Women in History: Saint Louise de Marillac's Courage and Forward Thinking

For Holy Women's History Month, Allison Gingras explains how a patron saint chosen for selfish reasons turned out to be a perfect role model.

As a self-absorbed 14-year-old girl, I selected Saint Louise de Marillac for my Confirmation saint. No research was done, though in my defense; it was well before the days of our current ease of electronic searching. No, my decision was based solely on one factor — money!

God Turned Imperfect Motivation into Something Good

My godmother and middle-name namesake, Louise, never married nor had children. She was a schoolteacher her entire life, inheriting her family’s humble home, and all I really knew about her then, was that she did well financially. My pathetic plan was to ask her to be my Confirmation sponsor (which I later learned was actually a great idea, as having one's baptismal godparent in that role highlights how Confirmation perfects and completes the grace of Baptism), take the name Louise to further impress her, and then reap the financial reward. It pains me even to type out this humiliating teenage confession!

A complete failure, if it were not for God, and His merciful promises, including one of my favorites, Romans 8:28:

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

God planted something in that moment that would eventually open my heart to get to know my Aunt Louise better in my adulthood; visiting her weekly during the end of her life to help around the house. We built the most beautiful bond, and I now have a treasury of family stories encapsulated in my memory forever.

I Discovered What I Shared with This Saint

As for the other Louise: Once technology opened the saint search frontier, I discovered I shared much more with my Confirmation companion than just a name! Louise’s son, Michel, experienced developmental delays which required extra attention and care of his mother in educating him. Throughout my children’s education, each would spend time homeschooled, and each would experience some form of development challenge. Though many frustrated and insecure days, I was grateful to have Saint Louise, as well as Aunt Louise, there for support and as prayer partners!

Canonized in 1934, Saint Louise de Marillac is patroness of widows, orphans, and social workers, showing family life as preparation for universal charity. Another incredible connection only God could have foreseen at my tender age of fourteen — then determined raising a family would never be for me! As an adoptive mother of a sweet, orphaned girl, again seems too remarkable to ignore this Godcidental connection with this powerhouse of woman.

Personally, apart from my motherhood, Saint Louise inspires me by her forward thinking and courage to do what she felt God was asking, regardless of what society expected. She balanced motherhood, family life, and a desire to serve God in ministry. This, I can attest, is never an easy task. Even on my best days I falter and fear, but with godly women like Saint Louise by my side, I am upheld by the saints and sustained by God’s unfailing love.

Saint Louise de Marillac, pray for us.

Read more of our Holy Women's History Month stories.

Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles.

Copyright 2026 Allison Gingras
Images: (banner) Trinity Mirror / Mirrorpix / Alamy Stock Photo;  stvincentimages.cdm, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons