The Creation allowed the Sisters of Providence to experience 175 years of blessing in several countries of the world. The 175th anniversary of foundation is intended to reflect the multiple actions and experiences of so many Sisters of Providence who, with the help of Providence Associates and collaborators in various moments since 1843, succeeded in building the Community we have today. With hope, let us open our hearts and lives to the encounter and renewal emerging from this 175th anniversary.

With joy the Sisters of Providence began the commemoration of their 175th anniversary. On March 24, 2018, the four provinces of the Congregation began, each of them in their corresponding countries or regions, the celebrations and activities that will end on March 29, 2019.

The General Leadership Team participated in the celebration organized by Émilie-Gamelin Province at the Motherhouse of the Sisters of Providence in Montreal. More than 250 people, including Sisters of Providence, Providence Associates and collaborators, gathered in Providence Hall to attend this beautiful ceremony, which was transmitted live on Facebook. Watch the video.  To date, nearly 500 people from different countries have watched these images steeped in union and thanksgiving for all those years of blessings.

In every age, the cultural, economic and political context in which the population lives requires that the Sisters of Providence adapt to meet the urgent and multiple needs of the poor.

The foundress of the Congregation, Emilie Tavernier was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1800 and grew up in a city rapidly changing.  She was raised by her mother and an aunt to take care of the poor. As an adult, the importance of this drew her to Jean-Baptiste Gamelin who shared her vision of charity; they married in 1823. The happy household had three children. Two died very young, then Mr. Gamelin in 1827. Their third child died the following year.

After her widowhood and the loss of her children, Emilie Tavernier Game-lin found comfort in the contemplation of Mary, Mother of Sorrows, and c hose to devote her efforts and her love to assisting the most in need. In addition to the activities she carried out with charitable organizations, such as visits to poor families, collection and distribution of alms and food, care for the sick, and visits to prisoners, she gathered and sheltered elderly infirm women without resources, always trusting that Providence would cater for the needs of those she protected.

Madame Gamelin, affectionately nicknamed the “Providence of the poor”, and her work were well known to the people of Montreal. As her various shelters expanded, Emilie Gamelin partnered with family and friends to form a corporation to assist her. In 1832, she also welcomed orphans of cholera in her home.

In 1836, Madame Gamelin received a bigger house; Emilie and her 24 charges moved to the “Yellow House.”  This new home was named Providence House.

In 1841, the Yellow House received its civil incorporation under the name of Asile of Elderly and Infirm Women of Montreal Corporation and Emilie Tavernier Gamelin was elected director.

Bishop Ignace Bourget, as Bishop of Montreal, became Emilie’s collaborator and counsellor in 1840. He was familiar with the work of Madame Gamelin and her ladies of charity and considered their work as something that would play an important role in the implementation of his vision. Bishop Bourget tried to bring the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul from Paris, France, to undertake the work of Madame Gamelin and ensure its sustainability. When that failed, he quickly decided to found a community of Canadian women religious: The Daughters of Charity, Servants of the Poor.

On March 29, 1844, Bishop Bourget canonically erected the Congregation. Seven novices, including Madame Gamelin, pronounced the vows of poverty, chastity, obedience, and to serve the poor, in the chapel of the Providence Asile. Emilie Tavernier Gamelin, who was then called Sister Gamelin, was elected superior of the community, a position she occupied until her death on September 23, 1851.

The Communication Office of the Providence International Centre offers three sections on its website about the 175th anniversary. The first is Providence Voices, which offers a weekly reflection from a Sister of Providence about the Sunday Gospel.  The two other sections are historical flashes and news about the actions related to the 175th anniversary.