Places of St. Louise de Marillac
A multi-part series highlighting places important in the life of St. Louise de Marillac
Places of Louise de Marillac 1 – Poissy
During her childhood, Louise was cared for and received an excellent education at the royal monastery/convent of Poissy near Paris.
Places of Louise de Marillac 2a – Parish of Saint-Sauveur, Boarding School
When Louise was about 12 years old, she was sent to a modest pension (boarding house) that was run by a poor woman. Here Louise received a practical education, learning cooking, housekeeping, and sewing.
Places of Louise de Marillac 2b – Parish of Saint-Sauveur, Home of Her Aunt
Louise, at age 20, went to live with Valence d’Atticy, her aunt, to help care for her family of seven children.
Places of Louise de Marillac 3 – Church of Saint Gervais
Louise and Antoine Le Gras were wed in the fashionable Church of St. Gervais on February 5, 1613.
Places of Louise de Marillac 4 & 5 – Married Years (Saint-Sauveur Parish)
During her married years, Louise lived in the Marais district of Paris, in the parish of Saint-Sauveur (church now demolished). Along with being devoted to her family, Louise was also active in ministry in her parish.
Places of Louise de Marillac 6 – Saint-Nicolas-des-Champs
It was in the church of Saint-Nicolas-des-Champs, on Pentecost Sunday, June 4, 1623, that Louise was freed from her doubts and received the grace that illuminated her soul. This is called her Lumière Experience.
Places of Louise de Marillac 7 – Rue des Fossés‐Saint‐Victor, Paris
St. Vincent put a few girls into St. Louise’s care, to be housed with her and to live a community life. She was living at that time near St. Nicholas-du-Chardonnet, and she began this little community (the Daughters of Charity) on 29th November, 1633.
Places of Louise de Marillac 8 – Rue de Versailles, Paris
St. Vincent put a few girls into St. Louise’s care, to be housed with her and to live a community life. She was living at that time near St. Nicholas-du-Chardonnet, and she began this little community (the Daughters of Charity) on 29th November, 1633.
Places of Louise de Marillac 9 – College de Clermont
Around 1631, Vincent de Paul arranged for Louise’s son Michel to study at the former Jesuit college which was called the College de Clermont at that time.
Places of Louise de Marillac 10 – Place de La Chapelle
Due to the influx of vocations, in May, 1636, Louise moved to more commodious quarters with her community, the Daughters of Charity. A house at La Chapelle was chosen because of its nearness to Saint-Lazare.
Places of Louise de Marillac 11 – Angers
The Daughters of Charity were invited to Angers to take over management of the nursing services of the hospital there. As it was the first ministry outside Paris for the fledgling community, Louise made the arduous journey there in the company of three sisters.
Places of Louise de Marillac 12 – Faubourg Saint-Denis (1641-1660)
In 1641 the headquarters of the community of the Daughters of Charity was transferred to the Faubourg Saint-Denis, in a house opposite Saint-Lazare. This was the building that was the Motherhouse for the longest period of Louise’s life.
Places of Louise de Marillac 13 – Hôtel-Dieu Hospital, Paris
Louise was responsible for managing the work of the Confraternity of Ladies of Charity and the Daughters of Charity at the aging and enormous Hôtel-Dieu hospital.
Places of Louise de Marillac 14 – Bicêtre
Louise also founded, with Vincent de Paul, the “Work for Foundlings” in 1638, which was later established in the Château de Bicêtre.
Places of Louise de Marillac 15 – Hospital of La Salpêtrière
Louise was also responsible for the Daughters of Charity at the general hospital of La Salpêtrière, which received the influx of poor people whose numbers had multiplied during the Fronde.
