History page | SNJMs leave for Basutoland mission (1931)

On August 29, 1931, six Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) set out on a long voyage aboard the ship “Calumet” from Trois-Rivières to found the congregation’s first mission in Africa, specifically in Basutoland. This small landlocked country in South Africa would see its name changed to Lesotho when it gained independence in 1966.

It is without doubt the tenacity of the Oblate Fathers of Mary Immaculate, founders of numerous missions in Basutoland, that explains this new foundation for the SNJM. In 1931, responding to such a request was quite an adventure, and, of course, involved lengthy preparations. To find out more about the history of this foundation, visit this page.

The six founders S. M.-André-Avellin (Maximilienne Pigeon), S. Marie Léonius (Antoinette Sauvé), S. Maurice-Marie (Azilda Fortier), S. Marie-Malvina (Laura Gaudreault), S. Marie-Camille (Laurence Desroches), S. Marie-Léa (Marie-Blanche Lemieux) left in the company of five other nuns from the Grey Nuns congregation.

The many needs of the population of this mountainous country, which is very obviously subject to climate change, now bringing its share of drought and crop failure, explain the diversity of the works that the SNJMs have developed since their arrival. The tireless work of the founders and their successors has given rise to many vocations among the local population.

In addition to teaching, SNJM has helped set up several dispensaries, maternity clinics and infirmaries, not forgetting working with others to train medical staff. With the collaboration of other organizations, SNJM has been involved in projects to drill wells and supply drinking water and sanitary facilities, and to start up local businesses, particularly in agriculture and sewing. 

Today, as well as fulfilling their original commitments, the sisters in Lesotho are involved with other congregations in the country’s development, promoting peace and justice, combating human trafficking and working towards sustainable solutions to climate change.