Rosalie Rendu

1786-1856 19th century Feast day: February 7

Prayer that carries on into the service of the poorest, contemplation held in the middle of the street.

Who was Rosalie Rendu?

A Daughter of Charity, she served the Mouffetard district, the poorest in Paris, for fifty-four years: a dispensary, a school, a nursery, a shelter for the elderly. During the barricades of 1848 she moved from one side to the other to tend the wounded, respected by all.

In their own words

I never pray so well as in the street.

Reported words, beatification process

A Daughter of Charity must be like a boundary-stone at the corner of a street, where all who pass may lay down their burden.

Reported words