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

Sister Marie de Jesus deemed it wise to pay a visit to the Sisters stranded in Halifax … She boarded at the Grande Rivière.   Port Daniel harbor, where the boat stopped for a while in the evening, is the most beautiful scenery one can see.  She could admire the magnificent coast of the Baie des Chaleurs with its headlands and its bays as far as Dalhousie.

During this trip, the French religious had an opportunity to experience once more the charity, even the kindness of the Canadians toward them. To save money, Sr. Marie de Jésus traveled alone; she stayed up late on the deck and was falling asleep when one of the passengers approached and saying: "Sister, if you wish to occupy a cabin, my friends and I will defray the cost".  "Thank you, sir, I would be afraid, I dare not stay alone." He understood, showed her the "salon" where she could be in good company and gave her some money to help her pay for a seat. The following morning they reached Dalhousie* and, in the evening, the sisters were reunited.  Six months had elapsed since their departure in December 1902…(R-2)
*  The journey, between 405 and 435 miles, lasted approximately 12 hours.

One day, while looking through the window, the Sisters saw a French flag: where was it? They had to find it quickly : it was in the harbor, where the French boat LePouyer Kertier was lifting telegraphic cables in the Atlantic. 

The ship was manned by Breton sailors and French officers: "Sister, I am from Morlaix," "I am from Quimper." The officers invited their fellow countrywomen to visit the ship and to snack with them; they graciously accepted the invitation. They returned very happy: they had breathed "French air"… (R-2)

I, the undersigned, General Superior of the Sisters of Charity of St. Louis, express my deep respect to the Archbishops and Bishops who will read the present letter.

I appeal to your charity and kindness to welcome Sister Marie de Jésus who is a General Councilor and Mistress of novices. Sister has all power from us to find a place where, in the best interest of our Congregation, Sisters who were expelled from their schools in France may work for the glory of God raising and educating children. (RCG)

                                           Sr. Marie-Fidèle, General Superior

I am very happy to recommend to the Archbishops and Bishops of the United States and of Canada Sister Marie de Jésus, religious of the Congregation of Charity of St. Louis, Mistress of Novices and General Councilor of the said Congregation. She has been especially delegated by us to go to North America for the purpose of founding educational and charitable establishments, with the approbation of the ecclesiastical Superiors.

The Congregation of the Charity of St. Louis are in a position, at this time, to offer religious staff who possess the required qualifications to run schools, workrooms, and orphanages. 

The Superior of the Congregation
J. L. Guénédal,
Canon, vicar general, (RCG)

This letter will be delivered to you by two French Sisters of Charity of St. Louis whose Mother House is in Vannes.

These excellent religious, shamefully persecuted in France are forced to find refuge elsewhere. Two of them are already living in St. Adelaide de Pabos in your diocese and are highly esteemed by the population. I have witnessed their simple lifestyle, their dedication that knows no bounds and their teaching ability; they are greatly appreciated in France. Could you not allow them to remain at this location in Gaspésie? Who knows if later this fervent community might not prove to be of great assistance in this area of your diocese? These religious have much endurance and they are willing to sacrifice their lives.

Had I not admitted recently three new communities  - White Sisters, Cistercians, and Srs. of St. Joseph - I would try to find them a haven somewhere in my diocese. I have compassion for them, and I believe that your kind heart will be equally touched by so much misfortune and will extend a warm welcome to them. Unfortunate France! Has it reached such proportions that it forces its best children to flee their country! Religious must go into exile after having spent their lives doing good like their divine Master.

I beg your Highness to understand the intent of my letter, which is a plea for charity.
Respectfully in Our Lord,

L. N. Bégin
Archbishop of Quebec (RCG

This time he tells them the truth in plain language

But it was time to go to Rimouski to hear our 'sentence.' Sister Marie de Jesus took with her Sr. St. Pascal; both travelers had overnight accommodations in a local community and went to the bishopric the following day. His Excellency welcomed them kindly, but told them in plain language that his Council had refused to harbor them in his diocese for reasons which were explained… I could not tell how painful was Mgr. Blais's refusal: it was the reversal of all our hopes, a disappointment which we did not expect. (R-2)

SCSL au Québec