St. Louise de Marillac: Feast Day, Patronage & Prayers
Feast day: March 15 (kept by the Vincentian family and in some places; not on the General Roman Calendar)
Patron of: Social workers.
About St. Louise de Marillac
St. Louise de Marillac was born in 1591 in France. Her mother is unknown, and although her father, a nobleman, loved and educated her, she was never fully accepted by his family. As a young woman she hoped to become a Capuchin nun but was refused because of poor health. She married Antoine Le Gras, a secretary to the queen, and they had a son. When her husband fell ill, she nursed him until his death in 1625, and she struggled for years with anxiety and depression.
Her life changed when she met St. Vincent de Paul, who became her spiritual director and friend. He involved her in organizing the Ladies of Charity, groups of wealthy women serving the poor. Seeing the need for women fully dedicated to this work, Louise and Vincent founded the Daughters of Charity in 1633, gathering young country women who served the sick, orphans, prisoners, and the elderly in their homes and in hospitals, rather than living in a cloister. Louise trained and guided them with great wisdom and tenderness. She died in 1660, was canonized in 1934, and in 1960 was named patroness of social workers.
Prayers to St. Louise de Marillac on Daily Catholic Prayers
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