A portrait of St. Marguerite d’Youville
St. Marguerite d’Youville
1701 – 1771
Feast
October 16 · XVIII c.
Patron of
Widows · Difficult marriages · Grey Nuns · Charity workers
Order
Religious / Foundress / Widow
French-Canadian foundress (1701-1771), Montreal widow whose unhappy marriage and widowhood at 29 led her to the service of the abandoned poor; foundress of the Sisters of Charity of Montreal ("Grey Nuns," 1737), the first Canadian-founded religious congregation. First Canadian-born saint; canonized 1990 by John Paul II.
Life & Times
Born: 1701 · Died: 1771 · From: Canada.
Patronage
St. Marguerite d’Youville is invoked as the patron of widows, difficult marriages, grey nuns, charity workers. Those in these callings or circumstances often turn to this saint in prayer.
“All my afflictions and all my poverty are nothing compared to the goodness of God.”— Letters from the General Hospital of Montreal, 1750s
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About Catholic Saints
Catholic saints, including St. Marguerite d’Youville, are Christians whom the Catholic Church has formally recognized as having lived lifes of heroic holiness and who now dwell with God in heaven, offering an example of faith for those still on their earthly journey. Catholics don't worship saints, but ask them to pray to God with us and for us — much as one might ask a trusted friend to pray for them — trusting that those closest to God can join their voices to ours before Him. Discover more saints in the Catholic Shop Saints section.