The French religious Blessed Marguerite Bourgeoys (1620-1700) was the founder of the Congregation of Notre Dame, the first religious community for women established in Canada.

Marguerite Bourgeoys was born on April 17, 1620, in Troyes, France, the sixth of 12 children in a pious, middle-class family of comfortable circumstances. She received an elementary education in the neighboring "little schools." In 1640 she came into contact with the Canonesses Regular of St. Augustine of the Congregation of Notre Dame, which later inspired her own foundation. This institute required solemn vows, conformed to the customary stringent regulations that confined nuns within cloister, and educated girls in boarding schools. Bourgeoys joined a pious confraternity of laywomen attached to the convent in Troyes, known as the Extern Congregation, and soon became its president.

Bourgeoys learned about Canada and its religious needs in 1653 when she met the governor of Montreal, Paul de Chomedey de Maisoneuve, during his...