Sisters of the Presentation of Mary

June 1, 2026

Welcome to the world of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary!

“How I would want our Congregation to carry the fire of the love of God and the knowledge of Jesus Christ everywhere!” St. Marie Rivier

Greetings from the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, religious province of Prince Albert in Saskatchewan, Canada. Our arrival in “The West” sprung forth from the deepest longings of our Foundress St. Marie Rivier to work ceaselessly to make Jesus Christ known and loved through the whole world.

Witnessing to the call to religious life

Our Foundress has been described by some as an “Unlikely Heroine”. Born in Montpezat, France in 1768, to deeply faithful parents, Marie Rivier faced many challenges early in her life that fashioned her spirituality. As a result of a fall, Marie was crippled at the age of 16 months. Her mother’s response was to bring her daily to the local church where she was placed in front of the Statue of the Pieta. For 4 years little Marie was schooled at the foot of the Pieta, where she would bargain with the Virgin Mary holding her son. “Heal me, and I will teach children about Jesus and Mary!” Mary answered her prayer, on Sept. 8 (The Feast of the Nativity of Mary) 1774, and Marie was unexpectedly healed and was miraculously able to walk. Thus from early childhood Marie Rivier’s ardent love for Jesus and Mary fashioned her into a woman of untiring zeal desiring to Make Jesus and Mary known and loved.

Mary's House -Gathering place for youth and Vocation ministry, Saskatoon, Sask.

Marie Rivier’s ardent zeal blossomed during the “Reign of Terror” of the French Revolution. This time brought with it extreme poverty, religious persecution and political unrest. It was in this environment, when those who even dared to declared themselves Christian, were being murdered at the guillotine, that on Nov. 21st 1796, in Thueyts, France, St. Marie Rivier and four companions dedicated themselves to the service of God. She exclaimed, “We need brave women, women who risk all for the All!” And so, at the height of the French revolution, this tiny woman who stood only 4 feet 7 inches tall along with four brave companions founded The Sisters of Presentation of Mary.

On May 12, 1853 Pope Pius IX declared Marie Rivier Venerable saying she was the “The greatest educator of 19th Century France” and gave her the title of “Woman Apostle.” At her beatification on May 23rd 1982 John Paul II proclaimed that her life “demonstrates well the power of faith in a simple upright soul, which surrenders itself entirely to the grace of its baptism. Pope Francis canonized Marie Rivier on May 15, 2022 speaking of her holiness, apostolic zeal and trust in God.

Come and See Retreat in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Since Marie Rivier’s death, The Sisters of the Presentation of Mary have grown and are present in 19 Countries across four continents. The twofold Charism, so dear to our foundress, of a zealous Christian education of the faith, and deep interior life has been lived out in many ways through our community life, prayer and ministries.

In response to this call almost 370 Sisters of the Presentation of Mary have dedicated their lives in western Canada since the first 12 arrived in Duck Lake in 1903. Since that time our sisters have served in many capacities: Teaching, adult education, nursing, prison ministry, inner city ministry, First Nations ministry, counselling and spiritual direction, parish administration, ministry to the youth, and prayer ministry not to mention the many quiet and hidden gestures towards those in need.

All for God! All Through Holy Love!