Marguerite Bourgeoys
Marguerite Bourgeoys was a French religious sister and the founder of the Congregation of Notre Dame of Montreal in New France. She is recognized for establishing one of the first uncloistered religious communities in the Catholic Church and for her significant contributions to education in Canada. Bourgeoys is Canada's first female saint.
- Century
- 17th century
- Country Or Region
- Canada
Key Facts
- ›She was born in Troyes, France, on April 17, 1620.
- ›She founded the Congregation of Notre Dame of Montreal in 1658.
- ›Bourgeoys established schools for girls, the poor, and children of First Nations.
- ›She developed one of the first uncloistered religious communities in the Catholic Church.
- ›She was canonized in 1982 and is the first female saint of Canada.
- ›She died in Montreal on January 12, 1700.
Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys
Congregation of Notre Dame of Montreal
About Marguerite Bourgeoys
Marguerite Bourgeoys (1620–1700) was a French religious sister and the founder of the Congregation of Notre Dame of Montreal in the colony of New France, which is now part of Québec, Canada. Her life's work laid the foundation for one of the first uncloistered religious communities in the Catholic Church and established crucial educational institutions in the New World.
Early Life and Calling
Born in Troyes, France, on April 17, 1620, Marguerite Bourgeoys was the sixth of twelve children. As a young woman, she became involved with a sodality dedicated to ministering to the poor, an activity conducted from outside the convent walls. This experience shaped her future mission, as she was not interested in joining the cloistered canonesses of the monastery in her hometown.
Founding the Congregation in New France
In 1652, Paul de Chomedey, Sieur de Maisonneuve, the governor of Montreal, visited his sister in Troyes, who directed the sodality to which Bourgeoys belonged. He invited Bourgeoys to come to Canada to establish a school in Ville-Marie (present-day Montreal). By February 1653, she had accepted this call and sailed from France with approximately 100 colonists.
Upon her arrival in Quebec City on September 22, 1653, she declined hospitality with the Ursulines and chose to live among the poor settlers. During these early years, Bourgeoys was instrumental in developing institutions. In 1657, she organized the construction of the Notre-Dame-de-Bonsecours Chapel, and in April 1658, she was given a vacant stone stable to serve as Montreal's first schoolhouse, marking the beginning of public schooling in the city.
Ministry and Expansion
Bourgeoys traveled to France to recruit more women to serve as teachers and to assist with housing and caring for the "King's Daughters" (filles du roi), young women sent to the colony to marry. Back in Montreal, the women began living a religious life with common prayer and meals while working independently in various communities. In 1669, Bishop François de Laval granted the Congregation permission to teach throughout the island of Montreal and elsewhere in the colony.
Seeking to protect her community from becoming cloistered, Bourgeoys again traveled to France in 1670. She met with King Louis XIV, who granted her letters patent in May 1671, securing the viability of her community as "secular Sisters." This period, after 1672, is referred to as the "Golden Age" of the Congregation, during which she established a boarding school in Ville-Marie and a school for practical occupations in Pointe-Saint-Charles. The Congregation also founded smaller schools in other locations and, in 1678, established a school in Kahnawake for Catholic Native communities.
During the 1680s, the congregation grew significantly and gained a strong presence in Quebec City. Bishop Jean-Baptiste De La Croix de Saint-Vallier supported the founding of an institution similar to Bourgeoys's vocational school in Quebec, and in 1692, a school for poor girls was opened there.
Later Life and Legacy
Marguerite Bourgeoys announced her intention to step down in 1683 but remained as the figurehead until 1693, continuing to guide her sisters in maintaining their secular spirit against attempts by Bishop Saint-Vallier to impose a cloistered life. On July 1, 1698, the congregation was officially constituted as a community. In her final two years, she devoted herself to prayer and writing her autobiography.
She died in Montreal on January 12, 1700. Her life was marked by popular admiration, with many believing she was a saint even before her official recognition. She was declared "venerable" by Pope Leo XIII in 1878 and beatified by Pope Pius XII in 1950. Marguerite Bourgeoys was canonized by Pope John Paul II on October 31, 1982, as the first female saint of Canada.
Her enduring legacy lies in the establishment of the Congregation of Notre Dame, which continues to operate educational and social service institutions, and in her pioneering role in developing accessible education in early Canada. A Canada Post stamp was issued in her honor on May 30, 1975.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Marguerite Bourgeoys born and when did she die?
Marguerite Bourgeoys was born on April 17, 1620, in Troyes, France, and she died on January 12, 1700, in Montreal, Canada.
What is Marguerite Bourgeoys most known for?
She is most known for founding the Congregation of Notre Dame of Montreal, one of the first uncloistered religious communities in the Catholic Church, and for her extensive work in educating young girls, the poor, and Indigenous children in New France.
Why is Marguerite Bourgeoys considered important in Canadian history?
Marguerite Bourgeoys is significant for establishing public schooling in Montreal and for her congregation's role in the social and educational development of the colony. She is recognized as Canada's first female saint.
How did Marguerite Bourgeoys come to establish her congregation in Canada?
She was recruited by the governor of Montreal, Paul de Chomedey, Sieur de Maisonneuve, who invited her to Canada to start a school in Ville-Marie (now Montreal). She accepted this assignment before February 1653.
What was unique about the Congregation of Notre Dame of Montreal?
The Congregation of Notre Dame of Montreal was unique because it was one of the first uncloistered religious communities in the Catholic Church, allowing its members to minister to the poor and educate outside the traditional convent walls.
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