Saint Emily de Vialar

"Since God does so much for me, what could I not do for Him?"
- Saint Emily de Vialar (1797 - 1856)

Today is the feast day of Saint Emily de Vialar. Emily was born Anne Marguerite Adelaide Emily de Vialar in 1797 at Gaillac, Albi in Southern France. She was the eldest daughter of Baron James Augustine de Vialar and his wife Antoinette, who was the daughter of the Baron de Portal who was the physician to Louis XVIII and Charles X of France. She was educated in Paris during her youth, but, at the age of 15, she was removed from school to be a companion to her father after her mother had died. However, differences arose between the father and daughter because of Emily's refusal to consider a suitable marriage. Emily refused marriage because she wished to become a religious sister so that she could devote her life to God. At the age of 21, Emily sought the spiritual direction of a priest who was new to Gaillac, Father Mercier, because she wanted to help the poor and the sick. Father Mercier helped Emily set up an out-patient service on the terrace of the de Vialar home. Emily's father was very upset by all that Emily was doing and this situation between Emily and her father lasted for almost 15 years. In 1832, Emily's grandfather, the Baron de Portal, died and left her a large fortune. With the help of Father Mercier, Emily bought a large house in Gaillac. Then, she and three other women began a religious order. They all designed a habit and chose to call themselves the "Sister of St. Joseph of the Apparition". Their work was to care for the needy, the sick, and the education of children. Three months later, 12 other women joined Emily and her companions. The archbishop soon after blessed the congregation and its ministry. In 1835, Emily made her profession of vows with seventeen other sisters, and received formal approval for the rule of the congregation. The congregation grew rapidly in the following years. In 1847, some sisters went to Burma and others went to Australia in 1854. In the next 40 years, there grew to be around 40 more convents of the Order around the world. Emily died on August 24, 1856, and was canonized in 1951. Her last words were "Love one another". 

Saint Emily de Vialar, pray for us!

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Quote From, Picture Of, And Information About Saint Emily Taken From:

http://neatnik2009.wordpress.com/2011/05/07/feast-of-st-emily-de-vialar-june-17/

http://365rosaries.blogspot.com/2011/06/june-17-saint-emily-de-vialar.html

http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/kids/saints/0617.asp

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=117