Wife, Mother, Widow, Co-Founder of the Daughters of Charity (1591-1660)
Her life
+ Louise was born in 1590 in Ferriéres-en-Brie, France.
+ In 1604, following the death of her wealthy father, she was entrusted to the care of a “poor spinster” who ran an orphanage. Despite these challenges, she received a decent education and grew in her spiritual life. We can imagine these early hardships helped foster the spirit of compassion that would be a hallmark of her later life and ministry.
+In 1613, she married Antoine Le Gras, a member of the royal court. As a wife and mother, she fulfilled her duties at court and still found time to care for the poor. During this time, Louise asked Saint Vincent de Paul to be her spiritual director.
+ Following the collapse of her family’s fortunes and by her husband’s illness, Louise battled depression; Antoine died in 1625.
+In time, Louise was inspired by the example of Saint Vincent de Paul to bring together a group of women to share in Saint Vincent’s mission to the poor. This was the foundation of the Daughters of Charity.
+ Louise served as the “Sister Servant”—superior—of the Daughters of Charity from 1634 until her death in 1660. She was canonized in 1934. She is honored as the patron saint of social workers.
For prayer and reflection
“I have no desire for any greater assurance than Divine Providence.”—Saint Louise de Marillac
Religious Life
To learn more about the Daughters of Charity, visit: www.daughters-of-charity.com
Spiritual bonus
On March 15 we also remember the Salesian lay brother Saint Artemide Zatti. Known for his skills as a nurse and pharmacist, he dedicated his life to caring for the sick and suffering. Saint Artemide died in Bahia Blanca, Argentina, on March 15, 1951, and was canonized in 2022.
Prayer
God our Father,
the source and reward of love,
through your Son who became man
you gave the new commandment of love to your Church.
May we follow the example of Saint Louise;
and by practicing your love on earth
may we obtain the kingdom promised to your servants who are faithful.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(Collect for the Memorial of St. Louise de Marillac for use by the Congregation of the Missions [the Vincentians])
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
And today we celebrate...