The Motherhouse of the Little Franciscans of Mary situated at "63, rue Ambroise-Fafard" in Bay-Saint-Paul, is the center of the community's heritage. Several keepsakes that commemorate the actions and works of the eleven Foundresses of this Community are conserved with reverence. This community was founded in 1889, in a New England parish located in Worcester, Massachusetts. It was projected by a Canadian parish priest who intended to entrust abandoned children of the neighbourhood to their care. However, due to a combination of circumstances that were nothing less than providential, the charitable sisters found themselves in Canada. Here they found a wise yet daring advisor, Father Ambroise-Martial Fafard, pastor at Bay-Saint-Paul, who guided them to the realization of their mission. On August 12, 1892, with the approval of the Bishop of Chicoutimi, they officially became "Les Petites Franciscaines de Marie".