The Feast of Sr. Rosalie Rendu, D.C.

February 7th

Sister Rosalie Rendu, D.C., named Jeanne-Marie Rendu at birth and the eldest of four girls, was born September 9, 1786 at Confort, a small farming district in the Jura Mountains in France. She was three years old when Revolution began. When the clergy were persecuted for not taking the oath to the new Constitution, some went into hiding. The Rendu home was a safe place for these priests to stay. Young Jeanne-Marie took her first communion by candlelight in the cellar of the Rendu home. Following the death of her father, Jeanne-Marie was sent to the Ursuline Sisters for two years for education. She seemed always to be passing Daughters of Charity caring for the sick. Her vocation became so clear to her that, with her mother’s consent, she would become a Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.

Jeanne Marie arrived at the Mother House in Paris on May 25, 1802. She was almost seventeen and was one of 50 young women in formation. She was missioned to the Daughters of Charity house in the Mouffetard District of Paris for the service of the Poor. The Mouffetard, filled with slums, destitution and disease, was known as the area with the most physical, psychological and spiritual poverty. She would serve there for 54 years. Receiving the name Sister Rosalie, she accompanied Sisters visiting the sick and the Poor. She also taught catechism and reading to girls. She made her vows for the first time in 1807.

Sister Rosalie was passionate about her service in the Mouffetard District. She was humble, compassionate, devoted and possessed a sense of natural authority. She became Superior of her Community in 1815. She accompanied each of her Sisters, supporting them, providing formation for the new members and carrying out leadership by communicating her love of Christ and service. She sent Sisters into the areas that were avoided by most people. They brought food, clothing, care and comfort to the poor living in the dark recesses of the city.

Sister Rosalie’s influence helped develop the spiritual, charitable and social vocation of the newly formed St. Vincent de Paul Society, and she is considered to be its co-foundress. Frederic Ozanam and members of the first Conference of St. Vincent de Paul reached out to her for help with food, funding and guidance as to which families to visit. Sr. Rosalie gave the members of the Conference concrete advice and direction from on how to be lovingly present to the poor and how to follow up with them.

Over the years, Sister Rosalie’s reputation grew. It was said that she always walked fast because someone needed her.  Always attentive to new forms of poverty, she started a free clinic, a pharmacy, an orphanage, a school, childcare center, an eldercare center and youth center. She collaborated with persons in all levels of society, inviting them to share the vision of St. Vincent de Paul. Many donations came from the rich who also sought guidance. But hardship still persisted in the Mouffetard District and the surrounding areas. The poor were always being pushed into dilapidated housing, hunger, exploitation, decline and rebellion.

The cholera epidemic in 1832 and 1846 took a huge toll on the human condition. At great risk, Sister Rosalie and her Sisters were known to carry dead bodies out of the streets. In 1830 and 1848 there were riots by the working class. Sister Rosalie climbed the barricades in the streets to help wounded fighters – no matter which side they were on. She stopped at nothing if it meant helping someone get back on their feet.

She was awarded the Cross of the Legion of Honor by Napoleon II in 1852 and had to be convinced to accept it by the Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission. She grew frail during her remaining years and was blind during the last two years of her life. She was once asked by a man whose life she saved: “Who are you, Sister”, he asked? “No one, Sir, just a simple Daughter of Charity.”

She died on February 7, 1856 after an acute illness. Over 50,000 people from across the spectrum of society attended her funeral. It is very likely that St. Catherine Laboure was present at her funeral since she was a Daughter of Chrity and lived in a neighboring Paris district.

In time, it was difficult to find the gravesite reserved for the Daughters of Charity. Sr. Rosalie’s body was then moved to a more accessible site, close to the entrance of the cemetery. On the simple tomb surmounted by a large Cross are engraved these words:

“To Sister Rosalie, from her grateful friends, the rich and the poor.”

Flowers still adorn Sr. Rosalie Rendu’s grave in Paris at Montparnasse Cemetery.

St. Vincent Meals on Wheels

In the Spirit of Love 

St. Vincent Meals on Wheels celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe with a living Nativity.  Our staff was joined by residents of Hotel Dieu and the staff and volunteers of Casa Milagrosa. It was simple and shared, rooted in being together.

Through our live depiction of the Holy Family at Christmas, we remembered how care takes shape when life feels uncertain—how steadiness, reassurance, and love can help restore strength in quiet ways. St. Vincent Meals on Wheels has been delivering food and love to Los Angeles’ most vulnerable residents since our founding more than 48 years ago. Our work continues in the spirit of gratitude and love—bringing comfort and strength where and when it is most needed, and helping to ensure that the people we serve are able to thrive.

Merry Christmas!

Sister Francois Petit, D.C.

Superioress General Visits the Province of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Sister Francoise Petit, Superioress General of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul oversees the 11,000 Sisters that have ministries in 97 countries. She visited the Province of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in November along with Sister Julie Kubasak, General Councillor for English speaking countries.

During her stay in the Province, she visited with the Sisters and their ministries in the San Francisco Bay Area (Rosalie Rendu Center, Epiphany Center, DeMarillac Academy, and Villa Siena). In Los Angeles, she met students at Mother of Sorrows School, and saw programs at Maryvale, Meals on Wheels, and the Tiny Homes Village.

Everywhere she went, Sister Françoise brought a sense of joy and excitement with her spirit of kindness, deep interest, and openness and was met with much gratitude for her visit. Sister Françoise was recently appointed by Pope Leo XIV as a member of the Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, a great honor and privilege!