Saint Louise de Marillac

"How good it is to trust God! Turn to Him often, as children look to their father and mother in their needs."
- Saint Louise de Marillac (1591 - 1660)

Today is the feast day of Saint Louise de Marillac. Louise was born near Meux, France, in 1591. She lost her mother when she was a child, and her father when she was 15. She desired to become a nun, but was discouraged by her confessor. She then married an official in the Queen's service in 1613 named, Antony LeGras, and they had one son together. Antony passed away in 1625. After Antony's death, Saint Vincent de Paul became Louise's spiritual adviser. From then on, Louise devoted the rest of her life to working with him. She helped direct and form Saint Vincent de Paul's Ladies of Charity (later known as the Daughters or Sisters of Charity), who took care of the sick, poor, and neglected. Louise traveled all over France establishing the Sisters in hospitals, orphanages, and other institutions. By the time of Louise's death, the Sisters had more than 40 houses in France. Louise died in Paris, France, in 1660, and was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1934. She is the Patroness of Social Workers. 

Saint Louise de Marillac, pray for us!

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Picture Of And Information About Saint Louise Taken From:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=196

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saintofday/

http://www.schalifax.ca/louise-de-marillac/