La Solitude is non-denominational, and welcomes all whose inner journey and spiritual beliefs are in harmony with silence, simplicity and contemplation.
Founding of La Solitude by Raymond Bujold
- In 1968, after 15 years as a missionary in India, Father Raymond Bujold returned to New Brunswick. As a member of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, he took on various positions eventually becoming the Director of the Maison Sainte-Croix de Pré-d'en-Haut.
- From 1976, he founded and developed La Solitude to impart what he had discovered in India. He builded small cabins, where people can come to experience simplicity and silence.
- For about 35 years, he welcomed a large number of people eager to find deeper spiritual meaning.
- In 2007, illness compeled Father Bujold to close La Solitude.
View Father Raymond Bujold's Biography
Biography
Preservation Committee and Renaissance of La Solitude
In 2007, a group comes together to continue the work of Father Bujold. Renée Morel, Gilles Portenseigne, Daniel LeBlanc and Jean-Guy Poirier are soon joined by Jean Claveau and Roger Landry. The Congregation of the Holy Cross, owner of the site, grants this group of lay people permission to ensure continuity and to manage the site.
- 2008 — A few retreat workshops are organized.
- 2009 — La Solitude is incorporated as a non-profit organization. The Board of Directors is elected, chaired by Conrad LeBlanc. A first three-year lease with the congregation is signed.
- 2010 — Father Bujold passes away. A $150,000 donation is earmarked to renovate the cabins and to construct a building to house toilets and showers. Roger Landry and Jean-Guy Poirier are elected as Co-Chairs.
- 2011 — Lease is renewed for another three years. Jean-Guy Poirier is elected Chair.
- 2012 — Johanne Haché is hired as Managing Director.
- 2013 — Charitable status is obtained (allowed to issue official donation receipts).
- 2014 — The congregation puts the land and buildings up for sale for $275,000. With the first option to purchase, La Solitude of Pré-d'en-Haut Inc. acquires the premises. Fundraising begins.
- 2015 — On May 31st, La Solitude of Pré-d'en-Haut inc. becomes the owner of the premises thanks to $ 240,000 received from the public and $ 45,000 of interest-free loans from a few members of the Board of Directors and a friend of La Solitude. Since then, these loans have almost all been converted into donations. Commitments have also been received to convert all loan balances into donations.
- 2016 — Roger Landry is elected Chair.
- 2017 — The Thabor is renovated and expanded. Managing Director, Johanne Haché, leaves in the fall.
- 2018 — Louise Poirier is hired as Coordinator, and the website is redesigned in partnership with Vox Interactif.
- 2018 — Election of Paul Soucy and Jean-Marc Arseneau as Co-Chairs