Blessed Douceline Of Digne

Biography

Blessed Douceline of Digne, also known as Douceline of Hyères and Douceline of Marseille, was born in 1214 in Digne-les-Bains, Provence, in modern-day France. She was the daughter of Berengarius of Digne, a prosperous merchant, and Huguette of Barjols. From an early age, Douceline witnessed the piety and charitable acts of her parents, which deeply influenced her own spiritual journey.

After the death of her parents, Douceline moved to Hyères, a town in France, where she was captivated by the spirituality of the Franciscans who had recently settled in the area. She would occasionally stay at a Poor Clare convent, immersing herself in their way of life. Inspired by their devotion to caring for the sick and poor, Douceline dedicated herself to similar acts of charity and selflessness.

As she continued her works of mercy, Douceline's personal belongings gradually diminished, reducing her possessions to merely the clothes on her back and a pile of straw she used for a bed. It was during this time that she learned about the Beguine life, a semi-monastic Christian community of women.

Attracted to their way of life, Douceline decided to adopt the habit of the Beguines. She attracted like-minded women who shared her spiritual aspirations, forming a community in Hyères known as the "Ladies of Roubaud," named after a nearby river. In 1240, Douceline officially took vows of virginity and poverty and assumed leadership of the Beguine community.

In 1250, with the assistance of her brother Hugues of Digne, a Franciscan friar who wrote the rule for their community, Douceline established a Beguine house in Marseille, France. Her reputation for wisdom and holiness quickly spread, and she became a trusted counselor for people from all walks of life. Despite never formally joining the Franciscans, the brothers and sisters of the order considered her one of their own.

Blessed Douceline of Digne was known to experience mystical phenomena during prayer, including levitation. Her spiritual insights and guidance gained her the recognition of being a woman of great holiness and wisdom.

She passed away on 1 September 1274 in Marseille, France, of natural causes. Blessed Douceline was interred in the Franciscan church in Marseille, next to her brother Hugues. The bishop of Orange, France, delivered her funeral eulogy, attesting to her profound impact on the lives of many. When the old church was demolished in 1524, her relics were transferred to the New Major church. Eventually, they found their resting place in the new cathedral, built in 1857.

While there is no specific information regarding her formal veneration or beatification, Douceline of Digne remains blessed in the eyes of those who continue to honor her memory and seek her intercession in their spiritual journeys.