Sisters of Providence (Montreal) facts for kids
The Sisters of Providence are a group of Catholic sisters. They were started in 1843 by a kind woman named Émilie Gamelin. Their main office is in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Sisters of Providence have five main regions around the world.
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The Sisters of Providence: A History of Helping
The Sisters of Providence, also known as "Daughters of Charity, Servants of the Poor," began in Montreal, Canada. They were founded on March 25, 1843. The founders were Bishop Ignace Bourget and Madame Jean Baptiste Gamelin. Her full name was Marie Emélie Eugénie Tavernier.
Émilie Gamelin's Early Work
Émilie Gamelin had a sad past, losing her husband and three children. This led her to feel a special connection to "Our Lady of Sorrows." This day is still a very important celebration for the Sisters.
Even before the Sisters were officially formed, Émilie was helping people. She was a widow with no children. For some time, she welcomed many sick and poor elderly women into her own home. In 1836, Émilie and 24 people she cared for moved to a bigger house. This new home was called "Providence House."
Starting the Congregation
Bishop Bourget wanted to bring French Sisters of Charity to Montreal. But when that plan didn't work out, he asked young women from his own area to help. On March 25, 1843, seven sisters received their religious clothes from him. This happened in the chapel of the first shelter in Montreal. Émilie Gamelin became the first leader of this new group.
The new organization grew quickly. Their goal was to help the poor and sick in many ways. They offered spiritual and physical comfort. They also provided shelter for children and the elderly. The Sisters visited homes of the poor and ill. They also ran places where needy people could get medicine. And they taught young people. For example, they opened a shelter for Irish orphans. They also took charge of a school for girls.
Expanding Across North America
The Sisters of Providence soon began to help people in other places. In 1854, they opened St. Joseph Orphanage in Burlington, Vermont, USA. This was at the request of Bishop Louis de Goesbriand.
In 1856, Bishop Augustin-Magloire Blanchet asked the Sisters for help. He was the bishop of the new Diocese of Nesqually in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Sister Joseph Pariseau was chosen to lead four other sisters on this mission. They traveled for over a month by train and ship from Montreal. They arrived on December 8, 1856.
They settled in Vancouver, Washington. There, they started a convent-school. Soon after, they opened St. Joseph Hospital. This hospital later grew into PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center. Sister Joseph Pariseau went on to design and build more than 30 hospitals, schools, orphanages, and libraries. These were built across British Columbia, Washington, Montana, Idaho, and Oregon. Because of her important work, the State of Washington honored her. She is one of two people who represent the state in the National Statuary Hall Collection in Washington, D.C.
The Sisters of Providence of Montreal also helped start other groups:
- The Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul in Kingston, Ontario, Canada (1861)
- The Sisters of Our Lady of Seven Dolors (1887)
The Sisters of Providence Today
The Sisters of Providence believe that God's loving presence watches over everyone. They feel that God is active in them and through them, helping others. This belief is what they call "Providence."
The congregation is part of a group called the Women of Providence in Collaboration.
Providence Health & Services is a large healthcare system. It was started by the Sisters of Providence.
The Museum of the Sisters of Providence opened in 1996. It is located in the Providence International Centre. The museum shares the story of Émilie Gamelin and the history of the Sisters of Providence.
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