FOREWORD

On April 2, 1982, Pope John Paul II announced to Canada and to the people of the world that Blessed Marguerite Bourgeoys, first teacher of Ville Marie, was to be canonized. The date of October 31, 1982 was chosen for the 0 0 ceremonies. In this booklet we would like to share the story of the life of Marguerite Bourgeoys. Songs and follow-up activities suitable for children in the elementary schools are available to complement the story.

0 0 /J J II

0

' E��;:;;.:::::=:::=.w�IWUJ.J.�ulw�JW\l �� Marguerite Bourgeoys was born in , France, on April 17, 1620. On the same day she became a child of God when she was baptized in St. John Church. When Marguerite was still a very young girl, she liked to gather Marguerite's parents were Abraham and Guillemette Bourgeoys. Her her little brothers and sisters and some neighbor children to tell father, Abraham, was a candlemaker. He supplied candles to thirty them stories about Jesus and His mother Mary. She also helped to churches in Troyes as well as to the many homes which used candle­ 0 0 care for the home and family after her mother, Madame Bourgeoys, light. died. 1 2 0

0 0

'I J / / �

wanted her to As years went on Marguerite prayed to know what God she met Monsieur Paul made her first Holy Communion. From do. One day when she was visiting a friend, In April 1630, Marguerite Governor of Ville Marie (now the came to love Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary de Chomedy de Maisonneuve, the this day on she happy asked Marguerite to go to Ville Marie in special way. Marguerite showed this love by being City of ). He in a very the children. and joyful with all the people around her. 0 0 Canada to teach �· 0

------

0 0

Marguerite Bourgeoys wanted to go to Canada with Monsieur de Maisonneuve, but she was still a little afraid because she had heard how difficult it was to live in Canada with its many great forests and only a few log In 1653, at the age of 33, Marguerite sailed for Canada on a ship cabins in which to live. called the St. Nicholas. The trip from France to Canada was very Marguerite prayed to Mary for help to know what to do. As she was 0 0 long. Many of the soldiers and sailors became sick. Marguerite praying she heard Mary speak to her in her heart: "Go to Canada, I will took care of them and prayed with those who were dying. help you". 6 0 0

- - f - �. I _ bLL. /..�:z7u;,,;.;.,c V -��1..""'''l&\L��\�.\.

At last the long trip ended and Marguerite arrived in Ville Marie. Do you know what Marguerite did for four years? She went from house Since most of the children died young, Marguerite at first had to house teaching families the Word of God, she mended and washed none to teach, so while waiting to be able to open her school, she O Qfor the soldiers and gave things from her own home to anyone who helped the people in whatever way she could. needed them. That is why she was called "The Mother of the Colony".

,· 8 0 0

About this time, the King of France sent young women over to Canada to become wives of the soldiers. Marguerite met them when their In 1658 aJout eight children were ready to begin school. Monsieur boat arrived and brought them to the house where they lived until de Maisonneuve, the Governor, gave Marguerite a stone stable for they were married. Here she taught them arts and crafts, how to her school, and Marguerite thus became the first teacher in Ville 0 O cook good meals, and whatever else they needed to know to become Marie (Montreal). good housekeepers. 9 .. 10 l

0)

•

...

In 1657 Marguerite Bourgeoys began to build a church in honor of Mary. Marguerite later made several trips to France to find young women to Thi� church was called_Notre Came de Bonsecours (Our Lady of Good Help). assi t her i her ork of teach ng the children and helping the people During the day Marguerite taught the children and in the evenings she � � � � helped the workmen at the Church. This Church later burned down but of Ville �ar1e. A1rplanes and Jets had not yet been invented so she Q did not travel either quickly or comfortably. another one, which was built in its place, is still standing today in Montreal. 12 11 0

•

,. After some years of living and working together, and after much prayer, Marguerite Bourgeoys and her friends began to feel that their dream was coming true and that they were gradually becoming a religious family. Marguerite and her friends were asked to teach the Indian children In 1676 the Bishop of Ville Marie showed his approval of what they were in the Mountain Mission. They lived in one stone tower and taught doing and the little group became known as the Sisters of the school in a second stone tower. These two towers can still be seen 0 Congregation de Notre Dame (Congregation of Our Lady). on Sherbrooke Street in Montreal. Because of her great love of the Blessed Virgin, it came as no surprise 13 that Marguerite placed this religious family under the protection of l �ry. ' "