March 15 St. Louise De Marillac

Patron Saint of Social Workers

Though she considered a religious vocation from an early age, her ill health kept any house from taking her. She married Antony LeGras, an official to the queen, in 1611. Widowed in 1625. She moved to Paris and brought a house in a poor neighborhood in order to perform charitable works. Her house happened to be on the same street as St. Vincent De Paul’s fledgling mission. For all of St. Vincent De  Paul’s gifts, he was not good at managing money and administration. St. Louise took over the administration and St. Vincent’s charity flourished. One of St. Louise’s special talents was working with the 1600s version of Ladies Who Lunch. They had money and desire to serve, but didn’t really want to get their hands dirty. St. Louise set up a system pairing Ladies Who Lunch with eager young woman willing to do the hard work. This system remains in place today. As a team they built one of the largest and most successful charities serving the poor and special needs population throughout the world. She founded the Sisters of Charity, took her vows in the order, and served as its superior until her death.

March 9 St. Frances of Rome

Patron Saint of Rome Taxi Drivers

This is a bad night to try to grab a cab in Rome. The cabs are all down at the Church of St. Frances of Rome having their engines sprinkled with holy water. Legend has that St. Frances, a nun in the 1400s , would often perform charitable works at night. She was accompanied by a glow provided by her guardian angel, lighting up the shadowy streets of Rome like a car’s headlights. That is a lot of cabs and drivers to bless. They might be awhile.