(Photo from catholic.org)
Special masses and novenas in honor of the French nun will be held in several Catholic churches across the world, including the Philippines.
Church leaders encourage the faithful to imbibe and take inspiration from the guiding principle of St. Louise, “Love the poor and honor them as you would honor Christ Himself.”
Born in France on August 12, 1591, St. Louise was known as a compassionate, pious, and deeply religious woman. A great devotee of the Blessed Mother, she took her religious vows at the age of 43.
Together with her spiritual mentor, St. Vincent de Paul, they founded the Daughters of Charity, which was given papal approval in 1655. The order has since spread all over the world caring for the sick, the poor and neglected in hospitals, orphanages, elderly hospices, battlefields, prisons, schools, institutions for the mentally ill, and relief centers.