Marie-Rose Durocher was the first Canadian woman to found a religious congregation of women teachers. Beatified in 1982, a chapel is dedicated to her within the Co-Cathedral.
To commemorate her presence at the Co-Cathedral, a copper monument was installed outside. The copper sculpture depicted Mother Marie-Rose teaching two children. This work of art almost disappeared completely. In May 2011, two attempts were made to remove all the figures from their plinths. They had to make do with the two young children surrounding Mother Marie-Rose, of whom only… the shoes remained!
The remains of the original sculpture of the SNJM founder can now be admired in the co-cathedral museum, sheltered from the elements… and from metal-selling thieves! For the record, the sculpture has been replaced on the outside by a granite monument, whose design is inspired by the original work.