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Blessed Rosalie Rendu

Blessed Rosalie Rendu, a beacon of hope and charity, devoted her life to serving the poor and sick, leaving an indelible mark on the world through her compassionate actions and enduring legacy.

Jeanne Rendu was born on September 9, 1786, in the village of Confort, in Savoy. Her childhood was immersed in an atmosphere of charity, which fostered a natural inclination towards serving the less fortunate. At the age of 15, she was allowed to spend time with the Daughters of Charity at the nearby hospital of Gex, a crucial step in her spiritual journey. It was here that her vocation truly began. In 1802, Jeanne joined the Daughters of Charity, taking the name Sister Rosalie Rendu. Over the next five decades, she dedicated herself to the Mouffetard neighbourhood in Paris, starting and managing a primary school and engaging in numerous charitable works.

Sister Rosalie Rendu's impact was profound and multifaceted. She was pivotal in organising courses in sewing and embroidering for young girls and needy mothers. Recognising the needs of working mothers, she founded a day-care centre and a nursery school. She also founded the Children of Mary, with branches for Christian mothers and dedicated to Our Lady of Good Counsel. Rosalie's compassionate works extended to managing an orphanage in 1851 and establishing a home for the elderly in 1852. Her role was crucial during the cholera epidemics, where she provided relentless care and support, overseeing the distribution of food, firewood, clothing, and medical aid. She also was instrumental in counseling the Conference of St. Vincent de Paul and played a significant role in reestablishing the Ladies of Charity in 1840.

By 1815, Rosalie was appointed the superior of the house on rue de l’Epee de Bois, becoming a beacon of hope in Paris's impoverished Mouffetard District and Faubourg Saint Marceau. Her fearlessness during the cholera epidemics of 1832, 1849, and 1854 elevated her status as a symbol of Christian Charity. Her famous 'visiting room' was a testament to her inclusive approach, welcoming everyone from priests to vagrants, and even notable figures like Charles X and Napoleon III. Rosalie was a guiding force for the newly formed Society of St. Vincent de Paul, offering invaluable advice and support. She was a woman of prayer, rising each morning at four to pray, a practice she believed enhanced her service. Rosalie's life, marked by moments of historic turmoil including the Reign of Terror and the Revolutions of 1830 and 1848, was a testament to her unflinching dedication.

Rosalie Rendu was an extraordinary woman whose fame had spread far and wide long before her death. When she passed away on February 9, 1856, an immense crowd estimated at 40,000-50,000 people from various social strata attended her funeral, a testament to the profound impact she had on society. She was beatified in 2003, a recognition of her heroic charity, elevating her to the altar and celebrating her extraordinary life of prayer and service.