Deepertruth: Stand In The Gap With Us And Saint Louise de Marillac

 Stand In The Gap With Us And Saint Louise de Marillac 3/15/2024

August 12, 1591 – March 15, 1660

was the co-founder, with Vincent de Paul, of the Daughters of Charity.

Born near Meux, France, Louise 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 Louise soon found herself nursing her beloved husband through a long illness that finally led to his death.

Louise dedicated her time to helping abandoned children on the streets. She also visited sick men in the prison hospital and established a house near the hospital where, each day, many women would cook food that visitors would then take to the prisoners. Throughout France, women set up centres to serve the poor.Louise was fortunate to have a wise and sympathetic counselor, 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 Monsieur Vincent, later to be known as Saint Vincent de Paul.

Louise found true happiness in her work. She established hospitals, schools, and orphanages all over France. By the time Louise died in 1660, 40 convents of the Sisters of Charity had been established. Louise was canonized in 1934 and is today the patron saint of social workers.