Montréal, Québec, Canada (Sault-au-Récollet) (Côte-St-Michel) (Côte-St-Paul)
1653 - Congregation of Notre Dame founded in Montreal

In 1653, the Congregation of Notre Dame was founded in Montréal, marking an important development in the religious and social life of the young settlement. The congregation was established by Marguerite Bourgeoys, who arrived in Ville-Marie with a mission centered on education, spiritual instruction, and community service.

Unlike cloistered religious orders of the time, the Congregation of Notre Dame adopted a non-cloistered model, allowing its members to move freely among the population. This approach enabled the sisters to teach children, support families, and respond directly to the needs of a small and struggling colonial community. Education, particularly for girls, became a central focus of their work.

The founding of the Congregation of Notre Dame in 1653 reflects the strong religious motivation behind Montréal’s early institutions and the crucial role played by women in shaping daily life in the colony. Through teaching and service, the congregation became a stabilizing presence in a settlement where survival depended as much on social organization as on physical defense.



Visit Montréal, Québec, Canada (Sault-au-Récollet) (Côte-St-Michel) (Côte-St-Paul)
Discover the people who lived there, the places they visited and the stories they shared.