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In the 1850's the only transportation available between Rivière-du-Loup and Quebec, was the steamboat, on the St. Lawrence river. At 1 P. M., on August 29, 1857, Mother Mallet boards the May Flower, with three foundresses: Sister Marie-de-Jésus, superior, Saint François-Xavier and Saint-Joseph. They arrived in Rivière-du-Loup, the next morning at 10 : 00 A.M. where the boat dropped anchor. Then the sisters traveled six more miles by land to Cacouna.
Upon their arrival, they had to wait 12 days before moving into their convent. It was empty ! They went through the village collecting necessary items donated by parishioners.
What a tremendous task it was for the foundresses and their followers ! Teaching generations of girls, (boarders and / or day students ) following the guidelines of the public school department, providing a strong basic education in music, English, stenography, typing, voice training and public speaking. As early as 1861, they were teaching the boys in the neighboring school, plus the day students; visited the sick, the poor, cared for the altar linen and the choir boys.
In 1965, the boarding school for girls closes and for 2 years, the community accepts the leadership for Saint George school, under the control of the public school department. In 1967, the school department acquires the convent and it becomes a primary school for girls and boys. This building was demolished in 1983. In 1967, the sisters leave Cacouna after 110 years of service. It is with deep regret writes the Mother General : "It is painful; to eliminate the oldest foundation of the congregation because we have so many memories of our beloved Mother Mallet."
