Sister Rollande Bouchard

“In my Father’s house…so that where I am, there you may be also.” (Jn. 14, 2-3)

June 1, 2012, Sister Rollande Bouchard,
in religion Marie-Rosario, 
went home to God.

She was 93 years old and had been professed for 71 years.
Born in Montreal. Quebec, she was the 11th of 12 children
of Elzéar Bouchard and Victorine Gratton.

Rollande grew up being teased by her seven brothers. “At home, it was like the holidays all the time”.  Fragile, serious and very studious, Rollande attended primary and secondary schools with the SNJM’s, at École des Saints-Anges and Pensionnat Marie-Rose.

At the age of 20, “with 15 days notice, she announced to her  family her intention to become a Sister. Her brothers admired her and detested the fact that such a good ‘homemaker’ was entering religious life.”

For 35 years, Sister Marie-Rosario taught at the primary and secondary levels in our schools and boarding schools: Charlemagne, St-Lambert, Sherbrooke, Montréal, Outremont, to name but a few. An excellent teacher, she often added the responsibility of the ‘Croisade Eucharistique’ or the J.E.C. (Young Catholic Students), to her work.

After a few years doing parish pastoral work, Sister Rollande went to Collège Durocher  in St-Lambert, as registrar. She was known to be precise, methodical, conscientious in her work as well as, tactful and welcoming in her interpersonal relationships.

When she was 65, Sister Rollande accepted to serve as superior at the provincial house. An excellent hostess, concerned with the material well-being, she was also attentive to welcoming, to joyful celebrations, to the preparation of meetings and times of prayer ...She “had a keen sense of wonderment. Her spirit of openness was an invitation to enter into discussion with her. Her advice was subtle, practical and wise.”.

Throughout the years, Sister Rollande continued to be of service: as secretary, accounting assistant, treasurer, chauffeur, in charge of maintenance, receptionist, and accompanying those who were ill...

“Deeply prayerful, Sister Rollande was happy with anything that could help her with prayer, meditation and her journey towards God, in spite of the suffering and trials during her last years.”

Close to the Lord, she can now, in complete peace, be filled with wonder!