Come and explore some chapters of the Congregation’s history and heritage
On Saturday, May 26, 2018, the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) will welcome visitors to their Open House at the Congregational House (the former Longueuil Convent). On this first day of free-of-charge activities, organized to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the congregation, you will find several new features, including thematic tours on heritage, the beatification of the foundress as well as a spiritual component.
Along with these explorations, guided tours of the Marie-Rose Centre (museum), some historic rooms and the Foundation House will be offered. Visitors may also take in the archives exhibition, Educate to Liberate, and discover the diversity of the work carried out on three continents by the first teaching order of women religious founded by a Canadian woman, Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher.
Weather permitting, visitors may also picnic on the SNJM grounds or in de la Baronnie Park located opposite the Congregational House.
Opening up some pages of history
Did you know that the oldest original house on Saint-Charles Street in Longueuil, the home of a blacksmith and tool maker, is located on the heritage site of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM)? Would you be able to recognize an outdoor water stone?
These are just a few of the discoveries you can make by registering for the guided heritage tour (1 hour in length), offered at 10:15 a.m. and at 1:15 p.m., during this day of activities open to the general public.
History and heritage enthusiasts can enjoy an outdoor tour of the heritage site that offers a blend of architecture, archeology and the mystery surrounding the disappearance of the Saint-Antoine Brook.
In case of rain, this tour will take the form of an illustrated presentation indoors. Registration beforehand is required.
A breath of spiritual fresh air
In addition to the heritage aspect, the program includes two other thematic explorations for which preregistration is required. As part of this week marking the anniversary of the beatification of Mother Marie-Rose (May 23, 1982), a commented presentation will be given on the process leading to this consecration by the Catholic Church (45 minutes in length). Many topics will be presented, including the research work done, the miracle, the process and the numerous requests for favours that are still being made to the SNJM foundress. This presentation is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. and will be repeated at 1:30 p.m. Preregistration beforehand is required.
A spiritual pause will be held in the magnificent chapel built in 1846. A simple reflective process will be offered, focused on the theme of presence, in which participants will be invited to “see the chapel through Mother Marie-Rose’s eyes.” This 30-minute activity will provide a breath of spiritual fresh air in the hectic lives we lead today. On the occasion of this day, the chapel will be set aside exclusively for moments of quiet reflection, except for the two guided spiritual pauses at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Registration beforehand is required.
Celebration
This day of history and heritage activities for all will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Congregational House (the former Longueuil Convent) located at 80 Saint-Charles East, Longueuil. A Eucharistic Celebration commemorating the beatification of Marie-Rose Durocher will be held at 4:30 p.m. at the Co-Cathedral of Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue. This will bring to a close an important day of festivities for the 175th anniversary of SNJMs, an event offered as part of the City of Longueuil’s Journée histoire et patrimoine (History and Heritage Day) series under the cultural development agreement.
To register for the three thematic explorations that require preregistration, please call 450-651-8104, extension 0 or send an email to reception@snjm.org. The sisters look forward to welcoming all visitors who will come on May 26. Admission is free.
Website of the congregation (generalate): http://www.snjm.org/en/
Provincial website of the congregation: http://www.snjm.qc.ca/