The Marguerite Movement was founded on August 1, 1981 by Mrs. Louise Ward in Aylmer in the diocese of Gatineau-Hull. The inspiration came to her that Sunday during Mass in her parish.

The goal of the movement is to pray for priests, dedicating one day of the week to a specific priest to support him in his ministry and spiritual life.

This movement would therefore be of a spiritual nature and would want, through its prayer, to mark the very close link between priests and laity all united in the priesthood of Christ.

In 1983, the movement was placed under the patronage of Mary, Mother of the Church.

After much reflection and prayer, Louise chose the daisy to illustrate the movement’s commitment because this flower symbolizes the gift of self, simplicity and unity.

Each daisy would be composed of the commitment of seven people who would each offer one day of the week for the priest they had adopted and who would be the heart of their daisy. Each person would be free to choose the content of his day: Mass, rosary, acts of love, offering of an illness, offering of his state duty, etc. What counts is the love with which the offering is made for the priest.

Each daisy represents the earthly Church united to the heavenly Church; the heart of the person united to the Heart of God.

Here in Montreal, the Marguerite Movement is led by Mr. Georges Roy and his wife Pauline who, in 1990, decided to submit the project to Msgr. Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte. After listening to their explanation, Cardinal Turcotte accepted the work of this prayer movement in the Archdiocese of Montreal, encouraging them to pray to support the priests in their activities and in their sanctification. He placed the Marguerite Movement under the responsibility of the Vocation Ministry.

The Quebec bishops consider the Marguerite Movement to be one of the province’s ten major Catholic movements. “It is a grace for our Church and is considered an essential service by the priests who benefit from it.” 

“Expectations of the priestly ministry are increasing, and the challenges of the new evangelization are numerous and complex. It is good for priests to know that people are committing themselves to prayer to support them in their ministry,” said Bishop François Lapierre on September 14, 2001.

Not everyone who makes a commitment to God is a crowd-puller; not everyone has been given the gift to speak to large audiences or to be in charge of large corporations. As Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, “We cannot all do great things, but we can all do small things with great love.” 

Each person is unique, so each person prays in a unique way. God does not create photocopies; variety is the glory of the Father.”

So, let us pray for: 

•      The spiritual support, through prayer, of the priest, bishop or pope, whom we have chosen, in his ministry and spiritual life.
•      The union, understanding and closeness of priests with their bishop or community superior and of priests among themselves.
•      The fraternal collaboration of the faithful with their pastors, compensating for worldly criticism and religious indifference.
•      Vocations to the priesthood and religious life. 

As the Holy Pope John Paul II said, "Vocations are a gift from God to be asked for unceasingly." 

The priest has a sublime mission. Therefore, to contribute to the vocation and sanctification of a single priest is to snatch souls from hell, working effectively for the salvation of an entire people. “To make a priest,” said Bishop de Ségur, “is to save a thousand souls.”   

The Marguerite Movement is “a surprise of the Holy Spirit”  because its members are carried by its Person-Love and act under its influence.   

Committing oneself to the Marguerite Movement is not a flash in the pan. Rather, it is a calling from the Lord, lasting as long as he allows. It is a serious thing not to be taken lightly. 

It is also recommended that priests, in return, pray for the seven (7) petals of his daisy, in gratitude and thanksgiving.

Archbishop Lépine will celebrate a mass at the cathedral on May 14 at 10 a.m. for the Marguerite Movement

Mary, Mother of Priests, pray for us.

Msgr. Gilles Cazabon, Les Marguerites magazine, December 1999, pages 12-13.

Quoted by Msgr. Ambroise Leblanc, OFM, Les Anges du Sacerdoce.

Msgr. Raymond St-Gelais, Bishop of Nicolet, May 9, 1998 in Drummondville, QC.

Les Marguerites magazine, July 1998, pages 2 and 7.