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The agents of transition : Monsignor Albert Tessier

Upon a request from the Cardinal of Montreal, Monsignor Villeneuve, l'abbé Albert Tessier of Three-Rivers was named Visitor Propagandist for the Regional Home Economics Schools in 1937. At that time the religious authorities felt that the traditional family values were being severely eroded in contact with the city and industry.The Regional Home Economics School and its education for girls was signalled out as an excellent model for the French-Canadian families. The Cardinal then asked l'Abbé Tessier to engage in a campaign to promote Home Economics Schools. Between 1937 and1950 in answer to the Cardinal's request, l'Abbé Tessier used every means possible to promote Home Economic Schools. He multiplied radio talks, conferences and propaganda films about Home Economics teaching, in the Province as well as elsewhere outside the Province. As a result of his action the number of Regional Home Economics Schools in Quebec went from 16 to 36 and the number of students from 221 to over 2000.

In addition to doing promotion, l'Abbé Tessier undertook to draw up a completely new syllabus centered on the art of house-keeping. The Regional Home Economics Schools introduced gradually between 1940 and 1950, a diversified program whose main purpose was to adequately prepare young girls for their future role of wives and mothers. Effectively, during these years under the driving force of l'Abbé Tessier, the Regional Home Economics Schools were gradually transformed into Écoles Supérieures d'Enseignement Ménager (1948-1951) and then to Instituts Familiaux (1951-1972). In the meantime, he was named in1950 Domestic Prelate and given the title of Monsignor Albert Tessier.

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Mgr Albert Tessier
20th century, around 1960
Montreal (Quebec), Canada

Credits:
Filles de Jésus Museum

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Mgr Albert Tessier speaking to students at l'Institut Familial Val-Marie
20th century, between 1950 and 1967
Institut Familial Val-Marie, Cap-de-la-Madeleine (Quebec), Canada

Credits:
Filles de Jésus archives
Collection Institut familial Val-Marie
Call number : 230-039-074-021

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Sister Pauline Ducharme, fj, about Mgr Albert Tessier
18 January 2011
Kermaria, Provincial House, Filles de Jésus, Three-Rivers (Quebec) Canada

Credits:
Filles de Jésus Museum

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Mgr Albert Tessier signing the report of the Instituts Familiaux in 1956
20th century, around 1956-1957
Institut Familial of Loretteville, Quebec (Quebec), Canada

Credits:
Filles de Jésus archives
Collection Institut familial Val-Marie
Call number : 230-039-073-025

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Mgr Albert Tessier presenting the Bulletins of the Instituts Familiaux to O.J. Desaulniers
20th century, around 1957
Quebec (Quebec), Canada

Credits:
Filles de Jésus archives
Collection Institut familial Val-Marie
Call number : 230-039-072-005

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Celebration of Mgr Albert Tessier's 25 years as Visitor Propagandist
18 March 1962
Institut Familial Val-Marie, Cap-de-la-Madeleine (Quebec), Canada

Credits:
Photo : Roland Lemire
Iconographic archives Le Nouvelliste
Collection Roland Lemire
Call number : 10 632

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Mrs. Micheline Boisvert about Mgr Albert Tessier
15 December 2010
Kermaria, Provincial House, Filles de Jésus, Three-Rivers (Quebec) Canada

Credits:
Filles de Jésus Museum

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The agents of transition : Miss Monique Bureau

When he was named Visitor Propagandist, Albert Tessier informed the Cardinal Villeneuve that he knew nothing about the techniques of sewing, weaving and culinary art. The Cardinal re-assured him by confirming that a technician would be named to organize the general practical notions of the house-keeping and family aspects of the program. In 1939, Miss Monique Bureau, originally from Three-Rivers, began working as Visitor Propagandist in the field of Home Economics Schools. Her first project was to launch an important campaign of modernization of the equipment. Electrical stoves, refrigerators and ultra-modern furniture made their appearance in the schools. She then intervened in the re-organization of the spatial areas of the schools that became veritable homes. In addition, Miss Bureau was responsible in the setting up of two associations, l'Association des techniciennes en sciences ménagères and l'Association des Instituts Familiaux.

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Miss Monique Bureau
20th century, around 1950
Quebec (Quebec), Canada

Credits:
Filles de Jésus archives
Collection Institut familial Val-Marie
Call number : 230-039-073-13

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Sister Pauline Ducharme, fj, about Miss Monique Bureau
18 January 2011
Kermaria, Provincial House, Filles de Jésus, Three-Rivers (Quebec) Canada

Credits:
Filles de Jésus Museum

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Miss Monique Bureau and Maurice Duplessis at an exhibition of Regional Home Economics Schools
20th century, June 1946
Three-Rivers (Quebec), Canada

Credits:
Photo : Le Nouvelliste
Iconographic archives Le Nouvelliste
Collection Le Nouvelliste
Call number : N10046

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Paying tribute to Miss Monique Bureau for her 25 years of service
31 May 1964
Institut Familial Val-Marie, Cap-de-la-Madeleine (Quebec), Canada

Credits:
Photo : Roland Lemire
Bibliothèque et archives nationales, Centre d'archives de la Mauricie et du Centre-du-Québec
Collection Roland Lemire
Call number : P30, D700

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Mrs. Jeanne Demers about Miss Monique Bureau
12 January 2011
Kermaria, Provincial House, Filles de Jésus, Three-Rivers (Quebec) Canada

Credits:
Filles de Jésus Museum