Profits from a book on the monastery to benefit the Fiducie’s social mission
On July 31, 2015, a book entitled Memoirs of a Monastery was launched to mark the last day of the 375th-year celebrations of the Augustinians’ arrival in Quebec. Published in both French and in English, this 172-page work contains over 200 magnificent but yet unpublished photos by Pierre Bernier and Claire Dufour taken during the transformation of the monastery. Text by the Augustinians’ project manager, Denis Robitaille, supports the photos. In this beautiful book, we catch a glimpse of the spaces, atmospheres and various moments of this religious community’s daily life.
Memory in photos
The book’s description summarizes it well: “The pictures follow the seasons, and simply and vividly bear witness to life in the monastery, with its rhythms of prayer, work and rest. They eloquently illustrate what gives soul to this place that, for more than three centuries, was inhabited by a community of nurses entirely dedicated to prayer and care for the sick.” This general interest book will lead visitors to better understand the monastery’s past spirit.
Published by Éditions GID, Memoirs of a Monastery is sold in bookstores as well as in the Monastère’s gift shop. All profits from books go to the Fiducie’s social mission to finance eight of the Monastère des Augustines’ 65 rooms reserved especially for family caregivers in need of renewal and patient companions who come from remote areas. This generous initiative by the Augustinians allows travelers to stay at the Monastère for just a small contribution. “Caring for those who care for others” is indeed one of the reasons the Augustinian sisters left their heritage to the public.
Other gift shop discoveries
In keeping with the Augustinians’ wish, other publications are also available for sale in the Monastère’s gift shop. Proceeds fund the Fiducie’s social and cultural mission. These include La Passion de servir, de François Rousseau, and Les Annales de L’Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, 1636‑1716. This last title,written by Jeanne-Françoise Juchereau de Saint-Ignace and Marie‑Andrée Regnard de Sainte-Hélène, first appeared in 1939 and was republished in 1984.
Would you like a copy? Come by the gift shop. We’re open to visitors every day from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. You will surely be surprised by all there is to discover and your purchases will further the Fiducie’s social and cultural mission!
