Embarkation of Marguerite Bourgeoys and her first companions on the Saint-André

In 1658, Marguerite Bourgeoys returned to France to recruit her first companions who would, with her, teach the children of the colony and form a congregation of young women who would imitate the “journeying life of Mary.” On June 29 of the following year, with the pioneers of the future Congrégation de Notre-Dame in Ville-Marie (Montreal), Edmée Châtel, Marie Raisin, Anne Hiou and Catherine Crolo, she embarked on the Saint-André in the port of La Rochelle.