The Life of Venerable Sister Margaret BourgeoisAnonymous
History
The Life of Venerable Sister Margaret Bourgeois
Anonymous
Bourgeoys, Marguerite, Saint, 1620-1700
prudent at such a time to undertake a new foundation, yet she did not
hesitate a moment, Sisters Anne and Assumption being sent to make a
trial, in the beginning of winter.
They had unheard-of hardships to endure, but they persevered in the
work, being protected by Divine Providence in a very singular manner,
and finally the mission was established, and grew more prosperous day by
day. In the following spring the Bishop formed another project, viz., an
establishment in which he intended to educate and support a number of
poor girls he had assembled from different parts of the colony,
intending that said establishment should be maintained partly by
charity, and partly by the labor of the inmates. He wished to confide
the work to the care of the Congregation Sisters, as he saw daily proofs
of their zeal in the Mission of the Holy Family, in the isle of Orleans.
Sister Bourgeois accepted the duty with _reluctance_, as it did not
appear to coincide with the spirit of her institute. However, rather
than disoblige the Bishop, she sent Sister Assumption to Quebec, having
sent Sister St. Ange to take her place. This Sister worked wonders in
her new position, yet the ultimate success of the enterprise was
doubtful and slow, so slow that it was suppressed the following year.
The Bishop divided its labors between two communities, which division
eventually gave birth to the General Hospital and the Congregation
Mission at Quebec. His Lordship thought seriously of conferring with the
sainted Foundress, about rules she brought from France, and wrote to her
on the subject, requesting an early interview. She no sooner understood
that her superior required her at Quebec, than she took the road, on
_foot_, in the very depth of winter, being often obliged to go forward
on her knees, now in the snow, now on the ice, and occasionally through
tracts covered with water. This was her customary mode of travelling
through Canada. Having at last arrived at her destination, after
incredible suffering and dangers, we next find her carrying on her
shoulders the different articles of furniture and utensils necessary for
housekeeping, that were needed by Sister Assumption in the House of
Providence, already described. Here was truly a mortified, humble, and
penitential spirit, such as this fallen world seldom sees. We have
before remarked that the House of Providence lasted but one year, after
which it was changed into a mission. It was at first situated in the
upper town, between the Hotel-Dieu and the Cathedral. But another trial
awaited the foundation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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