Did early Bytown bear witness to the work of a Saint? April 5, 2026, marks the 150th anniversary of Mother Élisabeth Bruyère’s death, yet her selfless spirit lives on and her mission continues to inspire important work in health care, education, social services and the promotion of social justice.
On April 14, 2018, by decree of Pope Francis, Élisabeth Bruyère was declared Venerable, in recognition of her heroic practice of faith, hope and charity.
Sister Louise Charbonneau invites us to fully appreciate the legacy of this innovative and virtuous pioneer of Bytown, the Venerable Élisabeth Bruyère, and the cause for her beatification and ultimate canonization.
- In English – As Bytown Celebrates 200 Years, Let Us Remember Our Founders Venerable Élisabeth Bruyère: An Innovative and Virtuous Pioneer of Bytown 1845-1876
- In French – Alors que Bytown célèbre ses 200 ans, souvenons-nous de ses fondatrices: La vénérable Élisabeth Bruyère : une pionnière innovante et vertueuse de Bytown, 1845-1876
Sister Louise Charbonneau is a Sister of Charity of Ottawa (SCO). The Sisters of Charity of Ottawa, known as the Grey Nuns of the Cross, have been following in the footsteps of their foundress Élisabeth Bruyère since her arrival in Bytown in 1845.
