May 23 St. Jane Antide Thouret

While many saints spent time traveling after their death in the forms of their relics, St. Jane traveled throughout her life, mostly to avoid persecution.

Born in Sancy, France (place #1) St. Jane was the oldest daughter of a tanner. Her mother died when Jane was 16 years old, leaving the girl to manage the family and help her father raise her younger siblings. Joined the Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul in 1787 at Paris (place #2), and worked in various hospitals over the next five years. During the suppression of religious orders in the French Revolution, she was ordered to return home to a secular life. Jane refused, and tried to escape the authorities; she was beaten so badly that it took months to recover.

She finally returned on foot to Sancey (#3) where she cared for the sick, and opened a small school for girls. In the late 1790’s, the government repression forced her to flee to Switzerland (#4). There she teamed up with other exiled religious and clergy to minister to the sick. However, due to anti-Catholic prejudice, the group was forced to move on to Germany (#5).

St. Jane later returned to Landeron, Switzerland (#6) where she met with her order’s Vicar-General of Besançon. He asked her to found a school and hospital for her Order, and in 1799 the school opened in Besançon. The congregation Jane founded to run these institutions was the Institute of the Daughters of Saint Vincent de Paul. Her people soon began to expand, to operate other schools and hospitals in France, Switzerland, and Italy, and moved into prison ministry. The Institute received papal approval in 1819.

Saint Jane died in Naples, Italy (#7) in 1828 of natural causes.

Bonus Confirmation Names:

Saint Goban Gobhnena – Sixth-seventh century abbot at Old-Leighlin, County Limerick, Ireland.
Saint Ivo of Chartres – Bishop of Chartres in 1090. Consulted on matters of theology and canon law. Many of his letters and sermons survive to today.

April 9 St Hugh of Rouen

A French priest in the 700s, the most astonishing fact about him was that he held two bishop seats at the same time. In 724, he became both bishop of Paris and bishop of Bayeux. No word on how successful he was at being in two place at once.

April 7 St. John Baptist de La Salle

Patron Saint of Educators

Born into a wealthy family on April 30, 1651 at Rheims, France,  St. John began his studies for priesthood in Paris France. He left when to care for his siblings upon the death of his parents. When they had grown, he returned to his studies and was ordained in 1678. Founded the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools (Christian Brothers) in 1681. He instituted the process of dividing students into grades; established the first teacher‘s school, started high schools and trade schools, and was proclaimed the patron of all teachers of all youth by Pope Pius XII in 1950.

Today, say a prayer for that special teacher (or teachers) in your life.

March 19 Blessed Clement of Dunblane

Blesssed Clement was a Scotsman by birth who met St. Dominic while they were both studying in Paris. One of the first Dominicans, Clement’s energy  and zeal led him back to Scotland at the request of  the king, Alexander II. He made friends with war leaders and farmers alike. His small band of Dominicans were granted permission to use Robert Bruce’s private mill, but also stayed with village and farm folks during his unceasing travels throughout Scotland. He raised money to build monasteries, rebuild churches and cathedrals, served on papal commissions, moved the Bishops seat from often unreachable Isle of Iona to Dunblane,  and wrote three books. He received perhaps the highest praise for a Dominican from a Protestant historian of the time – “This man was an excellent preacher, learned above many of that time, and of singular integrity of conversation”.

His relics are reported to be in the choir of the Dunblane Cathedral. They can be found along the south wall, below the Great South Windows.  One of which is called the Chaos Window, showing fire, storms, cold and snow – at the bottom of which the five members of Scott’s ill-fated expedition to the South Pole in 1912 are named. If you are interested in church architecture, stained glass windows or art, take a minute to check out the Cathedral’s website.

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.