A Catholic Rose

Saint Jane de Chantal

1572 - 1641

Feast Day: August 12 (New), August 21 (Trad)

Patronage: forgotten people, in-law problems, loss of parents, parents separated from children, widows

Born to the nobility, Jane was raised by her father after the death of her mother. Jane married at age 20, had 4 children and was widowed at age 28. Forced to live with her father-in-law, she spent much time in prayer and received a vision of a man who would become her spiritual director. The man was St. Francis de Sales. She became his spiritual student and close friend. In 1610 she founded the Order of the Visitation of Our Lady for widows and lay women who did not wish the full life of the orders.