Along with the Grey Nuns of Montreal, six religious congregations followed in the steps of the “Mother of Universal Charity” starting in the 1840s.

At that time, economic conditions were improving and the population was growing, as were the needs. The work of the Marguerite d’Youville community, which was already a century old, was so renowned that bishops from outside of Montreal called upon the Grey Nuns.

Three left for Saint-Hyacinthe in 1840, and others left Montreal to settle in Bytown (Ottawa) in 1845 and Québec in 1849. These establishments outside Montreal would become independent communities, in accordance with the will of the bishops. Today they are known as the Sisters of Charity of Saint-Hyacinthe, the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa and the Sisters of Charity of Québec.

Two other communities were created in the 1920s: the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart in Pembroke, Ontario, and the Grey Nuns of the Immaculate Conception in Philadelphia, United States.

Des congrégations religieuses suivront les pas de la Mère d'Youville

Still following in Marguerite’s footsteps, these religious women continue to pursue their work amongst society’s deprived people.