My experience near the Shrine of Saint Anne de Beaupre...

I proceeded towards the Shrine of Saint Anne de Beaupre, one of the famous shrines of the Roman Catholic Church. Once there I observed many groups of people that came from a distance walking along and singing. Most of the pilgrims knelt as they entered the church and on their knees they took themselves to the statue of Saint Anne. Many hoped for miracles- and why not! Displayed were hundreds of artificial limbs, which were indication of miracles performed by Saint Anne.

After this I went to a camp for workers who were building a road along the Saint Lawrence River. This was to lead to Murrey Bay. As I went along I came to a group of temporary buildings, which served as, an office and sleeping quarters. Here I met a road engineer who invited me to his office.

The road engineer inquired about what I was doing, I told him about my mission. This man asked me my opinion. I told him "it seemed that the people were poor and superstitious; yet, they had very costly church buildings. Moreover, the people had to pay for Baptisms, Funerals, and weddings."

Upon hearing this the gentleman said, “this is not so, get out!” And he said “If you were not an Italian I would throw you in the Saint Lawrence River.”

To this I replied, “Sir, you invited me to your office and asked me for my opinion.” “This I have given you! I am sorry if I have hurt your feelings.” And I left.

As I left I noticed a gang of men that was speaking to the road engineer, they looked my direction. I was afraid, so I hid myself behind some nearby bushes. After a while it seemed safe and I proceeded on my way.

Pascal's new job as a Colporteur...

As I became more proficient in English; and, as I learned more about the Bible, I decided to study for the ministry. Because of my decision I was presented to the Official Board of the Italian Methodist Church; and, was accepted as “Student on Probation.” Apart from my regular studies, I studied subjects which when completed would qualify me as a Minister in a French Ministry.

I was employed as a Colporteur- selling Scriptures, for the Bible House. This was a great experience for me. I traveled in the province of Quebec. I was to sell, or give away portions of Scriptures if the person interviewed showed a desire to have them. I traveled, mostly walking, through the Province and the people were mostly French Canadian and spoke French only. My command of the French language came in handy.

With my knapsack that I carried the Scriptures I walked along, and as I needed more scriptures I sent orders to the Bible House in Montreal designating the address and date that I expected to arrive in order to pick up the parcel.

While traveling I encountered many different experiences. One day, late in the afternoon I found myself a few miles from a village; but, near a house occupied by a middle-aged couple. So I rushed to the door and asked if I could stay until the storm was over. The storm lasted longer then expected and it was getting dark so I asked if I could stay; they refused. However, they gave me some milk and bread and said I could stay in the barn; so I left and went into their barn, with the milk and bread wrapped up in my knapsack with the scriptures. After my supper I laid down on the hay. During the night the rats kept me company. One of them even jumped over me. In the morning I washed my face in a little creek nearby and proceeded toward Saint Anne de Beaupre, one of the famous shrines of the Roman Catholic Church.

As Pascal Learned the English Language...He started to teach English to others...

I had difficulty in securing work. I did any job that I could find. But because of my accident; and the loss of my fingers on my right hand finding a job proved even more difficult. When I was in the hospital I thought I would have to switch and write with my left hand; but soon I discovered that I could hold the pen between the thumb and what was left of 1st finger.

Loading and unloading ships; selling Bibles…social and missionary work, (mostly to Italians), were some of the jobs that I did between 1909 and 1915. I began to teach English, to non-English speaking people.

About this time my brother Justin married and, in due time his wife gave birth to a daughter, Stella. He worked with the Grand Trunk Rail Road, as a brakeman. My brother sadly met with an accident.

I believe Justin DiFlorio died from the accident. No other remarks are made about him, his wife or daughter Stella.

looking for pictures and research

This is from the coast of Italy...I will move this to another post shortly....By now my family had expected Pascal to go back to Italy...but it was 20 years till Pascal went home to his place of birth...His 4 year stay lasted 20 years before he went home for a visit.

A Letter that confirms this is the Edith Nicholson that Pascal said was a beloved teacher...

That is the same Miss Edith Nicholson….I found a letter that connects her to Dr. Villard…when Edith resigned….a quote from her letter to her mother in 1912.

April 26, 1912

Dear Mother,

………………

I resigned on Monday. We all did. I am wondering what Dr. Villard is thinking of. His Board should ask the reason for our resignation. They will have a hard time to get people just to step in and run everything.

…

Written by Edith Nicholson


Please visit Dorothy Nixon’s web site (A Nixon-Wells Web Site) to see some of her other interesting work. Dorothy does extensive historical and educational research and writing.
Click Dorothy Nixon or paste http://www.tighsolas.ca

While at the French Methodist Institute...

I attended school year round and was able to work and go to school between October and May. The money I earned went for my room and board, tuition, books and other expenses.

While I stayed in school I paid ten dollars per month…others paid, as they were able. Most of the boys and girls were given a job of some kind to help with the tuition. Everybody had to make their bed and to keep their room in order. After we dusted and swept our rooms the teachers would conduct an inspection.

There is much for which I am grateful; the principal, Dr. Paul Villard was very understanding and so was my patient and kind teacher, Miss Edith Nicholson.

I think I gave Miss Nicholson much trouble, especially in our Bible classes. At that time I was still a Roman Catholic at heart; but the way she answered my questions disarmed me completely. Miss Nicholson became one of the most beloved teachers I ever had.

The years I spent at the Institute 1909 to 1915 were very happy ones.
…………………………………………………………

In 1915, I entered the Wesleyan College and registered for courses that would lead met to an A.B. degree. Here Miss Nicholson registered me and with great sense of satisfaction it seemed. After I registered we met often. In the course of events Miss Nicholson became Assistant Registrar at McGill University.

In 1920 I had a completed the courses for my B.A. and was to receive the parchment. At the convocation all the graduated walked to the platform. The respective names were called to receive their diplomas. Here I met Miss Edith Nicholson again. I believe she was as thrilled as I was; as she handed me my diploma she exclaimed “Good for you Pascal!”

CLICK on Nicholson…this could be a picture of Pascal’s beloved teacher who worked at McGill University. The 2nd Nicholson link is a picture from McGill...and history of McGill.
http://www.tighsolas.ca/page337.html

Awaiting Word....

After getting help from both Rev. Laidman and Dr. Lattoni , I was awaiting word from the Principal, Dr. Paul Villard so I could join the French Methodist Institute.

I could barely wait for the day when I would receive word from the admissions department that I could attend school there. The French Methodist Institute was a boarding school for the primary purpose of teaching the sons and daughters of the French Canadian ministers.

I attended the Sunday church. The service was in Italian and Dr Lattoni was an eloquent preacher.

Dr Lattoni went with me several times to help me reach a settlement with the Corrugated Iron Company, for the loss of my fingers. The last time we spoke with the manager he belittled my loss. We, Dr. Lattoni and myself suggested a one time, one-thousand dollar settlement; to which, the manager responded “ I would give my right arm for one-thousand dollars!”

I stumbled with Italian and English words when I replied, “Sir, I hope that someday somebody will cut not only your arm, but your head also; and, also for nothing.”

So I don’t know what the manager heard; but, together with my fervent expression he paid the 1000.00 dollars.

In January of 1909 I was admitted to the French Methodist Institute. There were 140 boys and girls. The course offered was intended to cover material from the first grade to university entrance.

This I covered in six years.

* Click ... Dr. Paul Villard - here or above to see a statement from the Principle about the “mission” of the French Institute School. This information from Dorothy Nixon’s Web Page.
* Please visit Dorothy Nixon’s web page to see some of her other interesting work. Dorothy had done extensive historical and educational research and writing.
Click Dorothy Nixon or paste http://www.tighsolas.ca

research...research...