Saint Louise de Marillac

Saint Louise de Marillac was born out of wedlock in 1591. Lord of Ferrires (1556-1604), claimed her as his natural daughter yet not his legal heir. Louise grew up amid the affluent society of Paris, but without a stable home life. Nevertheless, she was cared for and received an excellent education at the royal monastery of Poissy.

Around the age of fifteen, Louise felt drawn to the cloistered life but was refused admission. Her spiritual director assured her that God had “other plans” for her. When she was 22, her family convinced her that marriage was the best alternative. Her uncle arranged for her to marry Antoine Le Gras. Louise grew to love Antoine and was an attentive mother to their son. Along with being devoted to her family, Louise was also active in ministry in her parish. She had a leading role in the Ladies of Charity, an organization of wealthy women dedicated to assisting those suffering from poverty and disease.

She vowed not to remarry if her husband died before her. Three years after this experience, Antoine died. In 17th-century France, the charitable care of the poor was completely unorganized. Louise found the help she needed in young, humble country women, who had the energy and the proper attitude to deal with people weighed down by destitution and suffering. She began working with a group of them and saw a need for common life and formation. She co-founded Daughters of Charity with Vincent de Paul.
Louise led the Company of Daughters until her death. Nearing her death, she wrote to her nuns: “Take good care of the service of the poor. Above all, live together in great union and cordiality, loving one another in imitation of the union and life of our Lord. Pray earnestly to the Blessed Virgin, that she might be your only Mother.”