Coadjutrix Sisters of Providence: A Portrait Gallery

Sr. Odile Gignac (1847-1926). Photographer unknown, 1900s. Made profession as a tertiary in 1871. Worked in the former St. Ignatius Province, making shoes for Native American children as well as cooking, gardening, and milking.

Growing up in Champlain Parish (Montreal), "...work on the farm was imperative, so young Miss Odile grew expert in manual labor, caring little for book-lore, which always remained as a ‘sealed fountain’ to her." (Necrology). Cropped from Photo #SIP.A2.49

Sr. Sara Landry (1864-1957). Photographer unknown, 1900s. Made profession as a tertiary in 1891. Worked in the kitchen and laundry in the former St. Ignatius Province.

At the age of 27, “With her natural simplicity she begged, in spite of her nearsightedness, her little schooling and, to cap it all, her violent temper, to join the ranks of the Servites of Mary [tertiaries].” Former provincial superior Mary of the Resurrection remarked, "'How good God is to those who can neither read nor write. Often they are His chosen souls to whom He gives special enlightenment.'" (Necrology). Photo #67.D4.117

Sr. Mary Ann Dionne (1843-1925). Photograph by Meiser, Vancouver. 1902. Made profession as a tertiary in 1864.

Arrived in Vancouver on Dec. 8, 1866, the tenth anniversary of the mission. “Unlearned though she was, the prayers and loving colloquies of God’s humble servant seemed to go straight to His Adorable Heart.” (Necrology).  Photo #SP9c.1

Sr. Mary Blanchet (1874-1961). Photographer unknown, c. 1901. Made profession 1901. Worked in nursing, cooking, laundry and gardening.

“She chose to be a Coadjutrix Sister as she was strong in body and spirit and wished to use her energies in the manual works of the Community. She wished to choose a position of humility, where she would never be confronted with positions of authority.” (Necrology). Photo #SP310c.1

Sr. Anna Magnan (1864-1950). Photographer unknown, 1900s. Made profession as a tertiary in 1895. Worked in the former St. Ignatius Province, mostly in carpentry.

Her necrology refers to her as "dignified, polite, a lady in all circumstances" and to her "keen intelligence." L.J. Palladino, SJ, notes in his history of northwest missions that she built the altar and pews at the academy in Missoula, as well as the sister's infirmary there. Photo #SP73.1   

Sr. Alice Mockler (1870-1951). Photographer unknown, 1932. Entered as a tertiary in 1890. Worked as a cook at St. Peter Hospital in Olympia.

“When the time for making profession arrived, Sister Mockler, feeling herself unworthy of the honor, had decided to leave. However, upon being convinced by her superiors that this desire was a temptation of the evil one, Sister Mockler asked and received permission to be accepted as a lay-sister, in which capacity she spent the remainder of her religious life.” (Necrology). In a letter written upon her death, Fr. Matthew Britt, OSB, wrote: “Her favorite word was ‘poor’. It was poor men, poor Mr. Hill (colored), poor Tom Plunket, poor Sister Somebody, poor Father Matthew, and even her cat poor Mutt, the largest and best fed cat this side of Montreal.” Photo #72.B5.2

Sr. Celine Dupuis (1877-1959). Photographer unknown, c. 1921. Made profession as a coadjutrix in 1901. Worked in the former Sacred Heart Province in cooking, nursing, launndry, and as sacristan.

Sr. Celine was likely the youngest novice in the history of the community; she entered at the age of fourteen. Photo #75.B3.5    

Sr. Exilda Souligny (1871-1963). Photographer unknown, 1940s. Made profession as a tertiary in 1898. Worked in the former St. Ignatius Province.

“She asked and obtained permission to enter the novitiate but returned home for awhile first. When she returned to the novitiate later she entered as a vocal sister. After sixteen months she was told that she was to make her vows as tertiary sister because such sisters were needed for the kitchens in the western provinces. This presented a very real sacrifice for the young novice but, as she wished very much to go to the far away missions she made it generously.” (Necrology). Photo #SP182c.1