In 2008, at the request of the Augustinian Sisters of l'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, Claire Dufour went to their monastery on several occasions to take photos, get a sense of the atmosphere, and spend time with the sisters. That was the last year that the monastery would be as the sisters had always known it. The following year, objects and furniture would begin to be moved in preparation for restoration work on the building.In 1978, Pierre Bernier gained exceptional access to the monastery while working on a personal project. For three days, he moved about capturing the daily life of the community, in different spaces and at various times of the day.These two collections of previously unpublished photos offer two very personal, intimate, and moving perspectives - from two very different periods - on a place that was, at the time, not well-known to the public. The pictures follow the seasons, and simply and vividly witness to life in the monastery: with its rhythms of prayer, work and rest. They eloquently illustrate what gives soul to this place that, for more than three centuries, was inhabited by a community of nurses entirely dedicated to prayer and care for the sick.
In 2008, at the request of the Augustinian Sisters of l'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, Claire Dufour went to their monastery on several occasions to take photos, get a sense of the atmosphere, and spend time with the sisters. That was the last year that the monastery would be as the sisters had always known it. The following year, objects and furniture would begin to be moved in preparation for restoration work on the building.In 1978, Pierre Bernier gained exceptional access to the monastery while working on a personal project. For three days, he moved about capturing the daily life of the community, in different spaces and at various times of the day.These two collections of previously unpublished photos offer two very personal, intimate, and moving perspectives - from two very different periods - on a place that was, at the time, not well-known to the public. The pictures follow the seasons, and simply and vividly witness to life in the monastery: with its rhythms of prayer, work and rest. They eloquently illustrate what gives soul to this place that, for more than three centuries, was inhabited by a community of nurses entirely dedicated to prayer and care for the sick.