ST LOUISE DE MARILLAC, FOUNDRESS - 15 MARCH

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MARCH

Saints celebrated on the 15th of March

WELCOME!

SAINT LOUISE DE MARILLAC, FOUNDRESS 

Saint Louise de Marillac Le Gras was foundress of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent De Paul. She was born at Paris, August 12, 1591, daughter of Louis de Marillac, and Marguerite Le Camus; she died there, March 15, 1660. 

Her mother having died soon after the birth of Louise, the education of the latter devolved upon her father, a man of blameless life. In her earlier years she was confided to the care of her aunt, a religious at Poissy. Afterwards she studied under a preceptress, devoting much time to the cultivation of the arts. Her father’s serious disposition was reflected in the daughter’s taste for philosophy and kindred subjects. 

HER FATHER'S DEATH 

When about sixteen years old, Louise developed a strong desire to enter the Capuchinesses (Daughters of the Passion). Her spiritual director dissuaded her, however, and her father having died, it became necessary to decide her vocation. 

Interpreting her director’s advice, she accepted the hand of Antoine Le Gras, a young secretary under Maria de Medici. A son was born of this marriage on October 13, 1613, and to his education she devoted herself during the years of his childhood. Of works of charity she never wearied. In 1619 she became acquainted with Saint Francis de Sales, who was then in Paris, and Mgr. Le Campus, Bishop of Belley, became her spiritual adviser. Troubled by the thought that she had rejected a call to the religious state, she vowed in 1623 not remarry should her husband die before her.

HER HUSBAND'S DEATH

M. Le Gras died on December 21, 1625 after a long illness. In the meantime his wife had made the acquaintance of a priest known as M. Vincent (Saint Vincent de Paul), who had been appointed superior of the Visitation Monastery by Saint Francis de Sales. She placed herself under his direction, probably early in 1625. His influence led her to associate herself with his work among the poor of Paris, and especially in the extension of the Confrérie de la Charité, an association which he had founded for the relief of the sick poor. 

HER LIFE'S WORK

It was this labour which decided her life’s work, the founding of the Sisters of Charity. The history of the evolution of this institute, which she plays so prominent a part, has been given elsewhere; it suffices here to say that, with formal ecclesiastical and state recognition, her life-work received its assurance of success. Her death occurred in 1660, a few months before the death of Saint Vincent De Paul, with whose labours she had been so closely united. 

Source: Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913. "Saint" has been inserted afterwards. St Louise was canonised by Pope  Pius XI in 1934.

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Louise may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. 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.