Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, born in Dijon, France in 1572, was the daughter of the president of the Parliament of Burgundy. When she was twenty, she married Christophe, Baron de Chantal and they had four children. Saint Jane Frances became a widow when Christophe was accidentally killed during hunting. Heartbroken and longing for God, she deepened her spiritual life and took a vow of chastity.
In 1604, during Lent, she met the bishop Saint Francis de Sales, who became her spiritual director. With his support, Saint Jane Frances formed the Congregation of the Visitation to serve poor people. This religious order was rather unusual. It accepted women who were rejected by other others due to age or poor health. Criticized by some people because of this, she famously responded, “What do you want me to do? I like sick people myself; I’m on their side.” Even after she died, her Congregation continued and became widespread.
Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, who overcame grief and longing through God’s ocean of love, pray for us!
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