Saint Louise de Marillac 16th C.
Saint Louise de Marillac was born on August 12, 1591, and died on March 15, 1660. In working with her sisters, Saint Louise de Marillac emphasized a balanced life, as Saint Vincent de Paul had taught her. It was the integration of contemplation and activity that made Louise’s work so successful. She wrote near the end of her life, “Certainly it is the great secret of the spiritual life to abandon to God all that we love by abandoning ourselves to all that He wills.” She co-founded with him a worldwide organization that still exists. Have you ever heard of Saint Louise de Marillac?
Saint Louise de Marillac Biography
Saint Louise de Marillac was born out of wedlock on August 12, 1592, near Le Meux, France. She never knew her mother, but was raised as part of the nobility. Saint Louise de Marillac grew up amid the affluent society of Paris, but without a stable home life. Nevertheless, she was cared for and received an excellent education at the royal monastery of Poissy near Paris, where her aunt was a Dominican nun.
She applied to be a Capicun Nun, but was denied. She was devastated, and her father arranged for her to marry Antoine Le Gras. Saint Louise de Marillac and Antoine were wed in the fashionable Church of St. Gervaise on February 5, 1613. In October, the couple had their only child, Michel. Her husband became ill and died. She met St. Vincent de Paul and had a vision of him prior. She vowed not to remarry.
After Antoine died, time was set aside for reciting the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary, attending Mass, receiving Holy Communion, meditation, spiritual reading, fasting, penance, reciting the Rosary, and special prayers. Still, Louise managed to find time to maintain her household, entertain guests, and nurture Michel. Michel was 13 years old and had special needs.
Antoine died in 1625, leaving Saint Louise de Marillac a poor widow with a needy son. Over the next four years, St. Vincent de Paul and Louise often met and communicated by letters. Vincent guided Louise to a greater balance in a life of moderation, peace, and calm. In 1629, Vincent invited Louise to become involved in his work with the Confraternities of Charity. She found was happy, and in 1632, Louise made a spiritual retreat. She thought it was time to intensify her ministry with poor and needy persons. Louise, now forty-two years old, told Vincent.
The need for organization in work for the poor suggested to de Paul the forming of a confraternity among the women of his parish in Châtillon-les-Dombes. It was so successful that it spread from the rural districts to Paris, where noble ladies often found it hard to give personal care to the needs of the poor. Saint Louise de Marillac filled a vacuum that was present in France at the time.
Saint Louise de Marillac led the Company of Daughters for her entire life. Nearing her death, she wrote to her nuns: “Take good care of the service of the poor. Above all, live together in great union and cordiality, loving one another in imitation of the union and life of our Lord. Pray earnestly to the Blessed Virgin, that she might be your only Mother.” Her health deteriorated, and Louise de Marillac died at age 68. The Daughters of Charity had more than 40 houses in France at the time.
Conclusion
The Daughters of Charirity have spread worldwide, so Saint Louise de Marillac had a big impact on the world. He organization has done a lot of good in the world. It goes to show that from tiny acorns do mighty oaks grow. All it took in this case was for her to meet and be mentored but a great saint. Many great worldwide organizations were founded in France. This is just one example.
