Meeting a Missionary’s Dream

A Brief History
by Tourisme Laval

Discover the attractions of Laval.
Let yourself be charmed by their stories and discover their hidden treasures.

Have you heard of Délia Tétreault? Born in 1865 in Marieville, this curious little girl with a sparkling mind had been passionate about missionary work since childhood and was fascinated by the lives and histories of children in China, Japan, and Africa. Her dream was to go abroad to help these children. Inspired, committed, and bold, she founded the Missionary Training Center in 1902—the first of its kind in Canada for women. Better known today as the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, this community is present in 14 countries and includes members of 17 nationalities.

Would you like to learn about the impressive journey of this Quebec “entrepreneur”? Visit the Délia-Tétreault Museum! Located in a setting conducive to reflection, on the banks of the Rivière des Prairies, this place, rich in culture and history, bears witness to the remarkable contributions of women who, over the years, have dedicated their lives to education and healthcare for underserved communities.

Through a private, personalized guided tour lasting about 90 minutes, visitors explore Délia’s life across three exhibitions. More than a hundred objects and documents—some of which belonged to Délia—including photographs, artifacts, works of art and craftsmanship, furniture, everyday and religious objects, and publications—bear witness to the history of these women who, with boldness and an extraordinary sense of initiative, traveled the globe with the aim of doing good.

“This museum does more than simply trace the lives of Quebec missionary nuns around the world. It offers visitors a contemplative experience where spirituality meets history and wonder,” notes Jeanne Gauvin, M.I.C., the museum’s director. “Moreover, as Quebec increasingly becomes a welcoming land, the values of universal solidarity and sharing conveyed by the museum are more relevant than ever,” adds Céline Gauvin, m.i.c.

In 2018, nearly 580 visitors from around the world walked through the museum’s doors, discovering the epic story of these intrepid, boundary-defying women. “ As they explore the museum’s various exhibits—whether the accounts of these women’s many journeys, the “chamber of remembrance” where visitors enter the personal world of Délia Tétreault, the space dedicated to her family’s genealogy, or the paintings depicting her spiritual life—visitors emerge transformed and filled with a new energy, that of a great figure in Quebec history ,” concludes Alexandre Payer, exhibition curator.

Did you know?

• In 1920, Délia Tétreault launched the magazine *Le Précurseur* to showcase the stories of missionaries. The magazine is still in publication today.
• Délia's philosophy was: "Look on the bright side!"
• In 1997, the Church declared Délia Tétreault Venerable.
• At the museum, visitors can pay their respects at the tomb of the founder of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception.
• In 2016, the Municipality of Marieville named a park in honor of Délia Tétreault.