"Be diligent in serving the poor.
Love the poor, honor them, my children, as you would honor Christ Himself."
Saint Louise de Marillac was a sickly children and her ill health prevented her from taking a religious vows, which she thought she had a religious vocation from her youth. She was born on August 12, 1591 in Meux, France. She married Antony LeGras, an official to the queen, in 1611. She was widowed in 1625. She was the spiritual student of Saint Vincent dePaul and with him they founded the Daughters of Charity in 1642. They received approval in 1655. She then founded the Sisters of Charity and took her vows in that order. She was the spirtual guide for groups of lay women. She served as the order's superior until her death on March 15, 1660 in Paris. She died of natural causes and her body is incorrupt. She was canonized on March 11, 1934 by Pope Pius XI. She is the patron saint of the loss of parents, sick people, widows, people rejected by religious orders, and social workers which was declared on February 2, 1960 by Pope John XXIII. She could be one of my patrons since I was a social work major in college.
When learning about Saint Louise I cannot help but think that if she were not an ill child and be rejected by religious orders then she may have not met Saint Vincent and God's plan for her life may not have been fulfilled. When we want something really bad we have to think, is it God who wants this for my life or is it me? How will I best serve those around me?
PRAYER
O God, You inspired Saint 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 and service to our brothers and sisters. Amen.
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