Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys

Marguerite Bourgeoys, CND (17 April 1620 – 12 January 1700), was a French religious sister and founder of the Congregation of Notre Dame of Montreal in New France, now part of Québec, Canada. Born in Troyes, she became part of a sodality, ministering to the poor from outside the convent. She was recruited by the governor of Montreal to establish a convent in New France, and she arrived at Fort Ville-Marie (now Montreal) by 1653. There, she developed the congregation into an educational institution that educated young girls, the poor, and children of First Nations until shortly before her death in early 1700. Marguerite Bourgeoys was significant for developing one of the first uncloistered religious communities in the Catholic Church. Declared 'venerable' by the pope in 1878, she was canonized as the first female saint of Canada in 1982.