Institute of Sister Bourgeois should be born in a stable, like His own
divine Son, the Sisters being much happier there than if they were
lodged in a palace. As soon as circumstances permitted after her return,
she took occasion to revisit the chapel she attempted to build before
her departure, and found to her sorrow what she had foreseen, that the
greatest part of the lumber was in a state of decay, and quite
worthless. Yet, as she could not yield to despair, she collected from
the debris sufficient material to build a sort of shed, to be used
alternately as a chapel and a class-room until they could do better. The
piety and fervor of the new teachers attracted the attention of the
whole colony, and the schools in a short time became overcrowded, so
that Sister Bourgeois was induced to undertake the erection of a
building large enough to meet their wants. She had neither ground nor
money, but Divine Providence provided both, as M. de Maisonneuve, whose
devotion to the Blessed Virgin always prompted him to assist her, had
already given a deed of the property they then occupied, and added to it
fifty rods adjoining, with the clause that if the Congregation decided,
in the future, to build on a more extended plan, for which the present
site would not be suitable, the said fifty rods were to be deeded to the
hospital, in the vicinity, all which was legally arranged in the month
of February, 1658. M. Gabriel Souart, superior of the Seminary, donated
another piece of ground, upon which the convent stands today. Many other
gifts of real estate became also the property of Sister Bourgeois, and
were chiefly in the suburbs of the city, which was at last becoming
extensive. As soon as the plan for the building was completed every one
hastened to offer assistance, as an educational institution was
considered a public blessing, and it was evident that God inspired His
faithful servant to undertake the work. The building was so arranged
that one side should be occupied by the Sisters, the other being fitted
up for the boarders and schools. It was not fully completed when Sister