Marguerite Bourgeoys - The Early Years: 1653-1665

The Early Years: 1653-1665

Upon her arrival at the port of Quebec, Marguerite had been offered to stay with the Ursulines while transportation into Montreal was being arranged. Famously, she declined the offer and spent her sojourn in Quebec living alongside poor settlers. This hints at her character and the future character of her congregation in Montreal - a secular and practical approach to spreading God's will.

Though this period of Saint Marguerite's life in Montreal pales in comparison to her later years in terms of expansionary scope and influence, it is often seen as much more intimate. It is often said that during this time, Marguerite would have known practically everyone on Ville-Marie. However, she also faced difficult struggles during her first five years in Ville-Marie. There were practically no children to teach due to the high levels of infant mortality, which severely hampered her ability to pursue her goals as an educator. Despite this, she took it upon herself to help the community in any way she could, often living alongside the settlers.

During these early years, Marguerite did manage to make some significant initiatives. She managed to persuade a work party to form together, which ultimately led to the creation of Montreal's first stone church - the Notre-Dame-de-Bonsecours chapel. She was also provided with a vacant stone farmhouse by De Maisonneuve in April of 1658, in order for her teach young girls and house herself. This was the beginning of public schooling in Montreal, established only five years after Marguerite's arrival. Today a commemorative plaque marks the site of the stable school in Old Montreal. It can be found on a wall just below the south-west corner of Saint Dizier and Saint Paul streets near 50 Saint Paul Street West.

Soon after receiving the farmhouse, Marguerite departed for France in 1658 with the goal of bringing back more women to serve as teachers in the colony. Her successes in doing exactly that put her in a position where she was able to house and care for the filles du roi upon their arrival from Europe. Marguerite and her companions were also responsible for examining the male settlers who arrived seeking a wife.