May 10: One Day, Three Anniversaries!
In 2021, Sister Yvette Demers shared with us in Providence Life (No. 34-21) that three special events occurred in our Providence Congregation on May 10th:
- The First Communion of Émilie Tavernier, in 1810
- The Blessing of the first cornerstone of the Asile of Providence, in 1842
- The unveiling of the Mother Gamelin monument in front of the third Mother House of the Sisters of Providence (Salaberry Street), in 1968.
Here are her words:
May 10, 1810
First Communion of Émilie Tavernier
When her mother died, Émilie was entrusted to her paternal aunt, Marie-Anne Tavernier-Perrault. “The house was close to the boarding school operated by the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre-Dame… That is where Émilie went to school“.
“The quality of instruction which Émilie received was above average for that period… Girls were taught reading and writing, catechism, and Bible stories, sewing and embroidery. This is where Émilie prepared for her first communion. The ceremony took place at Notre-Dame Church, on May 10, 1810“.
Cf. : Émilie Tavernier-Gamelin by Denise Robillard, 1988, p. 45.
May 10, 1842
Blessing of the 1st cornerstone of the Asile of Providence
“The blessing of the cornerstone of the future Asile took place on May 10, 1842, in the presence of a large crowd from every corner of the city. A solemn mass was celebrated in the cathedral by Bishop Michael Power (former parish priest at Laprairie and now Bishop of Toronto) in the presence of Bishop Bourget, Bishop Remi Gaulin, bishop of Kingston and Bishop Pierre-Flavien Turgeon, coadjutor bishop of Quebec. Nothing had been spared to enhance the splendor of the occasion“.
Cf. : Émilie Tavernier-Gamelin by Denise Robillard, 1988, p.154.
May 10, 1968
Unveiling of Mother Gamelin’s Monument
To mark the 125th anniversary of the foundation of the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence (1843-1968), on a beautiful sunny day, several dignitaries and many Sisters of Providence attended the unveiling of the Monument to Mother Gamelin, in front of the facade of the third Mother House (5655 rue De Salaberry). Sister Thérèse Frigon, responsible for the Centre Émilie-Gamelin at the time, had organized a “Procession of charitable Works” for the occasion, in which a person representing the beneficiaries, accompanied by a religious member working in the said ministry, would lay a floral arrangement at the foot of the monument.
Photo of the Unveiling of the monument to Mother Gamelin
Mother Philippe-de-Césarée, SP, General Superior, accompanied by
Father. Paul-Marie Pilon, OP, and Sister Thérèse Frigon, SP.
Artistic design by: A. Lombardi, (Italy)
Made by: Ateliers Pierotti
Material: Italian granite
Height: 6 feet – Weight: 2200 pounds
Cf. Original in French: “Petit journal de la Providence”, May 1968.
As we remember Émilie’s first communion, let us ask her to help us relive our own First Communion and give God thanks for the privilege of receiving Jesus in the Holy Eucharist every day, to tangibly strengthen and nourish us with God’s love and presence.
Sister Karin Dufault, SP
Vice-Postulator