Sister Monique Beaudoin

“Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”  Jn. 14, 23

May 20, 2012  Sister Monique Beaudoin,
in religion M.-Clément-du-Sacré-Cœur,
went home to God.

She was 82 years old and had been professed for 62 years.

Born in Disraéli, Quebec, she was the 4th of 7 children of Achille Beaudoin and Alphéna Toupin

When she was quite young, the family moved to South Brookfield, Nova Scotia. It was there that Monique attended elementary school in English. When she was 12 years old, she lost an eye due to an accident.  It is no exaggeration to write that Monique “advanced in age and wisdom” in an atmosphere of faith, prayer and harmony within her family. In spite of her handicap, the teenager was very successful in school, especially in mathematics.

The visit of three SNJM Sisters to their sister in South Brookfield awakened Monique’s religious vocation. Her High School studies continued in French, in Disraéli, Québec. Monique’s vocational choice was strengthened, and at the age of 17, she asked to be admitted to the novitiate.

Sister Clément-du-Sacré-Cœur, taught for 18 years at the primary level in our boarding schools in Viauville, Sherbrooke, Waterloo and Mont-Jésus-Marie in Outremont. An excellent teacher, gentle and firm, she knew how to bring out the best in children.

Her talents and the quality of Sister Monique’s interpersonal relationships soon led her to a variety of services: superior at Résidence Jésus-Marie, director of personnel at the infirmary, person in charge of the audio-visual and printing at Pensionnat d’Outremont, and assistant accountant. “She carried out these duties with a great sense of responsibility.”

Sisters and employees appreciated this woman who was “diplomatic, sympathetic, gracious, and respectful of people”. As for those close to her, her family, Monique maintained attentiveness filled with love.

Sister Monique confided: “I loved everything I did because the love I put into it was what was important to me. My happiness does not depend on others, but on myself. I know I am loved by God with my weaknesses. I participate in community projects. I often meditate on these two passages from the Bible: Rev.3:20: ‘Listen! I am standing at the door...’ and the account of the Annunciation, Mary’s ‘Yes’: Luke. 1: 26ff.”

Sister Monique always led an intense prayer life which shone forth in her daily life. “Her welcoming attitude, her presence, and her ability to listen to others were natural and spontaneous.”

“Sister Monique’s life found its full meaning in her faithfulness
to Jesus Christ,the One who is unique and absolute."