Marguerite Bourgeoys

Marguerite Bourgeoys C.N.D. (April 17, 1620 – January 12, 1700) was the French foundress of the Congregation of Notre Dame of Montreal in the colony of New France, now part of Canada. She lived in Fort Ville-Marie (now Montreal) as of 1653, educating young girls, the poor, and natives until her death at the turn of the 18th century. She is also significant for developing one of the first uncloistered religious communities in the Catholic Church. She has been declared a saint by the Catholic Church.

Quotes

 * It is true that all I have ever desired most deeply and what I still most ardently wish is that the great precept of the love of God above all things and of the neighbour as oneself be written in every heart.
 * The Writings of Marguerite Bourgeoys, p. 187


 * God is not satisfied if we preserve the love we owe our neighbour; we must preserve our neighbour in the love he ought to have for us.
 * The Writings of Marguerite Bourgeoys, p. 170


 * It seems to me that we do not pay enough attention to prayer, for unless it arises from the heart which ought to be its centre, it is no more than a fruitless dream. Prayer ought to carry over into our thoughts, our words and our actions.
 * The Writings of Marguerite Bourgeoys, p. 169


 * Teaching is the work most suited to draw down the graces of God if it is done with purity of intention, without distinction between the poor and the rich, between relatives and friends and strangers, between the pretty and the ugly, the gentle and the grumblers, looking upon them all as drops of Our Lord’s blood.
 * The Writings of Marguerite Bourgeoys, p. 201


 * It seems to me that we are charcoal ready to be kindled and that Holy Communion is entirely suited to set us on fire. But when this charcoal is kindled only on the surface, as soon as it is set aside, it is extinguished. On the contrary, that which is fired all the way to the centre is not extinguished, but is consumed.
 * The Writings of Marguerite Bourgeoys, p. 204


 * When the heart is open to the sun of grace, we see flowers blossom in their fragrance; these are seen to have profited by the word of God.
 * The Writings of Marguerite Bourgeoys, p. 205