On May 17, 2023, in Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, a celebration was held for the opening of the diocesan tribunal in the cause of the Servant of God and mystical recluse Jeanne Le Ber. The date selected was clearly in reference to the close association between Montreal's first stone chapel and the great faith story of Ville-Marie, which was founded May 17, 1642, and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The choice of location also reflects the close bond linking Jeanne Le Ber and Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys, the chapel's foundress. For us, the choice was self-evident, the remains of Jeanne Le Ber and the tomb of Saint Marguerite both being located here. Many visitors stop by Jeanne's remains to pray, some write a prayer to place in the prayer box, a witness to the general interest in this fine and noble cause. 

It was with great joy that we welcomed Archbishop Christian Lépine, Georges Bellemare, Vice-Postulator of the cause, and the members of the tribunal: Fr. Aleksander Dudik, judge and president; Fr. Julien Huron, promotor of justice; Fr. Yvon Lavoie, vice-president; Ms. Anne-Marie Bragagnolo, notary-secretary; and Mr. Denis Morin, notary-secretary.  Members of Jeanne Le Ber's family were also present, including her cousin, Mary-Ange Hurstel née Le Moyne de Martigny, her husband and their nephew Michel-Antoine Budin, son of Véronique Budin, née Le Moyne de Martigny. Several priests and nuns (recluses, religious hospitallers and sisters of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame) were also present, as well as persons in support of Jeanne's cause.

Fr. Guy Chapdelaine acted as master of ceremonies for the celebration, the first part of which was a celebration of the Word. Following the proclamation of the decree opening the canonical inquiry into the cause for the canonization of the Servant of God Jeanne Le Ber, a faithful Christian of Montreal, the five members of the tribunal and the three members of the historical commission were sworn in.  
What a wonderful day to go down in the history of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, which is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year. We remain hopeful that Jeanne will finally succeed in taking this first step, with the title of Blessed, towards canonization.