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Soeurs de la Congrégation de Notre-Dame
The Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame were the last religious order to come to colonial Louisbourg. Founded in Quebec in the 1700s by Marguerite Bourgeoys, the order was dedicated to providing an education for girls. The sisters were non-cloistered nuns (they lived outside of convents) who took vows of poverty, chastity and obedience as well as their vow to teach girls.
The first sister to arrive in Louisbourg came at the request of the bishop of Québec, Bishop Saint-Vallier. Since 1724 the bishop had been pressing the Minister of Marine to support the sending of teaching sisters to Louisbourg to establish a school. His attempts were constantly refused because the Minister did not think Louisbourg's population was large enough to merit the opening of a school. Finally, in 1727, he had to take matters into his own hands. The bishop sent Marguerite Roy to Louisbourg against the wishes of both the minister of marine and the superior of the Congregation of Notre-Dame.
Marguerite opened a school in October which by December had 22 boarders. By 1730 she began receiving a royal subsidy to assist in the Louisbourg mission. With the help of the annual subsidy she purchased a property to establish a permanent mission, accommodate boarders, and serve as a school for students. The allowance she received was far from adequate to support her work and in her almost seven years in Louisbourg she was to endure severe financial burdens.
By 1734, Marguerite Roy had been withdrawn from Louisbourg. The superior of the Congregation of Notre-Dame had convinced the new bishop of Quebec that she was not suitable to head the teaching mission, a view not shared by the inhabitants. Three sisters were sent to take over the mission, inheriting the admiration of the colonists and the financial burdens left behind by Marguerite Roy.
Life for the sisters in Louisbourg was marked by constant financial difficulties and hardships. They often had to make extra money by producing straw mattresses for the soldiers barracks. Throughout all the difficulties they persevered and were admired and valued by the colonists who praised them for their devotion, dedication, and self-sacrifice.