Saint Jane Frances de Chantal

Jane Frances de Chantal, born Jeanne-Françoise Frémyot on January 28, 1572, was a French noblewoman who became a Catholic nun after her husband's death in 1603. She founded the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary (Visitation Sisters) to provide a home for women rejected by other religious orders due to poor health or age. Chantal’s order was notable for its public outreach and acceptance of sick individuals, which set it apart from many cloistered female religious communities. Her famous response to criticism, 'What do you want me to do? I like sick people myself; I'm on their side,' reflects her compassionate approach to ministry. She died on December 13, 1641, and was beatified in 1751 before being canonized in 1767.