Discovery of the statuette of Virgin and Child among the ruins of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel

Ville-Marie (Montreal), New France (Quebec), 1754. Illustration : Francis Back. Photography : Bernard Dubois.
Discovery of the statuette of Virgin and Child among the ruins of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel

During the 18th century, fire destroyed several buildings in Montreal, among them Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel in 1754. The only object in the church that was spared was a small wooden statue of the Virgin and Child. The 16th century figurine, to which miracles are attributed, had been given to Marguerite Bourgeoys by Pierre Chevrier, Baron de Fancamp, during her journey to France in 1672. The statuette is found today in the chapel which was rebuilt in the very same place in 1771.