Feast Day of Saint Marguerite d'Youville

IMPORTANT FACTS:

Saint Marguerite d'Youville was a French Canadian, widow who founded the religious order the Order of Sisters of Charity of Montreal, commonly known as the Grey Nuns of Montreal.Marguerite was an independent woman who did not allow the world to tear her dreams away in living for Jesus.She provided good education for her 2 sons,who later by the grace of God became priests.She was known for the woman who brought the poor to her home.She made her home theirs and they blessed her for her kindness.Marguerite was then joined by 3 young women who shared her love and concern for the poor. December 31,1737, they consecrated themselves to God and promised to serve him in the person of the poor and needy.She without even realizing it, had become the Foundress of the Sisters of Charity of Montreal,best known as the "Grey Nuns". 

Marguerite always taught the sisters of Charity to focus a lot on prayer and spending time with Jesus.She made sure that all their prayers come first before serving the poor.In that way,the poor will be able to see Jesus in them and they will be able to see Jesus in the poor.She always put Jesus first before anything and that is how she achieved the first degree of perfection.Even when fire destroyed the hospital, it could never destroy Marguerite's courage and faith in Jesus.She was a mountain of faith that could not be moved!

She lived a life of total self-giving,and will always be remembered as a loving mother who served Jesus Christ in the poor.Pope John XXIII beatified Marguerite on May 3, 1959 and called her "Mother of Universal Charity." She was canonized by Pope John Paul II, December 9, 1990.

Words of Mother d’Youville, 14 December 1771:

“My dear Sisters, be constantly faithful to the duties of the state that you have embraced.Walk always in the path of regularity,obedience,and mortification.But above all,let the most perfect union reign among you.” 

Quote of Saint Marguerite: 

• "All the wealth in the world cannot be compared with the happiness of living together happily united."

PRAYER TO SAINT MARGUERITE  D'YOUVILLE:

O Saint Marguerite,Mother of the Poor,please help us to see Jesus in the poor.Give us the courage to stretch out our hands to help the poor and may we not hold back our hands;for God gave us hands to help.Give us grace not to be afraid of what others will say but be mindful only of the words of Jesus,who said,'Truly,I say to you,as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,you did it to me.'May by serving the poor with a sincere heart bring us to Jesus arms like how it brought you to the arms of Jesus who embraced you and rewarded you with the Crown of Charity.Amen.

Mother of the Poor,intercede for us and the world to be more charitable towards the poor!