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

Arrival of the Second Group


On December 12, Sr. St. Eugénie and Sr. Marie des Anges receive a letter from Mother Marie Fidèle, general superior, informing them that

Sr. St. Pascal, Sr. Anne de Gonzague and Sr. St. Achille, 

 having left Liverpool on December 10, are on their way to Canada.  This news, which should have been a joyful event became a source of worries and anxieties because of the painful situation they were in. The same day, Sr. St. Eugénie writes again to Sr. Candide de Jesus, sscm, to inform her of this situation.

My dear Mother,

December 12, 1902


   Thanks   You shower us with much kindness, and I cannot tell you how grateful I am for your goodness and thoughtfulness. I would like to assure you that all is well here, but I am always like sister Anne : I do not foresee anything.  Nevertheless, I do not lose hope, and I pray that God will straighten out everything for his glory; that is only what we must seek.

   Difficulties   Another matter might make the situation more difficult.  A  letter received today sinforms me that three sisters must or might have already left France in the first or second  week  of this month, accompanied by a Eudist Father. From the Havre or from Liverpool, they will land either in New York or Halifax. But where? I do not know. I am told that a telegram will give me details of their arrival, but up until now, I have not received anything  yet. You can surmise my embarrassment. I will myself wire Vannes tomorrow morning.

   Welcome to St. Ephrem?   On the other hand, it is physically and morally impossible for me to admit them here : the house  is not ready, and above all, above all, Mgr. Blais does not reply to us. Therefore, I appeal to you, my good Mother; could you take in, at St. Ephrem, the oblate Sister who is coming?

   Welcome to Québec?  I am writing to the Superior of the Good Shepherd in Quebec to ask her to accommodate the other two Sisters; they would study English and get initiated to Canadian methods. Being busy, these dear sisters will not be too lonesome, and I will often write to them; as for the little oblate Sister, what could she do? If only, my dear Mother, you could shelter her, you would greatly help me.

   Terms of the room and board   Also, in your reply, which I hope will soon reach me, indicate your terms and conditions, for you know, fairness makes good friends, and I do not want to take advantage of you.

   Secret to be kept   Another thing, my good Mother. This is a confidential letter, and no one should know that these sisters came for the mission of Pabos. Should Mgr. Blais hear about it, he could get angry, and things are already quite tense. Once I know for sure where I stand, I will write to the Sisters and advise them to wait until next May to comme here.  I have disclosed it so to the Superior of the Good Shepherd in whom I do not confide as much as I do in you. I beg you to say the same thing to those around you. It is true, since these sisters will not comme here until May. (. . .)

Good-bye, my good Mother. Thank you again for taking interest in us.   Your sister in the Lord. (C-1)

Sr St. Eugénie

The latter did not delay to write again to Mother Candide de Jésus. She begged her :

.........In case the Superior of Good Shepherd could not admit my sisters, could you accommodate all three? Or indicate another religious community  who could take them in Quebec itself? Also, I am told that they could take courses at the Normal School, or at least, to attend the courses sometimes, is it wise? I will not shrink from the expenditures, but I do not want to go against the customs.  Please advise me.......  (C-1)


SCSL au Québec