On entering the church she reflected seriously on what had occurred, and
felt convinced that God demanded of her something more than she had yet
accomplished for His glory, and that His Blessed Mother was to be
hereafter her strength and support. She immediately resolved by the help
of God to eradicate from her heart the two imperfections that
counteracted the influence of divine grace. These were an inordinate
love of dress, and a strong desire to attract to herself the esteem and
love of creatures. Accordingly she determined for the future to wear a
simple dress of cheap material, to use no color but black or brown, and
never again to display the vain ornaments of jewelry that young girls so
much prize. In her fervor she made a vow to receive humiliations as
coming directly from the hand of God, and we shall see that as SISTER
BOURGEOIS she received many such favors.

With these dispositions it was natural she should seek admission into a
religious community, which in effect she did. There existed at Troyes a
Carmelite Convent, of the reform of St. Teresa. Every one knows that the
Carmelites are in a special manner devoted to Mary, under the title of
"Our Lady of Mt. Carmel," and that their congregation is the origin and
centre of the Confraternities of the Scapular. There is not a community
of women in the Church whose discipline and manner of life is so
austere, if we except the "Poor Clares." During all seasons of the year
they dress in a heavy coarse habit, wear sandals on their feet, never
make use of linen, are seldom seen in the parlor, sleep on a hard
mattress, rise simultaneously, to chant the Divine Office, spend at
least two hours each night at prayer, and are familiar with the use of
the discipline, hair-shirt, etc. In a word, their mortifications are
continual and rigorous. Now these extraordinary penances were what
especially attracted Margaret Bourgeois to join them. But in order to