The contribution of the arts, including drawing, painting and music, to a teaching program is deemed essential to “a solid and thoroughly well-rounded education”, wrote Father Telmon, OMI, in March 1843, a few months before the founding of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM). In his missive to his superior, Mgr de Mazenod, he expressed his wish to recruit teaching religious with knowledge and aptitude for drawing and music. “Intellectual education and practical education are complemented by an artistic education, not superimposed on them, but which, at every stage of mental development, is one with them.” (Mgr Albert Tessier, Notes)
Father Telmon, who accompanied Mother Marie-Rose in the early days of the SNJM Congregation, undoubtedly influenced the Founder, who in the first year of the foundation rushed to borrow a piano from the parish priest of Longueuil, Moïse Brassard. As she wished to offer quality teaching, she wanted her religious “to become capable and even skilled in the art of instructing…” (A Work of Art Education: The Vincent D’Indy School – Sister M.-Hélène-Andrée [Morel, Marie-Paule], SNJM)
She hired Mr. William Benziger to teach piano. He gave each student three lessons a week for two years in the presence of Sister Véronique-du-Crucifix. Sister Véronique-du-Crucifix put these invaluable teaching methods to good use, both in her music teaching and in the development of her Study Plan, designed to standardize teaching in all SNJM establishments.
The teaching of music and the arts has therefore always been part of the curriculum offered by the SNJM. The creation of the École de musique Vincent-d’Indy in Quebec is tangible proof of the Congregation’s commitment to quality music education. Sister Marie-Stéphane was the first director of the Department of Musical Studies, and the first director of the École de musique Vincent-d’Indy.
