Born on October 6, 1811, in Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu, the tenth of a family of eleven children, Eulalie receives her initial education from her mother, a former student of the Ursuline Sisters in Quebec City, and from her grandfather, a former soldier and defender of Fort Carillon. She then attends boarding school with the Sisters of Congrégation Notre-Dame in Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu for two years. Despite her frailty, she is a lively and happy child. Since she wishes to consecrate herself to God, in 1827, she enters the residential school of the sisters of Congrégation Notre-Dame with the intention to become a novice. But, after two years, she has to give up this project because of her bad health.
When her mother dies in 1830, she becomes the pillar of the family. She moves to Beloeil to live, with her father, at the rectory of the parish where her brother is the pastor. Here, in this very active parish, she discovers her call. She becomes aware of the urgent need to make education accessible to country children, because of the lack of schools and teachers. She therefore begins to dream of founding a religious community that could answer this need. When, in 1841, the parish priest of Longueil invites the Sisters of Saints Noms de Jésus et de Marie of Marseille (France) to come to Canada, Eulalie signs up as a future candidate of this order, together with other two friends of hers. Though, the sisters from France end up not coming.
The bishop of Montreal therefore asks the three candidates to form a community. They move to Longueuil in a former school and are initiated to the religious life with the help and guidance of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. They adopt the name and constitutions of the Soeurs des Saints Noms de Jésus et de Marie of Marseille and on December 8, 1843, take their first vows. Under the name Mother Marie-Rose, Eulalie becomes the first superior and novice master of the community. She dies on October 6, 1849, the day of her 38th birthday. She was beatified by John-Paul II on May 23, 1982.
LINK: http://www.snjm.org
