Likely handmade at the Institut Nazareth in Montreal by visually impaired boarders supervised by the Grey Nuns, this baptismal garment has a history that spans four generations.

Purchased in 1902, the outfit was first used to baptize the 16 children born to the couple formed by Wilfrid Doré (1877-1936), a goldsmith/watchmaker and owner of a jewellery shop, and Joséphine Sanscartier (1881-1949), of Saint-Stanislas-de-Champlain in Mauricie.

The baptismal outfit was then offered to their eldest daughter, Marie-Ange Élizabeth Doré (1902-1984), who married Eddy Bélisle (1898-1979). This garment was worn by the couple’s 11 children during their respective baptisms.

Comprised of a lace fabric dress, a shawl, and a coat with a collar extending into a hood and adorned with embroidery stitches forming a zigzag, the outfit was then passed down to Pierrette Bélisle (1927-2020), who married Maurice Alarie (1928-2013), a former student of the Séminaire Saint-Joseph, in 1952, and who dressed up her five children in it on the occasion of their baptism. Later, the outfit was also used for three of her grandchildren.

Donation from Pierrette Bélisle-Alarie

Musée Pierre-Boucher Collection

1992 66 C.3-1