S JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL (1572-1641) - 12th Aug

 Jane Frances was wife, mother, nun and founder of a religious community in France. At 21 she married Baron de Chantal, by whom she had six children. 

    At her castle she restored the custom of daily Mass, and was seriously engaged in various charitable works. Jane's husband was killed after seven years of marriage, 

    and she sank into deep dejection for four months at her family home. Jane managed to remain an insolent housekeeper. When she was 32, she met St. Francis de Sales who became her 

    spiritual director. She wanted to become a nun but he persuaded her to defer this decision. After three years Francis told her of his plan to found an institute of women which 

    would be a haven for those whose health, age or other considerations barred them from entering the already established communities. There would be no cloister, 

    and they would be free to undertake spiritual and corporal works of mercy. They were primarily intended to exemplify the virtues of Mary at the Visitation-humility and meekness. 

    During a part of her religious life, she had to undergo great trials of the spirit—interior anguish, darkness and spiritual dryness. She died while on a visitation of convents.




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