In Union with My Companions: Oregon’s Twelve Foundresses

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On October 21, 1859, after an exhausting 6-week journey from Quebec, twelve Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary arrived in Portland, Oregon to establish the congregation’s first mission outside of Quebec. Two weeks later, the Sisters opened St. Mary’s Academy. Inspired by the success of these twelve foundresses in establishing schools in the American Northwest, the congregation grew rapidly to include convents and schools across the United States and Canada by the end of the nineteenth century. Today, 1135 Holy Names Sisters continue their mission of education in the faith on three continents.

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Sister Mary Florence and Sister Mary of the Visitation

Sister Mary Florence:  Born in Longueuil, Quebec, in 1838, Alphonsine Collin attended the congregation’s school in that town. She entered the community in 1854 and made final vows by special permission on September 11, 1859. (read more)

Sister Mary of the Visitation: Claire Aglae Lussier was born in 1835 in Quebec. When she entered the community in 1848, she was received by the Congregation’s Foundress, Mother Marie Rose. An accomplished teacher and natural leader, Sister Mary of the Visitation played an important role in the development of new foundations throughout Oregon. (read more)

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Sister Mary Alphonse and Sister Mary of Mercy

Sister Mary Alphonse: Marie-Louise David, a native of Montreal, originally planned to join the Religious of the Sacred Heart but instead decided to enter the Holy Names congregation in 1846. According to Sister Mary Alphonse, Mother Marie Rose appeared to her in a vision and informed her of an important mission that lay ahead. (read more)

Sister Mary of Mercy: Adelaide Rainault was born in 1831 in Beloeil, Quebec. At the age of eighteen, she entered the Sisters of the Holy Names. As a novice, she worked in the sacristy under the often-critical direction of Mother Marie Agnes. During this time she honed her artistic skills. (read more)

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Sister Mary of Calvary and Sister Mary Arsinius

Sister Mary of Calvary: A native of Ontario, Canada, Violet McMullen was born in 1835. She attended the congregation’s school at Longueuil, Quebec. Upon graduation, she entered the Holy Names’ novitiate. Sister Mary of Calvary was twenty-four when she was named for Oregon. During the voyage she was the only Sister who did not succumb to seasickness. (read more)

Sister Mary Arsinius: A native of St. Denis, Quebec, Philomene Mesnard was born in 1838 and orphaned by age eleven. Only one of her brothers maintained contact with Philomene. She first entered the congregation at the age of seventeen but left after several months because of poor health. (read more)

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Sister Mary Margaret and Sister Mary Agathe

Sister Mary Margaret: A native of Dublin, Mary O’Neil and her family left the island in 1845 during the Irish Potato Famine. Mrs. O’Neil died on the transatlantic crossing to Canada. Upon their arrival in Longueuil, Mary and her sister, Catherine, entered the Holy Names’ boarding school. (read more)

Sister Mary Agathe: Born in Montreal on March 23, 1835, Celina Pépin served two religious communities in her lifetime. She first entered the Gray Nuns but was dismissed from that community for her “inaptitude in acquiring learning.” In 1857, she entered the Holy Names congregation as an auxiliary Sister, whose task was household duties. (read more)

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Sister Francis Xavier and Sister Mary Febronia

Sister Francis Xavier: Melanie Vandandaigue, a native of Rouville, Quebec, entered the community in 1853 at the age of eighteen. Sister Mary Febronia pronounced final vows in September, 1859, shortly before the journey to Oregon. Financially astute, Sister was appointed to serve as bursar, or treasurer, for the Oregon foundation. (read more)

Sister Mary Febronia: Born in Montreal on March 23, 1835, Celina Pépin served two religious communities in her lifetime. She first entered the Gray Nuns but was dismissed from that community for her “inaptitude in acquiring learning.” In 1857, she entered the Holy Names congregation as an auxiliary Sister, whose task was household duties. (read more)

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Sister Mary Perpetua and Sister Mary Julia

Sister Mary Perpetua: Martine LaChappelle was fifteen years old when she entered the congregation in 1856. She made her first vows nine months before leaving for Oregon. The youngest of the foundresses, Sister Mary Perpetua was often in poor health, suffering from rheumatism and congestion of the lungs. (read more)

Sister Mary Julia: Born in 1836 at St. Roch de L’Achigan, Quebec, Olive Charbonneau was raised by her grandparents. She entered the congregation as an auxiliary Sister at the age of twenty. The adjustment to religious life proved quite difficult and Olive planned to return to secular life. (read more)