Eating

The various residents of the Motherhouse eat their meals in different refectories or dining rooms, while the Nuns eat in the community refectory. Until the 1960s meals are eaten in silence while a Sister reads aloud from scripture, newspapers and other approved books.

Meals are served by Nuns assigned to this task, who also ensure the cleanliness of the premises.

Sisters’ refectory, circa 1930. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Motherhouse (Montréal)’s Fonds, L082-9Y11B

“Each Sister had their assigned place: their bowl, plate, cup, utensils and napkin were stored in the table drawer. A bucket of soapy water was brought to each table to wash the dishes.”

Testimony of Sister Cécile Montpetit, s.g.m.,
collected at Square Angus (Montréal), the 28 November 2023

Reading chair, 1774. Collection of The Grey Nuns of Montréal, 1973.H.054

“We had very good food. It was very essential in the community (…) As a postulant, I remember Sister Marie Beaulieu [taught at the juniorate]: when we weren’t eating much, she would put a big ladleful of food on our plate saying: ‘Eat my young ladies! Eat, it is important. You are studying, you need that!‘ I was running away from Sister Beaulieu…[laughing].”

Testimony of Sister Raymonde Saint-Germain, s.g.m.,
collected at Square Angus (Montréal), the 28 November 2023

Elderly men’s refectory, 1930. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Motherhouse (Montréal)’s Fonds, L082-H1-65-69

Priests’ refectory, circa 1930. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Motherhouse (Montréal)’s Fonds, L082-9Y11A

Women’s Refectory, circa 1930. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Motherhouse (Montréal)’s Fonds, L082-14Y2A

Sister Eugénie Houde, s.g.m., circa 1940. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Motherhouse (Montréal)’s Fonds, L082-14Y3A

Sister Alice Boisseau, s.g.m., feeding an elderly lady, 1938. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Motherhouse (Montréal)’s Fonds, L082-14Y2E

Foyer Saint-Mathieu, in Chez nous (Our Place) (extract)/Sister Flore Barrette, s.g.m., circa 1950. Film 8 mm. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, F054A

Children’s dinner (12-18 months) circa 1920. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Youville Orphanage (Crèche d’Youville) (Montréal)’s Fonds L090-Y5B

124 Years of Presence at the Motherhouse

The Vegetable Garden and the Orchard

Food Preservation

Cooking

Eating

Cooking