Two hundred years later, we can lift the veil on a life fully lived. Even from her youth in Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu, Eulalie already impressed people through her faith life and her great compassion for the sick and the less fortunate. These were values she developed within the midst of a loving family.

After the death of her mother, in 1830, she became housekeeper and hostess at her brother’s presbytery in Beloeil for 12 years. With her friend, Mélodie Dufresne, she would commit herself to pastoral work with young girls and families. It was then that she discovered the great need for educating young people.

In Longueuil, in 1843, at the request of Bishop Ignace Bourget, she would found, with her companions Mélodie Dufresne and Henriette Céré, the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary dedicated to the education of young people.

Blessed Marie Rose Durocher’s legacy lies at the heart of SNJM charism. Thanks to her example, when "glass ceilings" were the norm for women all over the globe, SNJMs were able to found schools, establish universities, provide spiritual guidance and education in the faith, and work for peace and justice. Today, we continue her work in Canada, the United States, Lesotho, Brazil, and Peru.

In 2011, we celebrate the birth and the achievements of this woman from our own area. We thank God for revealing himself to several generations of students through this inspirational person who was Eulalie Durocher, Blessed Marie Rose Durocher.

- Adapted from snjm.org