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Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher

Québec country girl who founded the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary

Rank
Blessed
Kind
Founder, Religious
Life
1811 – 1849
Era
19th century
Feast
6 October
Countries
Canada
Canada

Life story

Eulalie Mélanie Durocher was born on 6 October 1811 at Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu in Lower Canada, into a large family. She spent two years as a boarder at the school in Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu run by the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame.

From 1831 to 1843 she was housekeeper and secretary to her brother Father Théophile, parish priest of Belœil, hosting visiting priests, helping in the parish and teaching catechism. Those years made her aware of how few schools there were in the countryside and how weak religious instruction was, especially for girls. At the invitation of Bishop Ignace Bourget of Montreal she went to Longueuil with two companions.

She began her postulancy on 28 October 1843. On 28 February 1844 the first candidates began the novitiate, received the habit and took religious names; she became Marie-Rose. She professed vows on 8 December 1844. During her lifetime the sisters opened houses at Longueuil, Belœil, Saint-Lin and Saint-Timothée. She died at Longueuil on 6 October 1849, her birthday, aged 38. Pope John Paul II beatified her on 23 May 1982.

Works and witness

  • Housekeeper and secretary to her brother, parish priest of Belœil, from 1831 to 1843
  • Went to Longueuil in 1843 at Bishop Bourget's invitation
  • Founded the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary; novitiate began on 28 February 1844
  • Opened four houses in her lifetime: Longueuil, Belœil, Saint-Lin, Saint-Timothée
  • Died on 6 October 1849; beatified on 23 May 1982

Saints from the same country

Saint André Bessette, Saint Marie of the Incarnation, Saint Marguerite d'Youville, Saint Émilie Gamelin

References

  • Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, “Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher” (snjm.org/?p=938) – born 6 October 1811, two years' boarding at Saint-Denis, Belœil 1831–1843, Bourget, Longueuil 28 October 1843, four houses, death at 38, beatified 23 May 1982
  • CCCB 'Canadian Blesseds' (cccb.ca) – page blocked on fetch; search excerpt. Novitiate (28 February 1844) and vows (8 December 1844) were not found in the sources read; they come from the earlier draft

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.