May 4
Saint Marie-Léonie Paradis
Nun, Foundress
“Humble Among The Humble”
(1840-1912)
“God knows better than we do what we need, the important thing is to serve him well… Pray and trust in God our good Father.”
Saint Marie-Léonie Paradis
Saint’s Life Story
Her Early Life
Alodie-Virginie (or Élodie) was born on May 12, 1840, in L’Acadie, Québec, Canada, the sole daughter and the third of six children of Joseph Paradis and Emilie Gregoire. She was born into a poor but deeply religious family. When Élodie was nine years old, her mother sent her to a boarding-school where she received her education from the Sisters of Notre Dame.
Joined Marianite Sisters
Having heard from a family friend and neighbor, Camille Lefebvre, that there was a community of nuns within the Holy Cross family, Élodie presented herself at the novitiate of the Marianite Sisters of Holy Cross in Saint-Laurent, near Montreal, Canada. So, not quite fourteen years old while her father was seeking gold in California, Élodie joined the Marianite Sisters of the Congregation of the Holy Cross on February 21, 1854. After three years of formation, Élodie took her final vows on August 22, 1857, committing herself to a life of consecration and service.
Sister Marie-Léonie, Teacher
Élodie received the religious name Marie de Sainte-Léonie (which was shortened to Marie-Léonie). After making her final vows, Marie-Léonie was a teacher, monitor, and secretary to the mother superior at Varennes, Saint-Laurent, and Saint-Martin (Laval).
In 1862, Marie-Léonie was sent to a parish for French-speaking Catholics in Manhattan, New York City, where the Marianites operated an orphanage and a school for poor children in the parish of St Vincent de Paul. Eight years later in 1870, she joined the Sisters of Holy Cross, the American branch of the order located at Notre Dame, Indiana. Here, Marie-Léonie taught French and needlework to the nuns who were slated to become teachers.
Foundress and Superior of New Order
After a short stay in Michigan, in 1874 Marie-Léonie was chosen as novice mistress to direct a group of novices and postulants at the Collège Saint-Joseph in Memramcook, New Brunswick, Canada. This college, which had been founded in 1864 by her Canadian friend Camille Lefebvre, needed recruits for “housekeeping tasks and maintenance of the culinary department.” There, Marie-Léonie could heed what she considered her calling at that moment: to be an auxiliary and assistant to the Holy Cross Fathers in the mission of further educating the spiritual growth of young Acadian priests and seminarians.
In 1877, together with fourteen other sisters, she co-founded the Poor Sisters of the Holy Family in Memramcook, New Brunswick. The congregation was devoted to assisting priests and seminarians, providing support and care for their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Soon, she was appointed superior of the new community.
Marie-Léonie tried on many occasions to persuade Bishop John Sweeny of Saint John, N.B., to give his approval to her religious family, but in vain. In 1895, she met Bishop Paul Larocque of Sherbrooke, who was looking for domestic staff for his seminary. He agreed to receive the mother house and the novitiate of the Little Sisters into his diocese and to give them his approval.
Moved to Sherbooke
After 21 years in Acadia, Marie-Léonie returned to Quebec. She and her community moved to 10 Rue Peel in Sherbrooke, Canada. On January 26, 1896, Bishop Larocque granted canonical approval, official church recognition of her new order. Then, Marie-Léonie applied herself to the tasks of giving her institution a rule of life and helping the nuns develop a spirit of cheerful simplicity and sisterly generosity.
The Poor Sisters of the Holy Family flourished under Marie Leonie’s dedicated leadership. The congregation grew. Their work extended beyond Canada, establishing communities in the United States.
Her Death
Soon, Marie-Léonie became seriously ill with a malignant cancer, and her health slowly declined. On the morning of her death, she received permission to publish the rule of the Little Sisters. After receiving the last sacraments, Marie-Léonie died on May 3, 1912, just before her 72nd birthday, in Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
In the course of her life she had overseen 38 establishments in Québec, New Brunswick, Ontario, and the United States. At the time of her death, the Little Sisters of the Holy Family had some 635 members. Today, her sisters work in over 200 institutions of education and evangelization in Canada, the United States, Italy, Brazil, Haiti, Chile, Honduras, and Guatemala.
Saint Marie-Léonie is only third Canadian saint born in Canada, joining Saints Marguerite d’Youville and André Bessette.
Born: May 12, 1840, in L’Acadie, Québec, Canada
Died: May 3, 1912 in Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
Beatified: September 11, 1984 by Pope John Paul II
Canonized: October 24, 2024 by Pope Francis
Feast Day: May 4
Patron Saint: Archdiocese of Sherbrooke, Canada
Reflection
Saint Marie-Léonie Paradis is a beautiful example of quiet perseverance, humble service, and unwavering faith. As the founder of the Little Sisters of the Holy Family, she dedicated herself to the support and care of priests, understanding deeply the need for behind-the-scenes help in the Church’s mission. Her work was simple in appearance—cooking, cleaning, sewing—but offered with such love and devotion that it became a path to holiness. Her life reminds us that sanctity doesn’t always come from grand gestures—it often blooms in the hidden, daily acts of love and sacrifice.
Although you may face resistance or setbacks in your own vocation or callings, like Saint Marie-Léonie did, how can you care for others? What unnoticed small kind gestures can you strive to humbly bring Christ-like patient love to everyone you encounter in your everyday life?
Prayers
Saint Marie-Léonie Paradis,
You found holiness in the hidden tasks and joy in humble service.
With gentle hands and a generous heart, you gave your life to care for others, never seeking praise, only God’s glory.
Teach us to find God in the ordinary, to serve with love even when no one sees, and to remain faithful in times of trial.
Help us persevere in our own vocations, however small or unseen they may seem, trusting that nothing done in love is ever lost.
May your example inspire us to humbly serve with unwavering faith.
Saint Marie-Léonie Paradis, pray for us! Amen.
Saint Links
Aleteia – This Canadian saint had a joyful and loving heart that attracted many to follow her
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops – Blessed Mother Marie-Léonie (Élodie Paradis, 1840-1912)
Catholic Insight – Blessed Marie-Leonie Paradis
Catholic News Agency – Canadian religious sister Mother Marie-Léonie Paradis cleared for canonization
Catholic Online – Bl. Marie Leonie Paradis
The B.C. Catholic – Canadian St. Marie-Leonie Paradis canonized in Rome
Today’s Catholic – St. Marie-Léonie Paradis: A Model of Perseverance
Video Link
Discover The Story Of The Newest Saint Of The Catholic Church, Saint Marie Léonie Paradis – YouTube (Saints Curiosities)