Marie Guyart
Encyclopedia
Marie Guyart, known latterly as Marie de l'Incarnation, (28 October 1599 – 30 April 1672), was an Ursuline nun who was the religious foundress of the Ursuline order in New France
. Marie Guyart was also known as Marie Martin when she got married to Mr. Martin.
Born in Tours
, France
, Marie married Claude Martin and had a son before her husband died. He left behind a struggling business that Marie was able to make profitable before selling. Free to pursue her religious inclinations, she experienced a mystical vision on 24 March 1620, that set her on a new path of devotional intensity. After working with a Spiritual Director for many years, she decided to enter the Ursuline Convent in Tours to try her vocation. She abandoned her son to the care of her family, but the emotional pain of the separation would remain with her. Later, when her son became a monk, they corresponded candidly about their spiritual and emotional trials.
Sometime near 1638, Marie de l'Incarnation was guided by visions to go to Canada and found a convent. She had been introduced to Marie-Madeline de Chauvigny de la Peltrie
who would be financially able to assist in that endeavor. Marie, along with two Ursulines and Madame de la Peltrie, landed at Quebec City
in August 1639. The group managed to found the first hospital in Canada as well as an Ursuline Congregation. Her feast day in the Anglican Church of Canada is 30 April.
Joseph-Émile Brunet
was granted a commission for a granite sculpture of “Marie de l’Incarnation and other key figures in the province of Quebec's history at the Parliament Building (Quebec)
in 1965. Mr. Joseph-Émile Brunet
designed a 7'6 stone sculpture of Marie Guyart (Marie de L’Incarnation in a niche as you enter the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
.
Guyart's life story was adapted into a 2008 docudrama by Jean-Daniel Lafond
entitled Folle de Dieu (Madwoman of God). The film starred Marie Tifo
as Guyart and was produced by the National Film Board of Canada
. Tifo also played the role of Guyart in the 2009 stage production La Déraison d'amour.
Ursulines of Quebec
The Ursuline Convent of Quebec City, , founded in 1639, is the oldest institution of learning for women in North America...
. Marie Guyart was also known as Marie Martin when she got married to Mr. Martin.
Born in Tours
Tours
Tours is a city in central France, the capital of the Indre-et-Loire department.It is located on the lower reaches of the river Loire, between Orléans and the Atlantic coast. Touraine, the region around Tours, is known for its wines, the alleged perfection of its local spoken French, and for the...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Marie married Claude Martin and had a son before her husband died. He left behind a struggling business that Marie was able to make profitable before selling. Free to pursue her religious inclinations, she experienced a mystical vision on 24 March 1620, that set her on a new path of devotional intensity. After working with a Spiritual Director for many years, she decided to enter the Ursuline Convent in Tours to try her vocation. She abandoned her son to the care of her family, but the emotional pain of the separation would remain with her. Later, when her son became a monk, they corresponded candidly about their spiritual and emotional trials.
Sometime near 1638, Marie de l'Incarnation was guided by visions to go to Canada and found a convent. She had been introduced to Marie-Madeline de Chauvigny de la Peltrie
Marie-Madeline de Chauvigny de la Peltrie
Marie-Madeleine de Chauvigny de la Peltrie was a French woman who started the Order of Ursulines of Quebec.Madame Chauvigny was born at Alençon. She arrived in New France with a number of Ursulines including a future nun, Charlotte Barré and Marie de l'Incarnation, who was to be the religious...
who would be financially able to assist in that endeavor. Marie, along with two Ursulines and Madame de la Peltrie, landed at Quebec City
Quebec City
Quebec , also Québec, Quebec City or Québec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about to the southwest...
in August 1639. The group managed to found the first hospital in Canada as well as an Ursuline Congregation. Her feast day in the Anglican Church of Canada is 30 April.
Legacy
Joseph-Émile Brunet
Joseph-Émile Brunet was a Canadian sculptor based in Quebec. His output includes more than 200 monuments in bronze. Many of his sculptures depict national figures and events in Canada. He was born in Huntingdon, Quebec in 1899...
was granted a commission for a granite sculpture of “Marie de l’Incarnation and other key figures in the province of Quebec's history at the Parliament Building (Quebec)
Parliament Building (Quebec)
The Parliament Building is an eight-floor building and home to the Parliament of Quebec in Quebec City. The building was designed by architect Eugène-Étienne Taché and was built from 1877 to 1886. With the frontal tower, the building stands at 52 metres or 171 feet in height...
in 1965. Mr. Joseph-Émile Brunet
Joseph-Émile Brunet
Joseph-Émile Brunet was a Canadian sculptor based in Quebec. His output includes more than 200 monuments in bronze. Many of his sculptures depict national figures and events in Canada. He was born in Huntingdon, Quebec in 1899...
designed a 7'6 stone sculpture of Marie Guyart (Marie de L’Incarnation in a niche as you enter the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
The Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré is a basilica set along the Saint Lawrence River in Quebec, Canada, east of Quebec City. It has been credited by the Roman Catholic Church with many miracles of curing the sick and disabled. It is an important Catholic sanctuary which receives about a...
.
Guyart's life story was adapted into a 2008 docudrama by Jean-Daniel Lafond
Jean-Daniel Lafond
Jean-Daniel Lafond CC is a French-born Canadian filmmaker, and the husband to the former Governor General Michaëlle Jean, making him the Viceregal Consort of Canada during her service.-Biography:...
entitled Folle de Dieu (Madwoman of God). The film starred Marie Tifo
Marie Tifo
Marie Tifo is a Canadian actress, and a major star in French-speaking Canada. She won a Genie Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in the 1980 drama film Les Bons Débarras.She will star in La Déraison d'amour at the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde in Montreal...
as Guyart and was produced by the National Film Board of Canada
National Film Board of Canada
The National Film Board of Canada is Canada's twelve-time Academy Award-winning public film producer and distributor. An agency of the Government of Canada, the NFB produces and distributes documentary, animation, alternative drama and digital media productions...
. Tifo also played the role of Guyart in the 2009 stage production La Déraison d'amour.