March 15, 2003
St. Louise de Marillac
(d. 1660)
Louise, born near Meux, France, lost her mother when she was still a child, her
beloved father when she was but 15. Her desire to become a nun was discouraged by her
confessor, and a marriage was arranged. One son was born of this union. But she soon
found herself nursing her beloved husband through a long illness that finally led to
his death.
Louise was fortunate to have a wise and sympathetic counselor, St. Francis de Sales,
and then his friend, the Bishop of Belley, France. Both of these men were available to
her only periodically. But from an interior illumination she understood that she was
to undertake a great work under the guidance of another person she had not yet met.
This was the holy priest M. Vincent, later to be known as St. Vincent de Paul.
At first he was reluctant to be her confessor, busy as he was with his
"Confraternities of Charity." Members were aristocratic ladies of charity who were
helping him nurse the poor and look after neglected children, a real need of the day.
But the ladies were busy with many of their own concerns and duties. His work needed
many more helpers, especially ones who were peasants themselves and therefore close to
the poor and could win their hearts. He also needed someone who could teach them and
organize them.
Only over a long period of time, as Vincent de Paul became more acquainted with
Louise, did he come to realize that she was the answer to his prayers. She was
intelligent, self-effacing and had physical strength and endurance that belied her
continuing feeble health. The missions he sent her on eventually led to four simple
young women joining her. Her rented home in Paris became the training center for those
accepted for the service of the sick and poor. Growth was rapid and soon there was
need of a so-called rule of life, which Louise herself, under the guidance of Vincent,
drew up for the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul (though he preferred
"Daughters" of Charity).
He had always been slow and prudent in his dealings with Louise and the new group. He
said that he had never had any idea of starting a new community, that it was God who
did everything. "Your convent," he said, "will be the house of the sick; your cell, a
hired room; your chapel, the parish church; your cloister, the streets of the city or
the wards of the hospital." Their dress was to be that of the peasant women. It was
not until years later that Vincent de Paul would finally permit four of the women to
take annual vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. It was still more years before
the company would be formally approved by Rome and placed under the direction of
Vincent's own congregation of priests.
Many of the young women were illiterate and it was with reluctance that the new
community undertook the care of neglected children. Louise was busy helping wherever
needed despite her poor health. She traveled throughout France, establishing her
community members in hospitals, orphanages and other institutions. At her death on
March 15, 1660, the congregation had more than 40 houses in France. Six months later
St. Vincent de Paul followed her in death.
Louise de Marillac was canonized in 1934 and declared patroness of social workers in
1960.
Comment:
In Louises day, serving the needs of the poor was usually a luxury only fine ladies
could afford. Her mentor, St. Vincent de Paul, wisely realized that women of peasant
stock could reach poor people more effectively, and the Sisters of Charity were born
under her leadership. Today that Order continues to nurse the sick and aging and
provide refuge for orphans. Many of its members are social workers toiling under
Louises patronage. The rest of us must share her concern for the disadvantaged
REFLECTION:
Be diligent in serving the poor ...love the poor , honour
them,my children, as you would honour Christ himself....(St.Louise)
ref.from--american catholic.org
we adore Thee O Christ and we bless Thee,Because of Thy Holy Cross
Thou ha s redeemed the world....!!!!!
S.THOMAS
NOTTINGHAM
ENGLAND
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