The Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee recently celebrated the feast day of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys, the first woman saint of Canada.

In a Facebook post on Jan. 12, the Diocese marked the celebration by providing a brief history on Marguerite and her journey to sainthood.

“Growing up in Troyes, France, Marguerite formed a special relationship with Our Lady. She was turned away by two religious communities, but met the founder of Montreal, Canada, when he returned to France to visit his sister," the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee wrote in its Facebook post. "He invited Marguerite to open a school in the New World.  She went, despite misgivings, after praying to Mary."

Marguerite traveled to Montreal in 1654 to open the school, which became home to just 200 people, according to Franciscan Media. Soon after, she traveled back to France and recruited three more young women to help teach and in 1667 they were able to add classes for Indian children, prompting her to open a separate school for Indian girls

From the first school in an abandoned stable, the Diocese reports, her ministry grew to include teaching women crafts and founding the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame. Here, she managed to keep her sisters “uncloistered” despite opposition from the bishop and served as a superior for years.

Marguerite became the first woman saint of Canada in 1982, when Pope John Paul II canonized her, the post states. By the time of her death, the people of Montreal referred to Marguerite as the “Mother of the Colony,” Franciscan reports. 

Marguerite’s feast day is celebrated on Jan. 12. A Facebook post by the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board states she is the patron saint against poverty, loss of parents and people who have been rejected by religious orders.