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The Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, formerly known as The Sisters of the Little Schools (Les Soeurs des Petites-Écoles) until 1891, was founded by Elisabeth Turgeon, in Rimouski, Province of Quebec, Canada.
The foundation dates back to September 14, 1874 but its specific orientation came with the arrival of Elisabeth Turgeon on April 3, 1875. Bishop Jean Langevin, first Bishop of Rimouski, aware of the religious ignorance of his vast Diocese, explicitly requests the assistance of Miss Elisabeth Turgeon to assure the presence of teachers for the children of his schools.
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Elisabeth, however, wanted to be part of more than a pious association. Tenacious and daring, she finally got permission from the Bishop for herself and her companions to become religious. September 12, 1879, they pronounced their vows of chastity, poverty and obedience. The young Institute, dedicated to the Christian Instruction and Education of children, then counted thirteen members.
Mother Mary Elisabeth had the joy of sending the first two Missionaries to Saint-Gabriel of Rimouski. January 7, 1880, they assumed the direction of the local school. By so doing they initiated the specific mission of the Congregation: |
The Institute of "les Soeurs des Petites Écoles" aims at forming good teachers and maintaining schools in areas where the need is most urgent.
The Sisters should dedicate themselves to their own salvation and perfection with the help of divine grace, and at the same time instruct and form children to piety, especially those of the poor. (Constitutions of the Institute written by Elisabeth Turgeon.)
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Mother Mary Elisabeth died on August 17, 1881. For six years she had given the best of herself to the Institute, she had laid a solid foundation. Her religious family had 17 members and underwent terrible difficulties to survive. The faith of the Sisters of the Little Schools was stronger than any obstacles that threathened its expansion. The final approval of the Institute and its Constitutions and Rules by His Holiness Pius XI, January 7, 1936, was a strong factor for the stability of the Congregation.
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