Something new?
In memory of Jeanne Mance

414 years ago, Catherine Émonnot, wife of Charles Mance, gave birth to their second daughter, Jeanne, on November 12, 1606, in Langres, a commune of France.
In memory of Jeanne Mance, here are some beautiful words to read, those of the song that Robert Lebel composed and performed on September 6, 2015, at the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal, during the Thanksgiving Mass in recognition of the venerability of Jeanne Mance.
Taking God as Spouse from her tender youth, to love him to the end and to keep her promise. Without any other affection than this unique Love, Jeanne makes a deep commitment because of her lay life.
«There is nothing in the world
That I would not do for him!
My only desire is to love him.
And to fulfill his Will. »
(more…)
To respond to the love that God has in her, she offers herself without return to this new work. Sweetness and self-giving, tenderness and know-how will make her a friend and a mother at the same time.
Happy to leave for this new land where everything is to be built with de Maisonneuve, she puts into action her unwavering faith and passionately gives a soul to this City.
With great talent, she directs and manages the money, food and supplies, opening the first dispensary and then founding the Hôtel-Dieu, of which she is the nurse.
Never surprised to see what she was missing, nor was she ever discouraged by any misery. In any event, Jeanne Mance's heart is entirely set on Providence!
Monique Lanouette Beaucage
Director of the Jeanne-Mance Centre
(close…)
We invite you to visit the temporary exhibition Victor Bourgeau. A bishop and his architect
Victor Bourgeau (1809-1888) was the principal architect of the Montreal diocese under the episcopate of Bishop Bourget. He built more than 200 buildings in Quebec, including the Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal in 1861, where the RHSJ worked until 1997. Some of them continued as volunteers with the sick until the hospital closed.
The exhibition focuses on the profession of architecture in the 19th century and provides an understanding of the very specific way of building that Victor Bourgeau developed during his career.
(more…)
The first retrospective on Victor Bourgeau, this exhibition presents for the first time in one place a multiplicity of original plans signed by the architect.
Guided tours of the temporary exhibition are available by reservation for groups of 8 people or more. Information and reservations at 514 849-2919 or by e-mail at reservations@museedeshospitalieres.qc.ca
(close…)
Marie de la Ferre - July 28, 1652
Let us remember Marie de la Ferre, co-founder of the Congregation with Jérôme Le Royer. She was at the Community of Moulins. Now, in that year the City of Moulins was afflicted by a terrible plague.
Marie de la Ferre devoted herself without counting to the bedside of the sick. She was ill and died in the night of July 27-28, 1652. This is a great opportunity to thank the Lord for his life and to entrust to him our present world, especially the victims of the pandemic and their families.
Sister Louisette Lelièvre

We remember
in this time of pandemic
…those courageous Hospitallers of yesterday, who, following the fire in the hospital in 1734, lived (40) in a house with their patients. There they admitted a soldier suffering from a malignant fever (influenza). Within the first few days, Sisters Lepicard and Préville died, and seven other Sisters would succumb, victims of their charity. With no funeral service the Sulpicians buried them in the chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours and their remains are still there today. “Our tears dampened our bread and our pillows night and day” wrote Sister Cuillerier.
(more…)
…those Hospitallers, who, during the1890 influenza, were almost all infected but with no casualties. Twenty-one patients died within 14 days. The Superior remained in the infirmary for five months. Through letters received from France, they learned that many Sisters (there) had succumbed to the illness. In Kingston, 14 Sisters were critically ill at the same time.
…of the 4 Hospitallers, who died during the Spanish Flu in 1918 within 10 days. The hospital wards, being filled with patients, they requested help from the medical students. 10 Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, along with 6 Brothers of Christian Schools and Instruction came to assist them for three weeks. They suffered the loss of one of their young doctors, who was 34 years old, a victim of his dedication (to the sick).
July 2, 2020
Sister Nicole Bussières, r.h.s.j.
(close…)
What's new in May 2020?
This is a topic that could take many pages in this time of pandemic!
For us, Hospitallers of St Joseph, for months we were preparing for the Chapter that was to take place at the end of June 2020.
Of course, we had to postpone the event in March 2021. As our Superior General points out: «
The human mind plans the way but the Lord directs the steps.…» Prov. 16,9.
(more…)
Did not God direct the steps of our Founder Jerome Le Royer on May 18, 1636 when he founded the first Hospitallers Community in La Flèche, France?
Let us remember, trust and move forward together.
(close…)
Father Lemaire, parish priest of Roiffé, passed away
Father Lemaire passed away on Febraury 18. He has been parish priest since 1975 in Roiffé, a small village of 700 inhabitants, located in the Vienne region of Poitou-Charentes. Without wishing to deny the historical context of Roiffé, the village is dear to the heart of the Religious Hospitallers, since it is the birthplace of Marie de la Ferre, co-founder of our Congregation.
Father Lemaire and his late brother Michel were devoted guardians of the memory of Marie de la Ferre in this small village, where we like to go and meditate. We are grateful to them.
As our Founders, Father Lemaire was a faithful servant of our God, may he now live in Eternal Peace.
Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, World Day of Consecrated Life
On February 2nd, the Church commemorates the presentation of Jesus in the Temple, highlighting the Consecration of Jesus to his Father.
Since 1977, the Church wanted to give thanks for consecrated life throughout the world, hence this commemoration Day.
Moreover, in our spiritual family we renew our consecration to the Lord with the spiritual event experienced by Jerome Le Royer, our founder, his vision of the Holy Family, and having the first chapter of our Constitutions dictated to him.
A time for the Congregation to give thanks and to live this day in deep communion with all our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Jérôme Le Royer de la Dauversière in the spotlight
In Montreal, the Sisters of Charity Sainte-Marie, better known as Marie Clarac, received a donation from our Congregation to help them renovate their excellent palliative care service.
Last week, wanting to thank us, they invited us to visit them and we responded to their invitation. It was with emotion that we discovered the delicate way to make their thanks to the RHSJ come true. At the entrance of the palliative care service a wall space is dedicated to Jérôme Le Royer as you can see in the photo.
(more…)
Yes, great was our joy to think that in this place where there is so much suffering, Jérôme Le Royer, the instigator of the Montreal project in the 17th century, but so little known, will be present in this place with the sick and those at the end of life.
Isn’t that a nod from the Lord?
(close…)