FEAST OF SAINT MARGUERITE BOURGEOYS – 12th JANUARY

FEAST OF SAINT MARGUERITE BOURGEOYS
FEAST DAY – 12th JANUARY

Marguerite Bourgeoys, born on 17 April 1620 – died 12 January 1700, was a French nun and founder of the Congregation of Notre Dame of Montreal in the colony of New France, now part of Québec, Canada. Born in Troyes, she became part of a sodality, ministering to the poor from outside the convent. She was recruited by the governor of Montreal to set up a convent in New France, and she sailed to Fort Ville-Marie (now Montreal) by 1653. There she developed the convent and educated young girls, the poor, and children of First Nations until shortly before her death in early 1700.

Children from European as well as Native American backgrounds in 17th-century Canada benefited from her great zeal and unshakable trust in God’s providence. The sixth of 12 children in Troyes, France, Marguerite at the age of 20 believed that she was called to religious life. Her applications to the Carmelites and Poor Clares were unsuccessful. A priest friend suggested that maybe, God had other plans for her.

In 1654, the governor of the French settlement in Canada visited his sister, an Augustinian canoness in Troyes. Marguerite belonged to a sodality connected to that convent. The governor invited her to come to Canada and start a school in Ville-Marie (eventually the city of Montreal). When she arrived, the colony numbered 200 people with a hospital and a Jesuit mission chapel.

Soon after starting a school, she realized her need for co-workers. Returning to Troyes, she recruited a friend, Catherine Crolo, and two other young women. In 1667, they added classes at their school for Indian children. A second trip to France three years later resulted in six more young women and a letter from King Louis XIV, authorizing the school. The Congregation of Notre Dame was established in 1676 but its members did not make formal religious profession until 1698 when their Rule and constitutions were approved.

Marguerite established a school for Indian girls in Montreal. At the age of 69, she walked from Montreal to Quebec in response to the bishop’s request to establish a community of her sisters in that city. By the time she died, she was referred to as the “Mother of the Colony.” She is significant for developing one of the first uncloistered religious communities in the Catholic Church.

Marguerite was canonized by the Catholic Church in 1982, and is the first female saint of Canada. The process was begun nearly 100 years before in 1878, when Pope Leo XIII gave her the title of “venerable” by papal decree. In November 1950, Pope Pius XII beatified her, giving her the title “Blessed Marguerite Bourgeoys.” The two miracles that led to her beatification both involved a miraculous cure from gangrene of the foot, gained by Joseph Descoteaux of St. Celestin, Quebec; and John Ludger Lacroix of St. Johnsbury, Vermont. On 2 April 1982, Pope John Paul II issued the Decree of Miracle for a cure attributed to her intercession. On 31 October that year, she was canonized as Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, you strengthened the resolve of Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys to a greater faith, not easily discouraged when plans that she set were frustrated. Marguerite was called, not to be a cloistered nun, but to be a foundress and an educator. You had not ignored her after all, and helped her fulfill her purpose, with success and merit.

Help all who repose faith and trust in you, recognise the extent of your faithfulness, and work in accordance with your Holy plan, through Christ our Lord, from Whom all good things come. Amen

Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys, pray for us.  

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ALSO CELEBRATED:

SAINT BERNARD OF CORLEONE

Saint Bernard of Corleone, also known as Bernardo de Corleone, was born Filippo Latino on 6 February 1605 in Corleone, Palermo, Sicily. He was a shoemaker by trade and gained a reputation as the greatest swordsman and duelist in all of Sicily during his time.

However, his life took a dramatic turn when he mortally wounded a man named Canino in a duel. Following the incident, Saint Bernard sought sanctuary from the law in the church of the Capuchin Friars Minor in Palermo. While hiding there, he had a profound conversion experience and was deeply touched by God’s grace.

Inspired by his newfound faith, he decided to renounce his previous life as a swordsman and entered the Capuchin Order as a lay-brother in 1632. Taking the name Brother Bernardo, he dedicated the rest of his life to serving God and seeking repentance for his past actions.

Saint Bernard was known for his extreme austerity and self-imposed penances. He embraced a life of severe self-discipline, fasting rigorously, and wearing a hair shirt as acts of penance and atonement for his earlier life. Despite the physical hardships he endured, he remained steadfast in his devotion to God and the pursuit of holiness.

Throughout his life, Brother Bernardo showed a remarkable gift for healing animals through prayer. Countless testimonies attested to his ability to cure the illnesses and injuries of animals, and his reputation as a miracle worker grew among the people during his time. Saint Bernard of Corleone lived the remaining years of his life in Palermo, Sicily, dedicating himself to a life of prayer, penance, and service to others.

He passed away on 12 January 1667, leaving behind a legacy of deep faith and humble devotion to God. In recognition of his exceptional holiness and virtuous life, Pope Clement XIII declared Saint Bernard of Corleone venerable on 2 February 1762. Later, on 15 May 1768, he was beatified by Pope Clement XIII.

Finally, on 10 June 2001, Pope John Paul II canonized him as a saint, acknowledging his exemplary life as a true model of Christian virtue. Although Saint Bernard of Corleone does not have a specific patronage, his life serves as an inspiration for all those seeking conversion, redemption, and a life of holiness. His story reminds us of the transformative power of grace and the ability to turn one’s life around through repentance and dedication to God.

PRAYER

Lord God,
you shed glory on your Church
through the learning of Saint Bernard;
grant that your people
may be enlightened by his wisdom
and assisted always by his merits and prayers.
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