World AIDS Day

Since the mid-1980s, the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary of Quebec have been committed to helping people with AIDS. Some of them even helped set up a shelter for the sick in Montreal, known as Hébergement de l’Envol.

Other nuns have been involved with AIDS sufferers and their families through organizations such as Projet Pèlerin. The SNJM’s commitment took on an exceptional dimension when they welcomed an AIDS victim into their cemetery on the Longueuil heritage site. This was unprecedented in the history of religious congregations at the time. Accompanied by one of the nuns, Jacques Smith, orphaned and destitute, was laid to rest in 1990. The gravestone bears the inscription “In memory of AIDS victims helped by the SNJM – Jacques Smith: 1954-1990”.

Created in 1988 by the World Health Organization, World AIDS Day is intended as a day to raise awareness of the AIDS pandemic, a call to action, recognition of the efforts made by communities and a commemoration to pay tribute to the victims.

Celebrated on December 1, the theme for the 2024 event is “Takes the rights path”. Throughout the month of November, numerous activities are planned to inspire action all over the world to implement the current strategy up to 2026 and achieve the United Nations’ objectives.

In many countries, including Canada and the United States, national action plans have been put in place to put an end to this epidemic and to correct the inequalities that still exist.

Find out more about AIDS on the UNAIDS website. Find out more about national campaigns in Canada and the United States.