Sr. Madeleine Côté is born in Quebec (Canada). For many years she was a teacher in Algeria, mainly in Kabilia, as Missionary of Our Lady of Africa.

"When in 1944 I arrived into Kabilia (Algeria) I discovered a people proud of their culture and their beautiful language. Women who lived a hard life, but dreamt a better life for their children, specially for their girls. What a human richness! What a dynamism! What an easy task for the teacher I was.

For me it is a great privilege... to have met Islam in my life. My friendship with my Muslim friends has remained faithful; our difference of beliefs were not an obstacle, but on the opposite it helped us to deepen our faith, as an authentic faith is source of truth and mutual respect.

Actually Madeleine leaves in Montreal (Canada) where she continues to paint, mainly watercolor

This watercolor exposed at the Cultural Center of Cartierville (Montreal) in May 1995, is actually in Rome, at the chapel near Cardinal Lavigerie's tomb, the founder in Algeria of the Missionaries of Africa (father, brothers and sisters).

The tragic colors crossed by light and hope, together with the small poem and the deformed kabyl jewel, make of this watercolor a poster.

At the origin of this creation are the deep emotions lived in front of the violence and the death of many young Algerian women fighting for their freedom, their only mistake being their youth, their schooling and their voice - refusing the "dream of death" that hovers over Algeria.

This kabyl jewel "abzim" is part of the old heritage honored by women... It is made of a triangular silver plate decorated with enamels and coral caps. At the top there is a silver rivet where a ring shaped as an omega slips in. This jewel is used on the shoulders to keep the flap of two clothes called "timelhelft". This jewel remains a family treasure and keeps the memory of an old art.

This modest watercolor paint wants to be a testimony of affection to my Algerian sisters for the friendship they granted me during my long stay among them. These women have always been for me the expression of courage, of wisdom, and of extraordinary creativeness. May my prayer and my recognition bring the hope and PEACE.

This"crying jewel " became a painting project after the tragic death of several Algerian girls who faced with a political program that limited the most fundamental liberties, chose the danger and the death of freedom.

This watercolor expresses my solidarity with Algeria, this country who suffers to live, and especially with these young women who joined the procession of the martyrs for the liberty.

I ask YOU, who look "at this crying jewel" to make a small prayer.

Pray to the One who gives dignity.
Pray to our Father full of tenderness.
Trust Him with this country and its children
Fight with all your strengths so that
the "crying jewel" might stop.
God needs a new world.
God needs free women and men.

Montreal, April 10, 1995
Sr. Madeleine Côté

You do not see what it was,
You see what you
want to believe.

Dustin Hoffman

Braque's jewel

Searching the space and the depth, Braque at 80 years old, created a two-colored jewel made of white and black onyx. Inspired in his creation... I have caught an object in depth on a branch, ... in an underwater space.

Lee bijou de Braque
Braque's jewel