Brief History
Marguerite d'Youville, founder
Brief History
The Sisters
of Charity, better known as the “Grey Nuns” were founded by
Marguerite d’Youville in 1737.
The Foundress, Marguerite d’Youville, was a widow and mother of two young sons. Besides caring for the needs of her family she also extended a helping hand to life’s wounded people in her midst. In the broken hearts, spirits and bodies of the destitute she saw Jesus Christ. Along with three companions who shared her desire to care for the most down-trodden, and with courage and determination, she opened a Home to welcome those in need thus giving them a place to stay and to be fed. Despite harsh criticism and discouraging setbacks, she persevered in carrying out works of charity until her death in 1771. At her beatification Pope John XXIII called her “Mother of Universal Charity”. She was officially recognized as a Saint of the Church in 1990 and given to the world as a model of compassionate love.
Today, five other autonomous Congregations continue the mission of Marguerite d’Youville.
- Sisters of Charity of St. Hyacinthe (1840)
- Sisters of Charity of Ottawa (1845)
- Sisters of Charity of Quebec (1849)
- Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart (Yardley, U.S.A.) (1921)
- Grey Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (Pembroke, Canada) (1926)
MARGUERITE
D'YOUVILLE
The Early Years
Marguerite was born 15 October 1701 in Varennes, Quebec. She was the eldest
of six children who were to lose their father when Marguerite was but
seven years old. At the age of eleven, she had the opportunity to be enrolled
at the Ursuline Convent in Québec for two years of education. She
was then to return home where she became not only a teacher for her younger
brothers and sisters, but her mother’s indispensable helper.
Courtship Deception
Marguerite grew up to be a lovely and mature young lady who was
much sought after socially. A bright and positive future seemed to lie
ahead with a promise of marriage to a young man of nobility. However,
this marriage prospect was to end abruptly when her mother married an
Irish doctor whom Varennes society considered as a foreigner of doubtful
reputation.
Wife
After moving to Montreal with her family, Marguerite met François
d’Youville who asked to marry her and they were wedded 12 August
1722. They went to live with his mother who was an avaricious, domineering
woman. Marguerite was soon to discover that her husband was flighty, self-centered,
and indifferent. His lengthy absences and illegal liquor trading with
the Indians caused her much suffering. It was after eight years of marriage
and when pregnant with their sixth child that François at age 30
became seriously ill and died. Of their six children four died in infancy.
Widowhood
A widow at 28, Marguerite was left with two small sons to raise,
her husband’s enormous debts and a marred reputation. She opened
a small store in order to repay these debts, educate her sons, and provide
for the needs of Montreal’s poor who came across her path. Her relatives
did not approve of this concern for the poor as it was not appropriate
for “women of her class”. Marguerite’s profound sensitivity
regarding people in need drove her to persevere in face of opposition.
The Cry of the Poor...
always resonated in Marguerite’s heart. When she was 26,
God gifted her with a special grace which was to be the turning point
of her life. She came to the deep realization that in the great human
family we are all sisters and brothers loved by a providential and compassionate
God. This powerful insight transformed her life into a mission of universal
charity.
A
Religious Order is born
Marguerite welcomed her first resident, a blind woman, into her
home 21 November 1737. She also begged for assistance to bury criminals
who had been hung in the market place. Seeing her selflessly caring for
the poor inspired three women to join her. On 31 December, 1737, they
consecrated themselves to the service of the poor in whom they saw the
very person of Jesus Christ, This decisive moment is considered the founding
date of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Montreal, “Grey
Nuns”.
The “Grey Nuns”
“Grey Nuns” was a name given in mockery to this small group.
In French the word for “grey” which can also mean «
tipsy » was shouted in contempt at Marguerite and her sisters. The
scoffers associated them with François d’Youville’s
liquor traffic. Later, when the sisters were well respected, Marguerite
chose this name to remind them of their humble beginnings.
Times
of Trials and Tribulations
The following years were marked by one trial after another: destruction
by fire, personal illness, extreme poverty, conquest by the British. All
was accepted within a spirit of prayerful trust in Divine Providence.
Marguerite and her companions never faltered from the promises they made
on 2 February 1745, the day after fire destroyed their home, when they
signed the Original Commitment “to receive, feed and support as
many poor as we can take care of…” They remained serene drawing
strength from their inexhaustible confidence in a provident God the Father.
A New Home
The General Hospital of Montreal built in 1693 by the Charon Brothers
was in ruins. Marguerite was appointed the temporary director because
no one else wanted the job. She and her companions moved into the hospital
7 October1747. Within three years they had completely renovated the place
to become “home” to anyone without any discrimination. “Go
to the Grey Nuns, they never refuse”.
Renewed
opposition
Unbeknownst to Marguerite, it was decided by the authorities that the
General Hospital would be merged with the one in Quebec. With her usual
trust in God she said: “If God calls us to govern this house, his
plan will succeed, the impediments and opposition of men should not trouble
us.” 1753, Louis XV of France signed the “Letters Patent”
which sanctioned the appointment of Marguerite as Director of the General
Hospital. Soon the hospital was filled to capacity, sheltering the elderly,
orphans, prostitutes, the mentally ill, physically handicapped, chronically
ill and abandoned infants.
A
Legacy of Love
Marguerite lived in the General Hospital from 1747 to her death
23 December 1771. She opened her heart and home to every type of human
misery. Marguerite fought for the rights of the poor and frequently disregarded
the social conventions of her day. Her primary concern was to spread the
Good News of God’s compassionate love for every human being. Marguerite
d’Youville left a lifetime filled with works of mercy.
Marguerite’s last words are still today a source of inspiration for Grey Nuns. Her last request was that her sisters remain faithful as they journeyed along the path laid out for them by God, that they go forward in a spirit of obedience to the will of the Father and above all, she urged them to live in perfect union and charity.
Pope John XXIII beatified Marguerite 3 May 1959 and proclaimed her `Mother of Universal Charity`. She was the first Canadian woman to be called `Blessed`. On 9 December 1990, Pope John Paul II canonized this “Mother of the Poor” and presented her to the entire world as a model of compassionate love. The Church celebrates her liturgical feast 16 October.