Maria Monk

“The Superior now informed me that having taken the black veil, it only remained that I should swear the three oaths customary on such an occasion.”

“There was a great deal of secret conversation among the nuns, which I was not allowed to hear.”

“We were always in the presence of at least one of the old nuns.”

“I have given a narrative of events which I have witnessed, and in which I was a participator.”

“Such is the story of my experience, and my escape from the Black Nunnery of Montreal.”

“The bible, I was taught, was a book which none but the priests and bishops could read.”

“The stories of the punishments in Purgatory were dreadful, and often repeated.”

“It is a common practice for the priests to enter the nunnery, and to remain there as long as they see fit.”

“The priests have all the power in their hands, and they exercise it as they please.”

“In the cellar is a large square hole in the floor, and in this the dead bodies of the infants are thrown.”

“I am a poor, weak woman, and have been used to submission all my life.”

“I was born in Lower Canada, not far from Montreal.”

“My feelings were often of the most painful kind.”

“The books which we were taught to read were all religious, and related to the Roman Catholic faith.”

“I was determined to make my escape, the first opportunity I could find.”