Who was Saint Julie Billiart?
Saint Julie was a woman completely immersed in God’s love and goodness,
even in the midst of great suffering. She was a woman of vision who responded
to the needs of the suffering world around her.
Born in Cuvilly, France, on July 12, 1751, Julie lived a humble life in
a loving family. She was a woman of serenity, despite the great personal
suffering
she endured. The Billiart family survived many hardships, including the
deaths of several children. When Julie was 16, she went to work to help support
her family. At the age of 23 she became paralyzed by the trauma of a shooting
that was aimed at her father. She spent more than 20 years confined to
her
bed, unable to care for even her most basic needs.
Besides her physical pain, Julie suffered religious persecution, lived
in hiding as a refugee. Throughout her suffering, she steadfastly
trusted in God’s goodness. At the age of 53, Julie and her very good
friend, Françoise Blin de Bourdon, along with two other women, made
their vows as Sisters of Notre Dame in Amiens, France. A variety of difficult
circumstances caused her to move her congregation to Namur, Belgium, several
years later. Today these sisters are known as the Sisters of Notre Dame de
Namur. Julie’s spirit and charism also influenced the Sisters of Notre
Dame of Amersfoort, The Netherlands, as well as our own congregation of the
Sisters of Notre Dame, which began in Coesfeld, Germany.
Julie reached out to the poor and forgotten, she brought comfort and hope
to those around her, she encouraged faith in the seeking and the lost.
More than anything else, she was a witness to the deep, loving goodness
of God.
Her motto and mantra was: “Oh, how good God is!” In 1969 Julie
was named a saint by the Catholic Church. The impact that Saint Julie had
on the world continues through the life and ministry of the sisters who share
in her heritage.
