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| Everyday life | Mother Bruyère relates |
| Children’s Corner | Thank you | Cries from the heart | Acknowledgments |

Elisabeth Bruyère

Élisabeth BruyèreFleurs de BruyèreEchoes from the Centre for the
Gerbe de fleurs de BruyèreCause of Élisabeth Bruyère

Vol. 29 No 1 - March 2010

Dear friends of Mother Bruyère,

Once again, we have begun a new year. In the Echoes, throughout 2009, Mother Bruyère revealed the expansion in the field of education started in Bytown in 1845 and spreading through Lower and Upper Canada and even in the United States. The year 2010 will give you the commitment of the Sisters in Health Care during the same period. This issue will cover the development of this charitable work, starting with the first home visits to the sick, to the mini-hospital which opened three months after the Sisters arrived, followed by the devastating typhus epidemic which occurred in 1847.

Although this disaster was not as extensive, we cannot help but compare it to what hit Haïti last January. On the one hand, for the immigrants involved in 1847, it meant illness, death, loss of loved ones, loss of the few belongings that they owned; and for the Canadians, it meant the risk of contagion, (vaccines were inexistent) the unlimited dedication, the unconditional love and acceptance of the strangers in their country and into their hearts. Wouldn’t Mother Bruyère’s heart be turned toward Haïti if she were today?

In this issue of Echoes, under the heading of “Scenes taken from everyday life”, your will find a Mother Bruyère that is like us and very close to us. The “Children’s corner” invites the children to generosity, and, as usual, we are all invited to pray for all the people who entrust their personal intentions to Mother Bruyère, for those who thank her for favours obtained or simply express a special devotion toward her.

Blessed Lenten Season and a Happy Paschal Season!

The Staff

The Centre for the Cause of Élisabeth Bruyère
9 Bruyère Street
OTTAWA ON K1N 5C9

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CameraScenes taken from everyday life

The hidden camera pursues its task of revealing Mother Bruyère’s truly human personality.

 

Is there a more embarassing situation than to see, in public and in our presence, a gesture that we would have wanted to keep secret? Mother Bruyère was in one such situation which she relates to Sister Jane Slocombe on February 9, 1846. At first, she was shy for having been cited as an example, but she laughted afterwards as she recalled the comical aspect of the whole thing.

On January 25, a poor man came to us; he had experienced the loss of all his goods and of his health on a schooner that was shipwrecked near Quebec. He had a good certificate, but I did not dare receive him in the hospital because we had no vacant bed. On the other hand, I hesitated to send him away because he was very sick, with neither relatives nor money. He kept telling me : “If you send me away, I am a dead man”.A poor man in bad health I took him in and gave him my cot. The poor man died the following day after making his confession to Father Baudrand; he did not even have time to receive Extreme Unction. It so happened that the day we took that miserable man in, Father Telmon had convened a meeting of the Ladies of Charity to organize them according to the Montreal Program. He wanted to alert them to the need the hospital had for their help, i.e. for furniture and linens. And here, Father goes on, saying in English, that I had given up my bed rather than send a poor man away. I can assure you that I was ashamed and did not know where to find a corner to escape from the Ladies surrounding me with their attentions. The next day, after the mass that he celebrated for the Associates, again Father repeated in French was had been said to the Ladies in English the day before. This time, I laughed; the incident was not worth being repeated, for I had slept very well that night. However, there was a beneficial effect; it could be that I have acquired a reputation of being very mortified. So, my dear Sister, you should pray for your friend who receives her reward in this world.

ivy

Unexpected circumstances modified a trip to Cornwall with Mother McMullen who was going to visit her family. Mother Bruyère relates, with a bit of humour, what happened along the way.

Tuesday morning, we had two good showers which we could have done without; our poor Mother,Mother McMullen's trip who was travelling for health reasons, was drenched from head to toe; you can imagine my embarrassment. However, Mother seemed so resigned and even content, that I could not refrain from laughing every time she repeated that Sr. St. Joseph made her take walks for her health and that cold baths were good for her. Add to that, a stagecoach as hard as a coal cart and uncovered! Happily, once we arrived at Alexandria, we got a better coach that brought us here at about 5:30 A.M.

The situation wasn’t too rosy, but the warm welcome from Sister’s family quickly made us forget all the inconveniences of the trip.

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Elisabeth writing

Mother Bruyère relates...

 

HUMBLE BEGINNING IN THE HEALTH CARE FIELD

The documentation found in the Archives of the Congregation witness to the involvement of Mother Bruyère and her companions in health care as soon as they arrived in Bytown. As Sisters of Charity, they consider the sick as being the poorest of the poor. As we consult the voluminous correspondence of Mother Bruyère with Mother McMullen, the Superior in Montreal, we realize the urgency of the need for this type of service from the very beginning of the foundation.

Many are the sick in this city without a hospital. They no sooner know the Sisters that they come to them to be treated. How could they resist ? the need was there. On February 27, 1845, Mother Bruyère writes :

Two young men who have been sick for some time, have been unable to find relief in the hands of a doctor; they were very eager to see us. According to the pressing invitations received, two of our Sisters went to see them and provided them considerable relief; there is reason to believe one of them will be healed shortly. As of the other, we fear that he is suffering from tuberculosis. [...] We have started caring for a large number of poor, and we would have many more if we had our medication.

In this rowdy city of lumberjacks, the accidents were frequent. A letter of March 23, 1845 states :

We are currently caring for a young man who received a blow with an ax on his arm. We are treating all kinds of illnesses. We also treat young men from the lumber camps with severe rheumatism. We make them perspire, and that helps them a lot. The doctor who was treating them before gave them Calomel.

Despite the tedious work, a sense of humour comes through some of the descriptions :

ivy

... we cannot go
by three doors
without being stopped.

M.B.   

ivy

You would not believe all the sick we care for. We pass for the best doctors in town; these poor have unlimited trust in us. When we go out to visit the sick, we cannot go by three doors without being stopped; some for illness, others for something else - there is no end. If we had not opposed the idea, Sister Thibodeau would have been named the Doctor for women…we have treated Bishop Phelan; we did him so much good - at least, that is what he says.

The day after day dedication would have justified the title for Sister! Soon, one of Father Telmon’s and the Sisters’ dream will become reality. Thanks to the acquisition of a house next to the convent, a miniature hospital is set up. Just the thing that could cause Mother Bruyère’s heart to rejoice and to stimulate the Sisters’ enthusiasm.

We opened our hospital on May 10 and placed 3 beds in there. The house had been turned over to us on the 8th, so we hurried to make the most pressing improvements, and the last day of the octave of the Holy Cross, we went to get our poor Pierre Éthier, victim of tuberculosis, who had been longing for a hospital for some time. How happy we were to lead this poor man to our new home! That was a feast day for us! […] We all had the pleasure of being of service to our patient. Sister Thibodeau took his feet while I lifted his head; another took care of the bed, etc… One had to see our man in the midst of the confusion! As we started to give him a “much needed” bath, he fought like a drowning man; he protested that we were not to wash his feet. To make him accept, we were obliged to tell him that Our Lord washed the feet of St. Peter, etc… All the time we were cleaning him up, he kept his face turned behind his back as far as he could.

In the same letter, she relates an encouraging visit :

The Protestant doctor wanted to visit the apothecary (pharmacy); he was very surprised to find all kinds of tinctures and remedies. He promised to give her many kinds of rare medecine that he has and a great many dozens of vials with crystal stoppers. He told her he would give her some “picotte”, actually vaccine against smallpox, and would send her all the children who come to him to be vaccinated and that she would be paid 30 cents for each one.

When it comes to charity, language, race, colour or religion are non-existent. The patient is another suffering Christ who needs care. On the 26th of May, the compassionate Mother reveals a case in which all were concerned.

Our Father Telmon was brought a young mulatto, age 15, from Laprairie, who had let a big mast and iron bar drop on his neck and stomach while travelling on the barges. The poor child was delirious, bleeding from the nose and ears, without money and without a friend. Father gave him the Last Rites [...] then decided to consult Sr.Thibodeau during the evening recreation. She prescribed what was needed and Sr. Rivet and Sr. St. Pierre, accompanied by Father, went to administer the medication to the suffering lad. Oh! Mother! It was so moving… It was past 8:30 P.M. when the two Sisters returned. They came in begging me to take in the poor chap at the hospital saying that they would take good care of him and that the school would not suffer. I told them to go get that poor miserable youngster immediately. No need to tell them twice; in no time, they had the bed ready for occupation. There was a small cot in the attic, not mounted; the straw mattress was not filled. It was moving and amusing to watch these young Sisters hastening to alleviate the suffering of this poor man; one taking the cot downstairs, the other…etc. Adeline absolutely wanted to give him her pillow, etc. So the young man was admitted to the hospital that same night, to Father Telmon’s satisfaction. The poor young man swore and fumed in his delirium, and while we were with him, he was calm; he called us his mothers and kissed our hands. At the time I am writing to you, he is dying; he most likely will not be here tomorrow.

The same letter also relates a humorous fact :

We have had a little black boy for 15 days; he was afflicted with a disease proper to the coloured people. The doctor had ordered a special diet for him and the poor child was craving for food because he was fond of sweets and always felt hungry for more. He was really homely. When he was alone in his room, he would stick is “pretty face” out of the window and call out to the first woman who happened to be passing by : "Hey, Lady! Would you bring me a piece of bread with cheese and a small piece of sugar, I love that!”. All the children would surround the house, each one bringing his share. After a good snack, our mischievous boy would tell Sister Thibodeau he had eaten almost nothing! We had a good laugh about that story.

ivy

Those of
greatest interest
are the poor.

M.B.   

ivy

As there were several similar episodes happening, it is not surprising to read one of Mother Bruyère’s reflections to Bishop Ignace Bourget in Montreal : “It is unfortunate that you have never given us (as the Lord gave to his apostles) the power to work miracles, for we could have worked wonders here”.

Her heart was attracted to the poorest of the poor… as we can see in her letter of October 30, 1845, addressed to her regular “confidante” :

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We look after many other respectable persons, but those of greatest interest are the poor, and we care for those who are truly poor. For the past 8 days, we have been waking an Irish consumptive lady living in an attic, lying on a mat on the floor. She is covered with round lice with legs. There is no way we can rid her entirely, for she is too weak. Every evening, the ladies in the area bring food for us to eat during our vigil; they do not want us to bring anything from home. We eat alone.

The needs are forever increasing, and the lack of space is becoming a real problem. The Sisters are giving up indispensable space in order to accommodate the needy. She writes :

In the absence of Sister St. Joseph, we set up a men’s ward in our former community room. Two men from the lumber camps were admitted already, one is French speaking and the other is Irish; the latter is seriously ill with pneumonia and the other had an optic nerve problem, but is now much better. We have our poor Pierre Éthier who suffers constantly; our good old Étienne lodges in our former kitchen next to the men’s ward and sees all that is going on in our absence. He is very happy with his fate; no one disturbs him; all his tools are at hand and he is always busy.

Visiting the sick in their homesThe Sisters continue to visit the sick in their homes and the number of patients in the hospital is increasing. Bishop Phelan is worried about the Sisters. Furthermore, having been misinformed about the care being given to the sick, he intervenes, and on February 20 of 1846, Mother Bruyère writes her side of the story :

ivy

It is impossible
to visit someone
without alleviating
their suffering.

M.B.   

ivy

Bishop Phelan recommended that we no longer visit the sick who live over 4 miles from the city. He also told us to stop giving medication because we could give some that would do more harm than good to the sick. I answered that in that case, he should forbid us all visits, for it is impossible to visit someone without alleviating their suffering. Besides, I added that in difficult cases, we consult our Doctor. Upon hearing this, he understood the situation better and changed his mind; he encouraged us to keep on doing what we have always done.

Still, in the best of worlds, things do not always go smoothly. And a letter written on September 8, 1846 proves that certain events can disturb and upset the Sisters at a time when they would need their peaceful atmosphere.

On August 27, a drunkard slit his throat; the Sisters were the first persons to be called. Sisters Rodriguez and St. Joseph rushed and took care of him. The doctor was summoned, he prescribed the medication for the patient; the Sisters prepared it and gave it to him. They went back to visit him many times in the day, and had someone notify Father Durocher, which turned out to be in vain because the man was in no way disposed to cooperate. That night, the doctor came to purchase some medecine at our dispensary and asked that I please send a Sister to watch over that man and see if he reacted well to the medication, which I willlingly did. Days went by the same way. As the manager of the Inn where this man was boarding did not expect to receive any payment from him, due to his heavy drinking, he pleaded with me to admit him to the hospital.

Here, Mother Bruyère is torn between two attitudes. Her kind heart would want her to take in this poor man. However, the circumstances demand that she do otherwise. She answered that, in the circumstances, it was impossible to do so because three men were required to hold down and care for this man. Because of her refusal, the innkeeper had the man brought to the door the hospital. The priests advised Mother Bruyère to refuse to take him in. She had all the doors locked and the man was left on the doorstep lying on an old blanket. The man asked a nephew to take bring him to his house, but he refused; another one took him in for the night, but would not keep him any longer… and Mother Bruyère writes :

On Thursday, September 3, the sick man was taken down from a wagon by a group of lumbermen; we could hear the man who had visited us that morning calling out to the wagoner : “Unload him, leave him on the ground and I will pay you for your trouble”. We had locked all our doors. I appeared at a window and many people were imploring us to accept “that poor sick man”. I can assure you that my heart was heavy, all the more because for some fifteen days, we had been forced to admit many persons who did not need hospital care and who kept yelling at us : “You are obliged to take care of the poor, you are paid for that”. [...] The man who brought the sick man involved said that he would return later, when it would be dark, that he would break through a door for him to enter and that stones would shatter the house. [...] The kind Irishmen, ever ready and zealous when there is question of defending the rights of their priests or their Sisters, told Father to rely on them and leave the whole matter in their hands.

And this is how the story of the suicidal drunkard was settled : The Irishmen started by sending away the crowd of people assembled in front of the hospital; they then went to the author of the threats, warning him not to insult the Sisters or the priests for, if he did, he would be treated the way he threatened to treat them. The priests provided the money to have the patient sent in a suitable place… and things calmed down, the neighbours could now sleep without fear of violence. The poor man died after having a priest hear his confession.

Despite these difficult moments, the Sisters make regular visits to the immigrants in their sheds. Their presence is always welcome where there is suffering. The letter dated October 30 relates a truly sad situation :

In the miserable shed for emigrants, a poor Irishman is spread out on rags and tatters of misery on the unfinished floor, sick for the past 2 months. He is surrounded by his wife who inspires as much compassion as he and their two pretty little girls, the elder being 3 years old. These poor people no longer receive anything from the Government since September and they are reduced to the greatest misery. The man especially is dying for lack of care and food; he received the Last Rights and Father Molloy counted him as dead. [...] Sister Thibodeau went to see him with Sr. St. Pierre; by taking his pulse, she knew what his ailment was. We brought him a broth which we fed him by spoonful, and recommended to his wife what she should do. Every day, we brought them something to eat in a little pail that I bought - nothing more handy.

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The Typhus Epidemic

We saw where the Irish immigrants who, because of a severe famine had left their country in 1845 and occupied the sheds that the government had built for them. But, in 1847, the situation gets much worse as a fleet of ships leave Ireland for Canada, and while at sea, a typhus epidemic begins on the overcrowded and unsanitary ships. Mother McMullen (Montreal) warns Mother Bruyère of the arrival of these immigrants. Providentially, Mother Bruyère had bought land and an old building in view of establishing the Ottawa General Hospital. This space could be used to take in the immigrants, and on March 30, the projects begin.

Father does not want us to care for the immigrants with a contagious disease here because of the school and the Sisters. He offered the immigration agents to build a shed for immigrants on our land and we could treat them there. He fears that the other gentlemen will not go along with that. Pray, my good Mother, that this good work will not elude us.

A month later, on April 26, decisions are taken :The hospital for immigrants

The hospital for immigrants will be built on our grounds : two Sisters will go to take care of them. We will be given 12 shillings and six pence a week per patient; the medication, wine and fruit, as well as burial expenses will be paid separately. This week, our Father received the answer to his petition to the Ordnance; it looks very good for our obtaining the land requested, that is, 7 double lots.

Time is going by, and the arrival of the immigrants is imminent. Mother Bruyère’s heart is torn. On May 31, the 6th anniversary of her profession, her confidante receives the following reflection :

We are expecting the immigrants any day now; for my part, I fear because of the contagious aspect of their disease. However, I am not refusing to serve them, but I would not want to die from this illness. Again, pray for your cowardly daughter.

The influx of the sick arrived at the improvised hospital in mid-June. The struggle against death had begun. Like a Mother Theresa, the Sisters did everything to save lives, relieve pain or assuring that the patients die in dignity. Mother Bruyère, faithful to Montreal, relates the following on June 15.

ivy

The Sisters
gave their
straw mattresses.

M.B.   

ivy

On June 5th, we received our first immigrant who died on June 8th. On the 10th, we received a very sick man who is now much better. On the 11th, we received 7 who were very sick and full of lice; three of them have died; we were very sad to see them leave so quickly for the other world. The small Carney house that serves as hospital was so full that we had no more room to lodge the sick. You would have been edified if you had seen our Chaplain with many Canadian and Irish citizens hastening to build wooden cabins to provide shelter for these poor people. Almost all the Sisters gave their straw mattresses, many, their bed. Today, all those who still had a blanket gave it willingly to protect the unfortunate poor from the cold and the rain. All our novices proved themselves to be true mothers of the poor, and that greatly encouraged us. Only two women had the courage to offer themselves to watch with us, so great is the fear of infection. We are not lacking volunteers to watch the sick at the convent.

Mr. George Burke, the Bytown agent of the Government, is having an extension built for the immigrants. Father Telmon is in charge of the project with Brother Sweeney. Since I started this letter, Sister Assistant has admitted 4 patients. I had to notify Father to build another cabin, that we had no more room. We now have 24 immigrants. The number may sound small to you, but it is very big for us, with the scarcity of space to accommodate them. Last night, 23 sick persons slept outside in the rain; it was impossible for the agent to find a better place for them; all the buildings and houses were full.

The next day, she recognizes that all this effort has a positive and gratifying aspect.

The Protestants stand in admiration on seeing us take care of the immigrants without reluctance. They recognize that our establishment is very useful… etc. You would be happy to see the ladies and young girls hasten to get sheets, shirts, straw mattresses and pillow cases, etc. They do the sewing. We also received a few gifts. We do not have much merit for what we are doing because the people feel so sorry for us; however, I am happy that it is that way. I think God arranges all things for His greater glory.

By July, the hospital is overflowing with patients while the number of workers is decreasing. Yet, Mother Bruyère feels that the Sisters of Montreal (doing the same work) are more admirable than those of Bytown.

We are also relieving the immigrants but we are far from doing as much as you are. In spite of our minor problems, when we compare ourselves to the Sisters of Montreal, we acknowledge that we are well off. We have three large rooms that now accommodate 60 patients. The convalescents are transferred to the tents that the officers of the Government loaned us. A sizable number of patients die. There are two Sisters in each room, with two girls to help them. The Sisters take turn to watch over the patients at night. We have sick people in the convent… as many as we can take. The young men from the lumber camps are very obliging; they keep watch with us every night at the Hospital for Immigrants.

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But physical resistence has its limits. Some of the valiant workers have succumbed as we find in the letters of the 9th and 15th of July. Mother Bruyère relies on prayer.Sisters Conlan and Curran, plus a young hired girl are very ill...

I would have left this morning for Montreal if the Sisters were not sick with the typhys fever. Sisters Conlan and Curran, plus a young hired girl are very ill; our young Sisters will come out of it, but I fear for the girl… The Sisters are starting to feel exhausted, I do not know if they will be able to hold up being so few and receiving no help, especially for the night watch. We are praying for you, please pray for us. Two of our young orphan girls caught the fevers but there is nothing serious. Today, we will be putting the children on vacation until next August 15.

ivy

Prayer, prayer...
our unique
support.

M.B.   ivy

Sister Lavoie came down with the fevers this morning and Sister Hagan tonight. The other two are better. I expect to be hit also. The number of sick immigrants is increasing daily. I do not know if we can hold out. Fiat voluntas tua! Prayer, prayer… our unique support.

Death is taking its toll, with many young immigrants among those who die. This striking anecdote is dated July 13.

At 10:45 A.M., our little immigrant, Anastasia, age 9 died. At 1:30 P.M., I went with the Sisters to prepare her for burial. We dared not remove her clothes… she gave off such a foul odour whenever we moved her body. We hastened to open all windows and to place her in a coffin to be carried to the Church and then to the cemetery. Her body was black.

As expressed in a letter dated July 29, the government wants to impose an overload on the Sisters

The Committee (Health Bureau of Bytown) is proposing an expansion of 50 feet to the Hospital for Immigrants in order to be able to admit more sick persons; we refused because we are too few to be able to care for them. The number of Sisters able to care for the immigrants is reduced to 4, with 2 girls to help them. If these Sisters hold up, it will be a miracle.

To summarize the situation to date, Mother Bruyère presents a vivid picture to the Sisters in Red River.

Day and night, we have to care for 60 immigrants sick with the fevers. The night before last, the Oblate priests anointed all the sick so that no one would die without this help. For some, death from this contagious disease comes in less than 3 hours; luckily, the cool weather is over and a certain number will recover. Pray for us, good Sisters, we are in great need. I do not have time to write at length as I usually do; we have to resort to secular help to stay with our sick Sisters at night, and the Sisters stay with the immigrants. We are 17 Sisters, one of which is in Montreal. Of the 16 here, 6 are sick, 4 work at the hospital for immigrants, one takes care of Father Molloy and the others attend to what is most pressing. We do not have time for our religious exercises; I have spent more than 8 days without having time to stop for my meditation, and the others have even more work than I have. We can find no one to help us with the care, be it for gold or silver.

If Bytown is going through a difficult period, Montreal’s fate is even worst for some of their Sisters have died after having contracted the disease. Mother McMullen asked Mother Bruyère for help and on September 29, she granted that request.

To be of service to you, there is nothing I would not do. You are too good to us, we would not refuse you anything. It is then with the greatest pleasure that on next Monday, October 4, we will send Sisters Phelan and Curran, accompanied by Sister Assistant. I can hope, and have the firm conviction that Sister Phelan will spare herself in nothing. Sister Curran can also be useful with the English speaking patients.

The unmerciful typhus epidemic continues to spread into the first months of 1848. Fortunately, the number of patients gradually decreases and the special hospital can close its doors on May 31 of that year. Earlier in April, Mother Bruyère revealed to the Sisters of Red River the depth of the problems encountered during the epidemic.

Of the 21 Sisters, only five did not have the disease. Many were at death’s door, but the Lord graciously heard our persistent prayers. I too came close to death, but the Blessed Virgin had pity on me.

According to the Registry of Admissions to the General Hospital of Bytown, which is now in our Archives, 619 contagious immigrants were hospitalized between June 5, 1847 and May 31, 1848. Within the same period, there are 162 deaths registered. A microfilm copy of this register also exists in the Archives of the city of Ottawa.

Ivy

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Children’s Corner

Mère Bruyère

TAKING CARE OF THE SICK

- Mother Bruyère, I saw Sisters going into the little white house next to yours. Do they live there?

- No, but we bought that house to take care of the sick people.

- Are there many sick people?

- The hospital is so small, we have only three beds. Our first patient is the good Pierre Ethier. He was living alone and his lungs were very sick . We went to get him with a wheelbarrow. Now, he is happy because we are taking care of him.

- I saw a boy with a pretty black face looking out the window and asking for food, saying he had nothing to eat.

- The dear child. We gave him all the food he needed, but he is a bit of a glutton. Had we given him more food, he would have been sick to his stomach.

- You told us about the people with a disease called “typhus”. Are they the people who came from Ireland?

- Yes indeed. Many of them are still in the government sheds that you can see over there. Their houses are very poor. They have very little and many of them are sick. We go to visit them every day to bring them food, medication and clothes. We help them in many ways. We love them very much.

- When we hear you, we feel that we want to do good deeds too. I was going to buy candies, but I will give you the pennies I have for them.

design

Some of the Sisters go to the river to wash the immigrants’ clothes.

Can you find the 8 differences in the following two drawings?

Can you find the differences?

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Thank you dear Mother Bruyère!

* Thank you for a favour obtained for my son F. (S.);

* Mother Élisabeth, thank you for all the favours obtained this year. I am thanking you by having a Mass of thanksgiving celebrated. (R.);

* Thank you for having helped me rent an apartment and for your protection when we pray to you. (J.- M.);

* Thank you Mother Bruyère for the cure of a first cancer. The operation for a second one has been successful. I have faith in you. (M.);

* Thank you Mother Bruyère! A patient in rehabilation following an accident is now able to go home. (P.).

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“Cries from the heart” towards Mother Bruyère!

Prayer

Father of loving kindness,
in Mother Bruyère
You have given us
a heart attentive to all needs,
a soul open to all types of suffering.

Confident in her powerful intercession,
through her, we dare to present
our most intimate intentions (…)
and those of all the persons
who confide in her maternal heart (…)

In the name of your Son Jesus
we beseech you to
hear our humble prayers
and grant to your Church
the grace of the Beatification
of your faithful servant Élisabeth Bruyère.

Amen.

Favours obtained

* Dear Mother Bruyère, intercede for M.who is to have an operation for a back problem. (R.);

* Watch over S. who is to have a biopsy; heal the cancer on my lip (M.-J.); intercede for a cure of N. who has cancer of the uterus (R.);

* To you, I entrust my brother who has cancer of the lungs (L.); my granddaughter, age 19, who is to be operated on for cancer of the uterus (P.); for our Sisters who are presently being treated for cancer (A.);

* We beseech you in favour of B. who is in a depression. (L.);

* Protect my daughter and son-in-law who are having serious financial problems (G.); that my husband may have good employees and many contracts (S.);

* Obtain a job for my son-in-law (G.); that my daughter-in-law may go back to work; for a couple in need (C.); help my son in his efforts to find a job (M.); I recommend the success of an interview in view of a new job (C.); obtain me a new job (R.);

* Please change my heart of hate and pain into a heart of peace and joy (C.); we entrust you with a prisoner on his way to a spiritual healing (R.); that my daughter obtain custody of her grandchild (S.);

* We entrust you with C., a professor in Haïti, having many problems plus ill health (L. & C.);

* I ask you to grant me 2 favours: healing of my arm and success of my eye operation (R.-A.); I entrust you with my hip operation (H.); Take care of a couple experiencing serious problems and must take a serious decision (R.);

* Mother Bruyère, help me. I have serious heart and blood pressure problems (L.);

* I entrust you with my cousin in rehabilitation after a fracture of the skull. He must relearn everything (P.); that my daughter-in-law admit her depression and accept treatment (N.) take this serious family problem in your hands (G.);

* Help me! Touch the heart of this person who is doing me so harm (L.); ask the Lord to make my relationship with my boss easier (N.); watch over I’s family (L.); grant health and peace to my family (R.); watch over my children still at school.(S.);

* Grant that I may pay my debts (T.); (S.); that I may pay all my unpaid bills (S.); that I can earn an honest living (R.);

* Grant me success in my new type of job (S.); I entrust you with the sale of my sister’s house. We have confidence in your intercession (G);

* Protect my my twins to come; my pregnancy is at risk (S.); take under your protection A., 16 years old, who has a malformation of the heart and is scheduled for a risky operation (L.); for the success of an open-heart surgery (S.);

* We pray you for I., 16 months old, who is to have a long and delicate operation to correct a malformation of the hips and feet;

* I pray you for my sister C., whose sight is failing due to macular degenerescence (J.); watch over D., age 80, threatened with blindness due to a retinopathy (R.);

* Mother Bruyère, I recommend my surgery for a tumour of the bowel. Please guide the surgeon’s hand (P.);

* Protect this young couple where the husband has cancer (S.); take care of my partner who has cancer of the prostate (R.);

* Care for 2½ year old daugther who has diabetes (L.);

* We entrust to you F., who has cancer; watch over her 3 children who need their mother (C.);

* Watch over A., mother of 2 children who has multiple sclerosis (C.); we ask for a cure for M. who must have a kidney removed (C.).

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Acknowledgments of faith and hope...

Dear Mother Élisabeth Bruyère,

How can we THANK YOU for having interceded in our favour of our Residence lodging many elderly people besides the Sisters? Thank you for having protected us from the A H1N1 virus. I had placed your picture on the bulletin board and asked the people to pray to you to be protected from that disease.

I also asked people on the outside to do the same, as I told them how you were protecting us. As far as I know, no one had that flu! THANK YOU! THANK YOU.” (M.)

I have great confidence in Mother Bruyère.” (M.);

I placed a relic of Mother Bruyère on my back to cure my arthritis.” ( J.-A.)

I am faithful in saying the prayer requesting the Beatification of Mother Bruyère.” (M.)

The best wish I can make for this new year is that God will hear your prayers and grant you the grace that Mother Bruyère be recognized as “Blessed” and thus become a choice intercessor for the faithful.” (M.)

Should you wish to receive
relics made of cloth having touched
the remains of Mother Bruyère,
for you and your friends, contact...


The Centre for the Cause;
it will be our pleasure to send you some.

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Prayer for the Beatification
of Élisabeth Bruyère

Merciful God, you called Élisabeh Bruyère
to a socially and religious committed life
in the midst of a rising population.

Like Jesus, Élisabeth loved, listened,
taught, cared for, suffered and wept;
she prayed. She spent her life doing good.

In view of her living faith,
her indomitable courage,
her admirable compassion,
we beseech you, God our Father,
to grant the Church, if you will,
the beatification of your
faithful Servant, Élisabeth Bruyère.

Amen.

 


Echoes from the Centre for the Cause Élisabeth Bruyère

bulletin distributed free of charge

Goals : brief the readers on the life of the Servant of God, Élisabeth Bruyère, her work and her reputation of holiness, in order to arouse confidence in her power of intercession;

promote the cause of Canonization by obtaining a miracle attributable to her intercession.

Spiritual advantages that all Friends of Mother Bruyère can profit from :

* A monthly Mass is celebrated in their intentions in the chapel of the Motherhouse.
* Every evening, the Sisters present to the Lord their intentions through the intercession of Mother Bruyère.

 

 

Staff

Sr Huguette Bordeleau, SCO, director
Sr Claire Ménard, SCO

Collaborators :
Father André Fortin
Sr Hélène Roch, SCO
Sr Pauline Beauchesne, SCO

Graphic Designer :
Sr Claire Ménard, SCO

Telephone : 613-241-2710
FAX : 613-241-5509
E-mail : hbordeleau@scogen.org
Website : www.soeursdelachariteottawa.com

N.B. Please, do not forget to let us know of any change of address... we like to keep our files well updated. Thank you!

Copyright et impression

ISSN 1201-8775
Legal deposit : Vol. 29 no 1 - 2010
National Library of Canada

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© Sisters of Charity of Ottawa
Last update : 7-05-2010

 


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Youth Corner
A Pioneer in Social Works
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Home
| French | English |


Signature d'Élisabeth Bruyère

Regular Items



New Items


Coming Attractions

The Orphanage
Youth Corner
A Pioneer in Social Works
Publications

 

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© Sisters of Charity of Ottawa
Last update : 7-05-2010


Home
| French | English |


Signature d'Élisabeth Bruyère

Regular Items



New Items


Coming Attractions

The Orphanage
Youth Corner
A Pioneer in Social Works
Publications

 

Line verticale
 
 
 

Top of the page

 
© Sisters of Charity of Ottawa
Last update : 7-05-2010


Home
| French | English |


Signature d'Élisabeth Bruyère

Regular Items



New Items


Coming Attractions

The Orphanage
Youth Corner
A Pioneer in Social Works
Publications

 

Line verticale
 
 
 

Top of the page

 
© Sisters of Charity of Ottawa
Last update : 7-05-2010