In the school year 2023, the students and staff of St. Marguerite D’Youville were delighted to unveil a new addition to their foyer. A 4-foot statue of St. Marguerite D’Youville, the school’s namesake, now graces the entrance and welcomes all who enter.
The statue was re-designed and sculpted by Toronto’s world-renowned artist Vaclav Vaca. Vaclav is known for painting the image of St. Michael at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Toronto and creating the Marian altar there. The statue serves as a daily reminder of the importance of living OCSB’s Strategic Commitments of Be Community, Be Well, and Be Innovative lifestyle.
St. Marguerite, the first Canadian female saint canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1982, continues to fascinate and inspire students. Her vision of caring for people experiencing poverty is recognized globally. Throughout her life, St. Marguerite sought innovative ways to advocate for the less fortunate and promote the need for communities to unite to embrace overall wellness. She firmly believed in the saying that it takes a village to raise a child long before it became part of the modern lexicon.
St. Marguerite showcased that acts of charity enhance the lives of those in need and those who can give. The mission of her sisters has been carried out on almost every continent. The Sisters of Charity of Montreal, also known as the Grey Nuns, continue to carry on this vital mission with courage and hope. Their sister communities join them: the Sisters of Charity of St. Hyacinthe, the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa, the Grey Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (Pembroke), the Sisters of Charity of Quebec, and the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart (Philadelphia).
