Saint Jeanne De Lestonnac

Biography

Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac, also known as Jane de Lestonnac or Joan de Lestonnac, was born on 27 December 1556 in Bourdeaux, France. At the young age of 16, she married Gaston de Montferrant, Baron of Landiras, in the year 1572. Together, they had seven children, but sadly, only five of them survived to adulthood. Two out of the five children entered religious life. Tragedy struck Jeanne's life when her husband passed away when she was just 41 years old. Despite her grief, she took on the responsibility of managing the affairs of her estate and castle independently. She displayed strength and resilience during this challenging period of her life. At the age of 46, feeling that her worldly obligations were fulfilled, Jeanne decided to enter a Cistercian house in Toulouse, France. However, she struggled with the strict discipline of the order and became seriously ill. Despite her desire to remain in the monastery and pass away there, her superiors did not allow it. On her final night in the monastery, she had a vision of Mary, who presented her with an image of Jeanne assisting lost children. Following this vision, Jeanne returned to her estate and slowly began the noble work of helping lost and abandoned children. She gathered a group of local women and priests who shared her vision and founded the Sisters of the Company of Mary. This religious congregation was dedicated to the education of girls and combating the spread of Calvinism. Their mission was approved by Pope Paul V on 7 April 1607, with Jeanne elected as the superior in 1610. Under Jeanne's guidance and leadership, the Company of Mary grew, and today it has blossomed to include 2,500 sisters spread across 17 countries. Their commitment to education and service echoes the vision that Jeanne received during her time at the Cistercian house. Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac was venerated on 13 March 1891 by Pope Leo XIII, who declared her heroic virtues. She was beatified on 23 December 1900 by the same pope and was finally canonized on 15 May 1949 by Pope Pius XII. In addition to being a revered saint, Jeanne de Lestonnac is also recognized as a patron saint for abuse victims, individuals rejected by religious orders, and widows. Her life serves as an inspiration of resilience, faith, and dedication to the service of others.