The National Marian Mantle Group


"Do whatever He tells you."   Jn 2:5


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St. Louise De Marillac
Feast Day March 15

Patron of

Saint Louise De Marillac kept making plans, and God kept changing them.  She ended up doing some very remarkable things even though she had many difficulties in her life. She can be a true inspiration for members of MMG to do what they can, but to always be patient until God’s plan is revealed.

Who was Saint Louise De Marillac?

Saint Louise De Marillac was a nurse, educator and social worker. She and  St. Vincent de Paul began a religious community, Sisters of Charity, bound by rules and vows, but uncloistered, so that they could to serve the poor in their homes, while serving God in a consecrated life.   

Louise had had a life of trials. She was not allowed join a convent when she was 16 years old. She married and had a son.  Then, was widowed, at 34, with a 13-year-old son.  She doted on her son who became spoiled, and lazy.

Louise served the poor and trained young girls to teach, to practice nursing, and to do social work.  They did not take vows because to be called “nuns” they could not care for the poor in their own homes.  They were known as “sisters” and  did not wear a habit. When the rules changed they were allowed to take the vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and the service of the poor, and rules were written up for their guidance. 

Louise kept making plans, and God kept changing them.  She saw a need for homes for all the abandoned children and rescued as many as she could, sending them to foster homes.  To educate them, she received help from the Ursuline Sisters, who trained Sisters to be teachers.  Even the Popes were impressed with how much she accomplished.

Prayer

O God, You inspired St. Louise to strive for perfect charity and so attain Your Kingdom at the end of her pilgrimage on earth. Strengthen us through her intercession that we may advance rejoicing in the way of love.

 

Comments from the Popes
about
Saint Louise De Marillac

Pope Pius XII compared her work in the world to that of St. Teresa in the Cloister.

Pope Pius XI stressed the miracle of her life; the miracle of her works; the miracle of her posterity.

Pope Saint Pius X when proclaiming the herocity of her virtues announced “We have found the valiant woman of France.”