 Near the boarding school was the convent of the Order of Our Lady of Charity of the Refuge, a religious Congregation founded by John Eudes to provide care and protection for women and girls who were homeless and at risk of exploitation.Despite her guardian's reservations Pelletier was allowed to join the sisters provided that she not make her vows before she turned 21.She made her profession in 1816, taking the name of "Mary of Saint Euphrasia".