The Sisters of Charity (Grey Nuns) of Saskatchewan has their headquarters in Biggar as determined by the The Sisters of Charity (Grey Nuns) of Saskatchewan Amendment Act, 1996. It was by this same act that they set their objective

"to promote health and wellness, and care for the aged, the ill, the infirm and other persons in need through charitable and benevolent activities, including the operation of hospitals, orphanages, nursing homes, schools of nursing, and other institutions."

The Order of Sisters of Charity of Montreal was founded in 1738 by Saint Marguerite d'Youville when she and her friends took in destitute people into a small rented house. Their vows adopted by the order in these humble beginnings were poverty, chastity, obedience and to place themselves in service of those who are suffering. Since these times, the order has spread in the mid 1800's to Western Canada, and set up various chapters.

The Grey Nuns were active in health care and administration at St. Marguerite Hospital in Biggar between 1923 to 1967. St. Marguerite's Hospital began as a 25 bed hospital using converted Knights of Columbus Hall and ran initially on charity. The Grey Nuns taught in boarding schools and served in Biggar 1927 to 1968. They also served the community of Biggar initially by opening a convent school, in Biggar in 1923 and remained serving Biggar until 2000.

Sister Yvonne Viens became a grey nun in 1939 when she became a Novitiate of Sisters of Charity of Montreal, Nicolet Province. Viens went on to attend University and served for a time as supervisor at the Grey Nuns hospital in Biggar. Her work has been recognised by The Medical Mission Hall of Fame Foundation.

Bibliography:

"Grey Nuns". History version 321489866. Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia. October 23, 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Grey_Nuns&oldid=321489866. Retrieved 2009-11-02.

Kambeitz, Teresita (2006). "Roman Catholic Congregations of Women Religious". Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. Canadian Plains Research Center, University of Regina. http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/roman_catholic_congregations_of_women_religious.html. Retrieved 2009-11-02.


"The Medical Mission Hall of Fame Foundation". Sister Yvonne Viens. The Medical Mission Hall of Fame Foundation. 2005. http://www.medicalmissionhalloffamefoundation.org/bios/viens.html. Retrieved 2009-11-02.

Robertson, Heather (1973) (Digitised online by Google books). Grassroots. James Lorimer & Company ISBN. pp.320. ISBN 0888620993, 9780888620996. http://books.google.ca/books?id=PXnMbTUD2SsC&pg=RA1-PA320&lpg=RA1-PA320&dq=biggar+grey+nuns&source=bl&ots=EojWhk-Wdk&sig=KeyupVvayrr7KsSYj48lhcCTRYc&hl=en&ei=82jvSqalHJS8NtbCsYQM&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CBYQ6AEwBA. Retrieved 2009-11-02.

Sanche, Margaret (2006). "Sisters of Charity of Montreal (Grey Nuns)". Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. Canadian Plains Research Center, University of Regina. http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/sisters_of_charity_of_montreal_grey_nuns.html. Retrieved 2009-11-02.

Sister Anne Collins (2006). "Catholic Health Care". Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. Canadian Plains Research Center, University of Regina. http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/catholic_health_care.html. Retrieved 2009-11-02.

"The Sisters of Charity (Grey Nuns) of Saskatchewan Amendment Act, 1996" (pdf). Government of Saskatchewan. 1996. http://www.qp.gov.sk.ca/documents/english/private/acts/PR-S96.PDF. Retrieved 2009-11-02.