Délia TÉTREAULT (1865-1941)

On February 4, 1865, twins, Délia and Roch were born to Alexis TÉTREAULT (Alexis+Esther BOULAIS) and Célina PONTON (Pierre+Céleste GIRARD) in Marieville, Rouville County, QC. Although Délia was the more frail of the two, it was Roch, who died at age 7 months. In 1867, Délia’s mother died; therefore, her uncle, Jean ALIX, and his wife, Julie PONTON (her mother's sister), adopted her.
Délia studied at the convent school of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary in Marieville. Once she had learned to read, she spent much time perusing the religious magazines that were available at the time. It was thus that she began dreaming of becoming a missionary in distant lands.
At 18, she asked to be admitted to the Carmelite convent in Montréal but she was refused. In October 1883, the Sisters of Charity of St-Hyacinthe, QC accepted her as a Postulant. It was during this period that she heard “the call of God” to found a missionary religious community. She became ill and was sent home where she spent a couple of years caring for her “mother,” Julie. Afterward, she volunteered to help Father PICHON, who worked with immigrants and the destitute in Montréal, QC.
In 1902, Délia began to plan for her missionary future. Msgr. BRUCHÉSI helped her found a training school for missionaries. In 1904, Pope Pius X officially approved the school and transformed it into a religious community known as the Société des Soeurs Missionnaires de l'Immaculée-Conception. In religions, Délia was known as Mère Marie du Saint-Esprit.
In 1933, Délia fell ill and was paralyzed for 8 years. She died on October 1, 1941, leaving behind missionary sisters, who were working in 13 different countries.

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