Mother Thérèse-de-Jésus became the third Superior General on August 12, 1857. She passed away on August 13, 1890.
The Woman Who Led the SNJM to the American West
On August 13, 1890, the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) lost one of the great builders of their Congregation. The first postulant to join the three foundresses, Salomé Martin, who took the name Sister Thérèse-de-Jésus upon her religious profession, left a lasting legacy that profoundly shaped the history of the community.
The daughter of a Patriot who died following the events of the 1837 Rebellion, this respected educator became the third Superior General of the SNJM on August 12, 1857. Although her name is sometimes overshadowed by those of her predecessors, her leadership had a profound impact on the Congregation’s growth and development.
A Bold Missionary Vision
Inspired by an extraordinary missionary spirit, Mother Thérèse-de-Jésus helped extend the mission of the SNJM far beyond Quebec. In 1859, only sixteen years after the Congregation was founded, she sent twelve Sisters to Oregon, opening a new chapter in the history of the SNJM in North America.
During her leadership, which lasted until 1867, seventeen boarding schools and schools were established: seven in Oregon, two in Ontario, two in New York State, and six in Quebec, including the Mother House, the Novitiate, and the Hochelaga Boarding School.
Reflecting on her remarkable leadership, Sister Yolande Laberge, SNJM, wrote with admiration that Mother Thérèse-de-Jésus was “the one who dared to carry the SNJM torch to the far end of the continent … without a penny.” She summed up her life in a memorable expression: “Missionary boldness embodied.”
Hochelaga
A Legacy That Lives On
Mother Thérèse-de-Jésus continues to inspire the mission of the Congregation today. As Sister Yolande Laberge also wrote:
“The missionary spirit that Mother Thérèse-de-Jésus instilled in us has never ceased to inspire new initiatives in service to both the Church and society.”
On the anniversary of her passing, we invite you to discover the biographical profile dedicated to this remarkable woman of faith, courage, and vision. Her commitment played a pivotal role in the expansion of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, enabling their educational mission to flourish far beyond the borders of Quebec.