Louise Marillac
co-founder, with Vincent de Paul, of the Daughters of Charity (1591-1660)
Feast: 9 May (not on the universal Roman calendar; kept in the Roman Martyrology or local calendars)
Who they were
Louise de Marillac was born in 1591, daughter of Louis de Marillac, lord of Ferrières and parliamentary councillor, and never knew her mother. At four she was entrusted to the Dominican nuns of Poissy, who gave her a good education; when she came of age she asked to become a nun.
Widowed, she led by her example the Daughters of Charity in Paris in the service of those in need, bringing to fulfilment the work begun by St Vincent de Paul. John XXIII proclaimed her patron of social works in 1960.
The miracles
The Dicastery's biography does not describe the miracles approved in the cause.
Why that counted as sanctity
With St Vincent de Paul she made the service of the poor a way of consecrated life.
Connected on this site
- John XXIII Saint“John XXIII proclaimed her patron of social works in 1960.” — this site's research
- Vincent de Paul Saint“Louise de Marillac , also known as Louise Le Gras, (August 12, 1591 – March 15, 1660) was the co-founder, with Vincent de Paul, of the Daughters of Charity.” — Wikipedia
- Dicastery for the Causes of Saints - biography: Luisa de Marillac
- Wikidata Q242072 — dates, feast day and identifiers (CC0)
- English Wikipedia — Louise de Marillac (CC BY-SA)
Checked against the sources listed on 21 September 2026. Corrections welcome.