Bourgade Catholic High School
Catholic Identity
Bourgade Catholic is named after the Most Reverend Archbishop Peter Bourgade
Peter Bourgade was born in Puy-de-Dome, France, on October 18th, 1845. As a French missionary priest he was sent overseas in 1869 for service in the New Mexico-Arizona Territories. Each days work was long and exhausting. Travel was difficult and the people were often rowdy and disrespectful. Despite the harsh conditions, Fr. Bourgade quickly adapted to his new home. On May 8, 1897, Pope Leo XIII created the new Diocese of Tucson, and Peter Bourgade was appointed its' first bishop. His Zeal in providing for strong religious education programs for the young resulted in the establishment of twelve schools and orphanages. In 1899, Bishop Bourgade was appointed Archbishop of Santa Fe, New Mexico. He oversaw the activities of several dioceses, including Tucson, and supervised the continued growth of the Church in the Southwest. On May 17, 1908, Archbishop Bourgade died of heart failure and was laid to rest under the high altar of the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
History & Tradition
Bourgade Catholic opened its doors in 1962 to students who were taught by the Marist Priests and Brothers, the Sisters of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, sisters from the Congregation of the Humility of Mary, and several lay educators. 1972, the Holy Cross Community of Priests from the University of Notre Dame assumed the administration of the school. Since 1988, the principal of Bourgade Catholic has been a member of the community of the School Sisters of Notre Dame. The school is currently under the leadership of Sr. Mary McGreevy, SSND, who recognizes that Catholic education is an opportunity that should be offered to all who seek it.