History Page | Guignolées

A Vital Act of Solidarity… and a Tradition the SNJM Have Upheld Since Their Beginnings

Every year, the end of November marks the start of the guignolées, a broad movement of solidarity aimed at supporting individuals and families who do not always have enough to eat. As the holiday season approaches—a time associated with warmth, togetherness, and comfort—the desire to share grows stronger. It reminds us that behind this festive period, thousands of seniors, students, workers, and families face significant hardship.

In today’s economic climate, the needs are increasing sharply: requests for food assistance have risen by 20%. For more than 176 years, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul has played a key role in the Greater Montréal area, but it is far from alone. Across Québec, local, regional, and national guignolées mobilize to bring dignity, human warmth, and hope to those who need it most. As the SSVP reminds us, “the true magic of the holiday season is giving.”

An SNJM Commitment… Rooted in history

Did you know that the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) have contributed to this movement of solidarity since their founding? Supporting the most vulnerable has always been at the heart of their mission.

To explore inspiring—and sometimes lesser-known—examples of this long-standing generosity, visit the Archive in the Spotlight, which highlights several SNJM solidarity initiatives carried out through the years and still very much alive today.