THE LIFE AND SPIRITUALITY OF SAINT MARIE OF THE INCARNATION
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
On April 30, the Church in Canada celebrates the life and witness of Saint Marie of the Incarnation, founder of the Ursulines in New France and of a convent school to educate girls. Daughters of both the French settlers and Aboriginal Peoples were educated together, sharing the same table and the same dwelling. After learning several Aboriginal languages, she compiled catechisms and prayers in Huron and Algonquin, as well as an Algonquin dictionary. Saint Marie of the Incarnation began a long tradition throughout our continent of Ursuline elementary and secondary schools, dedicated to the education of girls and young women of all faiths and languages. Her canonization by Pope Francis on April 3, 2014, coincided with the 375th anniversary of her arrival in what is today Quebec City. The principal text outlining her life and spirituality which has been posted on the CCCB Website is an extract and translation from the liturgical supplement issued by the French Sector Commission for Liturgy and the Sacraments for each Canadian Saint and Blessed. Printed copies of the complete supplement in French are on sale from CCCB Publications.
The following outline of her life and spirituality is part of an initiative by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) to celebrate the Year of Consecrated Life. The CCCB English Sector Office for Evangelization and Catechesis has developed catechetical resources on the life and spirituality of Saint Marie of the Incarnation.
Link to the biography of Saint Marie of the Incarnation (PDF)