This year’s Birthday Celebration offered a vibrant and interactive experience for the SNJM Sisters and Affiliates. Held at Maison Jésus-Marie (MJM), the event took place both indoors—across three floors—and outdoors.

The theme, “Journey Through Time,” set the tone for this annual gathering, much to the delight of all in attendance. Following the song “Il y a le temps,” Sr. Lisette Boulé introduced the theme and explained the day’s activities, which featured five interactive exhibits led by students from Collège Durocher-Saint-Lambert (CDSL).

Before exploring the various exhibits in the chapel and entrance hall, archivists Yvonne Painchaud and Joëlle Gagnon offered a 15-minute presentation on the tradition of the Queen of May—a cherished memory for many Sisters and Affiliates. The vintage costume and historical photographs sparked lively conversation, especially among those who had once been crowned the Queen of May back in the day.

Participants then moved from one station to the next, discovering the diverse interests of the students—including an introduction to virtual reality. Many enthusiastically tried the VR headset, enjoying a virtual tour of a major world city—a fun, modern way to travel and engage with emerging technology.

Other exhibits showcased mathematical techniques, horticulture and seed creation, and various art forms. Meanwhile, a group of students provided musical entertainment in the chapel and outdoors, where the everyone could relax and enjoy the sunny day. Another band performed in the lounge area, where refreshments were served. The uplifting music inspired dancing and singing, filling the space with joy.

The power of music even reached Sisters on the upper floors, where some tapped their feet in rhythm. A special visit by the archivists and an exchange with the students further brightened the day for the second-floor residents.

The enthusiastic involvement of twenty students, supported by two College facilitators, clearly demonstrated the value of this intergenerational exchange—a central element of the event’s success.

Sisters Lorraine Mongeon and Hélène Harvey assisted Lisette Boulé in organizing this truly memorable Birthday Celebration.

Fragments of the past resurfaced this past May on the grounds of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) in Longueuil.

Coins and a button are among the artifacts found on site.

During archaeological excavations conducted at the request of the City of Longueuil, several historical artifacts were uncovered—coins, ceramic fragments, glass, nails, bones—dating from the mid18th to 19th centuries. These finds offer valuable insight into the site’s early occupation, particularly near the Foundation House.

As part of its land acquisition project, the City commissioned an archaeological potential study. The study revealed significant historical potential around both the Foundation House and Maison Notre-Dame, as well as Indigenous potential near the former Saint-Antoine stream. Based on these findings, an archaeological inventory was recommended prior to any excavation.

In parallel with the acquisition process, the City also required an environmental site assessment, which involves trenching and drilling in the identified high-potential zones. Seizing the opportunity, the City conducted archaeological monitoring during these activities. An archaeologist supervised the drilling, and the trenches served to initiate the inventory.

Initial findings indicate that Trench 1A, near 90 rue Saint-Charles Est, was the richest in discoveries. Trench 1C, located on the convent’s front lawn, revealed layers linked to the historical overflow of the former stream. In contrast, Trench 1B and the drillings did not yield significant archaeological material.

Although these preliminary findings do not warrant the designation of a protected archaeological site, they confirm the site’s historical richness. Further inventory is recommended for any future excavation work.

All artifacts remain the property of the SNJM’s, as the landowners. The final report will be submitted to the Ministry of Culture within the next year.

The pink-shaded area indicates a zone of high historical potential; the lighter area to the left shows a zone of moderate historical potential.

Sources: City of Longueuil (plans & artifacts), SNJM Archives

Remember the Du pain et des roses (Bread and Roses) march? This initiative by the Fédération des Femmes du Québec (FFQ), in collaboration with several other organizations, made Quebec history.

It also opened the door to the creation of the World March of Women in 2000, as pointed out, by Sylvie St-Amand, President of the Fédération des femmes du Québec (FFQ) and co-spokesperson for the actions of “Marchons pour Du pain et des roses, encore et plus que jamais”.

Struggles against poverty, for equality and dignity…

At the time, the Du pain et des roses march brought together over 850 women who, from May 26 to June 4, 1995, marched towards the National Assembly in Quebec City, where 18,000 people were waiting. Sr. Lise Gagnon walked the entire route, while a few companions from the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) joined her for a day or two. Watch her testimony in the video clip below (in French only).

Françoise David, co-spokesperson and president of the FFQ, at the time of the 1995 march pointed out: “In these troubled and worrying times, women more than ever feel the desire to mobilize with all those who support them in the fight for their rights. The actions of May and June 2025 will be moments of reunion, but also of reaffirmation of the need to demand together a fair and egalitarian Quebec. Ig is a prelude to the big rally on October 18, organized by the Quebec Coordination of the World March of Women.”

An inspiring commemoration

Organizations from all walks of life (feminist, union, community, mixed and single-sex) are planning dozens of marches in the regions between May 26 and June 4. This program will be complemented by symbolic marches led by citizens in their respective communities.

The aim is to build popular support around values and demands for justice, culminating in a march in Quebec City on June 7, 2025, from 1 to 4 pm. Marchers will set off from the Musée national des beaux-arts de Québec, making a symbolic stop in front of the National Assembly before moving on to Parc de la Francophonie.

To find out more about our events, visit the FFQ website and Facebook account (in French only). During activities, purple clothing is preferred.

Some thirty young students from the Externat du Mont-Jésus-Marie (EMJM) performed their annual concert for the Sisters at Maison Jésus-Marie (MJM).

Under the musical direction of Ms. Carmen Turcotte, this traditional gathering gave the young people the experience of performing outside the walls of their primary school. The intimidating aspect was quickly forgotten in front of such an attentive audience already “under their spell”.

Musical director Carmen Turcotte (left) is a former piano student of Sr. Suzanne Lavallée (right).

Indeed, many of our Sisters have taught music and understand the effort students put into singing and mastering a musical instrument.

Once again this year, the concert was divided into two parts. The first led off with a performance by the choir, directed by Karine Marois. The youngsters sang a number of well-known, upbeat songs. It was hard not to smile and let yourself be carried away by the rhythm of these popular tunes. Julien Girard took on the role of piano accompanist.

Then a dozen budding pianists presented their solo pieces. The pieces chosen were generally drawn from the classical repertoire.

Photo credit: Sr. Hélène Harvey

To mark five years of the CATHII—University at the UN program, the CATHII trio organized a day for reviewing, as well as, looking at prospectives regarding human trafficking. The event, held in Montreal on April 5, was divided into two parts.

The first part gave an overview of the training about human trafficking and the participation of some fifteen young people at the UN.

Relevant knowledge

Divided into three groups, the students each in turn, during ten-minute period, addressed three key questions as they shared their learning.

On the question about human trafficking, the young people highlighted the lack of studies regarding the trafficking of males and the exploitation of migrants, particularly due to the imposition of closed permits for agricultural workers.

The over-representation of racialized and aboriginal people, and the vulnerability of members of the LGBTQ community, are among the elements identified in the second question. The students were asked to identify their findings following their participation in the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in hybrid mode, part online and part onsite in New York.

They also mentioned the lack of available services, the systemic nature of the phenomenon, which spares no society, and the need to give survivors a greater role.

When asked what they had learned that they could use in their future careers, the students stressed the importance of taking action by carrying out micro actions to bring about change. They also expressed their desire for changes to current structures (legal, administrative, political, etc.).

Interestingly, one of the participants clearly defined preventive action, stressing the importance of “spotting obstacles” and finding the right resources.   Another participant, referring to the administrative sector, pointed out the need to raise awareness by placing posters in all areas, even in the washrooms of office buildings.

The late-morning wrap-up also revealed a better understanding of the signs of sexual exploitation and forced labor. It was also agreed that the real experts on human trafficking are the survivors themselves.

Launched during the pandemic, the CATHII—University at the UN program is celebrating its fifth anniversary. To mark this anniversary, participants enjoyed sharing a cake.

Discovering the Realities of Intervention

The Comité d’action contre la traite humaine interne et internationale (CATHII) (Action Committee against internal and international human trafficking) is renowned for its advocacy and training work. To mark the program’s fifth anniversary and the attendance of 74 academic students from a dozen faculties, the organizing trio added another feature ‘intervention’ to the plan for the day.

Maria Paredes (community organizer at CLES), Jasmin de la Calzada (PINAY) virtually, Susana Ponte (CTTI Women’s Committee) and Jenny Charest, former director of CAVAC made up the panel to discuss realities in the field.

This took the form of a panel featuring four people directly involved in the field.

The panelists shared their experiences and explained the nature of their work. They also discussed the need for greater collaboration among all those intervening in this area in order to improve their effectiveness.

Beyond the moral obligation, all feel the need to leave no victim without support. Given the relatively modest resources available to these organizations, it was easy for the audience to appreciate the scale of the challenge.

The diversity of the presentations enabled the young people present to gain a better understanding of the various realities in the community and the importance of their new knowledge.  Let it be noted that the members of the trio are:  Ms Kavitha Culam, Ms Élodie Ekobena and Sr. Lise Gagnon, snjm.

The photo gallery illustrates a few moments from this successful day.

The exchange-gathering between the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) and the volunteers was a very rich experience. The meeting, held at Maison Jésus-Marie (MJM) had been organized by SNJM partner Héloïse Vincent-Ozell, as a closing event of the exhibition highlighting a dozen aboriginal women.

Héloïse Vincent-Ozell and Sr. Lise Gagnon.

It also provided an opportunity for Yvonne Demers, a nurse and volunteer collaborator, to talk about her experience during an immersive trip to an aboriginal community. This presentation, in addition to the brief tour of the exhibition, served to spark the subsequent discussion.

The SNJM volunteers contributed by sharing their own mission experiences. Some shared anecdotes from their first contacts with aboriginal communities, so as to fully appreciate their age-old wisdom.

Awakening and revealing…

A number of participants expressed their appreciation for the richness of the sharing. Remarkably, during the following days, both at lunchtime and break times, discussions and conversations took place regarding this experience. The Sisters shared their childhood memories. Some were happy, others more difficult.

One recalled how her father used to take the children to the reserve at Kahnawake to obtain remedies to heal them. Another confided that her father had witnessed the sending of native children to residential schools.

“This moment of sharing makes us aware of all the suffering experienced by the members of these communities,” stressed one Sister, supported by the other Sisters at the table.

Some 25 people attended the meeting.

This activity had the merit of raising awareness, revealing facts and anecdotes that gave another dimension to the prevailing discourse, and ultimately leading to a better understanding of the diverse realities of aboriginal peoples. This event was hosted by Héloïse Vincent-Ozell, a partner member of the SNJM Québec Justice and Peace Committee, responsible for migrant and aboriginal issues.

The volunteers presence coincided with their semi-annual get-together. These women, who had been missionaries at another time in their lives, have been meeting, twice a year, since 2006, to deepen their understanding of various themes and to nurture their spiritual reflection.