Amanda Viger

Amanda Viger
Born(1845-07-27)July 27, 1845
DiedMay 8, 1906(1906-05-08) (aged 60)
Other namesSaint-Jean-de-Goto

Amanda Viger was a Canadian nun known for her work in helping people with leprosy.

Early life

Amanda Viger, known as Saint-Jean-de-Goto, was born on July 27, 1845 in Boucherville, Quebec to her parents Bonaventure Viger and Eudoxie Trudel.[1] She completed her secondary studies at the Congregation of Notre-Dame in Boucherville’s boarding school.[citation needed] She was 15 years old when she joined the Religious Hospitallers of Saint Joseph of Montreal and she took her vows on February 2, 1863.[2]

Career

Viger was one of six sisters who moved to Tracadie, New Brunswick in 1868 to help people suffering from leprosy, with Viger's focus first on establishing a pharmacy to provide medicines for people in need.[1] She ultimately remained at the facility for 34 years.

She also established a school in 1873 where she and other nuns helped to educate children until 1885. From 1888 the children were lodged near the lazaretto, and Viger helped raise funds for a new school that was completed in 1898.[2]

In 1875, she was elected as superior of her community, and she was elected mother superior seven more times.[1] Then, in 1902, she was elected superior of the Hôtel-Dieu of Arthabaskaville which she had a larger building constructed and helped with the financial issues facing the institution.[1]

Viger died from cancer on 8 May 1906.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d La Plante, Corinne. "Biography – VIGER, AMANDA, named Saint-Jean-de-Goto". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. XIII (1901-1910). Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  2. ^ a b c "Les religieuses fondatrices". Musée Historique de Tracadie. Retrieved 2023-12-05.

Further reading