On August 15, 1591, St. Louise de Marilac was born in the French town of Meux. After attending the Dominican convent in Poissy, Louise realized she was meant for a life of religious observance. Louise opted against going into monastic life after talking to her confessor about her intentions. Rather, she wed Antony LeGras in 1613.

Following Antony's death in 1625, Louise once more considered becoming a member of a religious society. Louise met St. Vincent de Paul shortly after her husband passed away, and she soon started seeing him as a spiritual guide. Although it was socially unacceptable for wealthy women to help people outside of their own social class other than through fundraising, Louise organized a community of women committed to helping the sick, the impoverished, and the neglected with St. Vincent's guidance and encouragement. Louise penned the official Rule for the Daughters of Charity in 1642, and the Vatican formally approved them in 1655. Following the establishment of the Rule for the Daughters of Charity, Louise toured France founding convents and assigning the Daughters to work in hospitals, orphanages, and other facilities that assist the underprivileged.

Up until she died in Paris in 1660, Louise worked tirelessly. Pope Pius XI canonized her as a saint in 1934, and in 1960, she was declared as the patron saint of social workers by Pope John XXIll. Her feast day is celebrated on March 15th.

Other Saints of the Day

Saint Leocrita

Saint Aristobulus 

Saint Raymond of Fitero

Saint Monaldus of Ancona

Saint Clement Maria Hofbauer