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Born in Paris, on October 3, 1763, Marie Louise
Elisabeth de LAMOIGNON is a descendant
of a noble family and, being married to Francois Edouard MOLE,
count of
CHAMPLATREUX, she entered another famous family.
As a spouse and mother who has all she can wish for, she joyfully shares
her time whether in prayer
or helping the unfortunate. The future looks promising. However,
suffering is not far away!
She looses three of her five children that neither medical care nor
skilled specialists at that time could save them from an untimely death.
Then the French Revolution breaks out. The Mole family undergoes
harassment and violence,
including the execution by guillotine, of Count Mole, following a
summary trial without counsel.
Marie Louise Elisabeth bears this great suffering faithfully sustained
by her love of God.
Her meditation of the mystery of the Cross impels her to long to
consecrate herself to Jesus the Savior
in a contemplative community, whose foundation she foresees. Mgr. of
Pancemont, pastor
of Saint-Sulpice's parish, her spiritual director will guide her in this
service of charity.
Widowed and free from care after the marriage of her two children,
Mathieu and Felicite,
she relinquishes her attraction for the monastic life so as to meet a
need of the Church
pointed out to her by her spiritual guide, who had become bishop of
Vannes (Brittany)
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On
May 25, 1803, she founds the Congregation
of the Sisters of Charity of St. Louis
for the education of poor and abandoned young girls.
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For Marie Louise Elisabeth, become Mother St.
Louis, charity is a way of life; She gives no other
motive to her Congregation, which she places under the protection
of St. Louis
"model of faith, friend of the poor, and
peacemaker." (Constitutions #2).
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"I have
been led by love ever since my earliest days." |
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(Marie Louise Elisabeth, letter of
December 1811)
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