En route to Canada   The crossing   Departure for Sainte-Adélaïde de Pabos 
 A Letter Instead of a Trip   Letter From Mother Marie-Fidèle   School opening 
Second  Departure to Canada   Arrival of the Second Group   Stay at Halifax   A trip to Rimouski 
  Letter March 26, 1903     1897, A difficult end of year    October 9, 1897   On the way to England 
  Arrival in Minehead    A decisive meeting   Seeking Answers to Puzzling Questions
 Sr. Marie de Jésus, delegate of Mother Marie Fidèle   From on attempt to the next  New attempts
Endeavors of Mgr. F.-X. Bossé   Unusual offers   Mgr L-N Bégin Accepts the SCSL
The North American Branch Takes Root


The uncertainty is great. The apprehension is real. But it is with much enthusiasm that the Sisters assume the direction of the school.


Expecting a bright future, Mgr. Bossé put the Sisters to work; they could not ask for better as they took possession of the village school on December 1, 1902. From thirty, the number of students increased to seventy-four (…) The speedy progress of the students lightened the teachers' work. The students were very docile; they liked and respected the Sisters. (R-2)

All know English and French; they are somewhat below average, but, in general, they seem intelligent; I hope that all will be well if God answers our prayers. (C-1)
In the Spring, the small school numbered 103 students. (R-1)
In December, 1902 : 30 pupils
In June, 1903 : 103 pupils
A primitive one-room school with windows that cannot be opened. However, the teachers would remain in this small room, amidst their students, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. They even ate their noon meal with them and were more than once surprised to find frozen bread in their lunch box.

Fortunately, the Divine Master was watching over his spouses, who kept in good health. All would have been for the best, except for a constant big cloud on the Rimouski side. (R-1)


Sr. St. Eugénie shares her joy and anxiety in a letter to Mother Candide de Jesus, des Servantes du Saint-Coeur de Marie.  (This Sister, who will be introduced later, has been instrumental in the decision-making of the settlement of the Sisters of Charity of St.Louis in North America)

 

My dear Mother,


St. Adelaide, December 1, 1902

Finding myself in a present confusing situation, I turn to you and to your kind sisters to ask you to join us in prayer concerning our work.

I have not seen Monsignor of Rimouski, it is true, and like you, I have considered it as God's Will; however, I had to write to him Saturday; perhaps, it would have been better to do it earlier, (…) I am anxiously awaiting a response, putting my entire trust in the maternal kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Sr. Candide de Jésus,
des Soeurs Servantes du 
Saint-Coeur de Marie

Do you know that more than one person fears that we might be denied the occupation of the building? … to such extent that the president of the school trustees, whom we met this evening, had refused to build a partition in our school until we receive an answer from Mgr. Blais. This gentleman has been very king in granting us all our other requests.

 You understand, Mother, my anxiety.  Oh! I know, God's ways are infinitely adorable, and I have often prayed to Him not to allow that we settle in Canada unless we can do good, but I admit, Mother, that this ordeal is tough, even more so that Mgr. Bossé suffers because of us and as much as we do. He is so good! 

We reside in the rectory where we are cared for with much attention and kindness. We started school today; needless to say, the children are overjoyed, it's new for them.

Of course, I have not mention our ordeal to Revered Mother; I am awaiting a response before informing her. Poor Mother! If she only knew our anxiety!  I rely on your prayers, good Mother, and I promise to let you know the outcome of this affair as soon as I know it.

Thank you! Oh! Thank you for your interest in this matter. God will bless your generosity. As for me, I reiterate the assurance of my grateful affection in Our Lord.

Sr. St. Eugénie (11 p.m.)


SCSL au Québec