ELISABETH TURGEON AND THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE WILL OF GOD "My only ambition is to know Jesus", Sr. Elisabeth wrote those words to her sisters, January 1880. To know Jesus, to go to his school was, for Elisabeth, to learn through him how to accept the will of God, he who had said to his disciples: "My food is to do the will of Him who sent me" (John 4, 34). As it was with Jesus, so it was for Elisabeth, that to do the will of God was vital. For the third time Bishop Jean Langevin invited Elisabeth Turgeon to come teach the youth of his diocese. Elisabeth saw the will of God being expressed in the three-time request by the first Bishop of Rimouski. Again it was to do the will of God that she accompanied four of her sisters to the Gaspe Coast to teach the children of Saint-Godefroi and Port-Daniel, against the council of her doctor, who thought it would be too much for her frail health. The Institute needed new recruits. Should she accept all who would present themselves? Discernment was necessary. The foundress, in order to do the will of God invited her sisters to pray: "Pray much so that we admit within our group only those whom the Lord has called, and who have the will to At the hour of his death, Jesus said; "My Father, if this cup of suffering cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done." (Mt. 26, 42) As an echo, Elisabeth would say: "My dear Sisters, the time has come, the Good Lord calls me to himself, I am obedient to his orders, however, I would not refuse to live if such were his will." (Chronicles, March 23, 1881) To do the will of God, such was the daily trend of the life of Elisabeth Turgeon, for herself and for the good order of her Institute. Rita Gallant, R.S.R.
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respond through the sacrifices which he will demand of those he has chosen as spouses." (Letter, October 18, 1880) We understand the basic trend that Elisabeth Turgeon addressed to her sisters. "Good day my dear Sisters! Be resigned to do the will of God." (Letter, October 4, 1880) "Here we have our crosses, probably greater than yours. However, may God, be blessed! It is as he has wanted it." (Letter, January 1881)