Most Rev. JG Couture, bishop of Baie-Comeau,
and Sr Jeanne Bizier, foundress.
The foundation team of 1979
Baie-Comeau.
Most Rev. JG Couture, bishop of Baie-Comeau,
and Sr Jeanne Bizier, foundress.
The foundation team of 1979
Baie-Comeau.
A sequence of providential events in the life of Sister Jeanne Bizier, foundress, led her to Baie-Comeau on the North Shore region of Quebec, Canada. The Auberge du Roc closed down because of bankruptcy will become the Mother House of the Myriam Beth’lehem Family. The invitation and warm welcome of Most Reverend Jean-Guy Couture were signs of God’s seal for his plan.
September 29, 1978, twelve persons came to Baie-Comeau to join up for the foundation project. Paul-Emile Dion, a Brother of Christian Instruction, was given temporarily by his community to share his administration experience, and he later becomes the official administrator as well as the first little brother of Myriam. The official date of the foundation of the Myriam Family is January 13, 1979, the same date that Sister Jeanne pronounced definite vows as Little Sister of Myriam in the presence of Most Reverend Jean-Guy Couture.
As formerly mentioned, this new foundation takes root in the breath of communion flowing from the Second Vatican Council. Sister Jeanne has but one inspiration: may all that are baptized experience the loving action of God our Father Providence constantly at work to assemble his family, the Church.
In 1985, the Myriam Family is granted pastoral status by Most Reverend Roger Ebacher: "a spiritual Family of consecrated brothers, and sisters, and of priests." As of September 15, 2006, Most Reverend Pierre Morissette recognized the Myriam Family as a Public Association of Faithful, to eventually become an Institute of consecrated life according to Canon 605. This same status was renewed by Most Reverend Jean-Pierre Blais, the current bishop of the diocese of Baie-Comeau. The Myriam Family have fourteen houses and is present in six different countries.
Jeanne Bizier is born on July 7, 1923 in the Canadian Beauce in Quebec, where she blossoms as the twelfth child of a family of fourteen children, with deep faith received from her parents, Saluste Bizier and Marie Guenette. Her childhood was joyfully struck by the truth: "I am loved with an everlasting love!" At the age of seven, she happens to find a small pamphlet, The Hidden Treasure, and she understands the offering of Jesus.
Sister Jeanne is faithful in answering her call as religious with the Sisters Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary, and for almost forty years she will pursue her mission as educator. Her studies will be prolonged up to her doctorate in psychoeducation at the University of Ottawa.
She met with Pope Paul VI on October 8, 1969, who, as Pastor and prophet calls her: "Daughter of the Church!". This affirmation is the origin of the Myriam Family’s mission to love, and bring along to love both Mary and the Church! In 1974, Sister Jeanne received while in prayer, the inspirational word of Foundation: "It is an Experience of Providence that I expect of you…" A call to live out in filial trust towards our loving God and Father, always at work for his children.
Faithfully supported since the age of twelve by her spiritual guide, Msgr Emile Turgeon, her intimacy with Jesus will blossom, as well as her loving docility. She constantly sought God’s plan and this was preparing her for her future mission as foundress. Her heartfelt desire is to give saints, holy persons, couples and families, to our Mother Church.
"WHAT TO LIVE?"
A contemplative life consecrated to prayer and formation (half-time) and characterized by presence to God, attentive listening of events with a gaze of faith, and by daily amazement. The perpetual eucharistic adoration is maintained through a rotation within the fourteen Family Houses.
"HOW TO LIVE?"
A fraternal life distinguished by mutual acceptance, simplicity and the joy of service in the manner of the Holy Family of Nazareth. The style of life favours a trustful atmosphere for mild and merciful relationships.
"HOW TO LIVE?"
A fraternal life distinguished by mutual acceptance, simplicity and the joy of service in the manner of the Holy Family of Nazareth. The style of life favours a trustful atmosphere for mild and merciful relationships.
"WHY TO LIVE?"
A missionary life characterized by :
- a complementarity of familial mutual help at the service of communion;
- a message to pass on: "You are loved by God your Father; you are saved by Jesus, and you have your place!";
- a calling to holiness for everyone;
- a mission of substitution** and many other little means to give hope to the world.
**mission of substitution: intercession by placing situations and persons into the offering of Jesus, so he will change it all into a blessing.
OUR GOAL? Yes Father, through Mary, by the Eucharist unto the Trinity!
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