Marie-Marguerite d'Youville facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SaintMarie-Marguerite d'Youville SGM |
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Portrait, McCord Stewart Museum
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| Born | Marie-Marguerite Dufrost de Lajemmerais October 15, 1701 Varennes, Canada, New France |
| Died | December 23, 1771 (aged 70) Montreal, Province of Quebec, British North America |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | May 3, 1959, Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, by Pope John XXIII |
| Canonized | December 9, 1990, Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, by Pope John Paul II |
| Feast | October 16 |
| Attributes | Religious habit |
Marguerite d'Youville was a brave French-Canadian woman who started a special group called the "Grey Nuns." This group helped people who were poor or sick. In 1990, she became the first Canadian-born person to be recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church.
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Early Life and Challenges
Marguerite was born Marie-Marguerite Dufrost de Lajemmerais in 1701 in Varennes, Quebec. She was the oldest daughter in her family. Her father passed away when she was still a young girl.
Even though her family was not rich, Marguerite was able to go to the Ursuline convent in Quebec City for two years when she was 11. After that, she went home to help teach her younger brothers and sisters.
On August 12, 1722, Marguerite married François d'Youville in Montreal. Her husband was involved in trading and often left home for long periods. They had six children together before he passed away in 1730.
By the time she was 30, Marguerite had faced many sad losses. Her father, her husband, and four of her six children had all passed away. Through these difficult times, Marguerite's faith grew stronger. She felt God's love and wanted to share that love with others. She began many acts of kindness, trusting completely in God.
Starting the Grey Nuns
In 1737, Marguerite and three other women decided to create a special group. Their goal was to provide a home for poor people in Montreal. At first, their home was small, with only a few people. But it grew as the women worked hard to raise money.
Some people made fun of Marguerite and her friends. They even called them "les grises," which could mean "the grey women" or "the drunken women." This was a mean joke about her late husband's past.
By 1744, the group became a formal religious community. In 1747, they were given permission to run the General Hospital of Montreal. This hospital was in bad shape and had many debts. Marguerite and her group worked hard to make the hospital financially stable again.
Sadly, the hospital was destroyed by a fire in 1765. But the Grey Nuns quickly rebuilt it. As their group grew and helped people in other cities, they became known simply as the "Grey Nuns."
Helping Others and Challenges
Marguerite d'Youville and the Grey Nuns were known for helping many people. They cared for the sick and those in need at their hospital.
During their time, the Grey Nuns also took in people who were prisoners of war. These were often English soldiers who were captured. The hospital provided them with a place to stay and work. Many of these soldiers were grateful to be in a place where they had a better chance of surviving than in other prisons.
Becoming a Saint
Marguerite d'Youville passed away in 1771 at the General Hospital. After her death, many people continued to pray to her for help.
In 1959, she was recognized as "blessed" by Pope John XXIII. He called her "Mother of universal charity" because of her great kindness.
Then, in 1990, Pope John Paul II officially declared her a saint. This made her the first person born in Canada to become a saint in the Roman Catholic Church. Her special day, called a feast day, is celebrated on October 16.
In 1961, a special place was built in her hometown of Varennes to honor her. Today, you can visit it to learn more about her life and work.
One of the reasons she was made a saint was because of a medically unexplained healing. A patient with a serious illness, acute myeloid leukemia, got better after prayers were said to Sister Marguerite. This patient lived for over 40 years, which was very unusual for that illness.
Many churches, schools, and charities around the world are named after Saint Marguerite d'Youville. For example, D'Youville University in Buffalo, New York, is named after her.
Final Resting Place
In 2010, Saint Marie-Marguerite d'Youville's remains were moved from the Grey Nuns Motherhouse to her birthplace in Varennes.
Recognition
On September 21, 1978, Canada Post released stamps honoring Marguerite d'Youville. These stamps were designed by Antoine Dumas.
See also
- Canadian Roman Catholic saints
- Grey Nuns
