Blessed Dina Bélanger
Canadian concert pianist turned Religious of Jesus and Mary, dead of tuberculosis at 32
- Rank
- Blessed
- Kind
- Religious, Mystic
- Life
- 1897 – 1929
- Era
- 20th century
- Feast
- 4 September
- Countries
- Canada
Life story
She was born on 30 April 1897 in the parish of Saint-Roch in Québec City, Canada. She began piano in late childhood and later taught the instrument. From 1914 she studied with Joseph-Arthur Bernier. In 1916 she went to New York to study music, living at the Our Lady of Peace residence run by the Religious of Jesus and Mary. She graduated in June 1918 and gave public concerts in Canada from 1918 to 1921.
On 11 August 1921 she entered the Religious of Jesus and Mary, taking the name Marie de Sainte-Cécile de Rome. She made her first vows in 1923 and her perpetual profession in 1928. At her superior's request she wrote an autobiographical account between February 1924 and 29 July 1929, in which she describes visions of Jesus Christ; this is her own testimony and not something confirmed by the Church.
She died on 4 September 1929 at Sillery, Québec, of tuberculosis, aged 32. Pope John Paul II beatified her on 20 March 1993 in St Peter's Square, Vatican City.
Works and witness
- Studied piano in Québec and New York, graduating in June 1918
- Gave public concerts in Canada from 1918 to 1921
- Entered the Religious of Jesus and Mary on 11 August 1921
- Wrote an autobiography at her superior's request, finished 29 July 1929
- Beatified on 20 March 1993
Saints from the same country
References
- Dictionary of Canadian Biography, "Bélanger, Dina" (biographi.ca)
- Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, "Blessed Dina Bélanger (1897-1929)" (cccb.ca)
- Religious of Jesus and Mary, "Dina Bélanger" (rjmgeneral.org)
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.