About Us

Our Origins

To educate is "to love and to hope!"

1878-1953

Antonin Order

The Antonine cloistered nuns of the Antonin Order existing in Lebanon at the very beginning of the 18th century are at the origin of our Antonine Sisters’ Congregation which became apostolic in 1940. Mother Isabelle Khoury (1878-1953) of Jezzine, Lebanon-South, was the source of the apostolic vital impulse for to devote herself to the service of the men and women of her time.

1700

Antonin Order of Saint Isaïe

The Antonin Order of Saint Isaïe is founded, the 15th of August 1700, at the convent of on the Arant Mount at Broumana, by the bishop Mgr Gabriel Bluzene. The Constitutions and the rule of the Antonin Monks and the Antonine Nuns were approved by the Pope Clement XII, on the 17th of January 1740 by “Misericordiarum Pater”..

1748-1774

Established in two monastries

After several displacements between the convents of St Peter and St Paul-Kattine, St Anthony-Baabda, N.D.-Bkerke and St Simon-Baskinta, The Antonine Nuns are definitely established in two monastries: Saint Elias-Ghazir in 1748 et Saint Anthony-Jezzine in 1774.

1932

Antonin Order

On May 10, 1932, Mother Isabelle Khoury and Sister Myriam Aoun, at their request and approved by the general council of the Antonin Order, left the monastery of Saint Antoine de Padoue of Jezzine to settle in the convent of Mar Doumith at Roumieh-Metn which became the Mother House of the Antonine Sisters.

1940

Antonin Sisters

The 10th of April 1940, the Antonine Nuns are authorized to begin an apostolic life out of the convent.

Our Emblem

It is the Tau or Cross of Saint-Anthony the Great (250-355):

This cross, originating in the key of life for the ancient Pharahos was adopted by the Early Coptic Christians of Egypt. As a Christian symbol, this cross developed a rich significance:

Biblical: as sign of election, salvation, confirmation;
Theological: as sign of death, resurrection, hope;
Monastic: as sign of contemplation, virgil from the monastic tradition of Saint-Anthony and his cane.

Our Mission

Who we are is intimately linked to our mission. As consecrated religious women, we want to reflect the sign of hope in the today’s world and make a substantial contribution in the Church’s mission. Of the Antiochene spirituality, we bring the Oriental breath to the heart of the Occidental Catholic Church.

By Prayer and Witness

Hospitality and Service

Education and Proclamation of the Word

Oecumenical, interreligious and intercultural dialogue

Our Charisma

From our origins, we must live the contemplative dimension in our apostolic life aspiring to measure ourselves to the call of the gospel. " Go, sell all you have, give it to the poor and come follow me " - (Matthew 19:21)

Our spirituality is from the heritage of Saint Anthony, called the father of monastic life, the patrimony of our Maronite Church. Moreover, we draw from the charisma of our innovator, Mother Isabelle Khoury, thus meaning the evangelic simplicity, family spirit and the love of the poor.

Faithful of this spirit, we strive to live our religious consecrated life with its contemplative and apostolic dimensions in the footsteps of our Lord, true God and true Man, and by witnessing his mercy and love with generosity and joy.

An Enriched Education for your Child

Catholic, private french school in Ottawa with a Trilingual Academic program

We educate academic intelligence and the hearts of students in the light of The Gospel’s teaching and values in an atmosphere of security, mutual respect and loving care.

We offer an education that promote academic excellence where the best opportunities are provided so every student can learn, grow, succeed and become a responsible person!

Fields of Action

Working in 42 institutions of which 32 are in Lebanon and 8 elsewhere throughout the world.

Our apostolic mandate includes early childhood and youth education, social health services as well as religious, cultural, pastoral and parochial activities. Our institutions, pertaining to educate, count 21 school establishments; 10 are at the secondary level. Most of these institutions are trilingual (French, English and Arabic) and educate some 15 000 students in a given school year.

Actually, we are working in 42 institutions of which 32 are in Lebanon and 8 elsewhere in the world.
We are established in different Lebanese regions and in some other countries.

Providence Foundation

Aware of the numerous apostolic needs of the Lebanese community in Canada, our Congregation decided to initiate, in Ottawa, the Providence Foundation aiming to become the core of our establishments in Canada.

Donations are accepted via Paypal

15%

$450 raised

Make a Donation

By donating, you allow the Providence Foundation to pursue its programs and activities within the Lebanese Community. Your support contributes to the direct and concrete impact of our educative mission.

Donations are accepted via Paypal

15%

$450 raised

Every Little Bit Counts

Be part of the flourishing programs that supports the Providence Foundation in the implementation of its mission by making a one-time donation or dedicating your commitment to a specific community program. We do not profit from our donations, your support means the world to us.

Donations are accepted via Paypal

15%