St Marguerite Bourgeoys (1620-1700), canonised in 1982, is a key figure in Canadian and religious history as a founder of Montreal and of the international order the Congrgation de Notre-Dame de Montral, one of the first uncloistered religious communities of women. Patricia Simpson goes behind the mist of myth and hagiography surrounding Marguerite Bourgeoys to reveal her true character. Marguerite Bourgeoys et Montral documents her life in France and in the struggling settlement of Ville-Marie present-day Montreal placing her life within the larger historical context of the time and highlighting the role of women in society and the church. Born and raised in Troyes, France, in 1653 Marguerite Bourgeoys came as a new recruit to de Maisonneuves tiny and beleaguered settlement of Ville-Marie, founded in 1642 as a Christian missionary society. These early years in New France marked a special period in her life. Firmly committed to the belief that the world would be a better place if people learned to understand one another, she worked to build a better church and a better society, especially for women and children. Marguerite Bourgeoys's life story teaches us about tolerance and compassion, ideals that are no less important now than three centuries ago. Patricia Simpson, CND, works in research and archaeology for the Marguerite Bourgeoys Museum.

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CA