Marguerite Bourgeoys was born in Troyes, France, in 1620 and sailed to the small settlement of Ville-Marie — today's Montreal — in 1653, where she opened the colony's first school and taught children of settlers and Indigenous families alike. She founded the Congregation of Notre Dame, one of the first religious communities of women in the Church to live and serve outside the cloister. She died on January 12, 1700, and was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1982 as Canada's first woman saint.
Marguerite gave her whole life to quiet, ordinary acts of care — teaching children, welcoming newcomers, trusting God in a hard and uncertain land. She shows us that holiness often looks like patient love for the little ones placed in our path, and that no act of gentleness toward a child is ever small in God's eyes.
Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys, teacher and friend of children, watch over all the little ones God holds close, and help us love with your patient, trusting heart. Amen.Enter today’s Mass → All saints →