Note: For the next several weeks, I’m featuring women with a connection to the Americas.
The Basics: Born May 12, 1840, in Canada; died May 3, 1912, in Canada; feast day, May 3; beatified September 11, 1984, by John Paul II; woman religious.
The Story: The woman who would become known in religious life as Marie-Leonie had a deep spiritual life even at an early age. Her family lived in a rural area and so at age nine, she was sent to board with the Sisters of Notre-Dame. She was not quite fourteen when she entered the Holy Cross congregation’s women’s branch. Even at that time, Marie-Leonie felt a call to assist priests, but her congregation’s focus was on education, so she became a teacher, first in Montreal and then for twelve years in the United States in New York and Indiana.
When she was thirty-four, Marie-Leonie was sent to New Brunswick to oversee the support staff for the Holy Cross clergy there. Her gifts quickly became evident. Six years later, she founded the Institute of the Little Sisters of the Holy Family and would go on to lead the sisters for thirty-two years. On the day of her death, final approval came for publication of the congregation rule.
Marie-Leonie’s Wisdom: “We will have no better prayer to offer him except our devotion.”
What We Can Learn from Marie-Leonie: Patience, patience, patience. It turned out Marie-Leonie had heard what the Lord desired her to do… it just took time for that to happen. She teaches us to be productive and joyful as we await God’s perfect timing to use our gifts.
To Learn More About Marie-Leonie: Visit the site for the Little Sisters of the Holy Family and the Marie-Leonie Paradis Center.
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.
