Education… a solution to transform society?

For Mother Marie-Rose, it was essential to educate the girls, especially those in the countryside. In her mind, girls play an essential role in the evolution of the family. Educated girls will be able to contribute to the development of their children, to the development of their family unit and ultimately to society.

This belief is based in part on her family experience where her mother and grandfather played an essential role in her education. It was also fueled by the observations made during her 12 years in the parish of Beloeil as a housekeeper and assistant to her brother, the parish priest. It was while travelling through the region that she realized the extent of the needs of the people in her area, who were largely affected by poverty. For her, the solution to improve the living conditions of the population must be education.

Her vision of education was innovative for its time. She cherished the idea of providing an integral education to foster the full development of the person. This went far beyond teaching reading, writing, home economics and faith.

In  her time, one cannot speak of a real structure of education or even a formal program. However, it is known that the world of education is different whether one is English or French speaking, Protestant or Catholic, boy or girl.