Note: For the next several weeks, I’m featuring women with a connection to the Americas.
The Basics: Born August 29, 1769, in France; died November 18, 1852, in the United States; canonized July 3, 1988, by John Paul II; feast day, November 18; woman religious, teacher, missionary.
The Story: Financially, the young Philippine’s existence was quite comfortable. But the stories she heard from missionary priests who visited her parish made her long for something else. Despite family objections, at nineteen she entered a monastery. It was just a few years later that the French Revolution resulted in the closure of such places, and Philippine returned home.
Then, after the revolution and a failing attempt to restore that community, she joined forces with the new Society of the Sacred Heart, which had a similar ministry in educating young women. Through that community, Philippine’s dream of missionary work was finally realized when she was nearly fifty. She and four other sisters established themselves in St. Charles, Missouri, about twenty-five miles west of St. Louis, and went on to open schools in both Missouri and Louisiana.
At seventy-two, Philippine spent a year among the Pottawatomi in Kansas. The language and her age proved to be too much for her to take a permanent assignment, but the native Americans highly regarded her, her compassion, her drive and her faith, referring to her as “She Who Prays Always.” Her final ten years were spent with her community in St. Charles.
Philippine’s Wisdom: “He who has Jesus has everything.”
What We Can Learn from Philippine: Sometimes, it takes time and patience for a spark to ignite. Philippine burned for decades to become a missionary before it actually happened. Consider her example, and don’t give up if God’s plan for one of your desires doesn’t meet your hoped-for timetable.
To Learn More About Philippine: Visit the site for her shrine in St. Charles.
To Learn More About Other Women Saints and Blesseds: Come back next week, or consider buying my books, Blessed Are You: Finding Inspiration from Our Sisters in Faith or Sisterhood of Saints: Daily Guidance and Inspiration.
