Medal - Mother Aurélie Caouette ND

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Script: Latin

Lettering: Gloire au Sang de Jésus

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Quebec Cultural Heritage Directory:

Born on July 11, 1833 in Saint-Hyacinthe, Aurélie Caouette was the daughter of Joseph Caouette, a blacksmith, and Marguerite Olivier.

As a child, Aurélie Caouette attended school in her village. In 1845, she entered the boarding school of the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre-Dame in Saint-Hyacinthe. She left the school five years later and returned to live in her father's house.

Feeling a religious vocation, Aurélie Caouette sought advice from the Bishop of Saint-Hyacinthe, Mgr Jean-Charles Prince, but there was no religious community she wanted to join at the time. Attracted by devotion to the Precious Blood, she led a quasi-cloistered life.

In 1859, Aurélie Caouette met the Bishop of Montreal, Mgr Ignace Bourget, who suggested that she found her own community of Adorers of the Precious Blood. The Bishop of Saint-Hyacinthe, Mgr Joseph La Rocque, agreed to her request. On September 14, 1861, the Congregation of the Sisters Adorers of the Precious Blood was founded, a community specially dedicated to meditation and prayer. It was the first contemplative community in Canada.

In 1863, the small congregation moved to a new monastery. At that time, Aurélie Caouette took her religious vows. She adopted the name Mother Catherine-Aurélie of the Precious Blood and became the superior of the community. The community grew rapidly and monasteries were soon founded in several cities in Canada and the United States as well as in Cuba. Mother Catherine-Aurélie du Précieux-Sang was present at the inauguration of each of them. In addition to occupying the position of superior at Saint-Hyacinthe, she was appointed superior general for life of the community.