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magazine / so06
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September/October 2006 issue |
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FEATURE - GREY NUNS
The Quiet Evolution
As Montréal’s Grey Nuns decline in number and
health, they face wrenching decisions about where to live out their remaining
years, what to do with their vast property and collections and how to transfer
their work into the hands of secular society
Excerpt of story by Marian Scott with photography by Pierre St.
Jacques
Behind a wrought-iron fence and stately grounds, the Grey Nuns’ majestic Mother
House preserves a reverent silence. Spanning an entire block of René Lévesque
Boulevard in downtown Montréal, the massive stone convent, dating to
1871, forms a tranquil oasis amid the urban bustle. Inside, Sister Georgette
Côté shows off the polished wooden wall panel that displays the
names of the 3,510 women who have made final vows with the Grey Nuns since Marguerite
d’Youville founded the Roman Catholic order in 1737.
"I am number 2,772," says Sister Côté,
a petite 87-yearold with a winsome smile and tireless energy. "Many
others came after me." Beside 3,007 of the names is a small,
wooden cross, indicating the nun has died.
Forty-two novices entered these doors in 1938, the year Sister
Côté, then a 19-year-old teacher from rural New Brunswick,
joined the Sisters of Charity of Montréal, as the order
is known officially. In those days, the rites and rhythms of the
Mother House seemed immutable, from the long habits the nuns wore
to the rule of silence they observed during most daily activities.
Sisters ate communally at long, wooden tables. For recreation,
they listened to readings on religious themes. Outings were restricted.
For the rest of this story, visit your local newsstand or go to our store to buy this issue. top
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