#stjeannedelanoue

[anastpaul]

Memorials of the Saints - 17 August

Memorials of the Saints – 17 August

St Amor of Amorbach St Anastasius of Terni St Beatrice da Silva Meneses St Benedicta of Lorraine St Carloman St Cecilia of Lorraine St Clare of the Cross of Montefalco (c 1269-1308) 

St Donatus of Ripacandida St Drithelm St Elias the Younger Bl Enric Canadell Quintana Bl Eugenio Sanz-Orozco Mortera St Pope Eusebius St Eusebius of…

[anastpaul]

Saint of the Day – August 17 – St Joan of the Cross (Jeanne Delanoue) (1666-1736) – Foundress 

n encounter with a shabby old woman many dismissed as insane prompted St. Joan to dedicate her life to the poor. For Joan, who had a reputation as a businesswoman intent on monetary success, this was a significant conversion. Born in 1666 in Anjou, France, Joan worked in the family business—a small shop near a religious shrine—from an early age. After her parents’ death she took over the shop herself. She quickly became known for her greediness and insensitivity to the beggars who often came seeking help. That was until she was touched by the strange woman who claimed she was on intimate terms with the deity. Joan, who had always been devout, even scrupulous, became a new person. She began caring for needy children. Then the poor, elderly and sick came to her. Over time she closed the family business so she could devote herself fully to good works and penance. She went on to found what came to be known as the Congregation of St. Anne of Providence. It was then she took the religious name of Joan of the Cross. By the time of her death in 1736 she had founded 12 religious houses, hospices and schools. Pope John Paul II canonized her in 1982.