| Julie Billiart,
Foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame, was born in
Cuvilly, France, July 12, 1751. One would hardly
have guessed that this little peasant girl would
become a great Saint and an incomparable educator.
At the age of twenty-four, after many sorrows and
heavy labor borne bravely for her family, she was
paralyzed and forced to a bed of pain for twenty-two
years. During the French Revolution the enemies of
the Church attempted to burn her, but she escaped.
At this time God revealed to her the work she was to
do. She was shown a multitude of religious around a
Crucifix and a voice said, "These are the daughters
I will give you in an Institute marked with my
Cross, which is destined for the education of
youth."
Five years later, at the close of a novena to the
Sacred Heart, Julie was cured of her paralysis, and
during the remaining twelve years her life was one
of ceaseless activity for the salvation of souls.
Julie died on April 8, 1816, singing our Lady's
Magnificat. On June 22, 1969, she was canonized St.
Julie. |
