Canada has a new saint in Blessed Marie-Léonie Paradis, the founder of the Institute of the Little Sisters of the Holy Family.
Pope Francis officially canonized her alongside 13 others during a recent ceremony.
Born in 1840 in L’Acadie, Quebec, she entered the convent of the Marianites of Holy Cross, dedicating her life to assisting priests through teaching and other support. In 1880, she established her own community in Memramcook, New Brunswick, to further support the ministry of priests.
Under her leadership, the Little Sisters grew to 91 members and became well-known for their work in education and evangelization across Canada and beyond. Paradis, who passed away in 1912, was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1984.
Her long-awaited canonization reflects her deep commitment to service and spirituality, showcasing her legacy as a figure of faith and dedication, Canada now has 15 saints.