Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Jeanne Marie de Maille

The Basics: Born April 14, 1331, in France; died March 28, 1414, in France; beatified April 27, 1871 by Pius IX; feast day, March 28. Wife, mystic, laywoman.

The Story: It starts out as a most charming story–as a child, Jeanne is said to have by prayer saved the life of a playmate who had fallen into a pond. A few years later, she and the playmate, Robert, were married. The fairy tale story took a bit of a turn when Jeanne explained she was betrothed to Christ. But Robert agreed they would live as brother and sister. The greater challenges would come from his wealthy family, who despised Jeanne for encouraging Robert to give away so much of the family’s riches.

Robert was taken captive by the English during the Hundred Years War,

and while Jeanne struggled to raise the ransom, it is said that the Blessed Virgin Mary helped him escape. For the next two years, Jeanne and Robert focused on ministering to those ill with the plague and their survivors. (In one three-year period, a third of the world’s population from Iceland to India died of the disease.) Their ministry included taking in three orphaned boys. Then, not long after that and after a mystical encounter Joan had with Jesus, Robert died.

His family pounced, kicking her out of their home they had shared and taking away her inheritance. It’s said that at times, she had nowhere to sleep but abandoned kennels and stys. Back in her hometown, she experienced the same rejection until she approached the Franciscans. She was given a place to stay, and became a lay Franciscan. Jeanne continued her service to those on the margins, including prisoners, and received additional visions and the gift of stigmata. As time went on, the woman who had been a pariah became a person many consulted for spiritual wisdom.

What We Can Learn from Jeanne: Let’s shrug off the persecution of others. What matter is whether we are in harmony with the Lord’s desires for us.

Jeanne’s Wisdom: “The Five Wounds of my Jesus are my comfort.”

To Learn More About Jeanne: Read the section about her in These Made Peace by Peter F. Anson and Cecily Hall.

To Learn More About Other Women Saints and Blesseds: Come back next week, or consider buying my book, Sisterhood of Saints: Daily Guidance and Inspiration.

Tagged as: Catholic, jeanne marie de maille, saints, wednesday's woman, women saints