Blessed Marie Rose Durocher

How were the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary founded?

The striking need for education of girls and young women, particularly those in rural Quebec Canada, drew Blessed Marie Rose Durocher, the foundress of the Sisters of the Holy Names, to be part of a bold new project. When a group of Sisters from France, whom she had hoped to join, declined to come to the “New World” in Quebec, she was inspired to be part of founding a new religious Congregation in 1843. Her deep faith and commitment to spreading God’s word attracted other young women to the same mission. She promoted education in the faith with a special concern for the poor and disadvantaged. Soon this young Congregation had established parish and boarding schools in the Quebec region. After Blessed Marie Rose’s early death at age 38, the Congregation spread to the United States on both East and West Coasts and beyond.

Known as excellent educators who believe in education as promoting the full development of the human person, the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary continue today carrying on the mission of education in schools and other ministerial settings. Blessed Marie Rose’s spirit of trust in God and deep belief in the transforming value of education inspire new generations of Sisters and lay partners in this important work.

Short Biography of Mother Marie Rose Durocher

The foundress of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, Eulalie Melanie Durocher, was born in a small rural village in Quebec called Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu on October 6, 1811. The tenth of eleven children, she grew up in a prosperous farming family, first educated at home by her grandfather and later by the Sisters of the Congregation-de-Notre Dame in St. Denis and Montreal. Her poor health required her to return home from the boarding school in Montreal to be tutored by a teacher from the College of de Saint-Hyancithe.

After her mother’s death, one of her three priest brothers encouraged Eulalie and her father to move to his parish house in Beloeil. In the parish she oversaw the running of the house and engaged in religious education for the young people of the parish. She became aware of the great need for education for those in rural areas and the needs of many who were sick or poor in the parish.

Eulalie Durocher had not intended to found a new religious Congregation, but to join a congregation from Marseille, France who had been invited to set up a mission in Quebec. When the Sisters did not come, the Bishop of Montreal encouraged Eulalie and two other young women to found a new Congregation, the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, sharing the name of the French Congregation. 

 In 1843, Eulalie and two other women began their postulancy and professed religious vows on December 8, 1844. Eulalie was given the religious name of Sister Marie Rose. From the start, they began teaching in a small schoolhouse across the river from Montreal. They moved to a larger building two years later to meet the growing number of pupils. By 1849, three other schools had been established in the villages along the Richelieu River, teaching 450 children.

Known as a wise, loving, and warm leader and Superior, Mother Marie Rose drew other women to her presence and sense of God, seeking her advice and comfort. Never having had robust health, she died of what was then called “wasting illness” on October 6, 1849, at the age of 38. Even at her funeral, the bishop expressed the wish that Mother Marie-Rose be recognized for her holy life. The strong foundation that she and the other founding women built enabled the Congregation to grow and expand to other countries where it serves today in Canada, the United States, Peru, Brazil, and Lesotho.  In May 1982, she was beatified by Pope John Paul II. 

Resources

1. Blessed Marie Rose

Introduction to the foundress of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary and her legacy. 4 half-size pages, printable front/back on one 8.5×11 sheet of paper. View/download

2. Sayings of Blessed Marie Rose

View online or download a PDF to print on 8.5×11 paper and fold into a booklet.