St. Julia Billiart

Julia Billiart was born in Cuvilly, a village in France on July 12, 1751. She went to school at the small village school taught by her uncle and at age seven she had memorized the entire catechism. The parish priest was impressed with her piety and allowed her to make her first Holy Communion and be confirmed at age nine, although it was the custom to wait until children were around eleven or older. When her family hit hard times, Julia worked in the fields to help them. She witnessed the attempted murder of her father when she was twenty-two and the shock to her nervous system left her paralyzed for many years. Julie spent her time in prayer, in making altar linens and teaching the children their catechism. During the French Revolution Julie fled to Amiens. Here she met Francoise Blin de Bourdon, Viscountess of Gizaincourt. The Viscountess was known for her charity and she had been imprisoned with her family during the Reign of Terror. After the two women had become well acquainted, a little group of the Viscountess’s friends came to listen to Julie’s counsels on the spiritual life. In 1803, Julie and Francoise began the Sisters of Notre Dame to teach poor children the faith. The next year, Julie was cured of her paralysis after she made a novena in obedience to her confessor. The new order grew steadily, although they had a disagreement with one bishop. Mother Julie was able to travel and found fifteen convents personally. Her deep faith helped keep the order going. In 1816, she fell ill again and after three months died while reciting the Magnificat. St. Julie Billiart was canonized in 1969.