St Marguerite Bourgeoys (1620-1700), canonized in 1982, is a key figure in Canadian and religious history as a founder of Montreal and of the international order the Congrégation de Notre-Dame de Montréal, one of the first uncloistered religious communiti

Simpson shows that the order faced great resistance from the male church hierarchy despite the fact that the pioneer society depended on the work of the Congregation. The order was particularly important in assuming the guardianship of many filles du roi - young women sent to New France under royal auspices to be married to the men of the colony. Simpson also examines the many difficulties the Congregation faced, which included natural disasters and the dangers faced in trying to reach women and children in settlements throughout New France, as far away as Acadia.