Saint Louise de Marillac (†1660) co-founded the Daughters of Charity with Saint Vincent de Paul. Born in Paris, she married in 1613, becoming a widow in 1625. Devoted to serving the poor, she met Vincent de Paul in 1625, who guided her spiritual growth. In 1633, they established the Daughters of Charity, a community dedicated to caring for the sick, poor, and marginalized. Louise’s leadership, compassion, and organizational skills shaped the order’s mission. Her remains are enshrined in the chapel of the motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity at 140 rue du Bac, Paris. She was beatified in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV and canonized in 1934 by Pope Pius XI. She is considered to be the patron saint of Christian social workers and her Feast Day is commemorated on May 9.
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