Sisters Caring for Cholera Victims on McNabs Island, 1866.

Nova Scotia--McNabs Island
Cholera
Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul (Halifax, N.S.)

The painting depicts a scene on McNabs Island in Halifax Harbour during a cholera outbreak in 1866. In the foreground are two Sisters in black habits. One is offering a cup to a woman in a shawl. The other Sister is surrounded by children. A third Sister is seen in a tent caring for a person. Makeshift tents are set up next to trees. Two ships are anchored in the Halifax Harbour.

The SS England, a large ship carrying 1300 passengers bound for New York, was suddenly struck by a cholera outbreak was forced to make an emergency stop in the Halifax Harbour in Nova Scotia. By the time the anchor had dropped, 50 passengers had already died of the disease. Archbishop Thomas Louis Connelly was concerned about the care of the sick, especially the orphaned children, and asked for volunteers to go to the island. Despite the very serious risk of contracting the disease, every Sister volunteered. Three Sisters were selected to minister to the sick on McNabs Island, and none contracted cholera.
Within the congregation, this event is referred to as the start of health care ministries for the Sisters.

Sister Agnes Berchmans Landry: Sister Agnes Berchmans Landry (1879-1973) originally painted the scene of the Sisters caring for cholera victims on McNabs Island for Mount Saint Vincent Motherhouse in Halifax, Nova Scotia, which was destroyed by fire in January 1951. After the fire, Sister Agnes Berchmans, though advanced in age, repainted the scene for the new Motherhouse.

Sisters of Charity - Halifax

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1951-1973

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Painting, 66” height x 47” width x 2” depth

Physical Object

95.267

1866
Halifax (Nova Scotia)