Blessed Louise of Savoy | Saint of the Day

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Saint of the Day
Catholic saints are holy people and human people who lived extraordinary lives. Each saint the Church honors responded to God's invitation to use his or her unique gifts. God calls each one of us to be a saint. Click here to receive Saint of the Day in your email.

July 24
Blessed Louise of Savoy
(1461-1503)

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On December 28, the Feast of the Holy Innocents, a daughter was born to the Duke of Savoy and the sister of King Louis XI of France. The child, named Louise, was to distinguish herself by her innocence and holiness rather than by any worldly status.

As a youngster she was deeply devoted to prayer and solitude. While still a young girl she fasted on bread and water on the vigils of the Blessed Mother's feast days. Although she wore the costly garments and jewelry that went with one of her rank, she quietly insisted on wearing a haircloth underneath as a reminder that it was her soul that she truly needed to tend to.

Her uncle arranged for her to marry the Prince of Chalon, a virtuous young man who appreciated his young wife's devotion to simplicity. Excessiveness and opulence were absent from their court. The couple persuaded both the ladies and men of the court to follow a more Christian life.

At age 27 Louise lost her husband and thereafter retired to a more simple life that allowed her to devote herself to works of charity and penance. Childless, she chose to enter a convent of Poor Clares at Orbe. Though she proved to be a model of humility and obedience, Louise was felled by a serious illness at age 42. God took her home on July 24.

Pope Gregory XVI beatified her in 1839.

Comment:

Louise is one of those saints whose piety was apparent even when she was just a little girl. Most of us don’t come to holiness so early or so easily.

It is worth noting that Louise’s precocious holiness gave her no better a guarantee of a long and happy life than we enjoy. Still, like all the saints, Louise models what God wants of all of us: simplicity, generosity and faith that perseveres even through adversity.

Saint of the Day
Lives, Lessons and Feast
By Leonard Foley, O.F.M.; revised by Pat McCloskey, O.F.M.

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Felix of Cantalice: Felix was the first Capuchin Franciscan ever canonized. In fact, when he was born, the Capuchins did not yet exist as a distinct group within the Franciscans.
<p>Born of humble, God-fearing parents in the Rieti Valley, Felix worked as a farmhand and a shepherd until he was 28. He developed the habit of praying while he worked. </p><p>In 1543 he joined the Capuchins. When the guardian explained the hardships of that way of life, Felix answered: "Father, the austerity of your Order does not frighten me. I hope, with God’s help, to overcome all the difficulties which will arise from my own weakness." </p><p>Three years later Felix was assigned to the friary in Rome as its official beggar. Because he was a model of simplicity and charity, he edified many people during the 42 years he performed that service for his confreres. </p><p>As he made his rounds, he worked to convert hardened sinners and to feed the poor–as did his good friend, St. Philip Neri, who founded the Oratory, a community of priests serving the poor of Rome. When Felix wasn’t talking on his rounds, he was praying the rosary. The people named him "Brother Deo Gratias" (thanks be to God) because he was always using that blessing. </p><p>When Felix was an old man, his superior had to order him to wear sandals to protect his health. Around the same time a certain cardinal offered to suggest to Felix’s superiors that he be freed of begging so that he could devote more time to prayer. Felix talked the cardinal out of that idea. Felix was canonized in 1712.</p>

I think of all the women religious in the United States who touch countless lives, alleviate the suffering of so many, strive to offer a voice to the voiceless, remember the forgotten, care for those most in need, and focus their lives on the greater good of all God's people, without concern or regard for what they could receive in return.

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