|
A Celebration for Blessed Emilie
On May 4, 2002 a diocesan celebration for the
beatification of Mother Emilie Tavernier Gamelin was
held at Maurice Richard Arena in Montreal. Cardinal
Jean-Claude Turcotte, Archbishop of Montreal, presided.
Over 5000 people: priests, religious, and laity were
present for the celebration. It was an opportunity for
those Sisters who were unable to travel to Rome to
attend a special ceremony in honour of Blessed Emile.
Eighteen Sisters, one candidate and one staff member
attended from Holy Angels Province. Sister Carla
Montante joined the other Provincial and Sector Leaders
in the opening and closing procession and Sister Mary
Lei Gordon carried the vine during the offertory
procession.
The liturgy of Thanksgiving was followed by a modern
dance presentation representing the life of Emilie
Tavernier Gamelin.
"Bringing Blessed Emilie Tavernier Gamelin to memory
by recalling her life and work nurtures our admiration
and thanksgiving. May our celebration be a song of love
and gratitude to our Provident God for the gift of
Emilie, the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence,
the Providence Associates and Friends and all those
wishing, today like yesterday, to become Providence for
tomorrow."
- Sister Gloria Keylor, SP
General Superior,1992 - 2002
Sisters of Providence
Sister Lucienne Bedard with
Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte, Archbishop of Montreal.
Our Sisters gather at the tomb of Blessed Emile in the
Mother House in Montreal.
The Liturgy of Thanksgiving at Maurice Richard Arena in
Montreal.
The Cause of Mother Gamelin
The petition for the Cause of Emilie Tavernier Gamelin,
foundress of the Sisters of Providence, was entered
officially on October 8, 1977. His Excellency Paul
Gregoire, Archbishop of Montreal signed the petition on
October 26, 1977, asking Pope Paul VI to give permission
to introduce the Cause for
Mother Gamelin. A cause is the name given to the process
of investigating, studying and promoting a deceased
person's life and virtues to allow them to be named a
Saint in the Roman Catholic Church. It is a complicated
process, involving many levels within the church.
The official introduction of her cause was granted on
May 31, 1981 when the decree was issued to introduce the
proceedings for the Beatification of Mother Gamelin. The
process has been coordinated by Reverend James
Fitzpatrick, OMI, and Sister Therese Frigon, SP, who has
been involved with the cause for more than 40 years.
Statue of Blessed Emilie Gamelin in Providence Centre
Chapel.
Artist: Raoul Hunter
After many years of research, a detailed study of the
virtues of Mother Gamelin were published in the Positio.
This is a book required by Rome, containing all the
necessary documentation, to establish the reputation for
holiness of the Servant of God whose cause is being
considered. It was submitted for study to both
theologians and historians in 1989 to obtain their
approval. The final approval came on April 27, 1993. The
bishops then recommended to the Holy Father to recognize
the heroic virtues of Emilie Gamelin. Mother Gamelin was
proclaimed Venerable on December 23, 1993. This marked
the end of the first step towards canonization.
Having being named Venerable, the next step was to
determine that God had worked a miracle through the
intercession of Mother Gamelin. After a detailed study
by the scientific commission and the theological
commission, officials of the church attributed the
miraculous healing of 13-year old Yannick Frechette's
fatal illness to Venerable Emilie Gamelin's
intercession. Pope John Paul II authenticated the
miracle on December 18, 2000.
The Holy Father proclaimed her among the Blessed on
October 7, 2001. Pope John Paul II presented her to the
people of God as a model of holiness, through a life
completely dedicated to the service of the most needy
persons in society. Her liturgical feast is set for
September 23, the anniversary of her death in 1851.
The Sisters of Providence will continue to work on her
cause and one day, Blessed Emilie may be canonized a
Saint in the Roman Catholic Church if another miracle is
attributed to her intercession.
Mother Gamelin's great love for the poor and unfortunate
led to the adoption of the motto used by the religious
community at its foundation - The Love of Christ Impels
Us. Her life of humility, simplicity, and charity is a
spiritual heritage for the Sisters of Providence,
Providence Associates, and all their collaborators
To learn more
about the Sisters of Providence, please
contact us! |
