“It is DESIRE that makes the Sister.” – Sister Missionnary Position
… everything else is a matter of opportunities, encounters, friendships, and finding a group with whom to live and share this desire.
The Chaptre
The Chapter is the Sisters’ monthly meeting, where we meet future postulants or potential partners for projects, discuss past and upcoming actions, as well as any other administrative matters, etc.
The Postulancy
This is the first step to joining us. The individual presents themselves and expresses their desire to join during a Chapter (monthly meeting). If the Convent as a whole (Sisters AND Novices) believes that both the person and our convent are ready to begin the journey, the postulant will be invited to attend upcoming Chapters and actions to get to know each other mutually for at least three months (including three Chapters and four actions).
The postulant remains in civilian attire—this is a crucial period of mutual discovery. We ask our postulants and novices to be particularly available during these two stages of formation.
The Convent accepts new Postulants or Novices only if we are collectively ready to make ourselves available to share and support those who wish to commit with us.
Our Sister BiBi Cyclette de la Sativaparlà with postulant Chris. In Montreal, March 2025.
The Noviciate (Novices and cadets)
Novices and Cadets have the same rights and duties as a Sister or Garde-Cuisse but are in a learning process that lasts several months. During this time, they create and deepen their character, develop their knowledge of our communities and their histories. Gradually, they are encouraged to take on more responsibilities and initiatives with the support of two sponsors and the Sisters of the Novices. They vote alongside the Sisters on the admission of Postulants but cannot (except in special cases approved by their sponsors) represent the Convent and/or the International Order of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence in public or in the media.
Novices wear a cornette without a veil.
Novice Lou Divine at the Drags Patronnesses fair in Montreal, September 2024.
The Sisterhood (Active Sisters/Gardes cuisses)
Active Sisters and Garde-Cuisses participate in the convent’s monthly Chapters (meetings), engage in actions, and collectively make all decisions regarding the group’s life and commitments. They vote on the elevations of Novices and new Sisters and are the only ones authorized to represent the convent and the International Order of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence in public or in the media (except in special cases).
The symbol of an elevated Sister is the colored veil (black or otherwise), worn with or without the cornette.
Sister Mystrah La Belle Fée Gore at the picnic at the LGBTQIA+ Community Center in Montreal, August 2024.
The Emeritus Sisters
These are Sisters who have served as active Sisters for over 10 years. They are no longer required to attend Chapters, do not vote, but can still participate, provide advisory opinions, and join any action. This honorary status celebrates exceptional commitment and is granted during a special ceremony. It was designed to give younger Sisters more space for experimentation and responsibility while allowing them to benefit from the experience of senior members without pressure. It also allows long-standing Sisters to continue with more freedom, without bearing the daily management of the Convent. Any Emeritus Sister may return to active status whenever she wishes.
An Emeritus Sister can no longer publicly represent the Montreal Convent in public or in the media, but as a Sister, she continues to represent the International Order of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence with all the rights and responsibilities that entails.
Retired or “Frozen” Sisters
These are Sisters who, for various reasons, can no longer or no longer wish to participate in the life of the Convent. They are always welcome at meetings or actions but cannot represent the Montreal Convent or the International Order of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence in public or in the media.
A Sister in suspension, retirement, levitation, or “freezing” can regain active status after attending at least four consecutive Chapters and participating in a few actions.
The Gardes-cuisses & cadets
The Garde-Cuisses and Cadets are Sisters and Novices like any others, with the same rights, duties, and responsibilities. They simply choose to serve through masculine characters and maintain the core principle that justified their creation: the physical protection and logistical support of Sisters in action. Today, this specificity manifests as a particular focus on logistics and the well-being of Sisters and Novices during actions.
At the Montreal Convent, all Garde-Cuisses are also Sisters, and any Sister may become a Garde-Cuisse whenever and if they choose.
The “Charges”
The President
An elevated Sister, she is elected during our annual general Chapter. She is responsible for the administrative duties of the group and, most importantly, for providing direction and setting the guidelines for our actions and the life of the Convent during her term. It is an important position that requires wisdom, experience, empathy, and above all… a lot of patience!
The vice-president
An elevated Sister, elected during our annual general Chapter, she supports the President in her administrative responsibilities as well as in her vocation within the convent.
The Treasurer (Sister Econom)
An elevated Sister, elected during our annual general Chapter, she has specific qualifications that allow her to ensure all the legal and moral obligations that come with the position. Sister Marie Félicité du Mont-Royal has brilliantly held this position since the founding of the Convent, and we are all particularly grateful to her!
Sister Marie Félicité du Mont-Royal at the Pride March in Montreal, August 2024.
The Sisters of the postulants and novices (BabysiSters)
Elevated Sisters, they are elected during our annual general Chapter. There are two of them to avoid power dynamics and always provide a diversity of approaches and personalities to our novices and postulants. They play a crucial role in supporting both the sponsors and the novices, welcoming and guiding the postulants. This position requires great humility, a strong sense of listening, and the ability to make sometimes difficult decisions.
Sister Kiss-A-ring and her hook at the Jouissif Festival in Montreal, November 2024.
Other positions are also assigned by vote during our annual general Chapter, including: Sister of the Habits, Sister of the Veils, Sister of Communications (or Cyberpouffe), etc.
