Catherine of St. Augustine
Female·May 8·France·17th century
Catherine of St. Augustine was a French canoness regular instrumental in the development of the Hôtel-Dieu de Québec in New France. She dedicated her life to the care of the sick and the poor, learning Indigenous languages to better serve the First Peoples. She was beatified by the Catholic Church in 1989 for her extraordinary virtue and self-sacrifice.
Key Facts
- ›She was born Catherine de Simon de Longpré in Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte, Normandy, France.
- ›She entered the monastery of the Canonesses of St. Augustine of the Mercy of Jesus in Bayeux in 1644 and received her religious name.
- ›In 1648, she sailed to Quebec to assist the Augustinian canonesses at the Hôtel-Dieu there.
- ›During her voyage, she contracted the plague but recovered in a way she attributed to a miraculous intervention.
- ›She learned the languages of the First Peoples to minister to them and served as treasurer of the hospital for nine years.
- ›Catherine was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 23 April 1989.
Marie-Catherine de Saint-Augustin, Catherine de Simon de Longpré
Catholic Church In Canada
- Canonesses of St. Augustine of the Mercy of Jesus
About Catherine of St. Augustine
Catherine of St. Augustine, born Mary Catherine de Simon de Longpré (1632–1668), was a French canoness regular of the Augustinian order who became a pivotal figure in the establishment and operation of the Hôtel-Dieu de Québec in the colony of New France. Her life was dedicated to the care of the sick and the poor, demonstrating profound compassion and a commitment to her faith.
Early Life and Vocation
Born in Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte, Normandy, Catherine de Simon de Longpré displayed an early inclination towards charitable works, particularly caring for the infirm. At the age of 12, she entered the monastery of the Canonesses of St. Augustine of the Mercy of Jesus in Bayeux. It was upon entering the novitiate on October 24, 1644, that she received her religious name, Catherine of St. Augustine.
Service in New France
In 1648, Catherine was among a group of canonesses who answered the call to assist their sisters in Quebec. She set sail for the colony and, despite contracting the plague en route, recovered through what she attributed to a miraculous intervention. Arriving in Quebec on August 19, 1648, she immediately began her work at the Hôtel-Dieu, ministering to the physical and spiritual needs of patients. She made efforts to learn the languages of the Indigenous peoples to better serve them.
Catherine also served as the hospital's treasurer for nine years and was responsible for the formation of new candidates as Novice Mistress. Her superiors, including Marie of the Incarnation, attested to her gentle disposition and deep spiritual life, noting her frequent prayer and mortifications undertaken for her mission.
Beatification and Legacy
Catherine of St. Augustine died in 1668 at the Hôtel-Dieu, where she had dedicated much of her life. She was widely regarded as a saintly figure among the people of New France. Her cause for canonization was formally opened in 1926. On March 9, 1984, Pope John Paul II declared her to have lived a life of extraordinary virtue. The same pope beatified her on April 23, 1989, recognizing her self-sacrifice for the establishment of the Catholic faith in Canada and honoring her as one of the six founders of the Catholic Church in Canada.
Her feast day is celebrated on May 8, and her relics are preserved at the Centre Catherine-de-Saint-Augustin in Quebec.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Catherine of St. Augustine?
Catherine of St. Augustine, born Mary Catherine de Simon de Longpré, was a French canoness regular and nurse. She played a significant role in the development of the Hôtel-Dieu de Québec in New France.
What was her contribution to the Hôtel-Dieu de Québec?
She was among the Augustinian canonesses who responded to an appeal to help establish and operate the Hôtel-Dieu in Quebec. There, she was instrumental in nursing the sick and attending to their spiritual and physical needs.
Did she interact with Indigenous peoples?
Yes, Catherine of St. Augustine learned the languages of the First Peoples of the region to better serve them. Her care extended to both European settlers and native inhabitants.
When was Catherine of St. Augustine beatified?
Catherine of St. Augustine was beatified by Pope John Paul II on April 23, 1989. This declaration recognized her life of extraordinary virtue and her self-sacrifice for the Catholic faith in Canada.
Where are her remains preserved?
Her remains are preserved for veneration at the Centre Catherine-de-Saint-Augustin, which is located adjacent to the Hôtel-Dieu in Quebec.
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