Biography:
Sister Marie-Amédée seemed tailored to be a missionary in the Canadian northwest. She loved traveling in the bush, camping, and cooking over a campfire. It had great charm for her.
Her first encounters with the native people were in De Smet, Idaho (USA) where she spent eleven years. When the general superior and council accepted to open its first mission in northern Alberta, Sister Marie-Amédée and five companions were chosen as foundresses. They arrived in Lesser Slave Lake (now Grouard) on May 2, 1894. She became the superior of this small group of missionaries. The new mission consisted of two small buildings. One served as a chapel and living quarters for the sisters and the other one served as a classroom for the children during the day, and a dormitory at night. Conditions were primitive; much was lacking. Although the food was frugal, she saw that the food was well prepared, and that the children were never deprived. She loved the children especially those who were naughty.
She served in the northern missions for 26 years, using her talents for farming, carpentry, and fine needlework. She approached people with tact, kindness, and patience. Her practical nursing skills attracted the sick that came from long distances for help. A missionary Brother who had badly mangled his thumb feared amputation, but with Sister Marie Amédée’s care and with time, he fully recovered. Another time a young Métis boy arrived with a gangrenous arm. The prognosis was very bad. Sister treated him, saved his arm and consequently saved his life.
When Holy Angels Province was canonically erected in 1912, she served as Provincial Assistant until 1917.
She was recalled to the Mother House in Montreal because of her health, but within a year she begged to return west because she missed the native people so much. Her last missionary service was at St. Joseph Mission in Cluny, Alberta where she died.
Legacy:
Her legacy to us today is the example of a missionary whose focus was to help those who had no other source of help. We are inspired by her faith and daring.
Born: May 20, 1847, in St. Mark’s parish, Saint Hyacinth, (Québec, Canada)
Profession date: August 16, 1870, Asile of Providence, Montreal.
Deceased: February 14, 1920, St. Joseph Mission, Cluny (Alberta, Canada)
