“Look to God as a sunflower looks to the sun…for life.”– Saint Julia Billiart

St. Julia Billiart was born in 1751 in Cuvilly, France, into a family of well-to-do farmers, showing an early interest in religion and in helping the sick and poor when she was young itself. Though the first years of her life were relatively peaceful and uncomplicated, Julia had to take up manual work as a young teen when her family lost its money. However, even during those struggles she made sure to find time for teaching catechism to young people and to the farm laborers.

A murder attempt on her father shocked her nervous system badly. For the next two decades, she continued to teach catechism lessons from her bed, offered spiritual advice, and attracted visitors who had heard of her holiness. She offered all her sufferings and pain up to God.

When the French Revolution broke out in 1789, revolutionary forces became aware of her allegiance to fugitive priests. With the help of friends, she was smuggled out of Cuvilly in a haycart. She then spent several years hiding in Compiegne, being moved from house to house despite her growing physical pain. She even lost the power of speech for a time.

But this period also proved to be a fruitful spiritual time for Julia. It was at this time she had a vision in which she saw Calvary surrounded by women in religious habits and heard a voice saying, “Behold these spiritual daughters whom I give you in an institute marked by the cross.”

As time passed, Julia continued her mobile life and made the acquaintance of an aristocratic woman, Françoise Blin de Bourdon, who shared Julia’s interest in teaching the faith. In 1803, the two women began the 'Institute of Notre Dame', which was dedicated to the education of the poor, young Christian girls, and the training of catechists. The following year the first Sisters of Notre Dame made their vows. That was the same year that Julie recovered from the illness: She was able to walk for the first time in 22 years.

Though Julia had always been attentive to the special needs of the poor and that always remained her priority, she also became aware that other classes in society needed Christian instruction. From the founding of the Sisters of Notre Dame until her death, Julia was on the road, opening a variety of schools in France and Belgium that served the poor and the wealthy, vocational groups, teachers. 

Ultimately, Julia and Françoise moved to her motherhouse in Namur, Belgium. She died peacefully on 1816 at 64 years of age. Julia was beatified on 1906, and was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1969. She is the patron saint of against poverty and bodily illness.

Julia’s immobility in no way impeded her activities. In spite of her suffering, she managed to co-found a teaching order that tended to the needs of both the poor and the well-to-do. Each of us has limitations, but the worst malady any of us can suffer is the spiritual paralysis that keeps us from doing God’s work on earth. So let us offer our life, to work for his will with the little of the talents he has showered upon us.

Other Saints of the Day

1. Saint Amantius of Como

2. Saint Herodion of Patras

3. Saint Concessa

4. Saint Maxima of Africa

5. Saint Beata of Ribnitz