Founders
Reverend Modeste
Demers
n 1860, the Sisters
of St. Ann moved its headquarters to Lachine, on the banks
of the St. Lawrence
River. Mother Mary Ann, although distanced from her Sisters in the
west, continued to think of them and sent letters of support when
a member of the community made the trip West.
The following excerpt is from a letter dated July 16, 1876, addressed
by "Sister Mary Ann" to her "Reverend and much-beloved
Sisters", in Victoria.
It
is quite probable that this will be the last time my unsteady
hand fills pages destined for you; and I would like to be
able to set down on paper my heartfelt sentiments to prove
to you that they are as fervent as ever. You would understand
how interested I am in the foundation of Victoria.
I saw the birth of the little Community of the Daughters
of Saint Anne. I was a witness to its first years. For all
the happiness which flooded my soul then, little did I foresee
that one day I would see its fortunate members doing good
in a far away land. How sweet it is for me, then, to think
that you are all working faithfully in the Lord's vineyard.
(from
the correspondence
of Mother Marie Anne)
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Reverend
Modeste Demers
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Bishop Demers
was clear that the mission in Victoria involved the education of
the young people in the area, and the care of the sick. These goals
were met by the Sisters who, through training and experience became
nurses and teachers, and often acted as both. These ideals were
part of the calling of Esther Blondin, the reasons she felt the
need to dedicate herself to a religious life. Her quiet, often inconspicuous
presence in the Convent was surpassed by her drive to educate the
poor and heal the ill. She kept in mind her goals despite the struggles
and oppositions her determination entaled.
Mother Mary Ann was considered such an exemplary figure, that she
is currently undergoing the process required for canonization, so
that she may obtain sainthood within the Catholic Church. The steps
in this process span years. Mother Marie Anne Blondin was declared
"Venerable", sacred by reason of her religious life and
heroic virtues, on May 14, 1991. On June 28, 1999, Pope John Paul
II signed the declaration approving the "Beatification",
the blessedness, of Venerable Marie Anne Blondin. That ceremony
by which she will move from being Venerable to Blessed has not yet
happened, but is eagerly awaited by the Sisters of Saint Ann.
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