St. Marguerite Bourgeoys

St. Marguerite Bourgeoys
The Toronto Centre is named after a Catholic woman who traveled from France in 1653 to the New World (now Quebec) to teach children, educate settlers and natives and prepare women for marriage. Her pioneering spirit and love for people manifested itself in the building of families and communities throughout Ville Marie, present day Montreal. She is rightly called one of the founding mothers of Canada. A group of women gathered with her to help in the work and these later became the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame.
Marguerite’s life was changed forever by the early influence of the gospel mystery of the Visitation. Mary and Elizabeth, two pregnant women greet each other with love and compassion and this inspired Marguerite in how she would live out her life in the New World.