Saint of the Day: St. Jane Frances de Chantal

Widow and Religious (1572-1641)

Her life

+ Jane Frances was born in Dijon, France, and was married to the Baron de Chantal, with whom she had four sons.

+ Following her husband’s death, she embraced religious life under the guidance of her spiritual director Saint Francis de Sales. Together, they established a new religious community: the Order of the Visitation.

+ Noted for her charity and strong faith, Sister Jane Frances dedicated to the remainder of her life to the expansion of her community.

+ In the period before her death in December 1641, she experienced an extended period of spiritual darkness brought on by the death of Saint Francis and one of her sons. Resigning herself to God’s Will, she endured all her sufferings with a spirit of resignation and humility.

+ Saint Jane Frances de Chantal was canonized in 1767.

For prayer and reflection

“From the moment when we commit ourselves unreservedly to God, until our last breath. I am speaking, of course, of great-souled individuals who keep nothing back for themselves, but instead are faithful in love. Our Lord does not intend this martyrdom for those who are weak in love and perseverance. Such people he lets continue on their mediocre way, so that they will not be lost to him; he never does violence to our free will.”—Saint Jane Frances de Chantal

Prayer

O God, who made Saint Jane Frances de Chantel
radiant with outstanding merits in different walks of life,
grant us, through her intercession,
that, walking faithfully in our vocation,
we may constantly be examples of shining light.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal)

Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.