Wilmont Kreis

April 1, 2018
More Marguerite
Marguerite agreed to follow Maisonneuve to the new world and departed Troyes in February, 1653 arriving in Montreal in November. It is said one of her first tasks was restoring a cross on Mont Royal which had been burned by the natives. She met the wealthy Jeanne Mance and began the construction of the Chapel of Notre-Dame de Bon Secours. She received a stable from Maisonneuve where she opened the first public school in Montreal. More next week. Read More 

March 23, 2018
More Marguerite Bourgeoys:
Marguerite soon registered as a member of the Congregation of Troyes, a group of young women devoted to charity and the teaching of children from the poor parts of town. She became dedicated to the work, but did not wish to be cloistered, which would require she was limited in what she could do outside the confines of the Congregation. It was here in 1652 she met Monsieur de Maisonneuve, the founder and governor of the new settlement of Montreal in Canada. He was visiting his sister and also looking for someone who would follow him to Canada and teach the French and Indian children of his new village. His sister introduced him to Marguerite. More next week. Read More 

Marguerite Bourgeoys
This lay nun brought by Maisonneuve became one of the most famous Canadians. She led the building of Montreal’s first permanent church, began a school house and the first public school. She returned to France to bring more women and was instrumental in bringing les Filles du Roi or the King’s daughters, several hundred young women who became the true mothers of Canada. In 1982, she was the first Canadian woman canonized a saint. Read More