St. Marguerite Bourgeoys (1620–1700) is one of the beloved saints of the Catholic Church. Marguerite Bourgeoys was a French religious sister who founded the Congregation of Notre Dame in Montreal, the first uncloistered religious community for women in the New World. She arrived in New France in 1653 and opened the first school in Montreal in a converted stable. The Church celebrates St. Marguerite Bourgeoys's feast on 01-12.
Catholic Daily brings you the life of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys as part of our commitment to helping Catholics encounter the saints of the liturgical calendar every morning. Whether you are discovering St. Marguerite Bourgeoys for the first time or deepening a long-standing devotion, this page offers biography, prayers, and practical guidance for honoring this holy patron in your daily life.
Early Life and Calling of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys
Marguerite Bourgeoys was a French religious sister who founded the Congregation of Notre Dame in Montreal, the first uncloistered religious community for women in the New World. She arrived in New France in 1653 and opened the first school in Montreal in a converted stable. She established schools and missions throughout the colony and helped shape the social and educational foundations of early Canada.
The vocation of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys reminds us that holiness is not the exclusive domain of monks and nuns but the universal call of every baptized Christian. The Second Vatican Council's Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium teaches that all the faithful are called to the fullness of Christian life and the perfection of charity — and St. Marguerite Bourgeoys's life is a shining example of that universal call answered with total generosity.
Patron Saint: Poverty, loss of parents, people rejected by religious orders
St. Marguerite Bourgeoys is honored as the patron saint of Poverty, loss of parents, people rejected by religious orders. The designation of patron saints is a beautiful expression of the Catholic doctrine of the Communion of Saints — the belief that the saints in heaven are not distant figures from the past but active intercessors who accompany us in our earthly journey.
Those who work in or are associated with Poverty have traditionally invoked St. Marguerite Bourgeoys's intercession for protection, guidance, and grace in their particular circumstances. The patronage of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys is grounded in the specific details of Bourgeoys's life and ministry, which created a lasting bond between this saint and those who share similar callings or needs.
How to Honor St. Marguerite Bourgeoys in Your Daily Life
The Church's tradition offers many beautiful ways to honor St. Marguerite Bourgeoys and seek Bourgeoys's intercession:
On the Feast Day (01-12): Attend Mass if possible, as the liturgy on Bourgeoys's feast day will often include readings and prayers that illuminate Bourgeoys's particular sanctity. Light a candle before an image of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys and spend a few minutes in prayer.
Daily Devotion: Place an image or icon of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys in your home — in your prayer corner, on your desk, or in your car. A simple morning invocation, "St. Bourgeoys, pray for us," draws Bourgeoys's intercession into your day.
Novena: A nine-day novena to St. Marguerite Bourgeoys can be prayed before the feast day (beginning nine days prior) or at any time of particular need. Many Catholics have reported profound graces through novena prayer.
Study: Read a biography of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys. The lives of the saints are the living commentary on the Gospel — they show us what it looks like to follow Christ in a particular time, culture, and vocation.
Prayer to St. Marguerite Bourgeoys
O glorious St. Marguerite Bourgeoys, whose life was a testament to the love and power of Almighty God, look upon us with mercy from your place before His throne. You who walked the path of holiness with courage and fidelity, intercede for us who struggle in the pilgrimage of faith. Obtain for us from God the graces we most need — especially [state your intention here] — and help us to follow your example of love, courage, and total surrender to God's will. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Feast Day Prayer (from the Roman Missal):Lord our God, you have given us St. Marguerite Bourgeoys as a witness to your goodness and mercy. May we who honor Bourgeoys's memory imitate Bourgeoys's virtues and one day share Bourgeoys's joy in your presence. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
St. Marguerite Bourgeoys in Art and Catholic Tradition
St. Marguerite Bourgeoys has been depicted in Catholic sacred art for centuries. Traditional iconography of the saints communicates theological truths through visual symbols — a language that transcends words and speaks directly to the heart.
Common symbols associated with St. Marguerite Bourgeoys in Catholic art may include:
- A halo or nimbus, indicating canonized sainthood
- Specific objects or instruments associated with Bourgeoys's life or martyrdom
- Liturgical vestments corresponding to Bourgeoys's state of life (religious habit, episcopal robes, or lay clothing)
- A palm branch, if St. Marguerite Bourgeoys is a martyr
A lesser-known fact about St. Marguerite Bourgeoys: She made three dangerous transatlantic voyages to recruit teachers for her Canadian schools, personally bringing over more than thirty young women from France.
When praying before an image of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys, allow the symbols to draw your attention to the virtues they represent. Sacred art is not decoration but theology made visible — a window through which the heavenly reality shines into our earthly prayer.