Aurélie Crépeau Explained

Aurélie Crépeau
Birth Name:Aurélie-Éléonore Crépeau
Birth Date:30 March 1833
Birth Place:Sorel-Tracy
Death Place:Nicolet
Nationality:Canadian
Years Active:1859-1910
Known For:Catholic Nun
Notable Works:Sisters of Charity of Saint-Hyacinthe

Aurélie Crépeau (March 30, 1833  - December 21, 1910) was a Canadian Catholic nun. Known as Mother Youville, she founded the Grey Nuns of Nicolet. There is a street named after her in Canada located in an area where the communication routes are identified by names linked to the Sisters of Charity.

Life

The daughter of Médard Crépeau, butcher, and Geneviève Hus-Lemoine,[1] she was born Aurélie-Éléonore Crépeau in Sorel, Lower Canada and was educated in Berthier by the nuns of the Congregation of Notre-Dame. Crépeau taught in rural schools near her birthplace. In 1859, she joined the Sisters of Charity of Saint-Hyacinthe, taking her vows two years later as Sister Youville. In 1886, Bishop Elphège Gravel of Nicolet asked for the nuns to establish a new community there to do charitable work. Sister Youville was chosen to found and lead the new community. The Hôtel-Dieu De Nicolet was opened in 1889; it served as a hospital as well as a home for the old, the poor and orphans. Mother Youville served as a superior general for the Grey Nuns of Nicolet from 1886 to 1897 and from 1900 to 1903.

She died in Nicolet at the age of 77.[2]

The Rue Aurélie-Crépeau in Nicolet was named in her honour.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Book: René, Marie-Carmen . Soeurs Grises Nicolétaines : Mère Youville (Aurélie Crépeau), ses auxiliaires, son oeuvre . 25–27 . 1948 . fr.
  2. 6653 . 13 . René . Marie-Carmen.
  3. Web site: Rue Aurélie-Crépeau . Banque de noms de lieux du Québec . Commission de toponymie Québec.