FEAST OF THE DAY
St. Margaret was born in Troyes, France in 1620 and was raised in a
devout Catholic family. When Margaret was nineteen, her mother
died and she was asked to take on many of the duties of caring for
the family that her mother had done. When Margaret was twenty,
she realized that God was calling her to the religious life, she left her
family and joined a congregation in Troyes dedicated to serving the
poor and education. At the age of thirty-two, Margaret met the
governor of Montreal and was asked to immigrate to the New World
to continue her ministry in education and care for the poor.
Margaret accepted the invitation and founded her first school in
Montreal in 1657. As part of her duties, Margaret also cared for
young women who immigrated to the New World seeking to marry
and start families until they were settled. Several times, Margaret
returned to France seeking other young women to join her in her
ministry. She was successful and this first group became the
foundation for the Congregation of Notre Dame. Margaret and the
sisters donated much to the education in the area in both theoretical
and technical areas.
The Congregation gained full approval in 1698 two years before its
founder died. The Congregation spread throughout Canada and the
United States under the successors to St. Margaret. St. Margaret
died in 1700 and was beatified in 1950. Pope John Paul II canonized
Margaret in 1982 and she is the first canonized Canadian saint.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
To remain humble, we should often reflect on the greatness and
humiliations of the Blessed Virgin. -St. Margaret Bourgeoys
TODAY IN HISTORY
1777 Mission Santa Clara de Assisi founded in California by Junipero Serra
TODAY'S TIDBIT
The Community of Notre Dame started by St. Margaret is still
operating in by much the same Rule and with much of the same
mission that it had when it started. It runs several educational
institutions in North America and also has several convents.
INTENTION FOR THE DAY
Please pray for all people involved in education.
| Wednesday, January 12, 2005 St. Bernard of Corleone, Religious (Memorial) |
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