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Émilie Gamelin as a Laywoman, a Lady of Charity Founding of the Daughters of Charity Servants of the Poor (Sisters of Providence) Continuation and expansion of Mother Gamelin’s work Societies in turmoil The Sisters of Providence, an international, multicultural and intergenerational congregation

TIMELINE

Societies in turmoil

Together with the whole of the civil society, the congregation will evolve through the great upheavals of the first half of the 20th century: the economic crises and world wars, but also the beginnings of the emancipation of women, the advent of modern art and the explosion of technological as well as scientific discoveries.

In 1962, Pope John XXIII opens the Second Vatican Council. Closed in 1965 by Pope Paul VI, the Council introduces deep reforms in religious life, within a generalized wish of renewal of the Roman Catholic Church, in particular to be in a better position to handle the challenges brought about by the new contemporary realities.

In parallel to these great movements of the Society and the Church, the congregation of the Sisters of Providence initiates several restructurings. In 1962, the Mother House, the General Administration, the Noviciate and the Infirmary of the Sisters are transferred from Fullum Street to Cartierville, to their current addresses (2009). In 1964, further to the transfer of the works of Providence Asile to the Providence House, on Fullum Street, Asile Providence is demolished to make way for the new Montreal Metro.

In the context of secularization in Quebec, several works are handed over to public administrations, notably in the fields of education and health services. And, throughout the world, in the context of the Second Vatican Council, more and more laypeople involve themselves in the ministries of the Church.

Happily, Providence always appears on the roads toward hope and discovery! For the Sisters of Providence, this assertion comes true particularly in mission countries and by the birth of the Providence Lay Associates Movement.

Opened to the world

The 1st of July, 1970, marks the permanent union of the Chilean congregation to the one in Montreal, by a Decree of the Holy See. On this date it becomes known as the Bernarda Morin province.

Moreover, the missions multiply in the new countries: Argentina (1963 to this day), Syria (1963-1967), Cameroon (1970 to this day), Tunisia (1971-1972 and 1982-1984), Algeria (1972-1979), Nigeria (1973-1981), Haiti (1976 to this day), Egypt (1977 to this day) and El Salvador (1995 to this day). In the course of 1990’s, formation houses are opened in Febe, Cameroon (1990 to this day) and Port-au-Prince, Haiti (1999 to this day).

Founded by the three provinces of the Western United States and Canada, on August 1st, 1989, the Philippine Sector is a new foundation whose main priority is the ministry among the poor and vocational promotion. On February 19th, 2007, the Sector officially becomes a Vice-Province bearing the name of Our Lady of Providence.

To learn more about the foundation in the Philippines

A charism resonating among laypeople

During the 1960’s and 70’s, men and women inspired by the example of Mother Gamelin, express their desire to join the Providence family. During their General Chapter of 1982, the Sisters of Providence welcome the Providence Associates.

During the 1990’s and the years 2000, the definition of commitment of the Providence Associates is set out with more precision and they are granted more autonomy. A relation of interdependence between the Associates and the Sisters develops progressively, so that the two entities may grow in parallel together, in their charism and their mission of Providence.

Nowadays, the Providence Associates are invited to a greater collaboration with the Sisters of Providence, particularly in regards to vocational ministry, the caring of the poor and the activities of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC).

To learn more about Providence Associates

Chronology

  • 1900

    September 12, 1900

    The Vatican gives its final approval to the Constitutions of the Sisters of Providence. From then on, new options for ministries for the poor become possible, since this official recognition by the Church gives the congregation the independence and scope which allow it to open new works and institutions of her own initiative.

  • January 19, 1902

    Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart dies in Vancouver, Washington, at the age of 79.

  • May 24, 1902

    The Sisters of Providence of the American North-West extend their activities into California.

  • June 20, 1902

    The Sisters of Providence of the American North-West extend their activities into Alaska.

  • January 7, 1905

    The Constitutions of the Sisters of Providence in Chile receive the final approval of Pope Pius X.

  • 1910

    August 8, 1912

    Fusion of the Saint Vincent de Paul province in Oregon, United States, with the Sacred Heart province of Washington. The Holy Angels province is established in Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada).

  • 1912

    Modification of the divisions and names of the provinces : Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs, Saint Vincent de Paul, Saint Joseph, Sacred Heart, Saint Ignatius, Holy Angels.

  • 1920

    1925

    Addition of a new province within the congregation: province Bourget.

  • June 27, 1925

    The president of the Republic of Chile awards the Order of Merit, the country’s highest decoration, to Mother Bernarda Morin. She is 93 years old.

  • October 4, 1929

    Mother Bernarda Morin dies in Santiago, Chile, at the age of 96.

  • 1960

    1962

    Pope Jean XXIII opens the Second Vatican Council.

  • August 15, 1962

    Transfer from the Mother House on Fullum Street to Cartierville, on de Salaberry and Grenet streets. The General Administration, the noviciate and the juniorate are now located on Grenet Street. The Local House and, from 1963 onward the sisters’ infirmary, are situated on de Salaberry Street.

  • October 16, 1962

    Exhumation of the mortal remains of Mother Gamelin from the burial vault of Providence Asile into her actual tomb in Cartierville (de Salaberry Street).

  • December 8, 1965

    Pope Paul VI closes the Second Vatican Council.

  • 1970

    July 1, 1970

    By a Decree, the Holy See approves the formal union of the Chilean congregation with the Sisters of Providence of Montreal. The Chilean congregation becomes a province and is given the name of: Bernarda Morin province.

  • 1963

    Mission in Comodoro-Rivadavia and Caleta-Olivia, Argentina.

  • 1963

    Mission in Alep, Syria, till 1967.

  • 1970

    Mission in Étam Kuma, Cameroon, till 1988.

  • 1970

    Mission in Fortin Mercedes, Argentina, till 1971.

  • 1971

    Mission in Tunis, Tunisia, till 1972.

  • 1972

    Mission in Alger, Algeria, till 1979.

  • 1972

    Mission in Yaoundé, Cameroon, till 1975

  • 1973

    Mission in Koton Karifi, Nigeria, till 1981.

  • 1974

    Mission in Lokoja, Nigeria, till 1981.

  • 1974

    Addition of 2 new provinces: Gamelin and Bernarda Morin.

  • 1974

    The sisters of the Bernarda Morin province participate in the General Chapter for the first time.

  • 1976

    Mission in Milot, Haiti, till 1983.

  • 1977

    Mission in Pont Sondé, Haiti, till 1986.

  • 1977

    Mission in El Minia, Egypt, till 1980.

  • 1978

    Mission in Rendel, Haiti, till 1994.

  • 1980

    1980

    Mission in Alexandria, Egypt.

  • May 1, 1980

    The State of Washington promotes Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart to the national rank of Historical Leader, and her statue is placed in the Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C. She is the fifth woman and the first Catholic religious to appear in the Official Gallery of “First Citizens” of the United States.

  • May 31, 1981

    Introduction of the Cause of Beatification of Émilie Tavernier Gamelin

  • 1982

    Mission in Djerba, Tunisia, till 1984.

  • 1982

    During their General Chapter, the Sisters of Providence welcome the first lay men and women into the Providence family under the name “Lay Associates”.

  • 1983

    Mission in Koudandeng, Cameroon.

  • 1984

    Mission in Sucrerie Henry, Haiti.

  • 1986

    Inauguration of the Providence Infirmary Sector (grouping of infirmary care for the sisters of the Eastern provinces).

  • January 1, 1987

    Restructuring of the five Eastern provinces into three new provinces: Émilie, Élisabeth and Notre Dame.

  • August 1, 1989

    Founding of the Philippine Sector, based in Manila, by the 3 provinces of Western United States and Canada.

  • 1990

    1990

    Opening of a Formation House in Febe, Cameroon,

  • 1992

    The General Chapter identifies the congregation as an international congregation.

  • December 23, 1993

    Mother Émilie Tavernier-Gamelin is declared Venerable by the Catholic Church, the first step toward her canonization.

  • 1995

    Mission in La Papalota, El Salvador.

  • 1999

    Opening of a noviciate at Port-au-Prince, Haiti.