St. Marguerite Bourgeoys

Today is the feast day St. Marguerite Bourgeoys.

St. Marguerite was born in France in 1620 and came to Canada in 1653. She started a school in 1658 and returned to France in 1659 and 1670 to recruit more teachers.

These women became the first sisters in the Congregation de Notre Dame.

St. Marguerite made a big impression on me as a child and even now as an adult she continues to be inspiring. Just imagine leaving France and coming to what was a rough, alien, and dangerous new colony. And then on top of that she devoted her life to serving that colony and building a community of sisters that would go on to continue her mission to this day. She accepted native american women into her order as well as teaching children in native villages and missions. This was at a time when most people were still debating whether non-europeans were human.

I remember one of my favourite activities at this time of year at school was celebrating St. Marguerite's feast day. She was canonized in 1982 by Pope John Paul II. I went to kindergarten in 1982 so perhaps her feast day was celebrated because she was such a new saint, and a while she hadn't been born in Canada, she did live out her life and vocation here.

On January 12 at my elementary school in Ottawa we would make molasses taffy. The teachers made the taffy and then poured it on the snow to cool down and each child took turns pulling it. I remember being so fascinated by the process and I loved how the taffy changed colour when we pulled it. It wasn't my favourite taste in the world, but that didn't seem to matter.

What mattered, and it is obvious that it did because decades later I still remember, is that we were doing something different from our everyday routine to honour this women who had lead a holy life. It made her real to my 5 year old self. I'm not sure what the connection between St. Marguerite and molasses taffy is, but it was still effective.

So in honour of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys I'm going to try to make molasses taffy with my children this weekend. I'm going to use this recipe. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Our Lady's love is like a stream that has its source in the Eternal Fountains, quenches the thirst of all, can never be drained, and ever flows back to its Source. Saint Margaret Bourgeoys
Pray for us.