MEMORIAL: AUGUST 12
St. Jane Frances de Chantal was born in the 16th century in Dijon, France. Because her mother died when she was very young, Jane was primarily raised by her father. At the age of 20, she married the Baron of Chantal. Together, they had six children (three who survived infancy). In addition, Jane was devoted to the poor. However, seven years into their marriage, her husband was killed in a hunting accident, and Jane had to work for years to forgive his killer.
It was not long after her husband’s death that St. Jane Frances met St. Francis De Sales who became her friend and spiritual director. He wrote many letters directing her, and eventually helped Jane found the Congregation of the Visitation with some other holy women. They welcomed the poor, old, and sick who had been turned away from Congregations, assisting them in a life of holiness. The order grew quickly to 86 houses over St. Jane’s life and she had a reputation of holiness which she conveyed by writing letters of spiritual direction like her director. After St. Francis de Sales died, St. Vincent de Paul became her spiritual director. She had a devotion to the Sacred Heart and wrote of white martyrdom: the idea of giving up every part of our lives every single day for the sake of Christ. She died at the age of 69 and is the patron saint of forgotten people.
