 |
||||
| Our History | ||||
| The Five Catholic Founding Congregations of Sisters (Extended Histories) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . YOUVILLE RESIDENCE + the Grey Sisters Marguerite Youville, founder of the Grey Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, was born in 1701 in the little Quebec village of Varennes. Her life was marked by trials and sadness, starting when her father died when she was just seven years old. She later married and moved to Montreal, but her marriage was an unhappy one, her husband using her only for selfish purposes in his illegal dealings with the Indian people. She lost four of her six children in infancy, and then became a widow at age 28. For the next few years Marguerite looked after her two surviving sons, who later became priests. It was during this time that she also began devoting herself to charitable works — reaching out to the poor, the outcast, the sick, elderly and orphaned. In this work she was strengthened by knowing that her God always provided, always guided her. She seemed called to make God's compassionate love known to all. She served the needy with humility, gentleness and compassion. But in her dedication, she did not know that she had done anything great. All she saw was the real needs of the people and she helped where the need was most urgent. In 1737, several companions who were inspired by Marguerite began to work alongside her, sharing her spirituality and good works. This was the beginning of the Grey Sister Community as we know it today. After Marguerite's death in 1771, the Grey Sisters moved beyond Montreal, carrying with them Marguerite's selfless spirit as they worked to take care of the poor and homeless. In Vancouver during the Great Depression, the need for such a spirit was great. Vancouver's Archbishop William Duke sent a request to the Grey Sisters to come and open a home for elderly and destitute men on "Skid Row." In response, four Grey Sisters from Pembroke, Ontario arrived in Vancouver on September 11, 1931, and took up residence at 853 East Pender Street. Within a short time, 15 needy men were admitted to the new residence, which was named St. Vincent's Shelter. During the hard years that followed, long lines of hungry and homeless men were served hot meals and given clothes and other necessities. In 1942 a new wing and chapel were added to the shelter, providing accommodation for an additional 51 men. Included in the construction were a dormitory and dining room for transients. The East Pender location eventually became unsafe and too small to handle the increasing community needs. After many delays and difficulties, construction began on a property at the corner of 33rd and Heather. Finally, in June 1969, the 152-bed Youville Residence (Link to A5) opened its doors, organized and managed by the Grey Sisters. To this day, the residence and its staff strive to be the contemporary expression of Marguerite's spirit of charity within the community. Marguerite Youville was canonized by the Church on December 9, 1990. She served through caring, healing compassion and a loving presence. In the words of their founder, as quoted by Sister Elaine Reaume, the Grey Sisters of Immaculate Conception "are called to trust in God's love and, in a spirit of simplicity, to reveal that love in a life of service." << Back << The Five Catholic Founding Congregations of Sisters |
||||