Paul Keenan
Worldwide congregation hails Marie of the Incarnation
The worldwide congregation of Ursuline Sisters joined in celebrating the recent canonisation of their leading member, Marie of the Incarnation (1599-1672).
The main event of celebrations on May 18 took place at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Quebec in Canada, where a capacity congregation attended a Mass of thanksgiving for Marie, who was the first Ursuline to lead a group of women religious to North America with the intention of educating girls in Quebec. The May 18 Mass was led by Bishop Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, and was attended by the Mayor of Quebec City, Régis Labeaume and the Governor General of Canada, David Johnston.
Pope Francis declared Saint Mary of the Incarnation canonised on April 3 along with Bishop François de Montmorency-Laval, the first Bishop of Quebec and the Jesuit José de Anchieta, one of the first missionaries in Brazil, in the 16th Century. These three new saints are considered the founders of the Church in the New World.