Mother d'Youville

The Mission Grows

Epidemics, poor harvests, famine, and war meant that they had to find inventive ways to survive and to meet the needs of the ever-increasing number of people who sought refuge in the General Hospital. At the request of Intendant Bigot, they took in prisoners and wounded soldiers.

A Terrible Trial

On 18 May 1765, the General Hospital was completely destroyed by fire in a few hours. Marguerite and her family of 17 sisters and 96 residents, including 18 children, found themselves once again on the street.

The Priests in Marguerite's Family

Pierre Boucher, Marguerite’s ancestor, had eleven priests over four generations among his descendants. In a letter to his bishop, François called it a “priestly family”.

The Last Meeting

On the evening of 23 December 1771, Marguerite suffered a third stroke. People passing by the General Hospital noticed a luminous cross in the sky above it. At that moment, Marguerite was entrusting her sisters with her last wishes.

The Radiant Influence of Her Life

The life of Marguerite d'Youville has inspired and continues to inspire thousands of people. The cause for her canonization was introduced in Rome in 1890. On 3 May 1959, Pope John XXIII beatified her with the title Mother of Universal Charity. On 9 December 1990, Pope John Paul II canonized her. She was the first native-born Canadian saint to be canonized.