Statue

Marie-Marguerite Dufrost De Lajemmerais was born in Varennes in 1751. She married François-Madeleine d’Youville and had six children, only two of whom survived. Her husband died when she was just 28. From then on, she devoted herself to helping the poor. In 1737, she joined forces with Marie-Louise Thaumur de La Source, Catherine Cusson and Marie-Catherine Demers Dessermont to form the Sisters of Charity. A few months later, they opened a home for the destitute. They had to endure criticism from the local population. They were nicknamed “les grises” (“the grays”) because of their habit, but also because they were suspected of being regularly drunk and selling alcohol illegally (Marguerite’s father-in-law and husband had done so). In 1747, she took charge of the Hôpital Général and put it back on its feet thanks to her administrative skills. She put her ingenuity to good use: needlework, tobacco preparation, lime sales, and more. The hospital takes in destitute people of both sexes, lost girls and abandoned children.

The costume of the Sisters of Charity was adopted in 1755. It was useful, practical and appropriate for interacting with all groups in society at the time. The costume was strongly inspired by the traditional Breton habit of the time, Brittany being the birthplace of Marguerite d’Youville’s parents. The costume weighs 6 kilos and is made of camelot, a heavy wool. A simple bodice is attached to the skirt. It also includes a pelerine and pleated collar, two petticoats and a large cotton shirt. The headdress is white and pleated.

This wax statue of Marguerite D’Youville was designed by and for Montreal’s Musée Grévin (2012-2021). Some of the statues were distributed to various Quebec museums when the Musée Grévin closed.