From the time she was a little girl, Jeanne Jugan knew how it felt to be in need. She was born in revolutionary-era France in 1792, and her father was a fisherman who was lost at sea. Her mother struggled to find ways to support her family in their small village. Jeanne’s mother raised her children with faith and love.
Antoine-Frédéric Ozanam was born into a large family in Milan, Italy, in 1813. His parents were originally from France, and the family returned there in 1815. Frédéric believed that faith should be put into action by serving the poor. In 1833, he founded the St. Vincent de Paul Society. This is an organization that serves the poor. Today, the Society is active in 131 countries of the world and offers services such as thrift stores, home visits, food pantries, and shelters.
Born in 1581 in France, Vincent de Paul became a priest at the early age of 19. He became famous for his kindness and generosity.
In 1873, Thérèse was born in the small French town of Alencon and was raised in a loving family with her four sisters. Like any child, Thérèse enjoyed playing with her cousins and siblings. When Thérèse was four her mother died, and her father moved the family to Lisieux, a town about 50 miles away, so that he and his daughters could live with his brother. Thérese's older sister, Pauline, became like a second mother to her.
On the French seacoast of Brittany, Anne-Thérèse Guérin was born in 1798 to a French naval officer and his wife. When young Anne made her First Communion, she told the priest that she wanted to dedicate her life to God’s work. But her father was murdered when she was only 15, and Anne-Thérèse was left with the responsibility of caring for her mother and sister.
Rose Philippine Duchesne was born in 1769 in Grenoble, France. Against her parents’ wishes, she entered the convent at age 19. During the French Revolution, the convent closed, sho she cared for the poor and sick. After the war, she joined the Society of the Sacred Heart.
Tradition tells us that at the moment Zoe Laboure was born in France in 1806, church bells rang to remind everyone in the village to stop their work and pray the Angelus. The Angelus is a prayer to our Blessed Mother. It begins with the words, “The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.” The ringing of the Angelus bells was a sign of the special role Mary would play in Zoe’s life.
Charles was raised by his grandfather in Strasbourg, France, after his parents died in 1864, when he was six. He was baptized and made his First Communion, but never really believed in the Christian life.
Odilia, also known as Odile, was born in France in the seventh century. Her father was the Duke of Alsace. When she was still an infant, her parents realized that she was blind. Her father was so angry that he ordered his only child put to death. But Odilia’s mother convinced him to allow Odilia to be raised by nuns.
Marcel Callo was born in France in 1921. Marcel grew up as a typical boy, enjoying games and sports and being in the scouts. However, Marcel was special because of his deep love for the Lord and his deep desire to serve him.