Sacred Sites -Grey Nuns Mother House

So, RHOTO went on another Sacred Site visit with the Multi-Faith Chaplaincy group...  This time to the Grey Nuns Mother House, located in Downtown Montreal.
We were sooo warmly greeted by the Mother Superior who was very enthusiastic about giving us a tour.  If you've ever been in a Monastery or Convent, the 1st impression you may have is, "This place is UNBELIEVABLY clean!!"  Yup!!  And 90% of the people we encountered were cleaning staff...
Off we went...  Through the halls to the Centre of the House.  Open the door...  WOW Y!!  A humongous, beautiful Chapel--larger than most churches!!  Mother, a very young 93-years old, lit up as she explained the architecture, the paintings, the alters.  And the story of Saint Marguerite d'Youville, foundress of the Order of Sisters of Charity of Montreal, whose bones rest inside the main Alter.
Of we went, again...  To the catacombs!!  RHOnda's "kinda stuff" ;)...  Poor photo, but a very interesting place!!  There are two (2), mass graves; the others are individual plots dating back to the mid-1800's.

 At it's high peak, 300 nuns lived in this Mother House.  Now there are 150, many of whom are elderly and/or ill.  The House is too large and expensive to sustain.  Therefore, like many wonderful, religious  institutions, it will change hands shortly.  RHOTO's own Concordia University will be the owner; the nuns will move on...  This agreement contained a promise that the Chapel will remain untouched.  (Can be used for concerts, graduations, etc.).  Saint Marguerite d'Youville's relics will move with the Sisters.  And the bones in the basement?  Unfortunately, these nuns cannot be moved.  Four (4) of the women died of contagious diseases--although their remains are mere dust, the "bug" remains.  So, the graveyard will be covered with cement, further interring the humanity of these women.  But, their hearts will continue to beat in the Grey nuns who serve the poor & the community now.

RHOnda