Description
Book SynopsisThe biography of Marie-Louise Bouchard Labelle tells of a youngCanadian woman of humble background who, at the turn of the 20thcentury, discovers love with the priest of her village, a man 33 yearsolder. After three children and 15 years of happy life together, herspouse returns to the priesthood, just before the Great Depression.Trépanier narrates this brave woman's struggle to raise theirchildren alone. Her story raises questions on the mandatory celibacy ofCatholic priests and the status of women in the eyes of the CatholicChurch.
Trade Review"This is the biography of an extraordinary woman who had the courage to fully embrace her love for a priest, knowing all the consequences. The author tells us the story of Marie-Louise Bouchard Labelle with respect and admiration. Thank you to Claire Trepanier for this touching narration and thank you also to Marie-Louise's children and grandchildren who told the author the story of their mother and grandmother. - Laurier L. LaPierre"
Table of ContentsTable of Contents
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Preface
Family Trees
Family of Georgianne Tremblay and her two spouses
Family of Marie-Louise Bouchard Labelle and Joseph Ray
Prologue
CHAPTER ONE: From Les Escoumins to Hanmer (1891–1906)
Marie-Louise Bouchard
Marie-Louise Labelle
Arrival in Hanmer
Life of Hanmer’s First Settlers
Marie-Louise’s Education
Primary School
Tough Love
And What of the Future?
Spiritual Life in the Hamlet
CHAPTER TWO: The New Arrival (1858–1906)
Father Joseph A. Roy
The Francophone Catholic Clergy in the Canadian West
Wolseley, Saskatchewan
Vernon, British Columbia
Hanmer, Ontario (August 1906)
First Meeting with Marie-Louise
CHAPTER THREE: The Turning Point (1906–1916)
Regular Meetings with Marie-Louise
Presbytery Maid?
Against All Comers
Flight
Impact of Their Departure
CHAPTER FOUR: Family Life (1916–1928)
New Identities
Ottawa
Rideau Park (May 1917)
Life as a Couple
Daily Life
Intellectual Life
Spiritual Life
First Return to Hanmer (November 1920)
Birth of Lorne
1921–1926
Gertrude’s First Communion
Facing Facts
Synchronicity
The Big Decision (1928)
CHAPTER FIVE: “Widow” with Three Children(1928–1935)
Heartbreak
Unexpected Visits
Living Day to Day
Free to Explore Life
Napoléon’s Visit
The Crash, 24 October 1929
Family Ties
Homeowner
Impact of Joseph’s Departure
Religion after Joseph’s Departure
The French–English Question
Life During the Great Depression
Bank Street (1930–1932) and Sunnyside Street(1932–1933)
Stanley Avenue (1933–1935)
Social Life
Convalescent Home
Kiosk
CHAPTER SIX: Living from Hand to Mouth (1935–1944)
James Street (1935–1936)
Lisgar Street (1936–1937)
Nepean Street (1937–1939)
Rideau Street, Corner of Chapel (1939)
Slater Street (1940)
Central Avenue (1941)
Acquaintance Changes (1942–1944)
CHAPTER SEVEN: Nanny (1944–1965)
Grandmother
Sewing and Knitting
In the Kitchen
“Breaking Camp”
Mother-in-Law
Jake and the Kid
God
Back to Ottawa (1957–1965)
Ogilvy’s
Cinema
The Countess of Ségur
A Busy Room (1962–1965)
The Secret
CHAPTER EIGHT: Return to Her Roots (1960–1964)
Graduation (1960)
The Two Gossips
Inner Peace
The Trip to the Yukon
CHAPTER NINE: Old Age, Humour and Tenderness (1965–1970)
A Time to Relax
Always Keeping the Secret
Reminiscences of Long Ago
The Bloomers
The Braid
Thieves
CHAPTER TEN: Living in Peace (1970–1973)
Housewarming
A Time to Enjoy Life
Artist
A Time to Die
Epilogue
Postscript
Appendices
Appendix One: Arrival in Hanmer
Appendix Two: House in Hanmer
Appendix Three: Landowner
Appendix Four: Amour Immaculé / Immaculate Love
Family Documents
List of People Interviewed
List of People Who Helped Me in My Research
Abbreviated Chronology
Notes
Bibliography
Index
