top of page
Maria Monk was a Canadian woman whose controversial and sensationalized account of life in a Montreal convent, "The Awful Disclosures of Maria Monk," became a bestseller in the 19th century. The book, which claimed to expose abuses within the Catholic Church, was later discredited as a fabrication, but it nonetheless fueled anti-Catholic sentiment in the United States and Canada. Monk's story remains a subject of historical interest for its impact on religious and social discourse of the time.
"Standing near the door, we dipped our fingers in the holy water, crossed and blessed ourselves, and proceeded up to the sleeping-room, in the usual order, two by two."
Quote_1.png

"Standing near the door, we dipped our fingers in the holy water, crossed and blessed ourselves, and proceeded up to the sleeping-room, in the usual order, two by two."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
6
"Great dislike to the Bible was shown by those who conversed with me about it, and several have remarked to me, at different times, that if it were not for that book, Catholics would never be led to renounce their own faith."
Quote_1.png

"Great dislike to the Bible was shown by those who conversed with me about it, and several have remarked to me, at different times, that if it were not for that book, Catholics would never be led to renounce their own faith."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
7
"Before I took the veil, I was ornamented for the ceremony, and was clothed in a rich dress belonging to the Convent, which was used on such occasions; and placed not far from the altar in the chapel, in the view of a number of spectators who had assembled, perhaps about forty."
Quote_1.png

"Before I took the veil, I was ornamented for the ceremony, and was clothed in a rich dress belonging to the Convent, which was used on such occasions; and placed not far from the altar in the chapel, in the view of a number of spectators who had assembled, perhaps about forty."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
7
"I have hardly detained the reader long enough on the subject, to give him a just impression of the stress laid on confession. It is one of the great points to which our attention was constantly directed."
Quote_1.png

"I have hardly detained the reader long enough on the subject, to give him a just impression of the stress laid on confession. It is one of the great points to which our attention was constantly directed."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
21
"I was born at St. John's, where they lived for a short time."
Quote_1.png

"I was born at St. John's, where they lived for a short time."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
5
"I really believed that the priests were acquainted with my thoughts; and often stood in great awe of them. They often told me they had power to strike me dead at any moment."
Quote_1.png

"I really believed that the priests were acquainted with my thoughts; and often stood in great awe of them. They often told me they had power to strike me dead at any moment."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
5
"Some of the priests from the Seminary were in the nunnery every day and night, and often several at a time."
Quote_1.png

"Some of the priests from the Seminary were in the nunnery every day and night, and often several at a time."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
4
"The manufacture of wax candles was another important branch of business in the nunnery."
Quote_1.png

"The manufacture of wax candles was another important branch of business in the nunnery."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
7
"I have, I think, afforded every opportunity that could be reasonably expected, to judge of my credibility."
Quote_1.png

"I have, I think, afforded every opportunity that could be reasonably expected, to judge of my credibility."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
5
"We were kept at work, and permitted to speak with each other only on such subjects as related to the Convent, and all in the hearing of the old nuns who sat by us."
Quote_1.png

"We were kept at work, and permitted to speak with each other only on such subjects as related to the Convent, and all in the hearing of the old nuns who sat by us."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
4
"I must be informed, that one of my great duties was, to obey the priests in all things; and this I soon learnt, to my utter astonishment and horror, was to live in the practice of criminal intercourse with them."
Quote_1.png

"I must be informed, that one of my great duties was, to obey the priests in all things; and this I soon learnt, to my utter astonishment and horror, was to live in the practice of criminal intercourse with them."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
6
"All around me insisted that my doubts proved only my own ignorance and sinfulness; that they knew by experience they would soon give place to true knowledge, and an advance in religion; and I felt something like indecision."
Quote_1.png

"All around me insisted that my doubts proved only my own ignorance and sinfulness; that they knew by experience they would soon give place to true knowledge, and an advance in religion; and I felt something like indecision."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
5
"Others too would occasionally entertain and privately express such doubts; though we all had been most solemnly warned by the cruel murder of Saint Francis."
Quote_1.png

"Others too would occasionally entertain and privately express such doubts; though we all had been most solemnly warned by the cruel murder of Saint Francis."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
8
"We were constantly hearing it repeated, that we must never again look upon ourselves as our own; but must remember, that we were solemnly and irrevocably devoted to God."
Quote_1.png

"We were constantly hearing it repeated, that we must never again look upon ourselves as our own; but must remember, that we were solemnly and irrevocably devoted to God."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
3
"So far as I know, there were no pains taken to preserve secrecy on this subject; that is, I saw no attempt made to keep any of the inmates of the Convent in ignorance of the murder of children."
Quote_1.png

"So far as I know, there were no pains taken to preserve secrecy on this subject; that is, I saw no attempt made to keep any of the inmates of the Convent in ignorance of the murder of children."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
13
"A number of girls of my acquaintance went to school to the nuns of the Congregational Nunnery, or Sisters of Charity, as they are sometimes called."
Quote_1.png

"A number of girls of my acquaintance went to school to the nuns of the Congregational Nunnery, or Sisters of Charity, as they are sometimes called."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
35
"My parents were both from Scotland, but had been resident in Lower Canada some time before their marriage, which took place in Montreal; and in that city I spent most of my life."
Quote_1.png

"My parents were both from Scotland, but had been resident in Lower Canada some time before their marriage, which took place in Montreal; and in that city I spent most of my life."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
3
"Unfortunately, I was not wise enough to listen to her advice, and hastily married. In a few weeks, I had occasion to repent of the step I had taken, as the report proved true - a report which I thought justified, and indeed required, our separation."
Quote_1.png

"Unfortunately, I was not wise enough to listen to her advice, and hastily married. In a few weeks, I had occasion to repent of the step I had taken, as the report proved true - a report which I thought justified, and indeed required, our separation."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
6
"The only recreation there allowed, however, is that of the mind, and of this there is but little."
Quote_1.png

"The only recreation there allowed, however, is that of the mind, and of this there is but little."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
6
"I often remembered also that I had been told, that we shall have as many devils biting us, if we go to hell, as we have unconfessed sins on our consciences."
Quote_1.png

"I often remembered also that I had been told, that we shall have as many devils biting us, if we go to hell, as we have unconfessed sins on our consciences."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
6
"Priests, she insisted, could not sin. It was a thing impossible. Everything that they did, and wished, was of course right. She hoped I would see the reasonableness and duty of the oaths I was to take, and be faithful to them."
Quote_1.png

"Priests, she insisted, could not sin. It was a thing impossible. Everything that they did, and wished, was of course right. She hoped I would see the reasonableness and duty of the oaths I was to take, and be faithful to them."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
5
"The Bishop, as I have remarked, was not very dignified on all occasions, and sometimes acted in such a manner as would not have appeared well in public."
Quote_1.png

"The Bishop, as I have remarked, was not very dignified on all occasions, and sometimes acted in such a manner as would not have appeared well in public."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
10
"On the day, therefore, when I went to the church to be confirmed, with a number of others, I suffered extremely from the reproaches of my conscience."
Quote_1.png

"On the day, therefore, when I went to the church to be confirmed, with a number of others, I suffered extremely from the reproaches of my conscience."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
10
"She gave me another piece of information which excited other feelings in me, scarcely less dreadful. Infants were sometimes born in the convent; but they were always baptized and immediately strangled!"
Quote_1.png

"She gave me another piece of information which excited other feelings in me, scarcely less dreadful. Infants were sometimes born in the convent; but they were always baptized and immediately strangled!"

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
7
"The day on which I received confirmation was a distressing one to me."
Quote_1.png

"The day on which I received confirmation was a distressing one to me."

Day,
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
6
bottom of page