Rose-Philippine Duchesne
1769-1852 19th century Feast day: November 18
Prayer offered when one can do nothing else, held as true labour before God.
Who was Rose-Philippine Duchesne?
A French religious of the Society of the Sacred Heart, she dreamed from childhood of evangelizing the New World. At forty-nine she crossed the Atlantic and founded her congregation's first schools in Missouri, reaching as far as the lands of the Potawatomi. Too old to learn their language, she spent her days in prayer; the Native people named her 'the woman who prays always.'
In their own words
We cultivate a very small field for Christ, but we love it, knowing that God does not require great achievements but a heart that holds back nothing for self.
The truest crosses are those we do not choose for ourselves.
He who has Jesus has everything.