Montreal Area (Varennes, Quebec): Basilica Saint-Anne-Varennes
About Marie-Marguerite d’Youville:
Born here on June 15, 1701, Marguerite was a French Canadian woman who was widowed at the age of 30. While raising their two sons, both of whom became priests, she did many charitable works. She even invited a blind woman to live in her home. When word spread of her charity, three other women who wished to work with the poor came to her, and as a group, they consecrated their lives to God.
In 1731, she, along with three other women, founded a religious association, the Order of Sisters of Charity of Montreal, commonly known as the Grey Nuns of Montreal. The purpose was to work with the poor, unwed mothers and orphans of Montreal. Such kindness to the poor, especially unwed mothers, was not always appreciated in those days; so much so, that calling them the Grey Nuns of Montreal was almost a sign of dis-respect (Marie-Marguerite’s husband had been a bootlegger, so this was not the cream of society).
She and her sisters rebuilt a local hospital and cared for people in need. Marguerite became superior of the order and was known as the “mother of the poor.” When a fire destroyed the hospital she undertook its reconstruction. The work exhausted her, and she died on December 23, 1771.
Nevertheless, the association grew, and in 1744, formally became a religious order. Among their accomplishments, they brought the General Hospital of Montreal back from ruins and debt…only to have it destroyed by fire in 1765. She undertook its reconstruction and the soon rebuilt the hospital. The work had work had exhausted her, and she died on December 23, 1771 in the hospital that she had helped rebuild.
Among the other accomplishments of the order following her death was the founding of D’Youville College in Buffalo, New York in 1908. It was the first college in Western New York to offer baccalaureate degree programs for women. There is a statue of her on the campus as you can see on the left.
Today it has expanded its course offerings to become a university with several colleges and is now named D’Youville University.
She was canonized by Pope John-Paul II on December 9, 1990, the first native-born Canadian to be declared a saint. She is patroness of widows and difficult marriages.
The Feast Day of Saint Marie-Marguerite d’Youville is October 16 in Canada and the U.S. Some calendars show her feast day as June 15 ( her date of birth) although her death on October 16, would seem to be the correct one.
About the Basilica Saint-Anne-Varennes (Basilique Sainte-Anne de Varennes) in Quebec:
Built in Romanesque-Byzantine style, the church was consecrated on June 27, 1888. The granite tomb containing the mortal remains of Saint Marguerite d’Youville and recalls the color of the habit worn by the Sisters of Charity, the congregation she inspired. The bouquet of daisies represents her continuing influence.
Near the Basilica is Maison Grise (the Grey House) where the order was founded.
There is a gift shop located in the Basilica’s museum that has religious items such as rosaries, medals, statues and various items bearing the likeness of Saint Marguerite d’Youville.
Traveling to Varennes and the Basilica Saint-Anne-Varennes (Basilique Sainte-Anne de Varennes) in Quebec:
As mentioned above, Varennes is just outside the city limits of Montreal. You can reach it by Subway (Line 4) from downtown Montreal.
Address: 30 Rue de la Fabrique, Varennes, QC J3X 1R1, Canada
Tel: +1 450-583-6023
email: info@sanctuaireyouville.ca
Click here for the official website of the Basilica Saint-Anne-Varennes (Basilique Sainte-Anne de Varennes) in Quebec: