Legacy

Historical Sketch

The Congregation of the Sisters of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin was founded in Saint-Grégoire, September 8, 1853, by the Reverend Jean Harper.

At the invitation of Reverend Harper, four young women – Leocadie Bourgeois, Mathilde Leduc, Hedwige Buisson, and Julie Heon – desiring to consecrate themselves to the Lord, accepted to pursue the new foundation. Under the patronage of Our Lady of the Assumption, they began the apostolic work of educating young girls of the parish.

From the outset, Reverend Harper had recommended to the foundresses that charity be the hallmark of the Congregation.  This encouraged the Sisters’ firm endeavor to be closely united and, through the various commitments of their educational mission, to respond to the concrete needs of their times and milieus.  The Congregation developed rapidly, and soon responded to new appeals: co-educational schools, missions among the First Nations, normal schools, home economic institutions, schools of music, institutions of higher learning, catechetical works, missions in other countries, adult education and pastoral ministry.

– Constitutions, pages 5-6, adapted

Educational Legacy

From the outset, the foundresses, Leocadie, Hedwige, Mathilde, and Julie were tasked with beginning a school for girls in the parish of Saint-Gregoire.  Their early efforts saw quick growth in number of students and eventual vocations.

The transfer of the Motherhouse and Novitiate to neighboring Nicolet, and the foundation of a boarding school there occurred in 1872.  Over the years, rapid growth ensued.  The Motherhouse grew in size and the sisters established more and varied programs in the school to meet the educational needs of girls in the area.

The early initiatives laid the groundwork for what remains today, Collège Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption (CNDA), officially incorporated in 1967. In 2016, CNDA became a secular establishment. No longer sponsored by the Sisters of the Assumption, the school nevertheless carries the firm roots of its founders, whose vision, commitment to the arts, and openness to innovation remain.  Today, over 150 years later, the now coeducational, residential high school continues to thrive.

Euntes Ergo Docete Omnes Gentes

Throughout the Congregation’s history, in faith and with trust in God’s Providence, the Sisters of the Assumption responded to the calls of the Church.  They willingly answered appeals for their educational services, accepting with simplicity the accompanying conditions of poverty and hard work. Such calls took them to various locations in the province of Quebec and then to Ontario, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.  Soon there were calls from places outside of Canada and the sisters traveled to the United States, Japan, Brazil and Ecuador, setting up schools and welcoming vocations.

Through the years, the Sisters of the Assumption have lived their educational mission founding schools, creating curriculum, authoring educational books, courses, and programs, and instructing in the arts.  Over time, educational work in pastoral ministry and adult education were new areas where sisters began to serve.

Today, as in the past, in ministry or through prayer, sisters live their educational mission attentive to “the life and the needs of the human community” (Constitutions, no. 9).