Marie  BARBIER

BARBIER, MARIE, dite de l’Assomption, sister of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame; baptized 1 May 1663, daughter of Gilbert Barbier, known as Le Minime, master carpenter, surveyor, seigneurial attorney and churchwarden of the parish of Ville-Marie, and of Catherine de La Vau; d. 19 May 1739.

We are partially familiar with Marie Barbier’s youth through the letters which she wrote to her director, Charles de Glandelet. She relates to him, among other things, her youthful vanities, the intervention of the Virgin who saved her from an attempted rape, and various mystical experiences she underwent. From the age of 14 she was a boarder and perhaps an “aspirant” with the Sisters of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame, since in 1679 she was admitted as a novice and in 1684 her religious profession was confirmed by a “donation inter vivos.” She was the first Montreal woman to enter the congregation of Marguerite Bourgeoys*.

During her probationary period she offered up special devotion to the

GILBERT BARBIER 40 CHARPENTIER, HABITANT
CATHERINE DE LAGNEAU (DE LAVAU) 45 EPOUSE
ADRIENNE BARBIER 17 FILLE
BARBE BARBIER 12 FILLE
GABRIEL BARBIER 9 FILS
NICOLAS BARBIER 7 FILS
CHARLES BARBIER 5 FILS
MARIE BARBIER 2 FILLE
NICOLAS CHARTRAN 22 DOMESTIQUE, ENGAGE