Jane Frances de Chantal
Jane Frances de Chantal, VHM (28 January 1572 – 13 December 1641) was a French Catholic noble widow and nun who was beatified in 1751 and canonized in 1767. She founded the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary. The religious order accepted women who were rejected by other orders because of poor health or age.
When people criticized her, Chantal famously said, "What do you want me to do? I like sick people myself; I'm on their side." During its first eight years, the new order also was unusual in its public outreach, in contrast to most female religious orders who remained cloistered and adopted strict ascetic practices.
Patron saint of forgotten people; in-law problems; loss of parents; parents separated from children; widows
In the Martyrology
- August 12 Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, widow, founder of the Order of the Visitation of Saint Mary
- December 13 Birth of Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, virgin