Marie Rose Julia Billiart, born to affluent farmers in Cuvilly, France, developed a fervent interest in religion and aiding the less fortunate from an early age. Early tranquility gave way to hardship when her family’s fortunes dwindled, propelling young Julie into manual labor while she continued to impart religious teachings to the youth and farmhands in her spare moments.
At around 30, a life-altering illness struck Julie following a traumatic incident aimed at her father, leaving her paralyzed and bedridden. From her bed, she continued her catechism teachings, dispensed spiritual guidance, and welcomed visitors drawn by her reputed sanctity.
The outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789 marked a perilous time for Julie, known for her support of persecuted priests. Friends smuggled her out of Cuvilly, concealed in a haycart. She endured years of concealment and pain in Compiegne, moving stealthily from one refuge to another and even temporarily losing her speech.
Despite these trials, Julie experienced profound spiritual growth, envisioning a future where she would lead a community of religious women dedicated to the cross. Her path crossed with Francoise Blin de Bourdon, an aristocratic woman with similar educational aspirations. Together, in 1803, they founded the Institute of Notre Dame, focusing on the education of the impoverished, Christian youth, and catechist training. The subsequent year, the institute’s first vows were taken, coinciding remarkably with Julie’s miraculous recovery from her decades-long paralysis.
Julie, while prioritizing aid for the impoverished, recognized the need for Christian education across all societal levels. From the inception of the Sisters of Notre Dame to her demise, Julie tirelessly established schools across France and Belgium for diverse groups, including the indigent and the affluent, vocational learners, and educators. The motherhouse eventually found its home in Namur, Belgium, where Julie passed away in 1816, leaving a legacy of compassion and education. Her sanctity was formally recognized in 1969 with her canonization.
Photo credit: Nheyob via Wikimedia Commons
I came to this site to see the rest of the quote cut off in the facebook post. I didn’t find it here – Her whole soul was echoed in the simple and naive formula which was continually on her lips and pen: Ah..
I’d love to hear the simple and naive formula……
Probably, “Ah, how good is the good God” which is something the SNDdeN Sisters say often.
I found the rest of the quote: Her whole soul was echoed in the simple and naïve formula which was continually on her lips and pen: “Oh, qu’il est bon, le bon Dieu” (How good God is). She possessed all the qualities of a perfect superior, and inspired her subjects with filial confidence and tender affection.
Hello there I am so grateful I found your blog, I have bookmarked it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the excellent work.
I was educated by The Sisters of Notre Dame my whole school life – and had an Auntie in the same order – it must have been their indirect influence that has made me a Catechist in my adult life – ‘Oh qu’il est bon, le bon Dieu’
Thank you for this reading AND i REPEAT- ‘HOW GOOD IS THE LORD ‘BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD- AMEN
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Saint Julie Billiart, pray for us!
St. Julie Billiart, help us to serve You, Jesus, with a cheerful face.
St. Julie Billiart help us be steadfast in our faith..
My mother prayed to Blessed Julie years ago—-a least 69yrs ago—she prayed that her granddaughter would be Baptized and she was. I did pray to St. Julie often too and even corresponded with one of the nuns at the Sisters of Notre Dame. It has been awhile now and this facebook message will encourage me to again pray to St. Julie. I will pray to her to intercede to God that my great grandchildren will be Baptized into the Catholic Church. Thank you for sharing her life with me.
May the spirit of St. Julie Billiart be all of us the special needs of the poor and underprivileged.
St.Julie,,,,,how Blessed are we,,,,you NEVER. QUIT !!!!!!!!!!
And because of your FAITH,,,,,,,neither have many Other’s !!!!!!!!!
Thank you GOD for giving us,,,,,,,SAINTS,,,,,,who give their LIVES teaching us the CATHOLIC FAITH !!!!!!!!!!
O Saint Julie Billiart, we pray for the Sisters of Notre Dame.
Dear Julie Billiart, May God bless you and the Sisters of Notre Dame — for the wonderful job you performed.
The Lord is good! I thank God for St Julie Billiart. St Julie Billiart, pray for us. Amen.
Saint Julie Billiart, pray for us amen.