Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Québec in Capitale-Nationale, — Central Canada (French-Canadian)

Jardin Hélène-Paradis

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 3, 2019

1. Jardin Hélène-Paradis Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

[Français] Jardin commémoratif d’inspiration japonaise dédié à sœur Marie Beata de L’immaculée-conception, née Hélène Paradis (1874-1960), religieuse des franciscaines missionnaires de Marie et pionnière des relations Québec-Japon.

En 1898, à l’âge de 24 ans, elle participe à la fondation d’une léproserie à Kumamoto et consacre au peuple japonais toute sa vie missionnaire.

Ce jardin rappelle son œuvre et le travail des tous les missionnaires québécois au Japon depuis cette date ainsi que les cent années de présence québécoise continue au pays du soleil-levant.

Inauguré octobre 2000.

[English] Japanese-inspired memorial garden dedicated to Sister Marie Beata of the Immaculate Conception, born Hélène Paradis (1874-1960), a Franciscan Missionary of Mary nun and pioneer of Quebec-Japan relations.

In 1898, at the age of 24, she helped found a leper colony in Kumamoto and dedicated her entire missionary life to the Japanese people.

This garden commemorates her work and the work of all Quebec missionaries in Japan since that date, as well as the hundred years of continuous Quebec presence in the land of the rising sun.

Inaugurated October 2000.

Erected 2000.

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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Peace • Religion & Religious Structures • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1898.

Location. 46° 48.274′ N, 71° 13.197′ W. Marker is in Québec, in Capitale-Nationale. It is in Saint-Jean-Baptiste. It is at the intersection of Grande Allée Est (Québec Route 175) and Rue de Claire-Fontaine, on the left when traveling east on Grande Allée Est. The marker and commemorative garden are located in front of the former Monastère de l’Étoile (Star Monastery). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 388 Grande Allée Est, Québec G1R 2J4, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

and the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Louis-Alexandre Taschereau (within shouting distance of this

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 3, 2019

2. Jardin Hélène-Paradis Marker

The marker is located near the former Monastère de l’Étoile (Star Monastery) entrance.

marker); Martello Towers / Tours Martello (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Georges-Émile Lapalme (about 120 meters away); Jardin Jeanne d'Arc / Joan of Arc Garden (about 150 meters away); Maison Patrimoniale Louis S.-St-Laurent / Louis S. St. Laurent Heritage House (about 180 meters away); Martello Towers in Quebec / Tours Martello de Québec (about 180 meters away); O Canada! (about 210 meters away); Do You Know Joan of Arc? (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Québec.

Also see . . . Hélène-Paradis (ville de Québéc).

Excerpt : Née à Charlesbourg, Hélène Paradis (1874-1960) est la première Québécoise à œuvrer comme missionnaire au Japon, où elle est demeurée jusqu'à sa mort. Membre de la communauté des Sœurs franciscaines de Marie, sœur Marie Beata de l'Immaculée-Conception, comme on l'appelle au début de sa vie religieuse, arrive à Kumamoto en 1898. Pendant près de 40 ans, elle se consacre au soin des lépreux dans des conditions parfois très difficiles. On lui doit la fondation de la léproserie de Biwasaki, toujours à Kumamoto, et l'ouverture d'une maison de retraite
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 3, 2019

3. L'ancien monastère de l’Étoile / former Star Monastery
The marker is visible near the bottom center of this photo.
à Tokyo. La population et le gouvernement japonais reconnaîtront l'œuvre de cette pionnière. Après son décès à Biwasaki, les funérailles sont célébrées en présence de dignitaires et de représentants de la famille impériale du Japon. • • • [English translation] Born in Charlesbourg, Hélène Paradis (1874-1960) was the first Quebecer to work as a missionary in Japan, where she remained until her death. A member of the Franciscan Sisters of Mary, Sister Marie Beata of the Immaculate Conception, as she was known at the beginning of her religious life, arrived in Kumamoto in 1898. For nearly 40 years, she devoted herself to caring for lepers in sometimes very difficult conditions. She is credited with founding the Biwasaki leper colony, also in Kumamoto, and opening a retirement home in Tokyo. The Japanese population and government recognized the work of this pioneer. After her death in Biwasaki, her funeral was celebrated in the presence of dignitaries and representatives of the Japanese imperial family.

(Submitted on April 11, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 136 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 11, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.