St Louise de Marillac
Louise
de Marillac was born on 12th August 1591, probably in Paris. Her
marriage on 5th February 1613 to Antoine Le Gras, ended prematurely
with his death on 21st December 1625, and she was left with their
only child, Michel. In 1624 she had taken Vincent de Paul as her
spiritual director, and it was under his guidance that she gave
herself, after Antoine's death, to the service of the poor and the
visitation of the Confraternities of Charity. Together on 29th
November 1633, they founded
the Company of the Daughters of Charity,
and thereafter the care and training of the Sisters became Louise's
life work.
Louise died on 15th March 1660, and was canonised on 11th March 1934. On 10th February 1960, Pope John XXIII proclaimed her as the patron saint of all Christian social workers.
She was a wife, mother, teacher,
nurse, social worker and co-founder of the Daughters of Charity. She
was an organiser, a radical thinker who lived her life intensely and
enthusiastically. Louise herself knew suffering and through a life
of deep faith she was able to find and treasure Jesus Christ in the
broken spirits and bodies of the destitute people she served.
Friendship with St Vincent de Paul
Vincent and Louise worked
together as a team. Vincent provided the original vision of service
of poor people, a vision shaped by the love of Jesus Christ. Louise
helped transform that vision into reality. They have inspired
thousands of people through the ages to offer a caring compassionate
face in Christian ministry. Today countless individuals and groups
all over the world continue to be influenced by their example and
spirit.
If you would like to read more about these two wonderful saints
visit our international site:
www.filles-de-la-charite.org