Kirkus Reviews QR Code
THE ROSE TREE by

THE ROSE TREE

By

Publisher: Bruce

In The Rose Tree Sister Mary Michaeline writes a lovingly idealized biography of Mother Marie Durocher who in 1844 founded the first teaching order of nuns in Canada -- the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. Eulalie Durocher was Genevieve and Olivier Durocher's tenth child, and she grew up in a deeply religious home atmosphere where normal quarrels and bickerings just didn't happen, and where every-day speech was and formal as to be completely unbelievable. Eulalie determined to become a nun, but encountered very real and formidable opposition from her father and brother. Acting upon the advice of Bishop Bourget she and two women companions journeyed to longuell to become teachers and to start a convent in the small village schoolhouse. Here in February 1844 they took their first vows, and donned the habits which they'd designed and themselves. Within a year they become professed members of Canada's first native teaching congregation with Eullie -- Mother Marie Rose -- as Superior. She worked until her death five years later for the Order which today educates young women in schools in Canada, the United States and South Africa. Friends of Mother Order will be the likely rooters for this over-sweet story.