Louise de Marillac was born in France in 1591 and her mother died when she was a child. She was educated by Dominican sisters in her youth, and when her father died when she was 15 she felt a calling to religious life. Her priest advised her to marry instead, and after she followed his advice at the age of 22 she soon found herself caring for her husband’s declining health. Widowed at 34 she met St. Vincent de Paul and began to throw herself into service for the poor. When he founded the Daughters of Charity, he appointed her as the superioress. She wrote a rule for the order, and despite her frail health she tirelessly traveled all over France establishing over 40 communities by the time of her death.
CHALLENGE
St. Louise de Marillac and the Daughters of Charity cared for the poor and neglected by providing them with food and clothing. Today is the time to roll up your sleeves. Contact your local St. Vincent de Paul chapter and offer several hours of your time to help sort clothes, stock food shelves, or distribute these items to the needy in your area.
Being a good husband and father starts when a man honors his wife.
In Kevin Lowry’s new delightful, easy-to-read book Honor Thy Wife, he shares a month’s-worth of stories and the lessons he learned over 35+ years of marriage.
Fr. John Riccardo says, “Please read this and give it to every married man you know!”
And Michael Hernon, President and co-founder of Messy Family Project enthused, “All married men need this book—their wives will be grateful!”
