Page 20 - Michael 2024 January

Saint Marguerite d’Youville

Mother of Universal Charity

Here is a summary of her life, as published in the
September 2001 letter from Saint-Joseph de Clairval
The founders of MICHAEL have always had a 1
special devotion to Saint Marguerite d’Youville (1701- Abbey:
1771), foundress of the Sisters of Charity of Montreal, by Dom Antoine Marie, OSB
commonly known as the Grey Nuns. A painting of Saint During Marguerite d’Youville’s canonization cere-
Marguerite d’Youville (photo above) is displayed in the mony, Pope John Paul II observed that “the foun-
dining room of Saint Michael’s House, right next to the dress of the ‘Gray Sisters’ gives us a great example;
image of the Eternal Father, a reproduction of a paint- she was able to overcome her disappointments and
ing made in 1741 by the French artist Challe, at the re- accept suffering as Christ’s cross. Surrendering her-
quest of Saint Marguerite d’Youville. And still today, at self to the hands of Providence, she continued on her
the MICHAEL’s motherhouse in Rougemont, we recite way in hope. Confidence did not leave her... Her life
the following prayer every day: was utterly in the Creator’s hands.” This attitude was
“Eternal Father, deign to grant us the grace of truly wise, for “recognizing this utter dependence
your protection over our homes; we ask this of you with respect to the Creator is a source of wisdom
with faith, trust and love, through the intercession and freedom, of joy and confidence” (Catechism of
of Saint Marguerite d’Youville, your faithful servant the Catholic Church, CCC, 301). In fact, after creation,
whose life was a tribute of filial abandonment to your God does not abandon His creatures to their own de-
Providence. Saint Marguerite d’Youville, pray for us.” vices, but “at every moment, upholds and sustains
Two of Saint Marguerite d’Youville’s sons, Fran- them in being, enables them to act and brings them
çois and Charles Duforst, became priests, and it was to their final end” (ibid.). The life of our saint gives
Charles, his mother’s first biographer, who coined the vivid witness to this.
expression “Mother of Universal Charity”, which was Marie-Marguerite Dufrost de Lagemmerais came
used by Pope John XXIII at the beatification of Mar- into the world on October 15, 1701, in Varennes, near
guerite d’Youville on May 3, 1959. In Canada, the litur- Montreal, in “New France” (called “Canada” after
gical feast of Saint Marguerite d’Youville is celebrated
on October 16, and in other countries on December 23. 1 www.clairval.com/index.php/en/letter/?id=2031001

20 MICHAEL January/February 2024 www.michaeljournal.org