St. Julie Billiart

St. Julie Billiart overcame poverty, persecution, and long illness to found a teaching congregation devoted to God's goodness.

The story

Marie-Rose-Julie Billiart was born on July 12, 1751, in Cuvilly, a village in Picardy, France. Her family lost much of its livelihood, so Julie worked from an early age while teaching children the catechism. She developed a deep devotion to the goodness of God. After a violent attack on her father in 1774, she suffered a severe illness that eventually left her unable to walk for more than two decades.

During the French Revolution, Julie sheltered priests who refused the revolutionary oath. This placed her in danger, and friends moved her secretly from place to place. She eventually reached Amiens, where she met Françoise Blin de Bourdon, a noblewoman who became her close collaborator. Father Joseph Varin, a priest of the Society of the Faith of Jesus, helped guide their plans for a congregation devoted to Christian education.

In 1804 Julie and Françoise founded the Sisters of Notre Dame. During a novena that year, Julie unexpectedly regained the use of her legs. The recovery was understood by her community as a grace from God, although its medical details cannot now be established. She traveled widely to form sisters and establish schools, especially for poor girls. Her spirituality remained centered on confidence in God's goodness, practical charity, and careful religious instruction.

Conflict with ecclesiastical authorities in Amiens led Julie to transfer the congregation's center to Namur in 1809, with the support of Bishop Joseph Pisani de la Gaude. The community became known as the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. By Julie's death, several houses had been established in France and Belgium. She died in Namur on April 8, 1816. Pope Pius X beatified her in 1906, and Pope Paul VI canonized her on June 22, 1969. Her congregation continues its educational and missionary work throughout the world.

What Julie teaches

Long suffering did not prevent St. Julie Billiart from serving God with joy and practical courage. Her life shows that Christian hope rests in God's faithfulness rather than in comfort or physical strength. CCC 1501 teaches that illness can lead a person toward greater maturity and a deeper search for God.

Patronage

Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, educators, the sick, people with disabilities.

Prayer

Good and gracious God, you sustained St. Julie Billiart through illness, danger, and misunderstanding. Through her intercession, give courage to the suffering and bless all who educate children in the faith. May your goodness be known through lives of joyful service. Amen.