In section: In Memory

Sister Marie-Ange Legault

 “I press on towards the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.” Ph 3: 14

August 30, 2013, Sister Marie-Ange Legault,
in religion Marie-Gérard-Augustin
 went home to God.

She was 91 years old and had been professed for 63 years.
Born in Les Cèdres, Quebec,
she was 9th of the 10 children of Georges Legault and Aimée Séguin

 

Of the ten children, two died at a young age, and 7 of the 8 others entered a religious community: a Dominican Brother, five Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary and a Missionary Sister of the Immaculate Conception. Marie-Ange was the 5th of the SNJM’s. It could be said that her vocation had taken root at a young age.

“It was a very strong call. I found that my sisters were very happy. Mother Marie-Rose (the blessed foundress of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary) was truly present among us. I had extraordinary parents.”

Equipped with her teaching diploma, obtained when she was 16 years old at École Normale de Valleyfield, Marie-Ange taught at the local school, in a one-room schoolhouse that housed seven classes (Primary Grades from 1 to 7) for 10 years. She was replacing her sister Thérèse who had entered the SNJM Novitiate. When she was 26, she in her turn, also entered the novitiate.

After her religious profession, Sister Marie-Gérard-Augustin, while still teaching, was also involved with youth movements: J.E.C. (Jeunesse étudiante catholique), Eucharistic Crusade, and pastoral work. She specialized in catechetics, geography and, above all, mathematics. For 33 years, of which 20 were spent at École Polyvalente de Beauharnois, Sister Marie-Ange gave the best of herself to her students. She also led prayer groups.

When she was 62 years old, Sister Marie-Ange, having retired from teaching, took care of the community accounting, helped out with parish pastoral work and liturgy, and assisted with transportation as a driver. She dedicated herself to this work at houses in Verchères and Ste-Martine. She had just turned 90, when she retired to Maison Jésus-Marie in Longueuil to more intensely devote herself to a ministry of prayer.

Her companions spoke of her in this way:

“Sister Marie-Ange gave of herself, body and soul, to teaching and to the education of youth with dedication, and a spirit of initiative and creativity.”

“In faith, she said yes to living out a mission of service to the diocesan and parish church. To it, she gave generously of her time, talents and love.”

“Her life can be summarized in this way: faithfulness to her God, faithfulness to Church, faithfulness in the different missions entrusted to her, and faithfulness to her community.”

“Presence, comfort, encouragement, participation, meaningful words”

Sister Marie-Ange completely welcomed the arrival of the Father to whom she had consecrated her entire life. 

Other articles in the section In Memory
Sister Noëlla Gagnon
Sister Jeannine Cornellier
Sister Claire Giroux
Sister Gisèle Marcil
Sister Gisèle Lalande
Sister Mary Ellen Collins
Sister Denise Rivet
Sister Madeleine Philie
Sister Monique Robitaille
Sister Claire Montcalm