St. Louise de Marillac
Died: 1660
Louise de Marillac was born probably at Ferrieres-en-Brie near Meux, France, on August 12, 1591. She was educated by the Dominican nuns at Poissy. She desired to become a nun but on the advice of her confessor, she married Antony LeGras, an official in the Queen's service, in 1613. After Antony's death in 1625, she met St. Vincent de Paul, who became her spiritual adviser. She devoted the rest of her life to working with him. She helped direct his Ladies of Charity in their work of caring for the sick, the poor, and the neglected. In 1633 she set up a training center, of which she was Directress in her own home, for candidates seeking to help in her work. This was the beginning of the Sisters (or Daughters, as Vincent preferred) of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul (though it was not formally approved until 1655). She took her vows in 1634 and attracted great numbers of candidates. She wrote a rule for the community, and in 1642, Vincent allowed four of the members to take vows. Formal approval placed the community under Vincent and his Congregation of the Missions, with Louise as Superior. She traveled all over France establishing her Sisters in hospitals, orphanages, and other institutions. By the time of her death in Paris on March 15, the Congregation had more than forty houses in France. Since then they have spread all over the world. She was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1934, and was declared Patroness of Social Workers by Pope John XXIII in 1960. Her feast day is March 15th.
Previous Saint
< Bl. Louise Poirier Barre
Next Saint
Bl. Louise Bessay de la Voute >

Rate This Saint
Very Helpful Somewhat Helpful Not Helpful at All
Yes, I am Interested No, I am not Interested
1 - 20 of 58 Comments
Leave a Comment
Comments submitted must be civil, remain on-topic and not violate any laws including copyright. We reserve the right to delete any comments which are abusive, inappropriate or not constructive to the discussion.
Though we invite robust discussion, we reserve the right to not publish any comment which denigrates the human person, undermines marriage and the family, or advocates for positions which openly oppose the teaching of the Catholic Church.
This is a supervised forum and the Editors of Catholic Online retain the right to direct it.
We also reserve the right to block any commenter for repeated violations. Your email address is required to post, but it will not be published on the site.
We ask that you NOT post your comment more than once. Catholic Online is growing and our ability to review all comments sometimes results in a delay in their publication.
Send me important information from Catholic Online and it's partners. See Sample
Previous Saint
< Bl. Louise Poirier Barre
Next Saint
Bl. Louise Bessay de la Voute >
Find Saints
Catholic Online offers the largest searchable database of Catholic Saints on the internet.
| Browse Saints by Alphabet |
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
| Patron Saints by Alphabet |
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
Videos
St. Francis of Assisi 80,627 views View Video
Padre Pio 48,876 views View Video
Black Saints Vol I 31,683 views View Video
Black Saints Vol II 27,966 views View Video
Most Popular
Courageous Cardinal George of Chicago Defends Marriage, Calls for Public Conversion Read More
Pope Francis Refers to 'gay lobby' inside Vatican Read More
Fall of the Wall of Silence: More on Pope Francis and Reports of a 'Gay Lobby' in the Roman Curia Read More
Why Catholics Have Failed Our Culture: The Bottom Line Read More
No-one Can Change the Truth About Fatherhood. Love Your Father. Be a Good Father Read More
Daily Readings
Reading 1, Second Corinthians 6:1-10
As his fellow-workers, we urge you not to let your acceptance ... Read More
Psalm, Psalms 98:1, 2-3, 3-4
[Psalm] Sing a new song to Yahweh, for he has performed ... Read More
Gospel, Matthew 5:38-42
'You have heard how it was said: Eye for eye and tooth for ... Read More
Saint of the Day
St. Emily de Vialar
June 17: St. Emily de Vialar, Virgin, Foundress of the Sisters of St. ... Read More
Latest Videos
Pope calls on G8 to seek the common good, not economic wealth View Video
Special Creation seminar DvD snippet View Video
Holy Name of Mary, Fr. Gabriel - ADWM #76: View Video
The Lord Bless You And Keep You 06-14-2013 View Video
Gospel Reflections Luke 7:36-8:3 View Video
Marketplace
The Great Battle Has Begun
From the best-selling author of The Secrets, Chastisement, and ... Read More
Antique Rosary of Ten DIZAINIER Jesus on Black Satin Cord Read More




















When we adopted our daughter from China, we gave her the name "Eloise", after my grandmother and also this great saint.
Saint Louise,
Pray for me to be like you and to be more humble and to get proper God guidance.
Pray for everyone in need and problem.
St. Louise de Marillac's vision and charitable spirit live on today in all those who make it their mission to help the poor and needy. It is especially alive in the hundreds of thousands of Catholic volunteers, all over the world, who assist the poor daily through their work in the Society of St Vincent dePaul. Thank you for the model you gave us by your life of service to those in need, St Louise . Please pray for me to be able to better adopt your spirit of charity and service.
15/16th mar 2013:st louise de marillac dc pray for us!
Dear Saint,
Today's world faces a different kind of poverty, lack of morality. Great majority of people love the things in the world and mock the church which cater to their souls. The leaders of the countries are acting like Gods and enact laws which are contrary to the teaching of Christ. Kindly pray that the new Pope guided by the Holy Spirit make the necessary changes needed in the Church so that the lost souls would return to the Church and drink of her abundance mercy and change their way of life to holiness. Let the unconditional Love of Our Lord Jesus Christ be felt by everyone so that the evil forces of the world would not mislead and rob them of their faith which lead them to holiness. Amen.
St. Louise de Marilac, please continue to pray for me to be more humble, more patient and more forgiving towards others, when they annoy and blame me.
Please pray for Jacob that he finds peace and the right path, for Michelle and Gwen that the doctors can help them and for all cancer patients. Dear Lord, thank you for making me cancer free.
St.Louise de Marillac please pray for me and my family
God Bless us all
Amen
St. Louise please help me be like you. i want to be a humanitarian and help the sick just like you did. Please provide me with the proper guidance.
thxs it was awwwsome
I like her very much because she is so intelligent and very kind......................................:)
Dear St. Louise,
Please intercede for me with our Lord. I am in need of help with my financial situation.
thanks so much for all the info about saint Louise this is the best info ever xo saint louise is the most inspirational saint because she never know her mum and helped lots of people xo does anyone know what patron of occupation saint louise is?????? plzz help me i realley need an answer xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Dear St. Louise, Please pray for the mothers and children and all affected by the "adoption or abduction" story that was on Yahoo today. As a child who never knew her unwed mother yourself, you know firsthand the pain caused by this circumstance. Please ask God to provide healing for all those affected on both sides of the issue. Please also help heal any rift this may cause for the Church.
Dear St. Louise de Marilac, please pray for me to lead a life that is pleasing to Lord Almighty.
St. Louise de Marillac, on your feast day I ask for your special heavenly intercession in the presence of Jesus and his holy Mother, for the complete healing and permanent cure for all children born with terrible afflictions. Help them, heal them, cure them....so that they may be free of seizures, speech delays, learning difficulties, lack of reasoning and a other multiple developmental delays. I read that you had a son with special needs, and as such, you know what I speaking about. Do listen to my earnest and impassioned plea. Answer my prayers. Please give a quick and prompt response, dear sweet saint. Amen.
St. Louise, I pray and ask the Lord to send you to my family especially to my wife and children. May they will have the interest on learning about your life and may you help them become what you have done especially in becoming generous and to devote on helping the poor. My wife is scheduled to labor our 3rd child any day or time from this day but I prefer to have it on your feast day. I look forward on your intercession and I promise to name our child with your name. Amen.
i am picking louise because it sounds sooooooooo cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My middle name is Lousie and i didn't now that it was a saints name. I have to look up for R.E today.
Hi, I am looking around because an angel named Louise baptized my brother. I wanted to see if she was anywhere since I need to thank her for saving my brother. TY