire — des Anij^es ; 
 
 Sup. from 1694 to 17U0 :— 1712 to 1717 [S. 
 also at Three Rivers] = 12 ycar.-^. 
 
 (The following made profession in the Convent 
 of Quebec). 
 
 6. Rev. Mother Marie-Anne Bourdon — of St. 
 Agnes, Sup. from 1700 to 1703 = 3 years. 
 
 7. Rev. Mother Angi^lique Poisson — de St. Jean 
 rEvangoliste : — 
 
 Sup. from 1703 to 1706:— 1717 to 1723: — 
 1726 to 1732.= 15 years. 
 
 8. Rev. Mother Catherine Pinguet — de I'lncar- 
 nation : — 
 
 Sup, from 1706 to 1712. = 6 years. 
 
 9. Rev. Mother Marie Amiot — de la Concep- 
 tion, 
 
 Sup. from 1732 to 1725, = 3 years. 
 
 10. Rev. Mother Marie Anceau— -de St. Thi^r^se: — 
 Sup. from 1723 to 1736 [also 19 years at 
 
 Three Rivers] - 3 years. 
 
 'Mi 
 
 ■ ■ ) 
 
 
 H 
 
2{y2 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 W 
 
 I 
 
 The 11 til Superioress elected in 1735, was Rev. 
 Mother Migeoii de la Nativito. 
 
 Kev. Mother Drouet — of Jesus. 
 Ai'ter the decease of Our Yen. Mother 
 Mary of the Incarnation (1G72) and Mo- 
 ther St. Athanasius (1G95), the lirst to pay 
 the debt of nature, among these ancient 
 Superiors, was Mother Mario Drouet — of 
 Jesus, (1700). 
 
 She was no longer an inmate of the 
 Convent of Quebec, but at the head 
 of the UrsuHnes of Three Rivers, a post 
 she had occupied to the entire satisfactioii 
 of that little Community for the space of 
 nine years. 
 
 During the second term of her Super- 
 iority at Quebec, the burning of the Con- 
 vent, (1G8G), and the subsequent hardships 
 attendant on the accident, gave her such 
 trials as, happily, but few are called to 
 bear ; but her energy, her piety and sul)- 
 mission to Divine Providence, rendered 
 her equal to the emergency. Her tender 
 devotion to the mystery of the Infancy 
 of Our Lord, was perhaps the secret of 
 
■"Will 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTKRY. 
 
 203 
 
 the mildness and suavity which charac- 
 terized her as a Superior, as well as of the 
 meekness and charity which rendered 
 her the perfect relii2,'ious. She has left us 
 a perpetual legacy of thf^t devotion, in 
 the commemoration of the Saviour's birth, 
 renewed on the 2oth of each month, by 
 singing a Hymn and an Anthem, before 
 the Altar dedicated to the Infant Jesus. 
 Mother Mary of Jesus at her death, had 
 attained the age of 75 years, — in rehgion 
 
 D<. 
 
 Kev. Mother Anne Bourdon — of St. 
 Agnes. — Two years later (1711), there 
 was mourning for another Ex-Superioress, 
 our beloved Mother Anne Bourdon of St. 
 Agnes, one of the early pupils ^ of our 
 Venerable Mother Mary of the Incarna- 
 tion. In the obituary ISotice of this good 
 Mother, we perceive a strain of tender- 
 ness, unusual even on those pages which 
 ever breathe of charity : " We have lost 
 our dear amiwe/t'beloved Mother St. Agnes," 
 says the^ writer. " This good Mother is 
 
 M 
 H 
 
 ^ See Glimpses. Part 1st; p. 62 uud (J4. 
 
20-t 
 
 GLIMPSES OP THE MONASTERY. 
 
 f 
 
 deeply regretted by all her Sisters, to 
 whom she had greatly endeared herself 
 ill every way. The many virtues which 
 adorned her life, the many amiable ex- 
 terior qualities which distinguished her 
 rendered her a real treasure for our Com- 
 
 munity The close of a peaceful and 
 
 meritorious life, was in the embrace of 
 the Lord, sweet and holy, leaving us all 
 filled with the desire of imitating the 
 examples she has left us. " 
 
 Ilev. Mother St. Agnes is entitled to 
 the lasting gratitude of our Monastery, 
 particularly by her labors as Annalist. To 
 her faithful pen we owe the summary or 
 Narrative of the lirst forty-eight years of 
 the history of the Convent, replacing the 
 regular Annals, which had perished in 
 1086. Once charged with the care oi 
 consigning to paper the details of passing 
 events, her discrimin ation is as remarkable 
 as her style. Her historical narrations, 
 neither too brief, nor yet redundant, are 
 full of vii^or and animation. 
 
 One of the last articles that fell from 
 
GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTEP.Y. 
 
 205 
 
 1.1 
 
 •J' 
 
 ■ f 
 
 '} 
 
 at tell from 
 
 hor pen, still firm at the ago of seventy, 
 although heavier than when she com- 
 menced some thirty years prtnions, is the 
 account of the expedition of the Ame- 
 rican Colonists against Canada, in 1711, 
 the result of which was still impending, 
 at her decease. 
 
 It closes with these words so expressive, 
 and so characteristic of the lively faith of 
 the writer : — "Our enemies trubt in their 
 multitude and in their strength; but for 
 lis, O Lord, our sole hope is in thy pro- 
 tection. " 
 
 J\EV. Mother Gibault du Breuil— • 
 OF St. Joseph. — At the decease (1715) of 
 this ancient Superioress, the new Annalist 
 declares she can find no expressions " to 
 give an adequate idea of the merit, the 
 rare qualities, the many virtues of this 
 dear and venerable Mother." She had 
 spent forty-four years in Canada, contri- 
 buting zealously to the solid establish- 
 ment of this Convent, to which she liad 
 given her services in 1G71. 
 
 The last year of her life she was enabled 
 
 It: 
 
 ■ J 
 
 H 
 
M'! 
 
 206 
 
 GLIMPSES OP THE MONASTERY. 
 
 i\' 
 
 to coiitributo to its wellaro in a mannor 
 most cruciiyiiig to nature. It was no 
 longer her part to guide others, but she 
 needed the helping hand of kind sijsters 
 even to pass I'roni one apartment to an- 
 other. Blind, and very inlirm, she found 
 in the charity of compassionate hearts and 
 in her own complete resignation to the 
 will of Providence, the only alleviation 
 her sufferings admitted. Borne several 
 years, with admirable meekness and pa- 
 tience, these infirmities w^eie the crucible 
 wherein the virtues which Mother ^t. 
 Josepn had long practised, became as the 
 fine gold purified by fire : she expired, 
 surrounded by the consolations of reli- 
 gion, aged sixty-two. 
 
 Rev. Mother Marie Le Maire of 
 THE Angels.— There was still left one 
 survivor of our beloved French Mothers: 
 her recent re-election to the office of Su- 
 perioress, at the advanced age of seventy- 
 five, proved in what estimation the Com- 
 munity held t^ev. Mother Mary of the 
 Angels. 
 
GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 207 
 
 AVo have mentioned already her soli- 
 citude ier the establisment ol' the Ursu- 
 liiies at Three-Rivers, wliere she hold the 
 office of Superioress, six years. She had 
 discharged the same duties here, during 
 seventeen years, when arrived the peace- 
 ful close of her useful life, in 1717. 
 Four times during the lutuinn of that 
 year, did the beautiful ceremony of a 
 Reception rejoice the heart of the aged 
 Superioress, who congratulated herself, 
 with reason, on witnessing such a con- 
 quest of grace as the vocation of Miss de 
 liamesay and her companions. 
 
 All around the Convent, daring that 
 fall, workmen had been busy laying vast 
 foundations for a Church ; — too vast, un- 
 fortunately, so that much of the labor 
 had to be abandoned, and recommenced 
 on another plan. Mother Mary of the 
 xlngels continued to acquit herself of the 
 duties that devolved upon her as Su- 
 perioress, in addition to the cares and 
 difficulties that attended her in the build- 
 ing line. 
 
 4^ 
 
 •A 
 
 ^ * 
 
 Hi 
 
 4 'f 
 
 , ! 
 
I 
 
 ii 
 
 208 
 
 OLIMPSKS OF TIIK MONARTKRY. 
 
 > I . 
 
 VI 
 
 lh\i winter lind now sot in, and a w\v 
 (liivs liivon to a rctrc^at, would be rost i'or 
 body Mild mind : — or, was it a i)ros«Mi- 
 tiinent of her ap])roachini^ dissolution 
 that caus(Ml the Venorable Mother to 
 withdraw from Iku' usual oc(Uipations 
 to attend to the grave question of her 
 own progress in perfection ? Certainly, 
 ilo one else foresaw that the Angel of 
 death was hovering near, prepared to 
 strike a blow that would plunge the 
 whole cloistered family in grief. The 
 exercises, commenced with such fervor 
 were speedily interrupted: Mother Mary 
 of the Angels, seriously ill, became at 
 once the object of the most tender and 
 anxious care; the skill of the best^phy. 
 sicians was called in requisition, while 
 the sympathy manilested by the Bishop 
 and clergy, as well as by many of the 
 citizens and their families, showed how 
 they all appreciated the worth of the 
 pious Superioress. The sentiments of 
 the Community, when, after a few days 
 of suffering, a life of piety and zeal was 
 crowned by a happy death, are summed 
 
QLLMPSKS OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 209 
 
 ^ :; 
 
 up ill that concluding' line of her eulo- 
 giuin, in tiio Annals : " God aloiio can 
 console us for such a loss." 
 
 The honorable and much esteemed rela- 
 tives of Rev. ^lother Le Mairc of the 
 Angels, are ranked among the benefactors 
 oi' the Monastery. Their liberality was 
 experienced on many occasions, particu- 
 larly after the disaster of 1G8G. Among 
 oilier acts of benelicence, the Ursulines of 
 the present day must be particularly 
 sensible to their delicate attention, in pro- 
 curing for the Community the portraits of 
 our Venerable Mother Marie de I'lncar- 
 nation and Madame de la Peltrie, after 
 the loss of the original paintings in the 
 second conllagration of the Monastery. 
 
 Rev. Mother Aingeltque Poisson — 
 OF ISt. John the Evangelist. — How 
 oi'ten have we had occasion to remark 
 that when the Divine Master removes a 
 person eminently useful, he has another 
 ill reserve to supply her place in the Com- 
 munity, that the wovk^-^His work, may 
 suffer no interruption. 
 
 t: 
 
1 
 
 • 1 
 
 i 
 
 1 
 
 ' 
 
 
 I 
 
 210 
 
 GLlMPSIiS Oi THE MONASTERT. 
 
 Thus it i)rovecl -when Rov. Mothor An- 
 geliquc roi.ssoii ol'St. John was s^Mecltd, 
 to replace the larneiited Mother Mury ol 
 the Angels (1717). 
 
 This seventh Superioress, whose loiiir 
 services in the Community have merihnl 
 a special return of love and gratitude, 
 was also the seventh proiessed Choir Sister 
 in the Convent oi' Quebec. 
 
 From the Seigniorial Manor of CnMi- 
 tilly, opposite Three Rivers, the youth I'lil 
 Angeliqne had passed to our Classes, and 
 to the maternal care of our Venerable Mo- 
 ther Marie de I'lncarnation, at the age of 
 eleven, in 1G62. The epoch of her lirst 
 Communion, impressed her heart remnrk- 
 ably with the sweet influences of pioty; 
 and the love of God ever afterwards con- 
 tinned to be the ruling principle of hor 
 actions. In her studi»^s, her success wns 
 assured by her natural talents, — a good 
 memory, taste and judgment. " She was 
 fond of reading, expressed herself with 
 facility in conversation, and still more 
 gracefully in writing. " 
 
OI.IMPSKS OF TIIW MONaSTKHY. 
 
 211 
 
 \i 
 
 Our pnult'iico of tlu» IDth century 
 >iaiii[), may tako iilarni \vhi'ii wo hear 
 of IiiT exchiiui'in!'* at \\w. ai»'o of rourteou 
 years and a half, the tithi of pupil, for 
 that of conrlidale I'or the relii^ious life : 
 at least, after consideriuG: her long career, 
 usefully employed in the instruction of 
 youth, aiul in the i^overnment of the Mo- 
 nastery, we must coincide in the opinion 
 of those who were judges on the occa- 
 sion, and regard her as *' a pcMson of rare 
 and precocious intelligence." 
 
 Called by the vote of the Community 
 to lill the place hd'L vacant by the decease 
 oC the regretted ^lother Mary of the 
 Ang(ds, we have seen her at the age of 
 sixiy-six, take the lead in aiding with her 
 own hands in the building of the Church. 
 
 Sh'^ had retained the vigor of the prime 
 of Hie to the advanced age of eighty-one, 
 and was again at the post of duty, by the 
 voice of election, when a sudden failure 
 of her usual good health obliged her to 
 (losist from her ordinary occupations, 
 lu^posing at the Infirmary for a few 
 
 '4 
 
 ill 
 
 k 
 
■ ■ 
 
 u 
 
 212 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 days, she thought to turn time to good 
 account by making a review ol' her past 
 hie, and sent lor her Conlessor to con- 
 fer upon the matter with him, and 
 receive the holy sacrament of penance. 
 His mission w^as just over; the Conventual 
 door had not closed upon him, when ho 
 was recalled in all haste to administer 
 the sacrament of the dying. The dear 
 Mother, in the unutterable peace of a 
 soul just purilied by absolution, had 
 time to receive Extreme Unction, when 
 her spirit, as angelic as her name, passed 
 to the bosom of the God she had .so 
 faithfully served. Mother Angelique of 
 St. John had celebrated the sixty-second 
 anniversary of her religions profession, 
 w^hen her death occurred, in 1732. 
 
 In their grief for so sudden a loss, our 
 Mothers hesitated to proceed, imme- 
 diately, to the election of another Su- 
 perioress. The Bishop provided for a 
 delay by appointing another to that ofRce, 
 of his own authority. 
 
GLIMPSES OB' THE MONASTERY. 
 
 213 
 
 IiEV. Mother Marie Axceau— of St. 
 
 Teresa. 
 
 This worthy Mother thus phiced at the 
 head of our Communit}^, had but lately 
 returned from Three Kivers, i?i hopes of 
 resting from the charge which she had 
 loiiGr exercised there. 
 
 The early life of Rev. Mother St. 
 Teresa, was, in many points, but the 
 counterpart of that of her predecessor, 
 Itev. Mother St. John. Sent to our 
 Classes as boarder at a tender age, while 
 our Venerable Mother was Superioress, 
 she pursued her studies during nine 
 years, without regretting the parental 
 mansion at Three Rivers, or sighing for 
 the delights which the uni^nown futurity 
 is wont to promise the youthful imagi- 
 nation. Without returning to the world, 
 which she may be said to have known, 
 like the Hermit of Parnell, only by re- 
 port, she joined that little band of no- 
 vices who, in 1672, lost an incomparable 
 Mother-mistress ; but who never forgot 
 

 
 1 " 
 
 1 
 
 
 ( 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 li: 
 
 2H 
 
 GLIMPSES OP THE MONASTERY. 
 
 her, nor hor iiifetrnctions. Moihor St. 
 Teresa's whole lite breathed of iiinoceiii>o, 
 simplicity, and goodness of heart. Skil- 
 ful with her needle as with her pen ; 
 patient, devoted, pious, and laborious ; 
 she was eminently qualilied for tlii 
 instruction of youth ; and was almost 
 exclusively employed in teaching, until 
 her services, as Superioress, were re- 
 quired at Three Rivers : there, she 
 guided that Community in a most satis- 
 factory manner, during nineteen years. 
 
 A few months after her release from 
 that office, which had been imposed upon 
 her anew in our Monastery, as we have 
 seen, she passed peacefully to her eternal 
 repose (1735), at the age of seventy-eight, 
 greatly regretted as she had been much 
 beloved. 
 
 Two Ex-Superiors were still living in 
 1739, at the epoch of the hundredth An- 
 niversary ; — Itev. Mother Marie Pinguet 
 — of the Incarnation, and llev. Marie 
 Amiot — of the Conception: the Jatler 
 had yet to see the year 1747, and attain 
 
 II I 
 
GUMPSKS OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 215 
 
 the a^eof'eia'lity-five, completinrr seventy 
 years of religious life. Their names will 
 occur later. 
 
 For the present, let us suspend the re- 
 view of our "Clallery of Portraits," be- 
 neath each of which we have inscribed 
 Iv. I. P.; — for the Ursulines have a Supe- 
 rioress who is not subject to change nor 
 death. 
 
 OUtt PERPETUAL SUPERIORESS IS 
 
 THE IMMACULATE VIRGIN MAKY, MO- 
 THER OF GOD. 
 
 In every religious Order, there is a 
 special devotion to the Blessed Virgin. It 
 is with her example in view that, in all 
 Christian ages, so many young maidens 
 have separated themselves from the pre- 
 tended glories and pleasures of the W'Orld ; 
 seeking in vigils, fastings, and humble 
 charity, to render themselves worthy of 
 being numbered in her train. 
 
 To the Ursulines, it is a peculiar con- 
 solation and privilege to remember, that 
 they are bound by an article of their 
 
 ^ 
 
• 
 
 1 
 
 ' , 1 
 
 * 
 
 16 
 
 OLIMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 Constitutions, "to cultivate a tender de- 
 votion to the Mother of God;" and the 
 motive of the precept is, at the same time, 
 an encouragement.— It is *'that by her 
 intercession, and especial protection, they 
 may labor more fruitfully to form Jesus- 
 Christ in the hearts of voung* girls, in- 
 
 stiUing into their souls her excellent vir- 
 tues, according to their institute." 
 
 Another article of the same code makes 
 the following provisions:— 
 
 "In every Convent, the Blessed Virgin 
 shall be especially chosen for first and 
 chief Superioress, which election shall bo 
 thus made : 
 
 *' On the day appointed by the proper 
 authority, all the religious of the Com- 
 munity being asseml>led in a chapel, 
 wherein shall be placed a statue of Our 
 Lady, holding in her sacred arms the 
 Infant Jesus, they shall invoke the Holy 
 Ghost by singing the hymn Vem Creator 
 Spiritns. Then shall follow some prayer 
 to the Mother of God, and Jifter that the 
 Mother Superior shall place the keys of 
 
>^^ 
 
 GLIMPSES OF THE MONASTEUY. 
 
 217 
 
 code makes 
 
 the Convent at the foot of the statue; and, 
 all kneelinu', she shall olfer her chari»'e, 
 and the Convent, to Our jjady by some 
 devout i'orm of consecration." 
 
 This solemn act of homnge and fealty 
 which the Superioress is to pronounce, 
 commences in these words: — 
 
 " Most-holy and most worthy ^lother 
 of Grod, Queen of heaven and earth, Tem- 
 ple of the most August Trinity, llcfug-e 
 of sinners and of ail who have placed their 
 
 conlidence in thy protection ]]ehold 
 
 us ham})iy prostrate at thy feet, wliile 
 we promise in presence of the Blessed 
 Trinity and of all the Court of heaven, to 
 take and hokl thee as our special Mo- 
 ther, Queen, and Protectress, beseeching 
 thee from the depths of our hearts, to 
 adopt and protect in a particular manner 
 this Community, as thy possession. AYe 
 choose and acknowledsre thee for our 
 iirst and chief Superioress, desiring to 
 depend upon thee in the most absolute 
 mann(U\ And I, Sr. N. N., Superioress 
 most unworthy, resign this charge into 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 • i 
 
 5' 
 
 n 
 
 r 
 
 jl 
 
 J 
 
218 
 
 ai.IMPSES OF TIIK MONASTERY. 
 
 thy hatids, rosiM'viTig' to mys. 11* no riiiht 
 to exorcise it })ut in submisisioii tothoo; 
 placini^ mysolt* and all this House undtT 
 thy direction nnd conduct ; renderiii<v 
 thee the homage, honor and obedience diui 
 to thee from us, in the quality of most 
 loyal' sul)jects and most humbly devoted 
 
 children." — Next is sung- iho iVo.s 
 
 cirm prole pia, ^'c. "Do Thou with ihy 
 JJivine Son, O Virgin most benig'nant, 
 give us thy ])lessing." All incline to re- 
 ceive it, and immediately entoning the 
 Te Deion laudamvs, the Mother Superior 
 advanc«»s to render homaif-e, by kneeling to 
 kiss the feet of the statue of the Blessed 
 Virgin ; all the Community follow, and 
 do so in turn, passing processionally, while 
 the grand old hymn is sung to the end. 
 This act, which recalls so vividly the 
 fealty and homage of feudal times, was 
 made — spontaneously it would seem — in 
 the first Convent of Paris, in 1G38. 
 
 Here, it dates from the year 1G50, hav- 
 ing been made known to our Ven. Moth- 
 er Mary of the Incarnation by the Iavo 
 
OLiMP-ES or THE :\rov \FTria'. 
 
 219 
 
 Pajii^ian iiniis, M(>thors St. Alhaiinsius 
 and St. Clare. 
 
 Quo who has assisted at the touching' 
 corcinony, taking* part in it as per- 
 sonally interested, needs not t\n} aid of 
 fancy nor reminiscence, to feel herself 
 deeply moved by the simple pathos of the 
 language, the piety of the scene, and the 
 })athetic accent of the kSa]X'rioress, \vho 
 pronounces the form of consecration. kShe 
 need not picture to herself that lirst act 
 of homage, just before the eonllagration 
 of the Monastery, when the voices of the 
 lirst foundresses mingled in that hymn 
 of thanksgiving, for favors and trials- 
 past and future, — both being equally the 
 gift of Heaven : nor recall to mind that 
 the same pious sanctuary where she 
 kneels, has witnessed for the past century 
 and a half, the triennial recurrence of 
 the same solemn homage to the Mother 
 of God. All the Ancient Superiors, from 
 the time of the gentle Mother St. John 
 who saw the Chapel iivst linished, down 
 to the present day, have here successively 
 oil'ered themselves and the Community, 
 
 III '-h 
 
 i!,v ' |] 
 
 it 
 
 ilfl 
 
220 
 
 GMMrSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 li 
 
 to constitulo the rii^hll'iil inhoritanco and 
 possession oi' tho Queen oi* Heaven. 
 
 On these occasions, Our Jjady ol' Groat 
 Power descends IVom her loftier pedeslal, 
 ars ii' to render herself more accessible to 
 her most loyal and cherished sii))joct.s. 
 Her throne is all aglow with lights and 
 decorations. 11* the splendor dazzle our 
 eyes, let us rest thorn on the titles oi'Oiu" 
 Blessed Lady, written in large and 
 gilded characters upon the base of the 
 lour pilasters beside the altar : 
 
 MaIUA, EeGINA YlRGlNUM : — DlRIfJE 
 
 Nos! Mahia Mater Ursulinarium:— 
 Protege nos ! Yes ! O Queen of Virgins, 
 O Mother of Ursulines ! direct us, protect 
 us, thy children, thy subjects. Succor 
 and defend us, O Mother of Mercy, 
 Queen of Martyrs ! Maria, Mater Mi- 
 
 SERICORDI.'E SUCCURRE NOBIS : — MaRIA 
 
 Eegina Martyrum : JJefende nos ! 
 
CIIAPTELl XVIIT. 
 
 ITliU. 
 
 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY. 
 
 For the splendor ol'puhlicworsliip, the 
 decoration ol' Altars, and the celebration 
 of religious festivals, the present genera- 
 tion must yield the palm to the past. 
 Readiiig of these things in the early times 
 ill Canada, is like obtaining a glimpse of 
 the middle ages. 
 
 The Hundredth Anniversary of the ar- 
 rival of the Ursulines on this continent of 
 America, was not one of the least of those 
 occasions, when the population of Que- 
 bec, uniting in one sentiment, seem, like 
 the first Christians, to have but one heart 
 and one soul. The renovating fervor of 
 the Community at that period, reminds 
 us of the Cenacle, where the disciples of 
 the Lord pray with such ardor that the 
 Holy Ghost descends visibly upon them, 
 
 '•t 
 
 IC!' 
 
222 
 
 arJMPSRS OF TFIR MONASTKllY. 
 
 f 
 
 lilliiii,^ thnni with new zeal for acoom- 
 ])lisliiiiir iho divine mission with which 
 thev are entrusted. 
 
 A whole year is not too long to prepare 
 for the great day. 
 
 Ent let the Annalist herself, tell us how 
 these thinirs wovq done. 
 
 " To dispose ourselves ibr the ceh'- 
 hration of our Hundredth Anniversavy 
 and in order that it might be for our 
 Community a motive for a more perfect 
 rtuiovation, returning thaidcs to Grod for 
 the iniuimerable benefits bestowed upon 
 iho Moiuistery during the past century, 
 we began our prepar;itions a year before- 
 hand. On the 1st of August, 1738, beiiii^ 
 assembled in tln^ Chapel to listen to an 
 exhortation on the subject, one of our 
 Ilev. Fathers addressed ns in a maniun' 
 well calculated to inspire us with the 
 fervor that animated our ancient Mothers • 
 as well as with their zeal for the instruc- 
 tion of youth, and the conversion of the 
 poor people of these countries, in laboring 
 lor which thoy consunied their lives, 
 
GMMrSF.S OF TITR MONASTKRY. 
 
 223 
 
 n 
 
 tell us how 
 
 "roiiotrivttKl wilh tlio livt^liest iiTaliludo 
 towards God, W(» detcnniiu'd to testily it 
 by g'ivinji' more tiiiiothun usual to prayer : 
 for this purpose ^ve prolonged nearly all 
 our ordinary pious exercises. 
 
 " On Fridays, three were appointed in 
 turn to observe silence, rel'rainin2: iVom 
 the usual recreations, and adding' several 
 acts oi'mortili?ation and oC other virtues. 
 
 *' All our young Sisters desired to renew 
 the exercises preparatory to proiession, 
 ])eribrming them with fervor, in order to 
 draw down upon this house a continua- 
 tion of Hie Divine favor. Finally, on the 
 approach of the great solemnity, the 1st 
 of August, 1730, the anniversaiy of that 
 day on which our worthy Foundresses 
 Madame de la Peltrie, Ven. Mother Mario 
 Guyart de rLncarnation, Mother Marie 
 de Savonuiures de St. Joseph, and Mother 
 Cecile Richer de St Croix, arrived in 
 Quebec, all the Community entered upon 
 a retreat. 
 
 " The renovation of our vows had been 
 postponed until this day, instead of tak- 
 
 IHi 
 
 1^ 
 
:i I 
 
 22 1 
 
 (JLIMPSKS OF TIIK MONASTKIIY. 
 
 iug" [)hi('(» nccordiiii^* to custoiu, on the 
 second i'oria alter rentecost. 
 
 "All tlien was in readiness lor the coni- 
 meniorative services, had not the suddtni 
 decease of an ancient and beloved Mo- 
 ther, o])]iL>ed us to dcler the rt'joieini»;s lo 
 the Octave. The r(\stivity oi' our Cvn- 
 tennial Anniversary had been announced 
 to the people, with an Indulgence ac- 
 cor(h3(l by ()ur Holy Fathm*, Innocent X., 
 not only lor ourselves, but for the people 
 who desired to participate in the cel(^- 
 ])ration. On the day i)reccdini:^, at noon, 
 the chimes oi'lhe Cathedral bells mini^-led 
 with ours, to announce the festival ; and 
 this was renewed during* the three days, 
 with the same solem}\ity. 
 
 The Triduum was opened by the can- 
 ons of the Cathedral, wdio did us the 
 honor of coming to celebrate High Mass, 
 Vespers, and Ikmediction of the J^lessed 
 Sacrament, closing the exercises by sing- 
 ing the Te Deum. 
 
 " The second festival w^as solemnized 
 by the clergy from the Seminary, attend- 
 
I] 
 
 GLlMrsKS OF TIIK MONASTKUY. 
 
 00% 
 
 Oil by tlii'ir sIiuImiIs uikI (MicUv-iastics. in 
 ;i siiniiiu in;mii»M'. 'lh\i 1 liird and hist day 
 bi'lun^ed to tin; J^'raiioiscans 
 
 "Allllic I'athors cani<; in [)r()cossion, 
 >ii!i4inu' lilt; To Dt'iuii, and ai'UT crlcbra- 
 tiii^' Mass, riMurniHl in lln* sanio order, to 
 til'' cliinii's oi" tlb^ C'alliodral Ixdls and 
 ours. Tlii^ lu'V. l^'aMuM-s ot' Oio Society 
 of Jesus, preached on each the three days. 
 
 " or the ahns that were distributed, 
 we need not take note. The ChM'gy as 
 well as the reJio-ious Conmiiinities, were 
 |tMitertainod at our expense, and to the 
 best of our power. TJie concourse in 
 our Church w^as ^reat during* the three 
 days; the people beini^' attracted by tlio 
 Exposition of the Blessed ^Sacrannuit, 
 which commenced at four o'clock in the 
 morninu", und ended only at live in the 
 1 alter noon. 
 
 '' The Church, where every thing w^as 
 fresh and new, was richly decorated 
 without the loan of ornaments, and all 
 was ]U"onotinced to be in good taste. 
 The wails, newly llnished, were hung with 
 
 ■I 
 
 !|i 
 
 
tl 
 
 22G 
 
 QLLMPSES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 ,1' 
 
 
 paintinn;s. In the Jarg-e grate, six olo- 
 g-aiit, silvered, mural lamps, each beariiiu' 
 fourteen tapers, were suspended, prodiic- 
 inu' a Jine eifect. A lai'U'e ehandelii^r 
 hung in front of the Chapel of the Saercu 
 Heart ; and another, bearing also twenty- 
 two tapers, adorned the nave. The num. 
 her of tapers burning during the l]eno- 
 dietion of the Blessed Saerarnent, was 
 four hundred ; comprising those of tlui 
 altar in the choir, which was also bril- 
 liantly decorated." 
 
 "Between the three statues that orna- 
 ment the portal of our Church, hung the 
 portraits of our worthy Foundresses, Ma- 
 dame de la Peltrie, Venerable MothiV 
 Marie de flncarnation, and Mother :St. 
 Joseph. 
 
 " Beneath the portraits, were inscrip- 
 tions in poetry, making known a part of 
 their heroic actions. An address to tk 
 people was not forgotten, all being placed 
 at a convenient height to be easily reaJ. 
 The frames of the portraits, as well as 
 the Inscriptions, were black, wi(h giUlo 
 
 u 
 
GLIMPSES 0£^ TJIE MONASTERY. 
 
 227 
 
 ornamoiits. Eolbre the Church door, 
 youn^ ilr-troes, i)l;intod in several rows, 
 present' (1 a pri^tty siii'ht and afl'orded aii 
 aiiTeeable shade. Diirini^ tJiese three 
 days, there were constantly priests at the 
 two altars, celehraiin:,^ the iloly 8acrihce, 
 from ibnr o'clock in the morninGT till 
 noon. Could we do too much to thank 
 the Almiiiiity for the blessings showered 
 down in such profusion on this House 
 since its iirst establishment? 
 
 " The same motive induced us to sa- 
 criiice a part of the silver plate, belon<^ing 
 to the Inlirmary, in order to make a 
 Sanctuary Lamp, with which the Church 
 had not yet been furnished. 
 
 " The solemnity ended by a High Mass 
 colebrated at the demand of the Indians, 
 who attended it and sang* the Kijrie^ the 
 Credo, etc. After mass they pronounced 
 harangues in the parlor to our address. 
 
 " On our part, we offered them a good, 
 substantial banquet, to which they did 
 ample honor. 
 
 '' Not wishiuiT to have our dear de- 
 
 I |l!'' 
 
 i U Hi 
 
 
 X 
 
!i 
 
 228 
 
 GLIMPSES or THE MONASTERY. 
 
 ceased Mothers excluded from tliis fes- 
 tival, we had ili'teen masses celebrated 
 for their repose, as wtdi as to thank God 
 for hisi^reat mercies over our Community, 
 and to implore their continuation." 
 
 Nothinir was wantinc:, then,, to render 
 this celebration, a'' success" except the pre- 
 sence of the Chief Pastor of the Diocese 
 Bishop Dosquet, who was absent in 
 France, where he had gone to resign the 
 charge he had held since 1733. 
 
 One of the Inscriptions reads much as 
 follows : 
 
 Beboiu the Christian lieroines advance, 
 AfiVonting ])C'ril with intrepid ghmce: 
 All I'earlesK, braving Ocean's angry wave, 
 Innnortal souls from endless death to save. 
 And, now One Hundred years have passed away. 
 Since first these countries hailed the happy day, 
 . When landing, they embrace the cherished soil, 
 Wiiich they will render fertile by tlieir toil. 
 They lived Angelic lives ; they loved the Cross ; 
 They counted every earthly gain as dioss; 
 They taught the Red-man. and his child, the road 
 That leads to that bright world, now tiieir abode. 
 And every Christian maid, or Motiier, liere, " 
 Blesseb the day wlien Ursulines ai)pear, 
 
GLIMPSES OF TIIR MONASTERY. 
 
 229 
 
 To train tlio yontlii'nl miri'l ; to guard from ill, 
 
 AikI teach tlie;n life's high .lestiny to fill. — 
 
 Ail honor, then to th<.)>e who led the nay! 
 
 Nor if beneath the Convent ro(jf to day. 
 
 So niany souls are laboring tl>r Heaven, 
 
 All glory to tlie Foundresses be given ! 
 
 Grant, thou, Lord, that [."essings may increase 
 
 From age to age, around this House of peace ! 
 
 And let it flourish, like a goodly vine, 
 
 For 'lis thine own ! let all its fruit be thine! 
 
 Another inscription takes the form of 
 an Epii^ram ; and both are evidently fur- 
 nished by pens beyond the enclosure of 
 the Monastery : — 
 
 One hundred years this House has stood, 
 Yet all within is firm and good: — 
 Without reform the charter stands, 
 Thus let it pass toyouiiger hands; 
 For where no rotten wood is found, 
 It kills the tree to bark it round. 
 
 'I i 
 
ft 
 
 ■< i . 
 
 I)/ 
 
 CHAPTER xvni. 
 
 ir3o. 
 
 
 I ' • 
 
 THE SFXOND MOTHER ^lAPiY OF THE INCAR- 
 NATION, AND MOTiiEU ST. CROIX. 
 
 At the dawn of tho Centennial year of 
 1789, the Community was composed of 
 fifty-three professed nuns; iifty-three 
 others, during that period of a hundred 
 years, had passed to a better life. 
 
 The family above, was, therefore, al- 
 ready as large as that which was pre- 
 paring the festive celebration here below ; 
 and doubtless there were rejoicings also 
 in that better world. 
 
 A fresh accession to their number in the 
 course of the year, — a deputation, one 
 would say, from the Community on earth 
 lo that in heaven, presents a curious coin- 
 cidence of names, at such an epoch. 
 
 Our readers all remem])er those throe 
 first nuns whose arrivdl illustrates the 
 
(JLIMPSKS OF THE .'\HiNASTERy, 
 
 231 
 
 date, 1039; the Yen. Molhors Mnvyof the 
 Iiicarnatioii, St. Croix, and Si. Joseph. 
 The dcparinrc oC three others of nearly 
 the same name, marks the obituary list, 
 ill 173',) : — the first was Mother Marie de 
 liepentig-ny of 8t. Ai];';ithn, who aUhongh 
 she bore not the same reliL>*iovis name, 
 had hke Mother Mitrie de hi Troche of 
 St. .Joseph, Hved about the same number 
 of years in r^digiou. The second death 
 that occurred, iiiterruptiHl the centennial 
 celebration. It was Mother Marie Cathe- 
 rine ringuet of the Incarnalion ; the third 
 was Mother Marie-Elizabeth D'Ailleboust 
 of ^7. Croix. 
 
 Madame de la Pel trie had also her re- 
 presentative, in one pi* the boarders. Miss 
 (les Meloises, who died in the Convent^ 
 at the age of twelve years ; and, by a rare 
 exception, was buried in the cemetery of 
 the nuns. 
 
 The last pages of this little Volume, 
 shall, with pleasure, be dedicated to the 
 memory of the two venerable Motlnu's, 
 whom W'C miu'ht call the iciti?esses of all 
 that it has described. 
 
 I 
 
 ::1 
 
 ^»; 
 
 it!i 
 
 !!'■ 
 
 1= 
 
 'k. II J 
 
I 
 
 '1 • 
 
 . i 
 
 232 
 
 GLIMPSKS OF THE MONASTKRY. 
 
 ■>« 
 
 AVho then was tliis iig'od ^lof lier ^laric- 
 Caih^riiio ol' ilio iiicarnali-jii, who alU'r 
 a year's preparation to celebrate the g'reat 
 Anniversary, eontentin'^' lier.si*!!' wiili the 
 renovation of her vows with her Coiii- 
 inunity, and sharing* tJie si)irilaal ri^joj. 
 cings oi'tlie 1st August, ITC'J, hastens to 
 join the choirs above, before the pal)li(3 
 festival takes place 1 
 
 The faithful pen of the olden time 
 tells us that ju-t m^ir Qn d)ec, on the Is- 
 land of OrJi^ans, a bright and happy home 
 awaited Marit^-Oathernie as she left the 
 Convent, in 1075, at the age of fourteen : 
 but its attractions were not so stiong, nor 
 so sweet, as were those ot'an intm'ior voice, 
 crdling htn- to a life of separation from the 
 world, and all its pleasing, but fdlacious 
 prospects. Her generous-hearted Chrisr- 
 ian ]>arents had already, some t{},n years 
 previous, consented to see themselves 
 deprived of the company of their eldest 
 daughter, Marie-]\Iadeleine, who had con- 
 secrated herself to God among our Ur- 
 sulines. Could they now resist the plead- 
 
RY. 
 
 CM MPS IS OF TIF-: MONASTKUY. 
 
 233 
 
 her ^laric- 
 who al'U'r 
 i:; tlie i^'ri'ut 
 i' wiih the 
 
 ht'i- Co 111- 
 ilual n'joi- 
 
 hastens to 
 llio public 
 
 Idea timos 
 on the Is- 
 appy home 
 ■<lie lei't the 
 f fourteen : 
 strong', nor 
 u'ior voice, 
 )n iVom the 
 t raUacious 
 ted Christ- 
 teu years 
 themselves 
 heir eldest 
 10 had eoii- 
 H' our Lr- 
 the plead- 
 
 ini»'s of Marie-Catherine? Thi'V miuht 
 have ol)jected that her lienlth ^vas deli- 
 cate, and her IVauKi of the most frau'ile 
 mould ; but the. f Tvor of the youthful 
 aspirant anxious only to ol)ey Him, Avho 
 is the Master of our destiny, overcame all 
 ohstacdes. 
 
 The Novitiate was opened to her, and 
 doubtless she had reason to write to her 
 parents in such words as the following : ^ 
 
 "No language can paint the peace and 
 happiness of mind I enjoy. Fear not for 
 me ; I shall continue to be happy, for I 
 have given myself v^Uhout reserve to God 
 and his holy Church." The months of 
 probation passed quickly by, and the ap- 
 proach of a great day, filled the fervent 
 novice with new joy. 
 
 "We have witnessed — in spirit- -on the 
 oOth Ap^'il, 1677, the ever touching cere- 
 mony of Taking Ike Veil, when, with the 
 livery of the ^Spouse of Christ, she re- 
 ceived the venerated and beloved name 
 of Marie de I'lncarnation. 
 
 1 Life of Archbis*liop Spaklnij^-; Student life in 
 Rome. 
 
 r 1 
 
 !i 
 
 I'!- 
 
Z'A 
 
 (IM.MrSES OF TliE MONASTEUY. 
 
 'i' 
 
 The i'utnrc caioor marked out lor that 
 (l(>lictite youii!L>' novice, was.a sealed hook 
 l)eroro her, as it is ibr us all. Her only 
 care was to accomplii-li IVom day to day, 
 with checriiil heart, the liiile she hnd 
 embraced, which is an epitome of the 
 Gospel precepts ol' perfection ; conlbrmiiio- 
 her will to tliat ol' IJivine Providence, iu 
 the various trials, and even hardships 
 which awaited her on more than one 
 occasion, iii common Vvith the rest ol' the 
 Community, 
 
 After many years devoted to the care 
 and instruction of the pupils in the 
 Boarding school, she was called to ex- 
 ercise, during- six years, the charge oi 
 Superioress ; and, at various times, that ol 
 Assistant, Zelatrix, or Mistress of JNo- 
 vices. The Novitiate must have derived 
 the L'reatest benefit from the direction of 
 a person, endowed with such prudence, 
 meekness and piety; and w^e observe that 
 she was re-appointed to that important 
 office, even at an advanced age in the last 
 years of her life. These are the principal 
 services our second Motlier of the Incar- 
 
■i' 
 
 (iiiiMi».si:s 01)' xmo mjna-'Tkiiy. 
 
 235 
 
 nation was enablvnl to rondor hov Com- 
 munity. AYore thoy not sulliciont to jus- 
 tify hor in the choico oriierVocatiou ? — 
 and also to iustiiV Divino rrovidonco in 
 calling' ]ior to a})an(l()n the paternal man- 
 sion, where she had indeed a pleasant 
 home, but subject like all the others ou 
 the face of the wide v/orld, to cha ir;e, 
 to sorrow, and to the i^'radual dissolvinix 
 of its tenderest ties by death. 
 
 At length, the summons to quit her 
 adopted family of the cloister, came; but 
 she was not to know the grief of a part- 
 ing' scene ; nor the dread of that last 
 hour, so terrible, even to the just. A 
 slight indisposition — so it seemed — a 
 sudden prostratioii of her strength, which 
 had caused her to lose consciousness for 
 a few moments, during the night of the 
 1st of August, retained the venera])le re- 
 ligious in the Iniirmary, all the next day : 
 but without any delinite pain, fever, or 
 other alarming symptom. It was a Sun- 
 day, the 2d of August: the clebration of 
 the centennial jubilee by the public, was 
 
 lUi), 
 
 )ifv 
 
 \¥' 
 
 ■•ii! 
 
 V^^ 
 
■f 
 
 
 a MM IVES OF THE MONASTKIIY. 
 
 lit' 
 
 to take place on ^Monday. Iii the itk an 
 lime, as evening' came on, there was a 
 Midden alarm within the JMonafctcry. 
 Their venerated ]\Iother of the Iiicai- 
 nation had sunk, as in a swoon, into ht-r 
 arm-cliair, to which she had walked 
 from her bed. She seemed to be dyini* : 
 yet the })hysieian who had been sent tor, 
 in the course of the day, had found her 
 m no danf>'er. 
 
 In a lew moments she had passed away 
 all ,i>ently, as the ripened leaf in autumn 
 ghdes IVom its stem and descends sih.^ntly 
 to the gTound. 
 
 It was a death unlooked for, — but not 
 unprepared : and although it changed the 
 accents oi' thanksgiving to those of mourn- 
 ing, yet each one felt that it was the angel 
 of mercy that had snapped the silver 
 thread of lile, just as it was brightest in 
 the sight of Heaven ! 
 
 On the 4th of September, the Annalist 
 writes again with tears : — 
 
 " The Almighty who has decreed that 
 
 perfect happiness shall never be ours in 
 
 IJ:?' 
 
i\ 
 
 CLIMPSES OF TIIR MONASTEIIV. 
 
 237 
 
 lliis hfe, has pi'rixiitt(Hl tho rojoiciii^'s of 
 our lluiulredlh Amiiversiivy to ho I'ol- 
 lowed by redoiihliHl ailli-ctions, in Ihti 
 sudden death ol* another of our veneraMo 
 ancient Mothers. Jjiit y<^sterday our he- 
 loved Mother Maried']lizuhi4h d'Aille- 
 boust oi"8t. Croix, was appar<3ntly in piM'- 
 I'ect health, She had serv(Ml at table in 
 the reiectory all the week; she assisti^d 
 at the recreation, aiid at the Divint^ ollice 
 with us last evenini;"; this movninij:. at 
 lour o'clock, the tSister who awakens the 
 Community, entering her cell, ibund her 
 at the point of death, — speechless and, ap- 
 parently, unconscious. The pliysiciau 
 was sent for in all haste, as well as our 
 Confessor. They found her dying*. She 
 had merely time to receive a last abso- 
 lution, and Extreme Unction, Avhen she 
 gently breathed her last. It is impossible 
 to say what had caused her death, the 
 physician finding* no mark of apoplexy 
 nor any other known malady." 
 
 Our readers have recogni/ed in the 
 family name of our beloved ^lother St. 
 Croix, that of the third Grovernor of the 
 
2r.8 
 
 (ILIMPSKS OF TflK MONASTERY. 
 
 Colony; she ^vas liis i^Taiul nioco. Uox 
 l'alli(»r WJi.s Charles d'Ailluhoust, Sc^ignciir 
 dos Ma.s.soniix ; and her mother, ]\Ii.s.s Ca- 
 therine L'i Gardeur de liepeiitigny. They 
 have also called to mind, that they as- 
 si.sted, in spirit, at the ceremony ol' her 
 Jtecei)tion, in lOSti, — in the temporary 
 Chapel, beneath tlie present Commiinity- 
 liali. 
 
 Iler contemporaries tell us how she 
 bore, ibr iil'ly years, with hapj^ness, the 
 sweet yoke of tliii Lord, serving him in a 
 spirit of love, and with so lively a faith 
 in his p?esence that her whole exterior 
 l)ore its in^press. The remembrance of 
 the Sacred Mysteries of the Passion of 
 Our Saviour, possessed her soul to such 
 a deo-ree, that she had learned to disre- 
 g-ard her own sulferings ; while his Cross 
 had given her the secret of voluntary hu- 
 miliations. Providenee iavored her pious 
 inclinations, by appointing her often to 
 those duties which had to be performed 
 chieily in the presence of the Blessed 
 Sacrament of the Altar ; as that of Sa- 
 cristine, and of Mistress of Ceremonies at 
 
I! 
 
 fJMMl'Sr.S OF THE MONASTi'.UY. 
 
 239 
 
 tlio Diviiio OlRco, wIkto hor mnu'iiili- 
 C(5iit yo\vA\ loiiiid its mission iii JLMdini^ 
 the choir, and chautinp: tho pruisi^s of (rod, 
 "To this trut* d:\ui^*htor ol' the Church the 
 least of its certMiioiiic.j was sacrtnl ; and to 
 see h(M* take holy water or iriake i\\c sii^'ii 
 of the Cro^s, was enough to convince the 
 ]>t'holder that she was penetrated with a 
 lively i'aith." AVas it not a recompense of 
 her dinotioii to the Sacred Heart to he 
 called to appear beiore the Divine tribu- 
 nal on that lirst J^'iiday oi' the month? 
 the day on which she had sung ibr so 
 many years that touching hymn : " O Cor 
 aniorh Vir/imd. Heart oi' Jesus, Victim 
 of love ! be thou my protection in all the 
 trilmlations and sorrows of life ! abovo 
 all, at the hour of my death, say thou to 
 mv soul : Behold ! I am thy salvation ! " 
 
 -II 
 
 5i 
 
 !?l 
 
 i^ 
 
 H 
 
240 
 
 aLlMPSKS OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 In ihc view of a life so peaceful and 
 coiisoliiir^ ill its course, as at its close, we 
 take leave, for a time, of our beloved 
 ancient iMolhers; presenting our JieadtM's 
 with a list of their names, at the epoch 
 of the llrst Centennial anniversary. 
 
TABLE 
 
 \)t the rrofcssnl \iins of the Ursiilinc Convnit, 
 (liicbcc ; from 1019 to 1739. 
 
 aTrivjll ill 
 C.tn;i<i;i. 
 
 i(;ni) 
 
 Au^'. 1st. 
 
 idetn. 
 
 IGIO 
 
 July 14. 
 
 iileiii. 
 
 
 1044 
 
 J 
 
 uly 14. 
 
 
 i.letii. 
 
 
 itiein. 
 
 
 IGf)? 
 
 J 
 
 mIv, 14. 
 
 
 IGTl 
 
 s 
 
 ei)t. ID. 
 
 idem, 
 idem. 
 
 ir,07 
 
 Sept 7. 
 
 FROM FllAXCK. 
 
 1. Vi x. Meiik Makii-: Ouvart dk 
 LTn'caiin-ation, [Tours.] 
 
 2. llev. Mere Marie de hi Troclie 
 (le Savonuieres de ist. Joseph, 
 [Tours] 
 
 :\. llev. MereCeciUIlicber de Ste. 
 Croi.r [ Dic'jipe] 
 
 4. llev. Mere Auue le Buglcde>S7e. 
 Claire, [l^iris] . 
 
 5. Kev. Mere Mari^aret de T^lecel- 
 1,'s de »SY. Alhdnase, [Paris]. . . 
 
 G. Rev. }^[evQ Aline de Sle. drile. 
 [Tours] 
 
 7. Rev. M ere An ne des Scraphins. 
 
 8. Rev. Mere Atiue Le Roue de 
 Sotre Dame. [Tours]. . 
 
 'J. llev. Mere Mane de V'illiers, de 
 Si. /l/?^/rf [.\la;^tiy] 
 
 10. Rev. Mere Marie Gihault du 
 r>roui!, de St. Jcsejih, [Rour- 
 gt's] 
 
 11. Rev. ^lere Marie Urouet de 
 Ji'sus [Hourires] 
 
 12. Marie Le Maire des Anges. 
 [Paris] .' 
 
 Rev. Mere ^[arie Le Vaiilant de 
 Vocelle.s de St. Cccile (^froni 
 Jkiyeux) 
 
 « u 
 
 1672 
 
 1651 
 
 1687 
 1677 
 1695 
 
 if 
 
 1683 
 
 1715 
 1709 
 
 1717 
 
 1699 
 
 bo 
 
 71 
 
 34 
 
 78 
 
 65 
 
 81 
 
 
 60 
 52 
 
 80 
 71 
 77 
 
 57 
 
 ii 
 
 i."/i. 
 
I 
 
 h' 
 
 V 
 
 242 
 
 TABLE OP THE PROFESSED NUNS. 
 
 Entered tli« 
 Novitiate. 
 
 1647 
 1648 
 1652 
 165S 
 1658 
 1659 
 1665 
 
 1667 
 1667 
 1667 
 1668 
 1668 
 
 1675 
 
 1676 
 1677 
 
 PROFESSED IN QUEBEC. 
 
 [This mark * signifies, — living ftt the Cen 
 teuuiul anniveruary, Aug. 1st., 1739.] 
 
 13. Re 
 
 14. 
 
 15. 
 
 16. 
 
 17. 
 
 18. 
 
 19. 
 
 20. 
 21. 
 22. 
 23. 
 24. 
 25. 
 26. 
 27. 
 
 V. Mere Charlotte Barre 
 
 de St. Jgnace 
 
 " Philippe de Boulogne 
 
 de St. Dominique . . 
 *' Marie Genevieve Bour- 
 don, de St. Joseph. . . . 
 Anne Bourdon de St. 
 
 u 
 
 (( 
 
 Agne.s. 
 
 Marie Boutet, de St. 
 Augustin 
 
 Jeanne Louise Gode- 
 froy de St.Frs. Xavier 
 
 Marie Angelique Pois- 
 8on de St. Jean V E- 
 vangeliste 
 
 Agnes Duquet de la 
 Naiivite 
 
 Marie Madeleine Pin- 
 guet de r .'issom/jiion. 
 
 Marie Charlotte Gode- 
 Iroy du St. Sacrement 
 
 Marie Le Ber de I' A 
 nonciation 
 
 Marie Madeleine de 
 Lauzon de St. Charles 
 
 Angelique de Lauzon 
 du St. Esprit ..... 
 
 Marie Catherine Pin- 
 
 gtiet del^ Incarnation* 
 
 •* Marie Madeleine Amiot 
 
 de la Conception * . . . 
 
 <( 
 
 << 
 
 (( 
 
 i( 
 
 ii 
 
 u 
 
 (< 
 
 u 
 
 (I 
 
 I- X 
 
 1701 
 1667 
 1700 
 1711 
 1701 
 1713 
 
 1732 
 1702 
 1721 
 1720 
 1714 
 1731 
 1732 
 1739 
 1747 
 
 9 
 
 bo 
 
 81 
 G4 
 01 
 G7 
 58 
 68 
 
 81 
 54 
 09 
 70 
 72 
 79 
 70 
 77 
 85 
 
 
TABLR OP THE PROFESSED NUNS. 
 
 243 
 
 EiitiTPd Hie 
 JS'ovifiute. 
 
 PROFE 
 
 1G76 
 
 28. Rev. ^ 
 
 1G83 
 
 29. '' ' 
 
 1684 
 
 30. '' ' 
 
 1088 
 
 31. '' ' 
 
 1688 
 
 32. '' ' 
 
 1G89 
 
 33. ^' ' 
 
 1689 
 
 34. '' ' 
 
 1680 
 
 35. ^< ' 
 
 1689 
 
 36. '' ' 
 
 1692 
 
 37. <' ' 
 
 1693 
 
 38. " ' 
 
 1693 
 
 39. " ' 
 
 1693 
 
 10. '' ^ 
 
 1698 
 
 41. << ' 
 
 1699 
 
 42. <' ' 
 
 hi 
 
 PROFESSED IN QUEBEC. 
 
 Rev. Mere Marie Amie Anceau 
 de Ste. Titer ese 
 
 Marie Routeville de 
 Sle. Claire 
 
 Catherine Juchereau 
 dts Serajj/iins. 
 
 Marie Elizabetli d'Ail- 
 lelioust de Ste. Croix 
 
 L(jiiis('-Ro.-e de 
 Naiidiere, de Ste Ca- 
 tliHrine * 
 
 Marie-Anne Rohinean 
 de La Ste. Trinite * ... 
 
 xM. Madeleine Gauthier 
 de Coinporte, de Ste. 
 Agnthe 
 
 M. Mad. Droiiard 
 de St. Michel * . . . . 
 
 Joanne Cliurel <ie Ste. 
 
 Uraule * 
 
 M.-Frun^oise Cliorel 
 du Sacre Cceur de 
 
 Anne-Marie Gauthier 
 de Coniporte de St. 
 Gabriel. .... .... 
 
 Aiii:elique Roberge de 
 St. Marie * 
 
 xMarie Dnpuy de l^ En- 
 fant Jesus 
 
 Marie-Genevieve Bou- 
 clier de St. Pierre * . 
 
 Marie Fran^oise Her- 
 to I de St. Exiipere. . . 
 
 
 1735 
 1705 
 1722 
 1739 
 
 1748 
 1743 
 
 1703 
 1756 
 1745 
 
 1735 
 
 1732 
 1750 
 1703 
 1766 
 1770 
 
 bo 
 
 75 
 37 
 54 
 70 
 
 75 
 72 
 
 29 
 
 81 
 71 
 
 59 
 
 54 
 72 
 24 
 
 89 
 90 
 
 ' 1 
 
 -O 
 
 ifii.'i 
 
i'T 
 
 <^ 
 
 244 TABL'^. OP THE PROFESSED NUNS. 
 
 il I 
 
 Ellt<TC(l till' 
 
 Novitiuti;. 
 
 1G99 
 
 1702 
 
 1703 
 
 1703 
 
 1708 
 
 1712 
 
 1712 
 
 1712 
 
 1714 
 
 1715 
 
 1715 
 
 171G 
 
 1716 
 
 1715 
 
 PROFESSED IN QUEBEC. 
 
 
 11. 
 
 15. 
 16. 
 17. 
 IH. 
 40. 
 
 r.o. 
 
 51. 
 
 52. 
 
 31). 
 
 54. 
 
 Rev. Mere Aiiiu'- Mar^jjueriic 
 Gauthier lie Varcime ^e 
 Id I'^rcsentdtion .... 
 
 Maru'-Aiuio Davis de 
 >S7. /Jeiioit * 
 
 Mane Anne Migeun 
 de Id Ndtirite * 
 
 Maru'-(!etievieve ]?au- 
 iloiii de St. Avgustin. 
 
 Mani,' A line Du]:'.o> 
 dc Sle. Madeleine 
 
 Genevieve La Grange 
 de »S't. L'diis * 
 
 Mst her Marie- Joseph 
 Wiieeiwright, de I' En 
 fdut J^sus * 
 
 Marie Louise Gaillaru 
 di la Sle. Vierge. . . 
 
 Loui.-e-Catlierine Pin- 
 guet Vanconrs de St. 
 Fvan^oiii Xatier *. . . 
 
 Mnr-iicriie Cloiitier 
 de Sle. iMonique * . . . 
 
 Marie Anne de Pon- 
 cherviHe dc St. Jgna- 
 ce * 
 
 ■n 
 
 
 
 
 1726 42 
 1740 70 
 1771 86 
 1735 47 
 
 1734 
 
 62 
 
 1776 S2 
 
 ' Marie Anne Buteau 
 de iSt. Agnes * .... 
 
 ' Frati9'<ise Elizabeth 
 Baudciiiin de Jesid^ *.. 
 
 ' Anuelii]ue (^enevieve 
 Norniandin de iSl. Sta- 
 nislas . 
 
 1780 
 1764 
 
 1740 
 1770 
 
 1772 
 1781 
 1747 
 
 83 
 
 67 
 
 70 
 
 76 
 83 
 51 
 
 1727 28 
 
LTNS. 
 
 TABLE OF TlIK PftOFESSEU NUNS. 
 
 2^5 
 
 c. 
 
 
 
 Oj 
 
 
 t 
 
 
 a; 
 
 , 
 
 r^ 
 
 leriic 
 
 
 ne de 
 
 
 is de 
 
 igeoii 
 
 0; 
 
 172(') 12 
 ITt'J 70 
 
 1771 so 
 
 l',im- 
 is///?.. 1735 47 
 )iil:'.u^ I 
 
 e 1734 02 
 
 range 
 
 I77r» W2 
 
 -eph 
 
 • * • « 
 
 lillaru 
 
 • • • 
 
 e Pin- 
 e Si. 
 
 loiUicr! 
 
 . • • • 
 
 lute an 
 
 1780,83 
 
 17G4 07 
 
 1741)54 
 
 1770|70 
 
 1772i76 
 1781 83 
 51 
 
 kabetli 
 U-*.. 11747 
 
 'Vieve 
 
 1727 
 
 Ent<'rf'(l flic 
 Novitiate. 
 
 i7lG 
 1717 
 
 1717 
 1717 
 
 1717 
 
 1717 
 1717 
 
 1717 
 1719 
 1719 
 
 1719 
 
 1720 
 1722 
 
 P110F1-:SSED IN QUEBEC. 
 
 57. Kev. Mere Marie-Cliarlotte ile 
 Miiy, dtSlc. llclene* 
 
 58. '' ^' Marie-Catherine <le 
 
 
 Rami sav de St. lladc- 
 
 gonde 
 
 28 
 
 59. '* " Marie-llenee Dmnes 
 nil de Sle. Gertrude * 
 
 1)0. '' " Anne-Loui>e-Tliere-e 
 Juuhereau de St. An- 
 toine. . 
 
 ()1. ^^ '' Marie Madeleine de 
 llepentigny de Ste. 
 A'^athe 
 
 G2. '* '^ Marie-iiouise Gaillard 
 de St. TkoiiKis * 
 
 63. '' " Angeliipie-Fran^oise 
 LaiiLrlois de St. Eliza- 
 beth * 
 
 Marie- Airatlie LeClaire 
 de Ste. Miirguerite * 
 
 'oi^. *' '' Angeiique Victoire Per- 
 
 tliuys des Anges 
 
 ^* Catherine JVradeleine 
 
 (\oi^ Meloises de St. 
 
 Francois de Borgia 
 
 Elizabeth-Joseph de 
 
 Villedonne de Ste. Ge- 
 
 necicve* 
 
 '* Marie Dorothee Je- 
 
 ryan de St. Joseph * .. 
 
 '' ]''eliciie Ponliii de 
 
 I' Assoinpiion * 
 
 V 
 
 be 
 
 G4. '' <' 
 
 G7. 
 
 G8, 
 G9. 
 
 a 
 
 li a 
 
 u 
 
 a 
 
 1759 
 
 1725 
 1751 
 
 1732 
 
 1739 
 1773 
 
 1758 
 1759 
 174G 
 
 1725 
 
 1743 
 1759 
 1754 
 
 G5 
 
 29 
 52 
 
 33 
 
 44 
 71 
 
 GO 
 59 
 45 
 
 23 
 
 44 
 Gt 
 
 72 
 
 I* 
 If 
 
 m\ 
 
 hi: 
 
246 
 
 TABLE OF TU ') Plli^FKSSEI) NUN'S. 
 
 
 Entered flie 
 Muvitiutv 
 
 1723 
 
 1724 
 1724 
 
 1728 
 
 1729 
 
 1731 
 1735 
 1T35 
 1737 
 
 1736 
 1737 
 
 1642 
 
 i ! 
 
 * 
 
 PROFESSED IN QUEBEC. 
 
 70. Kev. Mere Marie-Jonepli d'Ail 
 
 lebon-^t do Maiitct de 
 St. Nicolas * 
 
 71. " <' M. Genevieve Per 
 
 tliny.s de St. Charles * 
 
 72. « « Marie-Keiiie Le Page 
 
 de St. Louis de Gon- 
 zague 
 
 73. *< *' Aime-Cutlierine I'etit, 
 
 de St. Stanislaus de 
 Kotska * 
 
 74. " ** Marie An<re!iqne Ma- 
 
 rianclieaii d'Esglys de 
 St. Eustache * 
 
 75. *' " Marguerite Ijaiuloin 
 de Si. Fr. de Borgia * 
 
 76. *' " Louise Lefebre des 
 Seraphinst * 
 
 77. ** *' Jeanne Marchand de 
 St. Hyacinthe * 
 
 78. *^ '' Marie Marguerite Da- 
 
 van ne de St. Louis de 
 Gonzague * 
 
 79. << *< Marie Elizabetli Ri- 
 
 chaudrfe St. Augustin* 
 
 80. " ** Marie-Catherine La- 
 
 gere de St. Gabriel * . . 
 
 LAY-SISTERS. 
 
 81. Sister Anne Bataillede St. Lau- 
 
 rent, Professed in 
 Dieppe 
 
 
 1749 
 17G1 
 
 1733 
 
 I77b 
 
 1751 
 1757 
 174'J 
 1782 
 
 1802 
 
 1798 
 1790 
 
 48 
 
 GO 
 
 31 
 
 (JG 
 
 39 
 3S 
 39 
 o3 
 
 83 
 53 
 
 82 
 
 IGG9 
 
 5G 
 
I UN'S. 
 
 TABLE OF THE PROFESSED NUNS. 
 
 247 
 
 :c. . 
 
 
 c 
 •.ti 
 
 I'Ail- 
 
 
 
 L't de 
 
 
 
 • • * * 
 
 174018 
 
 Per 
 
 
 rles * 
 
 1761 GO 
 
 Pat^e 
 
 
 
 Gon- 
 
 
 
 • • • • - 
 
 1738 
 
 :n 
 
 Petit, 
 
 
 
 w.s d^ 
 
 
 
 ■ • * • 
 
 1775 
 
 (;g 
 
 e Ma- 
 
 
 
 ys de 
 
 1751 
 
 :^D 
 
 iiuloin 
 
 
 
 ^ia* 
 
 1757 
 
 ;is 
 
 ; des 
 
 
 
 
 174i) 
 
 at) 
 
 tid dt 
 
 
 
 
 1782 
 
 g:^ 
 
 to Da 
 
 
 
 lis df 
 
 J 
 
 
 
 180:; 
 
 ! 83 
 
 Ri- 
 istin* 
 La- 
 
 ian 
 in 
 
 1708 
 
 1790 
 
 53 
 
 1GG9 
 
 Year of ar- 
 rival. 
 
 1G71 
 
 5G 
 
 Entered the 
 Novitiate, 
 
 1647 
 1653 
 1657 
 1657 
 1674 
 1678 
 1680 
 1687 
 1691 
 1696 
 1696 
 1698 
 1700 
 
 LAY-SISTERS. 
 
 82. Sr. Marie Dieu de la Resur- 
 r«.'ction, Professed in 
 Paris 
 
 PROFESSED i:^ QUEBEC. 
 
 83. Sr. Catherine Lezeau de Ste. 
 Uraule 
 
 Frati^oise Ouen de Ste. 
 Madeleine 
 
 Antonette Makinon de St. 
 Marthe 
 
 Anne Dudier de la Pas- 
 sion 
 
 Marie-Madeleiue de St. 
 Paul 
 
 Fran9oise Gravel de St. 
 Anne 
 
 Marie Montnieny de Ste. 
 
 84. 
 85. 
 86. 
 87. 
 88. 
 89. 
 90. 
 9L 
 92. 
 93. 
 94. 
 95. 
 
 Cecile 
 
 Genevieve Gravel de la 
 Visitation 
 
 M. Claude Le Vasseur de 
 de la Visitation * 
 
 M. Louise Huart de Ste. 
 Genevieve. 
 
 M. Anne Cote de St. Joa- 
 chim * 
 
 Fran^oise La Foret de 
 St. Jean Baptiste * . . . . 
 
 M. Feuilleteau, de Ste. 
 Anne * 
 
 0) 
 
 c 
 
 0) 
 
 < 
 
 1708 
 
 76 
 
 1684 
 1697 
 1676 
 1710 
 1722 
 1699 
 1740 
 1691 
 1745 
 1703 
 1740 
 174i3 
 1744 
 
 56 
 
 77 
 47 
 80 
 67 
 40 
 81 
 23 
 74 
 37 
 65 
 67 
 63 
 
 
248 TABLE OF THE TROFhSSKD NUN; 
 
 Ent^H'd fli( 
 Novitiuft). 
 
 170G 
 1701) 
 1711 
 1715 
 1710 
 1719 
 1722 
 1723 
 1725 
 
 172i 
 
 173i 
 
 PROFESSED IX QL'EJ;I':(:. 
 DO. Sr. Genevieve Le Vii'^sonr (K 
 
 St, .loM'jih * . 
 
 ^I. MiidcKine Crave d*. 
 St. l''tietme 
 
 D7. 
 
 J8. ' 
 
 100. 
 
 101 
 
 102. 
 
 103. 
 
 104. 
 
 105. 
 
 jM:>":^uerite (int\'el tie St. 
 
 Cici 
 
 lU'Ui. 
 
 l)laiiche Maurie de Ste 
 
 Tli 
 
 ecie 
 
 M. Anne Itacine de 1: 
 
 .(^-urrei^tKtn 
 
 ^l. .(lilieiiiie Miiufis de St. 
 Andre * 
 
 Mari(; OaLnioi), de St 
 
 Paul 
 
 Mane-J Patonaiide de St 
 
 E 
 
 raiiC(.)is 
 
 Loui.-e Gravel do Ste 
 
 Marthe 
 
 M. Catherine Constantin, 
 de St. Denis * . 
 
 174!) 
 1711 
 
 17G2 
 
 174(i 
 
 1770 
 1774 
 
 174!) 
 
 71 
 
 ..M 
 
 <> 
 
 Ul 
 
 106. ^' Genevieve M. Miiiiaux de 
 
 la P 
 
 rcscntatiun 
 
 174: 
 
 174, 
 
 172.< 
 
 40 
 
 21 
 
 177i) 7 
 
SU.NS. 
 
 c. 
 
 ii" (K' 
 
 0^ 
 •A 
 
 ■; ! io 
 
 171!' VG 
 
 ■•,l..l 
 
 • • • - 
 
 1711 
 
 2t 
 
 e St. 
 
 17G2 
 
 71 
 
 "Su". 
 
 171(1 
 
 .")5 
 
 L' ' la 
 
 1770 
 
 71 
 
 leSt'. 
 
 177-1 
 
 
 St. 
 
 iUl) 
 
 'Jl 
 
 e St". 
 
 174:5 
 
 .■)7 
 
 "Sto. 
 
 174:; 
 
 40 
 
 utiti. 
 
 I72S 
 
 •li 
 
 ■ ■ • • 
 
 1779 
 
 '•'i 
 
 APPEXDIX 
 
 A Note for piigo 25, supra, 
 
 M(i(J(ime dc lit l^eUvie^R house: — Uiiilt in KIl.'J, 
 aiul bcariiii^ iri'ovocubly tin? iiaiiM! of tli<' iiol»l(> and 
 })l(nis touiulrcss of the Ur.><n lines, it (1(»lvs not upjXNir 
 to liavo over scrvcfl her as ;i n'sidcnrc. IJcntcd, at 
 lir.st, to tiu! pndit of tlio Coinnnmity, it twic-o 
 .sholtcrcd tlicni, when driven from their Couvout by 
 lin; — l(J5l, ItJrfU. 
 
 In 1(159, on llu^ arrival in Canada, <»f the first 
 liishop, ^Ii;r. Fr. Laval de Monlniorciu'y, it served 
 as an eiyiscopal luilacc! 
 
 A high Cencc; rnnning tlirongli the nni.s' t(ard(Mi, 
 gav(3 the eminent Prelate a part for his own use, 
 and left the nuns to enjoy their (doister. 
 
 licpaired many times, the walls wen; finally de~ 
 vwlishcd, in IS-ii). The j)res(Mit huildin<;-, o('eu})y- 
 ing the same site in part, is much lai'ger than tho 
 original house, hut has uo windows on the street. 
 Its ordinary destination has ever been that of i\, 
 school-house for the free or ext(M"U-sehool. 
 
 Tho bakery and wash-house [see same X>age'\ 
 stood in the vicinity of the [late] Old Ash tree. Tho 
 wells excavated in ohl times, of whicdi four are still 
 in jrood repair, are from 12 to 25 feet in diameter, — 
 iu the old French style. 
 
 -li 
 
 it 
 
 '"■ i'i 
 
 iH. 
 
250 APPKNDIX, 
 
 B l*ago 51. Yet all teas not hriglit, d'C. 
 
 Duriiii,^ tlio years 1(188 — 8!), i\w. Froiich Colony, 
 more tliaii over, schemed on tlio brink of dcHtrnctiou. 
 '^riio Iro(|Moi.s, stiniulatod by the English Coh)ni.stM, 
 prolitcd of every pretext to bn^ik ix.'m'O with the 
 French. The nnl'ortnnate p(dicy of tlie Governor 
 Detionville in caiJtnring and sendinj^ several of their 
 chiefs to France, tlio late success of the Fn^ucli in 
 th(Mr ex})e<lition aijainst the Senecas, tlie treachery 
 of Kondiaronk, added fnel to tlieir natural fire, and 
 '' lik(i hujii^ry and infnriat(Ml wolves they spread 
 themselves along the rivers and borders of the forests, 
 every where ravaging tlie French settleni(;nts. '' The 
 English on the other hand, had carried their arms 
 into the country of the Abenakis, and dv^vastated 
 their setthMiients. UnfortunaNdy for the prosperity 
 of the European c(donies on the Ameri(Nin continent, 
 their jealousy of each other, a'<d their too great sympa- 
 thy with their respective mother-countries, kept them 
 at variance, — and the French and English seemed 
 now intent only on each other's destruction. 'Yha 
 Canadians, unable from their snuiU number, to mea- 
 sure strength with their enemies, sought by every 
 means to obtain the alliauco of the ditiereut Indiau 
 tribes. 
 
 De Frontenac arrived in an opportune moment for 
 New France. Adopting the most energetic mea- 
 sures, the invasion of the English CVdonies was re- 
 solved u])on, and three diHereut expeditions were 
 
 . \ 
 
; 
 
 
 » 
 
 
 APPKNDIX. 251 
 
 ill 
 
 (liiTctod iiij.'ilnst (Jarlaor [Siilioiioctmly], Salmon Fn\h 
 
 
 and Cas(;<i Hay. 
 
 
 TIk'So liostilit'n'.s roused tlie Eiijj^lisli to pntinpt and 
 decided action, 'rims was tlie cai»t«ire ot* Quehec; 
 ])laiined and undrrtaUen. Its noii-sn(M*oss is related 
 in oiir 'I'ext. The siiiiullaneoud attacU upon Mont- 
 real was nut nioro succussi'ul. 
 
 Mr. and Madame CluunpKjny arc oldfriendx dc. 
 
 CMiani}»igny, wo must rolato 
 
 
 Apropos of 
 a littio anecdote. 
 
 It was in tlio olden times, — 1()!K3. Our nuns liad 
 a farm alouijf the banks of tlie St. Charles, and on 
 soni(i few occasions, tlu^ Superioress witli her c<»uncil, 
 had leave, or orders, to ^o and visit it. On one of 
 tiiese occasions, — it was in August — the nuns, with 
 the re^iuired authorization from IJishop Saint- Valier, 
 issued from the cloister at a very early hour, and iu 
 their modest vehicle; proceetled to the farm. 'IMie 
 morning passed iu examining barns, ditches, fences, 
 &-C. as they thought best, under the guidance of 
 Kev. Father llalfeix and M. de la CVdombiero. 
 
 An iuvltation to dine with the good Mothers of 
 theGeneral-IIos})ital — Notre Dame desAnges, could 
 Hot but be agreiiabhi to all, and doubly so for the 
 three sisters Bourdon, two of whom were among 
 the excurtiouiritb. At three o'clock^ the cumpuuy, 
 

 APPEN'MX. 
 
 ill Mils'- cr t<( MPdtluM* |)res>iii^ invltatluii, jiro oi, 
 tlnii- \v;i y l<> flu- II«»t('l-I)inj, wlicii they iiM'ct Madaiini 
 «lc ('li:iiiij»ii;iiy wlin, tnistiiiij lirr iii('s.s:ii((> to no oiir, 
 liMs ('OHIO licrsclf in Iicr carriai^o to tircct the nuns, 
 mI sccmi! a call at llic Palacu jiH tlicy rurntcr tin; 
 
 HI 
 
 city. 
 
 '^riic ([Ucslioii is ciiiltarrassiny ! It in lat(<. Tim 
 good iinn.s of tli(f IIi»t<'l-I)i('u an; waitini;: tlicy 
 niiisf M(ili('i"(' to a previous cn^ai^cnicnt. lint Ma- 
 (laiiM! (Ic ( 'liaiiipiirny tinds lliis a poor cxciist'. 
 (iiviiii^ orders to lier coaidiinan, slie retraces her 
 Ht('[)s, ami bids the sentinel close the gates of the 
 town. No otlier entraiuMi remained Init throiiLfli 
 the apartments of tlie Iiiteiidant'.s Palace. TIk! 
 jimiaMe lady appears at tin? door in triiinipli t(t 
 wch'oine lier ^in^sts, wlioiii slio has so i^racioiisly 
 canijlit in tho snare, and after the most amplo do- 
 inonstrations of poIitcMiess and ad'ection, sho op(;n,s 
 llie way and condmrts tlieiii herself te tlui Ilotel- 
 
 1) 
 
 leii. 
 
 1I( 
 
 er(^, tJKJ rece]»tion, not less C(»r( 
 
 lial, 
 
 was 
 
 iiion; ndiuioiis. The Hospital imns wer(i await- 
 inir their visitors in tli(( Chnrcli, and Widcomed 
 
 ~ 'A 
 
 th(;m l)y sinuiiiLj the Ldudate. The moments (lew 
 so swiftly that evening came on, all unperceiv<'d, 
 and the excursion was over only at eight o'clock ! 
 ^' We entered our dear Convent, at last, as tli(! 
 
 dove returned to tli 
 rest. 
 
 •Ic 
 
 le arlc, weary and lu ueet 
 
 I 
 
 d of 
 
 li f 
 
 To tell all tliv3 politeuess, the cordiality, the 
 
Al'PKNIUX. 
 
 253 
 
 tiiill, MTf' <'li 
 
 iiiM't M.Klaiiic 
 
 ir(> to no Ollf, 
 
 •cct till' imiis, 
 
 y il'CUtcr llli! 
 
 is la to. Tiu> 
 .vaitiiiii '- tlK'V 
 il. r.iil Ma- 
 podV excuse, 
 i retraces lier 
 gates of the 
 hni tliroii^li 
 Palace. 'IMie 
 ill trimn[)li to 
 I HO ,i;raci<>"^ly 
 )st aiiipl<' <li3- 
 ,„^ sIh^ opens 
 t(> llio llotel- 
 cordial, was 
 M'eiHi await- 
 viiil wel^conieil 
 moments llew 
 II unpeireivetl, 
 eii;lit o'clock ! 
 last, lis tlio 
 1(1 ill ueeil ot 
 
 cordiulity, tlie 
 
 MUiialde attentions of wliicli we wore t1ie olij(>et in 
 tlu' two CoiMinnnities, would l>e ini[»ossil>le.'' 
 
 Sc e Nut c CO n t i n u c d paga 207. 
 
 The voice of fj race, in her heart, iC'c. 
 
 For tlie salx'e of [H'escrvini!; tlieir f'aitli, otluM* ('ap- 
 tives, besides those ulio Iiad enil»i"aeeil tlie reliuious 
 state, refused tlic invitations of friends, ur^inj; tiieiii 
 
 to return to their native 
 
 laud. 
 
 a 'V 
 
 IMk; dau^'hter of the minister, Eunice Wil- 
 liams, whom no otiers of ransom cotild I'escue IV(Mii 
 the Indian \v'ho had taken Ih'J- as a j>ii/.e in the raid 
 on De<'rliel<l, l»ecann'i the wife of a Cahiiewana chief. 
 Lonj^ years after, slie visiteil iier friends there, ar- 
 rayed in an Indian dress ; and after ;i short sojourn, 
 in s}»il<' of a day of fast of n whole villas, , whi<'h as- 
 semhled to jiray for deliverance, she ictiiriied to tho 
 tires of her own wiiiuian and t(» the love of her own 
 Moliawk children. " — IhincrofCs Hist. U. S(<i(cs. 
 
 In several Indian villages of Lower Canada there 
 are still English luinies borne by descendants (tf 
 fornier captives. 
 
 After Miss Who(dwri<ilit had pronounced her vows, 
 slie ixave her family inf(»rmation to that elfect, and 
 :soon had tim satisfaction to kn«»w that her wortliy 
 parents wei'e not displeased. On tlnicontrary, they 
 sent another messenger with letters and pres<'nts for 
 tlieir dau'/hti'r, Later she received lier mother's por- 
 
254 
 
 APPKNDIX. 
 
 tniit, wlii<'h ia still piv'sorvod iu the Convent, — as 
 
 a J 
 
 Mild 
 
 onn 
 
 — Ainoii^ tlie pi'sents were a silver 
 ^oUit'v, marked with tlie family arms, tine linen, vie. 
 Madame Wheel\vri,<(ht never came to Qindjec, ]»iit 
 was ahnndantly consoled for \]\o. ahs(Mie(^ of Ikt 
 danghter by the assurance that she was hai)i)y. 
 
 I 
 
 a«re 
 
 128. 
 
 ¥-, 
 
 if: 
 ■]■. 
 
 The martyred Father liasle, iC-c. 
 
 Tho Ahenalvis ofMaiiu^ had first invited a Black- 
 ro?>c among them in ]C)\(). Father Dniillettes was 
 sent to them, and hia labors, followed by those of 
 the Fathei-s Higot — La Cliasse, — Loyard, — Aubry 
 of the Society of J(\>na, atid Tlinry and Ganlin of 
 the Seminary of Quelx'c, effected the conversion of 
 the tribe. '' For thirty years had Fatlier Sebas- 
 tian Kasle dwelt iu the forest, teacliing its wild, red- 
 children the love of Go(l juid the dcivotion t(> 
 Mary. To the Clia[)(d every night and morning 
 come all the Indian Christians. At morning they 
 make their prayer in common ; they Jissist at Mass, 
 chanting in their own dialect, hymns written for 
 
 that 
 
 )nr-; tse by 
 
 heir 
 
 r 
 
 ast(»r, 
 
 W 
 
 len 
 
 tl 
 
 le sun ( 
 
 le- 
 
 clines westward, and the shadows cret^p over the 
 village, they seek tho Cliapel for the public prayer, 
 and to sing a hymn to Mary. 
 
 u 
 
 It v^as on the feast of St. Barthol 
 
 omew the 
 
 th 
 
 Apostle, August 24th^ l?.")-!, j»hat a band (►f M(»- 
 bawks and English Colonists burst ujxju the town of 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 255 
 
 Convent, — na 
 were a silver 
 tin(! liucii, etc. 
 
 O QucIkM*, l)Ut 
 
 Ll)S(!n('.(> ()f licr 
 us ha[)i>y. 
 
 ivitcil a Black- 
 
 )l-uill(!ttOS WMS 
 
 mI by tliose of 
 loyanl, — Aubry 
 ' and Gaulin of 
 e conversion of 
 Fatlier Sel)as- 
 its wiKl, ved- 
 (levotion to 
 and morning 
 tnorniiiii; tliey 
 issist at Mass, 
 s written for 
 1 the snn de- 
 recp over the 
 public prayer, 
 
 e 
 
 n 
 
 •thob>nie\v tbe 
 I ])and of Mo- 
 M)n tbe town <»f 
 
 Owenac^nn^a [Nowridi^ewoek.] Tlio women and 
 eliibh'eu tied; a few young braves wlio were in the 
 vilhige, cauglit up tlieir arms to witiistand tlie ene- 
 my. But before tliey could be slain, tlie priest, 
 remembering tlscso words of our Lord '■Bonus 
 pastor animam suam dat pro ovibiis siiis, Tbe good 
 shepherd givetli his life for liis sheep,' and know- 
 ing liiuiself to bo the real object of the attack, 
 advanced to meet his foes. They Isaw him just as 
 he reached the vilbige cross. A yell of savage 
 exultation, a volh.'y of l/ullets, and the missi()nary 
 lay dead at the foot of the symbol of salvation. 
 
 lieu. X. D. Mcleod. 
 
 F Page l.*J2, — The Monastery enlarged, d'c. 
 
 We place here ample topographical notes 
 for the exclusive benefit of the inmates of the 
 Cloister : a sort of Guide Book, around our 
 ''little world". 
 
 The foundations of tlie iirst Monastery were laid 
 in 1()41 ; its dimensions were 92 feet by 28, French 
 measure. The Venerable Mother Marie d(; IT near- 
 nation with her littbi Community, entered it on the 
 21st November, 1G42. It was then far from being 
 iinished. 
 
 The building was three stories high including the 
 attic, and surmountyd by a cupola. In the second 
 story was the nuns' dormitory ; Our Ven. Mother's 
 
25G 
 
 APPKNDIX. 
 
 cell Ix'iiii; in \]\o ('(Miti;', diroctiy inidcr tlio LcllVy 
 
 IS ' 
 
 Tlic liitclicii was in llic It.isciuciit stoi'y, ;it tli(» ii(»rili- 
 wcst ('xtrcmify ; the (Miapcl occiipiiMl tlio iirst story 
 at tlic oilier extremity of the liiiildiiiijf. 'IMie parlm-.s 
 were Jilxive tlie cliapel. It Avas tliroii^li tlie i;rate 
 of one of the ));irhtrs, occiipyiiiii; the site oftlio Uoard- 
 (M-s' new In Urinary (1875), tliat Onr Veil. Motlierand 
 several of tlie iinns fonnd ineaiis to escape, on the 
 lii:;ht of tlie .'Ust Deeeinher l( >.")( I- 1 ( 1.") I , [Set? (illinij)- 
 ses, Part 1st] when the Convent; was destroyetl hy 
 iire. 
 
 'I'he second ^loiiastery was coninuMiced on the 
 same foniidatioiis as the Iirst ; Madame de la IVdtrie 
 laid tluHirst-stoiH' on the l!Mh May, K).')!. Its di- 
 mensions — hetweeii the walls —in I'^'encli ieet, weri^ 
 1{)8 by X!S, or 1 \2 l)y ;}(), English measure. 
 
 The uiins heuaii to inhabit it, May IDth, .1(152. 
 
 The conier-stoiK' of the Chnndi wlTudi Madame de 
 la l\dtrie bnilt, was laid in ^:,■rea^ eeremony by the 
 Governor of the C<dony, M. de Luusou, ou Aise-ensioii 
 day, June, Id;")!). 
 
 It was consecrated with the solemn c(M'(Mnoni(^s of 
 the Church, under the titular invocation of St. Jo- 
 seph, liy liisho^) T^aval, at the riMjuest, and in \)vo- 
 sence of tlu^ Mar([uis de Tracy, Aiii;nst 17th, l()()7. 
 This Chur(di oc<'n[)ied the site of the present par- 
 lors, its portal faced (and rea(died) Doiiiiacona 
 street : there was, also, the handsome Chapel dedi- 
 cated to St. Anne, erected by the liberality of the 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 257 
 
 r \]\o Lclfry. 
 
 at tlic norih- 
 
 tlio tirst stnry 
 
 'Vhv, piuiitrs 
 
 iiU tliC! i;rat<' 
 
 (tt'tllO Una 1(1- 
 
 1. Mother and 
 
 scape, <>H tlu^ 
 
 J [S('(? (iliiiii)- 
 
 lU'stroyetl by 
 
 (MHmmI on tlio 
 (' »l(' la r«'lti-i<' 
 
 h;:)!. Its ai- 
 
 Micli feet, were 
 snro. 
 
 i!)t,b, lone. 
 
 1i Matl'uuc i\o 
 iioiiy by tin' 
 on Ast'i'iisiou 
 
 ('(MMMHOuioS of 
 1)11 ot" St. iJo- 
 ^ and in \)V0- 
 st 17tb, l()(i7. 
 
 pr('s(Mit |>ar- 
 ) l)onn;u'oii;i 
 
 Chapel (ledi- 
 )oriirity of tb(3 
 
 Mar<inls do Tracy. IJrasH-bcaded nails in tlio tloor, 
 aloiiii; tli(* corridor, show the pbuM? ol'tlio bii^b Altar ; 
 tlic present door leadiiii^ into tin* conrt-yard, 1(h1, 
 tlien, to tbo interior sacristy by a passai^o. lu tbia 
 Cbnrcb, \()(l(), Jif/ij-seren deri^y-incu wero present, 
 with liisliop Laval, on tin? occasion of tbe transla- 
 tion of the relics of St. Felicity and St. Flavian. 
 
 All th('S(5 buildings were covered in slato. 
 
 On the 2*-2d June, l()8(), tlie lirst-stone of the \vini,', 
 La Ste. Famillc, <)(> feet by "iH —[exterior] — was laid 
 by a litthi Iniliaii-i;irl, Mari(^-Uose. The walla 
 were biiilr, n[» to tlie second story, when the second 
 con narration (»f the Monastery took place, Oct 20th 
 JtiHli. [See Gliniitses pagi^ (18.] 
 
 The l[ous(^ of Madame do la Peltrio now served 
 as a Convent for tln^ 2d time dnriiii; 18 months. 
 The Chapel, which bad ])een a stable, stood just 
 near the '' Old Ash 'I'ree." The wash-house oc- 
 cupied the site of the present wash-ro«)m (lavoir). 
 
 In restorinj^ the C<»nvent, tlie lirst l»uilding fm- 
 ished was L(t Sdinfc-KaiiiHle ; which was l)less(3j 
 on the LSth May l<!H8, and occupied the following 
 day. 'I'he pupils had occuiiied the large hall [Laun- 
 dry for many years] diirini; the precfMling winter. 
 The corner stone of the kitchen (with Infirmary 
 above) was laid by a boarder. Miss Marie-Cathe- 
 rine <le lirisay de Denonville, daughter of the 
 (Jovernor, on the llHh July 1(581). — Kitchen vaulted, 
 1()!I8. — 'I'he old refectory [now kitchen] lirst occu- 
 pied on the 2x1(1 June l(i86. 
 
 II 'i 
 
258 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 ii, 
 
 Tlio rostoratiou of tlio iiiain-Lulldiiiiz, — the Malls 
 of which w(3r(3 not detjlroycd l»y tht! fire — was com- 
 plctcd durii)*^ the year 1(188, 8JJ. 
 
 Tho Gruiid Vi(*ar, iMr. Mcrlac, paid the la.st 
 Mmsh in the tcjiiporary Cliaptd under the Coininu- 
 iiity-hall, and transported the lU(!Ssed Saerauieiit to 
 the new Cl»apel (Ohl Depot) on tluf 2M June J(WI. 
 Here the divine mysteries were eelehruted during .*>.') 
 years. The apartuieu t adjoiuiuL? (Superior'ti Kooni 
 J 854 to J875) was the nuus' choir ; beneath which 
 was the cemetery during the same space of tiuu' : 
 13 bodies interred there, were transferred to the pre- 
 sent cemetery only iu 18J32. 
 
 The translation of tho bodies from the ancient 
 choir had taken })lace in \7'2\. On that occasi<»n 
 the precic'.is remains of our Venerable Mother were 
 reunited with those of St. Jose]>h and IMadanie <le la 
 Peltrie, in the b'ad colliu of the latter. 'J'he anciciil 
 choir was rebuilt as class rooms in l(>89-!)() six feet 
 wider; ii was also lengthened, some feet. 
 
 In 1712, the ISlere des Anges being Superioress, 
 the wing, la Ste. iNimille, was extended 7.5 feet, 
 for ii Novitiate, wasii-room and bakery, cells «5v:c. 
 
 In 1715, the wing for })arlors, Superior's room, 
 &c., was commenced. 
 
 Mother des Anges's jdan was to continue the build- 
 ings to fonn a double s(pnire, the eastern extremity 
 very near Madame de la Peltrie\s house. I'he lari^e 
 interior court-yard wcnild have been divided by a 
 narrow buidiug — - (leaving a porch) for portresses' 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 259 
 
 r. the \Yl\lls 
 
 7 7 
 
 (J — was coui- 
 
 the Counim- 
 BacvauicHt to 
 M June KirlK 
 iteil Jniiiig '')') 
 pt'ri(»r'5£ Kuom 
 beneath whidi 
 -pace of Tniie : 
 ■reJ to the pre- 
 
 111 the aiK'ieut 
 1 that oecasioii 
 ,h' Mollier ^vt re 
 1 ^huhime <h" la 
 Tiie aiu'ieiit 
 
 ;r9-iH) t^ix IVet 
 
 tVet. 
 
 ItciHhHl 7.") feet, 
 
 u-y 
 
 c( 
 
 lis &e 
 
 uperioi's rooin, 
 
 the hnihl- 
 ^teni extiemity 
 The lai-ue 
 Viv'Klea hy a 
 
 litiinie 
 
 use 
 
 li « 
 
 i) t'oi' poitvesse 
 
 room, Depot, room for se\viiiL(-uir] See. witli a corri- 
 dor t))e whole length ot'tiu; hnildiiigs antiitid the inte- 
 rior-court } replacinu^ th(3 cloister of European Con- 
 vents. 
 
 In \7\() and 1717, the orii^inal plan haviui; heoii 
 consid<'rah1y nioditii'd, the foundations of the jmi*- 
 sent choir and Church were laid, [see p. I. '54, 5 &-c.] 
 'J'lie Church was 1)lesse<l ]»y l>isli(»p Saint- Valier, 
 14th Auix. 17"2vJ. If, 1 i L(an to servo regularly 
 March ii)th 17xi.'i : the interior w'as completely liii- 
 ished tw(dve years later, 17*5."). 
 
 The Cliurch measures 100 feet hy 45, — interior 
 walls 25 ft. in height: the choir 100 l)y JiO, is but 
 20 feet high [interi'jr]. 
 
 Tlie buildings, -as completed in 172^1, formed a 
 block, exclusive^ of the church wlTudi extended from 
 one angle beyond th(^ s([uaro — whole length, if }daced 
 on a line, — about 700 feet, not including the Externs, 
 nor the [late] low passage to the <'lioir. Tlie Mon- 
 astery received no further enlargementK) till 18-51. 
 
 C !''*>»' pjigo 105. The Chapel of Saints. 
 
 Wo co{)y, with ]deasure, a description of tho 
 Cluqxd of Saints in the First Convent (»f tin* Con- 
 gi-egation of Paris. J t is easy to see that our little 
 C'hapcd, altlnjugh greatly inferior, uas »!;;;,Ielled on 
 this ]triniitive (Uie. 
 
 '' Cett(! Chap(dle est un des [dus beaux licux du 
 Monastcro, siluee au dcssus do l'Avaut-Cha;ur dos 
 
 h 
 
 ': i , 
 
 ii-l 
 
 i! • 
 M ■ 
 
 ,M 
 -\ - 
 
260 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 r. 
 
 lloliu^icnsos. Ello a jm-os do qnairo t(»is(*s dc Imi- 
 
 gMoiir (ft cuui do lar^ciir. An iiiilicu dii iii 
 
 \.i 
 
 di 
 
 i!ir 
 
 (h 
 
 III H 
 
 do Piiutro cote I'Autcl dii CluiMir) est jk>s(' I'Autcl dr 
 la Cliapol. II est chmix en toriiic (rAniiuirc uiiii 'I'y 
 pouvolr sorror Ics R(diqiiaii-('S. Aiix deux- cotrs .hi 
 PAutol soiit d(MJX tonnes d(? pilastrcs dc laiiil»ris 
 quaiTcs, aiissi chmix pour lo iiiriiif dt.'ssciii, y ayaut 
 au dedans dos separations ornocs de riclics otcdl'cs a 
 francos d'or, avoo dos vitros an dcvaiit dcs pilici- 
 
 Kel 
 
 ; 
 
 lines (|Ul 
 
 d'ou I'on pent voir u traveix les S iint( 
 y roposont. Denx antres piliers pareils sont aiix 
 deux bouts on droito lii,nief; si Men ([n'il y a en t<Ma 
 quatre piliers dont rantei est an iniHeii. Kt entre 
 les donx do cliaquo ootO; est inie fenetre (^ui rend 
 dans le Clia^nr. 
 
 *^Lo taldoan do TAntel, en iiunre ronde, est nne 
 tation dii Paradis : la Tres-Saint<' Trinife, 
 
 roDreson 
 
 rej 
 
 la Sto. Viortre^ qnoLpies Ani^os et A})otres et ([iiel- 
 ques Saints do ehaqno ordn^ y sont tres bien depeints. 
 Outre cola la ClKH)ello est touto lambrissdo et tonto 
 poiute. Lo bord du tablean, 1<'S (tnieinents do I'An- 
 tel et les quatre piliers, sont dores a fond d'a.znr, 
 avec des tetos do Cliorubins dordos. Lo lanibris do 
 bois qui regno dc; liaut on bas tout antour^ est sd[>are 
 en deux par dos jyointnres divorsos; car lo dessns est 
 ornc de grands jxnlraits do tons los Patriarclios 
 d'Ordre, en lour bantenr, ranges solou lo tomps (pi'ils 
 ontv(5cus. Kt an-dessons S(»nt represeutes, en petit 
 volume; les Mystcros do la vie do Xotre-S«.'ignenr. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 261 
 
 is(*s (Ic li>n- 
 i Hinr (<iui H 
 s(' 1' Ant el .!(' 
 loirc ul'm 'I'v 
 (MIX t'otrs «lo 
 ; (Ic lailll»ll.S 
 
 iciii, y avMiit 
 •lies (Motl'cs ;i 
 t <l("S jiilicrs, 
 
 •il.s !;*ont aiix 
 il y a cu t<Mit 
 ■u. Kt ctitn^ 
 
 c-8<.'igntuir. 
 
 '' An plafond paraissciit ([uantitu do tetoa d'Angos 
 pci^'aiit loH nncM's, ct t'livironnant six i^loltcs do In- 
 mir'n', en dciix d('s<[n('ls on voit dans nn SuK-il d'ur 
 
 I 
 
 cs sacrc'S noms ( 
 
 k- Ji 
 
 IS < 
 
 •t ^r 
 
 inc. I't anx (inatm 
 
 nitres, tons It's instruments de la Passion de Xi»tro- 
 
 S 
 
 eiirneur 
 
 " Le jour donne dans ce lien par denx fenetros, eu 
 ontnint a main dntite. La (rliapelle est fort [H'opre- 
 ment ]dau(d)ee. Knlin tout y est dans nne Ixdio 
 s^ymmotric et avec unc agreable decoration. Pour 
 en sortir sont aux deux extremites, denx petits por- 
 c.lies on forme de cabinets j)eints dedans et deliors; 
 I'un desijucls rendait, an commencement, dans l;i 
 cliumbre de Communaute et ([ui de[>uis ;i etc ferme 
 pour plus grand respect; rantresiUie vis-a-vis a dans 
 1<? mur a cote ganclie, et tout [U'oclie de la [)<»rt«! (la- 
 (pndlci donne sur I'escalier ([ui cttnduit du dortoir h 
 I'Eglise) nne grando table da marbro noir, ou e>t 
 decrite on lettros (Tor TlnttMition d(j la pieuse Fon- 
 datrice, [Maibdeine Luillier, Dame d(5 St. Beuve] en 
 Feroctiou de cette Ciiapelle. (l(!:25.) " 
 
 Awialcs mamiscritcs du Grand Convent de Paris 
 Tliese precious Annals of the first balf-century o. 
 tbe Grand Convent, form oin^ largo Volume of 
 000 pages, in folio; written by tlio same band, and 
 in tbe same leisnrly style as the extract givoi above. 
 Some account of tbo destruction of tiiat Convfuit 
 during th<^ reign of ten"(»r; will Ix^ given — God willing 
 — in a future volmne of the Glimpses. 
 
 •it 
 
2o: 
 
 APPKNDIX. 
 
 ! 
 
 p!' 
 
 H 
 
 For p;i,i,M) 1(59, Ex-votos. 
 
 \ scries of nrticlos on Ex-Votos^j written l)y ]\[iss 
 Kosc Howe, Mini ))iil)lisli(Ml in VOL Xf. ofthoyl/.v 
 Maria, aro lii,i(lily suijiicstivo fur iis, AinoricuM 
 rcadcvs. [TIkj full hi^adiiig is : Noth.F'^, 1/Ami; dk 
 Fo' •. '?!-' iKs]. TIk! Siyiioio Ci.'nonico Palnrun-i, 
 uX (»"r)'>a, explains liow to make a Sanctuary. 
 
 '' Til!;- . ways tli(^ Doctor, is ginieraliy the oriuln 
 of a Sanctnary [in lOiirope] ; — some one prays be- 
 fore a certain altjir, and Kvls that lie receives fnnn 
 Heaven that for which h(^ Ix'.t^s, so h(^ sends in t>ra- 
 titiid(! an cx-i'olo : another seeing it there, does lik(>- 
 wis(i; others follow their example. Fveutnally 
 there S[)rings np in the In^art (4' the i)eoplo a C(..i- 
 fid<Mic(MJi prayer offered at that altar ; ex-votoft in- 
 crease, and in time it l)econies a venerated Sanc- 
 tnary." 
 
 Further on she ex]>laines tlio cx-roto ; '' Au cx- 
 voto is siin])ly a standing thanksgiving for any gra(U> 
 obtained, any p(ii"il escap<'d, or petition graiited.'' 
 She giv(^s tln^ form of the most connnou in France : 
 ^' "Wooden tablets in neat gilt frames, containing a 
 concise narrativf^ [of favors] in hitters of g(dd on a 
 blue ground. INFarble tablets, — six by eight inches, 
 quadrangular, oval or square ; these an^ imbedded 
 in the walls; the letters cut in, gilded, or black. 
 In Notre-Daiiie-des-Victoires, in Paris, the lime 
 walls are entirely siipersed<»d by these marble r<>- 
 cords <}\ the compassion of the ^ Refuge of Sinners' 
 
 I : 
 
ArPENDIX. 
 
 2G3 
 
 tlie ^ C(tinf()-.-tr(\ss of [ho AfHictud.' J'Zv-votost mmj he 
 the work of our otin hfoids : — litllc l>aTiii(M\s (un- 
 l)n)i(K 'cd, — It'ttiTs \v< kcd on ciinl-hojinl (Mary luiH 
 licljicd. Tiiaiik.s to tlio Sacred Heart, — Josepli lias 
 heard my prayer &;e.) Iiiscrijjtioiis in letters ofi^idd- 
 C(.'or'-i clotli, or searlet or Idiie satin, inoire-anti([U(i ; 
 ])aintiiig on J5rist(d Itoard with an inscri[»ii(Hi, Ace 
 l\i'fn(jiam Pecmtonim dc. " 
 
 I 
 
 Pago .182. 
 
 Course of S ladies in the First Convent I r/".s. 
 
 i(n- any gra(U) 
 
 Tlio study of Latin, witliout l>eing ^H'citied as 
 forming part of the course, was so succe>*.'ii.ily pur- 
 sued by some of the nuns, tliat not only could tliey 
 read witli ease the Psalms, and the Homilies of the 
 Fathers which form the oilice of the Jireviary, l)ut 
 some couhl even write in that language. AVe have 
 noticed in tlie (d/ituaries of our nuns, tiiat ex})ressiiig 
 their sentiments of piety in their hut moments, they 
 made use of the Latin in citing tlw A'ords t)f the Psal- 
 mist, orof other parts of the I Joly Scriptures. Our V(Mi. 
 INIother was as familiar with Latin as witli Fr<'nch ; 
 yet, in her case, her science was rather infused than 
 acc^uired. It was chieliy by transhiting, and study- 
 ing traushitions that the nuns appear to have gained 
 their knowledge of the language of the Church, so 
 useful, especially to those who, every. <lay, incdude in 
 their devotions the recitation c .' the Divine oliice. 
 
I 
 
 2G4 
 
 APPKNDIX. 
 
 We may iidd that the kiiowlcdije of Ljitiii, was hi 
 tliose tiiiK s coiiiindii aiiKMii^ well-iutonncil feiiuiK's, 
 if couipaii'd to tlic present (•ciitury. 
 
 r 
 
 iiaii 
 
 Irfl 
 
 Cdnada was more fortmuttc dc. 
 
 Till' rollowiiiij^ extract fnnii the ^'Tith's and Do- 
 cnnients I'clatinu- to the Sei,i;iiiorlal Tennn*" in Ca- 
 iKuhi, sliows willi what truly Cliristian intentions th(i 
 settl(!nients oi" the Fren<'1i in America were nn(h'r- 
 takcn. 'rh(? n'^:iuient <•!" Cari^tian, so often ref(.'rred 
 to in the liistory of Canaihi is designated [>articnhiily 
 in tliis act : its name in Canada, la equivalent to a 
 tith' of nol>ilily. 
 
 ^'Tlie Sieur (h' 
 
 *Mkan 'I'alox, on(i of the Kind's Councilhu's ol' 
 State and Privy Coimcilhti's, Intenihint of Justice, 
 Police, and Financi's in Xcw France^, the Island of 
 New-foundland, Acadia, atid other ct)unirie8 of 
 New France. 
 
 '^'I'o all who these present letters shall see, greol- 
 iug: — 
 
 'Mlis Majesty having at all times sought with earo, 
 and the zeal s'litalde to his just tith^ of eldest son 
 of the Church, the means of making known in the 
 most unknown countries, l)y the pro})agation of the 
 Faith and the diifusiou of the Gospel, the glory of 
 God, and the Christian name, first and prindiml 
 
 la 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 205 
 
 it in, vva^< lu 
 t;il fcinalca, 
 
 object of Uio oatiil)llslnnout of tlio Froiich Col«»iiy in 
 
 (c. 
 
 Ics iind 1)<>- 
 
 uiro" in Cii- 
 intcutious tlui 
 vvcrc mxlcr- 
 ()ft(>n rcfcrrctl 
 a particnlaiiy 
 ^uivaUiiit to a 
 
 ;^(»iui('illo»'s of 
 ,t of .Justice, 
 th(3 Islaml of 
 foiiuiricsi of 
 
 iall so'^, ijjreel- 
 
 [olit witli caro, 
 of cliU'st son 
 
 |kn(»\vn in tlie 
 ligation of till! 
 I, the iilory of 
 md priticq^nl 
 
 /Uiiailji, luid nccesaoii 
 
 ily (»f 
 
 MuiUing known 
 
 to tl 
 
 10 
 
 parts (»f tlio Earth roinotost fnun iutorcourso with 
 civilized men, tlio grcatTicsa of his nanio ami tho 
 power of Iji.s urnis, and Iniving judged ti)at tliero 
 were no surer uufana to tliat elfect, than to compose 
 tliis Coh)ny of men (it hy their personal (pialities to 
 till it up, to extend it hy tlieir lal)or and a2)pli('ation 
 to agriiniUure, and maintain it hy a vigorous defence 
 against tho insults and attacks to vvliich it miglit 
 hereafter he exposed, has sent to this country a 
 iiumher of his faithful sulijects, officers of his troops 
 in the regiment of Carignan, and others, most of 
 them agreeahly to tlie great •dlu\2no^lS designs o( Wis 
 Majesty, heing willing to connect themeelves with 
 country hy forming tliereiu setlements and seignior- 
 ies of an extent proportionate to their means, and tho 
 
 Sieur N having petitioned us to grant him 
 
 a portion of laud : 
 
 '' Wo, in coDsideration of ihe good, useful and 
 praiseworthy services, grant and concede to the 
 Baid Sieur &o. 
 
 K 
 
 Pago 184. — Terms for hoard, d-c. 
 
 Wheu the little Indian girls, for VA^hom INIadaine do 
 la Peltrio had left funds, ceased to come to the Con- 
 vent (after 1725) tho donati' s applied to tho 
 education of young persons in indigent circumstances, 
 particularly those who had become poor through 
 
200 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 accident or inisfortnnos. Thoso fiuida, placed in 
 Fnuice, were lost during tlio French Kevolution, and 
 licver recovered. 
 
 In justice to tbe French government while it ruled 
 Canada^ wo should state that all th(! cducatioua.i 
 estahlishinents in the country received (after 1(]()<)) a 
 certain suhsidy, to be applied to the purpot'Co of 
 education. 
 
 L r*;>g<^ 218. This act, first made in the 
 
 Great Convent, Paris, in 1038, dx. 
 
 We transcril)e from the original : 
 
 Cette atince, au ineine tcinps que lo roi trtis-chrc- 
 tien Jjouis XIII, poussc d'une devotion speciale en- 
 vers Notre-Daine, mit sa personne et son royaunie, 
 sous sa protection ; la Mere Beron do Ste. Made- 
 leine eut uno forte inspiration de prendre la memo 
 
 Notre-Dame pour premiere et princi[)alti Superieure 
 do CO grand Couvent, lui remettaut la charge, et 
 
 tout Fetat spirituel ot temporel eutro les nuiins, 
 
 pour relever deso'inais d'elle. Ses lleligieuses y 
 
 iiyant tres volonticrs consenti, s'assemblereut pour 
 
 cet eflet en leur Chapelle des Saints., au sortir do 
 
 la Ilauto Messe, ou elles avaient communid, le pro- 
 
 inier Dimauche d'Octohre fete du llosaire, qui dcheoit 
 
 cetto anueo lo troisieme du memo mois. Ui fut 
 
 chantd le Veni Creator, et un Saluta la Ste. Vierge, 
 
 apres quoi la Superieure a genoux devant son Imago 
 
 en relief tenant le petit Jesus, mit la clef de la 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 2t7 
 
 Ih, placotl ill 
 vohitiou, ami 
 
 A'liilo it ruled 
 ) ('(Im'iitioiKii 
 (iiftor UJ(i<I) a 
 3 piirpoH'Jo of 
 
 e in the • 
 
 1 roi tr^s-chv6- 
 
 in Hpeciale cmi- 
 
 , son royamrie, 
 
 lo Sto. Mado- 
 
 lulre la incine 
 
 il.^ Siipericuro 
 
 la charge, ol 
 
 ro les maiiia, 
 llellgieuscs y 
 [iiiblerout pour 
 jiu sortir do 
 |muuic, le pro- 
 re, qui dchcoit 
 moia. Jjh> fut 
 a Ste. Viergo, 
 |aut son Imago 
 la clef de la 
 
 porto Convontncllo ^ S(>.s picds, puis ])rouon(ja ii, 
 liaiito voix roflVatido (rdlo ct do la niaison u rMlo 
 Ste. Muro do Dicn, hcIou quo la fervour lui suggd- 
 rait, I'acconipagnaut do larnu's do toudrcsso ausHi 
 bion quo tout(?s h(!S iillcs, l('S(piollos (hMuandoront 
 aprcs, la bonodiotion a lour priiicipalo More ot Su- 
 j)oriouro, ot cbantiirontou action do grace uu Laudato 
 Doniinuni (unnos gontos. 
 
 Cott(; Holonnollo action so ronouvollacliaquo ann6e 
 u paroil jour, suivant la fonnulo qui en a oto drossdo, 
 Et lo Suporiour avoc Cliapitro con.sontant a sa con- 
 tinuation do trois on trois ans, oil encore, quolquo 
 jtnir plus couunodo apros PEIoction do la Snporiouro. 
 IjOs Roligiousos en la niomoCliapollo dos Saints al- 
 laiont toiitos en lour rang rondro lours honnnagos et 
 reconnaissaucos a la tros Ste. Viergo, clumtant pen- 
 dant c(^tto Corouionio lo To Doum Laudanjns. A 
 I'inijirossion dos Koglomonts do I'Ordro, on y insora 
 COS deux prati(j[uos, pour otro observeos par tous lea 
 Mouastcres do la Congregation do Paris. 
 
 IVI 
 
 Manuscri^pt Annals 'of Paris. 
 Page 84. [Note C continued.] 
 
 8*^1110 of our youthful readers, inhabiting Quebec 
 may naturally enquire vvhere the Inteudant's Palaco 
 was situated. An extract from the ^^liues de Quehec^\ 
 a recent pamphlet duo to the indefatigable and eru- 
 dite pen of J. M. Lenioiue, Esip, will give t];- de- 
 sired iufonuatiou : 
 
 7 , 
 
 \ 
 
 \ 
 I 
 
:-•. ■ ■ f 
 
 . ^' 
 
 268 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 *' L'lntoudaut Do Mrullos, vers 1G84, dota la 
 j)oiiite est (111 qiuirtit'i' [Saint- Roch] d'uu ediiioe ro- 
 inan[iiable par sos dimensiods, sa iiiagiiiticeiKM', s<'S 
 jardins ornes, lo Palais do IMutoudaut. Oil Talon 
 Hvait laissc uue brassorio v.n dccadoiico ct ])rc8 do 
 dix-y('j)t arpouts do terro iion occuix's, Louis XIV, 
 sur I'avls do sou iutondaiit De Mcullcs, })rodigua do 
 VMstos sommcs pour y t'riger uu }talais faistucux, oil 
 la justice frau^aise se reudait, on plu.s tard, sous Bi- 
 got, die so veudait Pros du site de I'aucieu palais, 
 
 s'eleve maintenaut la brasserie de M. Hoswell. " 
 
 The pabiee, situated so conmiodiously on tlie banks 
 of tlie St. CMiarles, at a short distance from th< " 'j^ter 
 Town, was left in ruins by the war of tlie American 
 invasion, iu 1775-1 77(>, under Armdd. 
 
 1^ 
 
rs 1G84, (l(Ua h\ 
 h] d'uu edUioe rc- 
 , uiagui licence, ses 
 ;i(liUit. Ou l\il(iu 
 adeiico ot pros do 
 ii|)cs, Louis XIV, 
 Millcs?, jn'odigiui do 
 Kihiis fiLstiieiix, oh 
 i)lu.s turd, souH Bi- 
 ^ do I'aiiciou pulais, 
 M. Hoswell." 
 
 iously on Iho hanks 
 ico from tli< '^}»})er 
 ir of tho Anicriciiu 
 lold. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 (VOL. II.) 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 THR MONASTERY AGAIN. 
 
 Tlie work of Mcihor Mary ot the Incarnation con- 
 tinued, p. 'A. — iStatistic??, 5. — A ImHowimI anniverdury, 
 6. — Tlic pupils^ 7. — Election ul'a Supurior, U. 
 
 CHAPTEU ir. 
 
 A MEMORABLE DATE. 
 
 Layi.ig tl.e lir.at-stone oi' LdSainteFaviille, p. 13. 
 — Deatli and burial of AgnesWe-kwes, 1.0. — Octoljer, 
 afi])('cl of the Mona.^tery, 19. — The alarm, 22. — ''All 
 is lost," 23. — Three of the spectators, 26.— How the 
 Nuns bear the trial, 27. 
 
 CHAPTER in. 
 
 RESTORATION OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 The Ursulines at the Hotel-Dieu,;?. 28.— The feast 
 of St. Ursula, 30. — Incidents, 31. — A little Convent, 
 34 — Friends in adversity, 35. — The winter and spring 
 pass, 37. — Classes, 37. — Mortal illness of Mother St. 
 Croix, 38. — Fervor, 40. — The restoration completed, 
 43. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 CLOSE OF 'IHE FIRST HALF-CENTURY, 
 
 Coijicidence of the restoration, p. 44. — Vocations, 
 45. — A new chapel, 48. — Guardians of the Monas- 
 
 x^, 
 
II 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 
 tory, 50. — The country on the britik of ruin, 51. — 
 Preparations lor uar, 52. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 THK ALARMS OF WAR. 
 
 Coiitrani of tlie present witli tlie past, p. 55. — The 
 Annals furnish tlie recital of the Sieize, 57. — Oui 
 Lady of Victory, (32. — lluw the Nuns keep a festival, 
 63. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 THE SECOND SUPERIOUESS OF THE MOXASTEllV. 
 
 Rev. Mother Mariraret de Flecelles of St. Athana- 
 sius, ^. (')().- — Her youth, G?.— ller vocati<»ii to Ca- 
 uada, (ID.— MothiT St. Clare, 70.— "O/o' most hon 
 ored and bclocvd Mother'"' described hy the Annals, 7;> 
 — The Constitutions of Paris ado})tcd, 78. 
 
 CHAPTER Vn. 
 
 FOUNDATION OF THE I'llSULINES OF THREE RlVEi;S, 
 
 Educational Institutions in Canada, p. 79. — Pro- 
 ject of liisliop Saint-Valier, 81. — Consultations and 
 journeys, 82. — Prosperity of the new Convent; 80. — 
 Trials of a later day, 88. 
 
 CHAPTER Vm. 
 
 FEAST OF THE SACRED HEART ESTABLISHED. 
 
 Orii^in of the Feast of tlie Sacred Heart, p. 90. — 
 Tiie devotion already known in tlie iMonastery, 91. 
 — Establishment of the J'east, 94. — The th*st slirine, 
 95.— The Association, 97. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 TOE LAST SURVIVOR OF 1G39. 
 
 Biographical Notice of Motlier Charlotte Barre of 
 St. Ignatius, 'p. 100. — Early i>iety, gcMierosity, 101. 
 — Her edifying life, 104. — Links in the chain of tra 
 dition, 105. 
 
CONTKNTS. in 
 
 CriAPTER X. 
 
 DAWN OF TlIK IStiI CKNTl'RY. 
 
 The Colony visited \>y lanrnio, Hickiies.s .'ind war, 
 p.lOl. — Maliulics in llie Convent, lOM.— Oiher c])!- 
 demies, 110. — Consolutujiis in the midst oftriuln, 1 12. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 THE TIIRKE CAPTIVES. 
 
 Allusion to ourly tiine«j,/>. 11 o. — The fjitnily Wlieel- 
 riulit, 1 U). — Esther anion;j; tlie Indians, 117. — Tiie 
 Plack-robe, US.— The Caj)live n-cued, i'iO— She 
 enters the Convent, 121. — Takes the veil, \2:\.- — is 
 adniittevl to proiessiun, 12 t. — Two other Captives, 
 125. 
 
 CHAPTER XH. 
 
 'iniO MONASTKIIY ENI.AUG kl). 
 
 The Nuns note the si^ns ol" the times, and resolve 
 to build, p. 1.T2. — Their ardor, 135. — Their Church 
 completed, (1T2;J) 137. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 QUKBEC IN 1720 : TlIK NOVITIATE OF TIIE CUSULINES. 
 
 Charlevoix's j)icture of life and manners, p. 139. — 
 Our Novitiate at the same date, 141. — The novices 
 introduced : Miss Wheelwright, 142. — Miss de Muy, 
 Miss de Boucherville and Miss de Kamesay, 143. — 
 Miss des Meloises, 140. — The Misses Gaillard and 
 other novices, 151. — More youn;L? ladies from Mon- 
 treal, 152 — and from the environs of Quebec, 154. — 
 Thoughts on the Religious life, 155. — Recreations, 
 151). 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 THE CHAPEL OF SAINTS. 
 
 Description of the Chapel, p. 102. — The relics, 
 1G3. — Other sacred objects, IGG.— Ex-Votos, IGi). — 
 
w 
 
 i 
 
 11 
 
 IV 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 I / 
 
 The Votive Lamp, 170. — The donor, Mis8 de Repen- 
 tigny, 172. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 EDUCATION IN THE CONyr:NT. 
 
 The relation of pupil and Convent Mother, p. 178. 
 — Load Government, 179. — Courpt of studies, 182. 
 — Zeal for education, 18,'J. — The Day-School, 185. — 
 Etl'ects of religions teaching, 188. — Specimen of 
 names on old lists; Miss Fezeret, 100. — The Misses 
 de Kamesay, 195. — The Mis.'^ea Bcgon and their 
 schoolmates, 1^6. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 ANCIKNT SUPERIORS. 
 
 Nuuiber of Superiors in 2U0 years, p. 199. — Rev. 
 Mother Drout't of Je.-^us, 202. — Rev. Mothers St. 
 Agnes and St. Joseph, 203.— Rev. Mother Le Maire 
 de's Angos, 20G.— Rev. Mothers St. John and St. 'JY-- 
 resa, 209. — Our Perpeuuil Superioress, 215. — Act of 
 consecration, 217. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIT. 
 
 THE CENTENNIA.i ANNIVERSARY. 
 
 Celebration of religious festivals, p. 221. — Prepa- 
 rations for the Centennial, 222. — The Tridaum, 
 224.— The Indians, 227.— An Inscription, 228. 
 
 CHAPTER XVm. 
 
 THE 2d mothers MARY OF THE INCARNATION AND 
 
 S''. CROIX. 
 
 Statistics of the Community, coincidences, p. 230. 
 — Mother Catli. Pinguet of the Incarnation, her 
 youth, 232.— Her life in the cloister, 233. — Testimo- 
 ny the Annals render to Mother Dailleboust of St. 
 Crcix, 236. 
 
 Table of the Professed Nuns from 1639 to 1739, p, 
 
 24^ 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 NOTES AND DOCUMENTS, p. 249. 
 
or, Mi&8 de Repen- 
 
 INYCNT. -^ ,,-""♦ 
 
 mi Mother, ;?. 178. 
 
 I'Ft of ptiulies, 182. 
 Day-School, 185.— 
 38."^ — Specimen of 
 , 190.— The Misses 
 Begoii and their 
 
 I. 
 
 eari^, p. 199.— Rev. 
 -Rev. Mothers St. 
 . Mother Le Maire 
 it. John and St. 'j'e- 
 orees, 21.'). — Act of 
 
 IT. 
 
 VERSARY. 
 
 i\8, p. 221.— Prepa- 
 i.— The Trid'uum, 
 script ion, 228. 
 
 III. 
 
 i INCARNATION AND 
 
 oincidences, p. 230. 
 ? Incarnation, her 
 3ter, 233.— Testimo- 
 : Dailleboust of St. 
 
 om 1639 to 1739, p. 
 
 s, p. 249.