Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-09-05
AN AMERICAN SAINT
Why Marie Guyart of the Ursu-
lines Was Canonized.
LAB0RED IN WILDERNESS
Left Luxury of France to Endure
Privations in Canada.
GAVE MONTCALM A GRAVE
Defender of Quebec Buried in Con-
vent-Skull of Soldier Is
Shown Visitors.
LABORED IN WILDERNESS
GAVE MoNTCALM A GRAVE
BY WILLIAM F. CURTIS.

Special Correspondence of The Star and the
Chicago Record Herald.
QUEBEC. September 1, 1911
On the 14th of August the Sacred Col
lege at Rome added another American
to the catalogue of saints-Marie Guyart,
a sister of the Ursuline Order, under the
title of Mary of the Incarnation. She
vas the foundresS of the Crsuline con-
vent in this city. which. / understand, is
the largest nunnery in Canada, if not i'll
America. We already had one American
woman among the. saints, Santa Rosa
Of Lima. Peru, who was canonized more
than a hundred years ago for her piety.
her works of benevolence and certain
miraculous manifestations in her career.
Marie Guyart was not a native Ameri-
can like Santa Rosa. but was born at
Tours France, November 5. 1899. the
daughter of a silk merchant of consid-
cradle wealth and reputation. She was a
precocious child, and the family and
the neiShbors were amazed at her intel
ligence and piety during her glrlhood.
The peasants believed that she had COM
munications with the angels. When she
was eighteen years old she married Jo-
seph Martin, the son of neighbor, with
whom she had been intimately associated
from her earliest childhood, but within
tIATI IlOUlUS Sl4t NdS d "luc", oNti-
whelmed with grief Within a few weeks
after her husbands death a son was
BORN, and he was named Joseph, in MEM
DRY of his father He became Jesuit,
spent several years in Canada and wrote
his mothers biography.
Decided to Take Veil.
After FIVE years of widowhood Nine.
Martin decided upon a religious life. be-
due time took the veil and ultimately be-
came the superior of her convent When
she was forty years old Nine. Peltrie,
wealthy and benevolent woman, under
took to found an institution for the edu-
cation and conversion of Indian children
in New France. and became associated
with the Duchesse d Aiguillon, niece OF
the famous Cardinal Richelieu, who was
taking an active interest in missionary
work in Canada. Through their int1u-
ence and with the patronage of the Arch
bishop of Toulouse Marie de rIncarna-
ton and three other nuns of her order
we're led by divine guidance to Canada
and after a tempestuous voyage arrived
at Quebec in July, 1853, and entered upon
their sacred mission.
Marie de Incarnation was then tall,
stately, beautiful woman of remarkable
talents, tact, energy, courage and zeal.
She spent the remainder of her life in
religious work and died in the odor OF
sanctity May j. 1862, at the age of sew
enty-two years, and was buried in the
convent she had founded. Her thirty
three years in Canada were filled with
good works and proofs of her piety, and
miracles have been performed by her
remains She suffered combats without
but no fears within. and during dangers
and exposure on the wild frontier she
never for moment lost her courage or
faltered In her faith.
gan in 1861 and the expenses have been
paid by contributions from the pupils Of
Ursuline Convent in different parts of the
world Her claims were submitted by
Mgr Baillargeon, Archbishop of Quebec.
who obtained the necessary dispen-
sation from his holiness the Pope and
was allowed ten years TO submit proof
of her sanctity. Saints are not made
in a day.
There were three trials of the virtue
of this venerable servant of God before
the Sacred Congregation of Rites The
first occurred in 1897, the second in
March. 1910. and the third in the presence
of the Pope, December 3, 1910 at which
all of the cardinals assented and the
holy father issued a decree in which
the sanctity of Marie de TIncarnation
was declared and ordered the decision
to be consigned in the acts of the Sacred
College of Rites and promulgated Au
gust IA, 1911.
Convent Covers Seven Acres.
The Convent of the Jrsulines, which
was founded by Marie de Incarnation.
has grown with the years until it now
covers seven acres of ground in the
center of the city of Quebec. There are
about 100 nuns in residence and during
the winter about 80 young pupils from
wealthy families of Canada and the
United States. The convent buildings are
massive piles of stone severe and for
bidding. but | am told that the court
yards and cloiSters within are adorned
with fountains and flowers.
No man, not even the chaplain. is al
lowed to enter the cloisterS except the
governor general of Canada and members
of the royal family
The original buildings were erected in
1888 at the expense of Nine de la Pei
trie: they were enlargd in 1871, and
have been added to from time TO time
The present buildings date from 17sa
when the entire eSta hIishment was re-
built. The chapel, which is open TO the
public, stands in the corner of the gToup
and is ninetyiye feet long. Extending
Tx the arm of right angle from the
altar. is duplicate chapel arranged like
the choir of cathedral. with high seats
of oak handsomely carved This part
is intended for the use Of the nuns who