Louise was born into a wealthy French family in 1591, but all the money in the world could not stop sadness from touching her life. Her mother died when was young and her father died when she was a teenager. She felt called to religious life, but she was discouraged from becoming a nun. Instead, her priest arranged for Louise to marry a young man named Anthony who could provide her with a comfortable life.
Luckily, Anthony and Louise grew deeply in love. God blessed them with a son. The couple’s joy turned to sorrow after Anthony became ill. Louise cared for him until his death.
Some time later, Louise met St. Vincent de Paul. He became her spiritual advisor. She spent the rest of her life helping him to care for the poor and others in need. He had many helpers, but he needed someone to train the volunteers and to organize their work. He later said that Louise was the answer to his prayers! Soon Vincent and Louise had begun the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. Many women joined the order and Louise was elected the Superior.
Louise found true happiness in her work. She established hospitals, schools, and orphanages all over France. By the time Louise died in 1660, forty convents of the Sisters of Charity had been established.
Louise is the patron saint of social workers. She encouraged her beloved nuns to treat the poor as if they were serving Christ himself. Like Louise, we, too, can show our love for Christ by finding practical ways to help people in need.
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