Among the activities organized as part of Archeology Month, there will be a workshop on applying glaze to fired clay (cookie) at the SNJM Foundation House, Saturday, August 10, at 10:30 a.m. This activity is designed for children 8 and over accompanied by their parents, and is an original way to introduce young people to a forgotten art: porcelain painting.

Sr. Lisette Boulé is an arts teacher and will be leading a one-hour workshop on the theme of birds. The workshop is free, but participants will have to buy the materials at the workshop (between $1 and $10). The workshop is being held in a small space, so it is also essential to sign up in advance.

Open House and Built Heritage Tours

August 10 will also provide the opportunity to enjoy many activities in Parc de la Baronnie and the Old Convent of Longueuil, located opposite. As in past years, the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) will hold an Open House to enable visitors to discover a slice of our history from a fresh perspective.

Visitors will be able to explore the area with its original chapel and the historic rooms where the foundress Marie-Rose Durocher lived. The museum, dedicated to the pioneers of this teaching religious congregation, will enable visitors to make a connection with the historical context following the 1837 rebellion.

People in search of knowledge can also continue their exploration with the outdoor thematic tour path “If the walls could speak” presented at 2:30 p.m. (reservation required). This commented visit will enable you to discover the wealth of the built heritage in this sector of Longueuil and the architectural features of the buildings on the SNJM site.

Exhibition of Archives on Girls’ Education

The new archival exhibition under the theme “Education for Young Women: Central to the SNJM Mission” highlights the vision of the pioneers in this teaching congregation. They were convinced of the positive impact that the education of girls has on the empowerment of women, the improvement in the living and health conditions of the families and the evolution of society.

The visitors will make some surprising discoveries while circulating through the exhibition’s seven zones. They will appreciate the three stagings, which are supplemented with artifacts that will plunge them into a beautiful immersive experience. For those who want to, they can even have their picture taken in one of the SNJM classrooms!

So, it’s a date! We’ll meet you at the Congregation House (Old Convent of Longueuil — 80 Saint-Charles Street East, Longueuil), on Saturday, August 10 from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

To reserve a place or for further information about these free activities, call 450 651-8104, ext. 0 or write to reception@snjm.org

Launching of Cultural and Historical Activities at Marie-Rose Centre

The Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) have officially opened their new archives exhibition, open to the public until February 7, 2020. This year, the theme focuses on the issue of access to education for girls, an issue that remains to this day, as evidenced in the numerous signs of gender inequalities in education.

Sister Denise Riel, Provincial Animator of SNJM sisters of Québec, stated that “women account for two thirds of the 774 million illiterate adults in the world and that 130 million girls aged 6 to 17, receive no schooling at all.” Referring to the fact that girls have a greater risk of being denied access to school than boys, Sister Riel went on to say that “there was a time in Québec, and elsewhere in America, when the education of girls was considered unnecessary.”

Convinced, like her predecessors, that education is the driving force of social change, Sister Riel believes it is essential to make known the SNJM mission and to promote awareness in the struggle counteracting inequalities that exist in education today. The current exhibition is one of the many means to accomplish this goal.

An innovative vision of education

With the theme, Educating Young Women: Central to the SNJM Mission, this exhibition creatively blends past and present, revealing the visionary side of Eulalie Durocher and her companions. They were convinced that the education of girls and young women has a positive impact on furthering independence for women, improving the living conditions and health of families and contributing to the evolution of society. 

Participants at the exhibition will learn of the innovative approach taken by SNJMs since their modest beginnings in 1843. As visitors walk through seven areas portraying themes such as the course of studies, the arts and teacher training, they will make surprising discoveries, particularly in three distinct settings exhibiting artifacts providing a real immersion experience. Those who wish may have their photograph taken as they sit in an SNJM classroom!

 A museum open to all

The official opening of this new exhibition of archives also serves as the opening of the summer season for Marie-Rose Centre, a unique and varied museum. This museum, dedicated to the foundresses, includes the Foundation House, the chapel and the historic rooms where Mother Marie-Rose lived.

Religious and architectural heritage enthusiasts can also enjoy an outdoor thematic walk. To learn more, make your reservations for a guided tour of the exhibition, or explore different elements of Marie-Rose Centre by calling 450-651-8104, extension 0, or emailing reception@snjm.org. All activities take place at the Congregational House, located at 80, rue Saint-Charles Est, Longueuil.

Schedule: visits by appointment, during the year, Tuesday to Friday; during the summer season, Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 4:00.

Marie-Rose Centre is a member of Saint Lawrence River Shrines, the only organization which has a religious heritage route in Québec combining a number of shrines.