Launching of 375th anniversary of the arrival of Augustine and Ursuline Sisters in Canada

Friday, April 25, 2014

On April 24, 2014, Sister Hélène Marquis, A.M.J., General Superior of the Augustines de la Miséricorde de Jésus (Augustines of the Mercy of Jesus), and Sister Louise Gosselin, O.S.U., General Superior of the Canadian Union of Ursulines, held a news conference in Quebec City, launching the 375th anniversary of the arrival of the Augustines and Ursulines in North America. On August 1, 1639, the Canonesses of Saint Augustine, also known as the Hospitaller Sisters, arrived in New France to establish the first hospital in North America north of Mexico, with the Ursuline nuns arriving the same day to establish the first educational institution in North America for women and girls. Both religious communities remain active today. Other guest speakers at the news conference to launch the public festivities for this historic anniversary included the Grand Chief of the Huron-Wendat First Nation, Mr. Konrad Sioui, and the Most Reverend Gaétan Proulx, O.S.M., Auxiliary Bishop of Québec, who represented His Eminence Gérald Cyprien Cardinal Lacroix, Archbishop of Québec and Primate of the Church in Canada.

Link to the video archives of the news conference on ECDQ.TV (in French only)
Link to the Website of the 375th anniversary (in French only)