Marguerite Bourgeoys was born on April 17, 1620, in Troyes, France. She was the sixth child out of twelve born to Abraham Bourgeoys and Guillemette Garnier. Growing up, Marguerite was known for her strong faith and compassionate nature, traits that would shape her future as a religious leader.
In 1653, at the age of 33, Marguerite set sail from France to the colony of New France (now known as Canada) along with 100 other colonists on the ship Saint-Nicholas. Her mission was to establish a school for girls in Ville-Marie, which would later become Montreal.
Upon her arrival in Montreal, Marguerite Bourgeoys founded the Congregation of Notre Dame, a religious community dedicated to the education of girls and the care of the poor. Through her leadership and dedication, the congregation grew and flourished, eventually establishing schools and orphanages throughout the region.
Marguerite Bourgeoys was a trailblazer in her time, breaking traditional gender roles and advocating for the education and empowerment of women. In recognition of her contributions, she was declared a saint by the Catholic Church.
Another influential French religious leader who shared Marguerite Bourgeoys' commitment to serving the community was Rosalie Rendu. Together, they exemplified the power of faith and compassion in creating positive change in society.
Marguerite Bourgeoys passed away on January 12, 1700, but her legacy lives on through the work of the Congregation of Notre Dame and the countless lives she touched during her lifetime. She will always be remembered as a pioneer and visionary in the field of education and social justice.