Your Faith Journey with EWTN
As we deepen our relationship with the Eternal Word, Jesus Christ, we grow in grace and are transformed by His love and mercy.
August 29, 1769–November 18, 1852
Patron Saint of perseverance amid adversity, Archdiocese of St. Louis, Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau
Born in Grenoble, France, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne (1769–1852) was a French nun who grew up during the turbulent years of the French Revolution. Her missionary zeal carried her across the ocean to the young United States, where she became a pioneer of Catholic education, providing service to the marginalized.
Educated in a monastery, her desire to enter monastic life grew, prompting her father to withdraw her from school and continue her studies with a tutor at home. Despite opposition from her family, St. Rose entered a convent at age 18. Her time there was cut short when revolutionaries occupied the convent, forcing the nuns to leave.
After years of waiting due to the suppression of religious houses, she joined the newly founded Society of the Sacred Heart, dedicated to the education of young women.
In 1818, at the age of 49, she learned of an opportunity to serve Native American tribes. St. Rose received permission from her superior to take four sisters and establish the first house of their order in America.
They settled in St. Charles, Missouri, where conditions were harsh and resources were scarce. Despite these challenges, St. Rose opened the first free school west of the Mississippi and later established the first schools for students of color and the first orphanage in St. Louis. Her work primarily supported immigrant families, the poor, and enslaved people who had little access to education.
Later in life, St. Rose realized her dream of working among Native Americans. Initially, the Jesuit priest in charge of the mission did not want to include St. Rose due to her advanced age. But a priest speaking on her behalf said, “She may not be able to do much work, but she will assure success to the mission by praying for us.”
Despite being elderly and in poor health, St. Rose spent time with the Potawatomi people in Kansas. Because of her tireless praying, often done while kneeling for hours in the chapel, the tribal community affectionately called her “the Woman Who Prays Always.”
St. Rose Philippine Duchesne’s legacy includes pioneering Catholic Education in the United States and providing access to education for the marginalized. She was canonized in 1988 by Pope St. John Paul II.
St. Rose Philippine Duchesne was a pioneer in education for the marginalized. She founded the first free school west of the Mississippi and established schools and orphanages that served immigrant, poor, and enslaved children. The schools provided a well-rounded curriculum that combined spiritual and intellectual training.
The missionaries served both pioneer and Native American children. St. Rose also established the first schools for students of color in St. Louis and academies in Louisiana. At age 72, she founded a school for Native American girls in Sugar Creek, Kansas.
St. Rose and her missionaries endured poverty, harsh living conditions, and limited resources, yet persevered in their mission to serve the poor. They showed remarkable courage in facing the challenges of the frontier and the difficulties of establishing religious communities.
Language barriers were another issue. The missionaries struggled to learn both English and Potawatomi, limiting their efforts to teach. The nuns endured cramped quarters in a single log cabin and experienced shortages of essential supplies. They suffered harsh winters and bore the strenuous physical work often required on the frontier.
St. Rose was one of the early members of the order. She brought her mission of education and devotion to the Sacred Heart to the United States. Today, the congregation has houses in 43 countries with about 1,400 sisters continuing their mission of education and service.
St. Rose Philippine Duchesne left a legacy marked by her courageous missionary spirit. Her extensive writings, revealing a fervent prayer life, and her dedication to serving the least fortunate continue to inspire members of the order.
This eBook combines stunning photography from EWTN’s Vatican Bureau along with Bible passages and saints’ quotes that will calm your heart, give you hope, and remind you that God is with us always. Simply fill out the form below and we will send this to you!
As we deepen our relationship with the Eternal Word, Jesus Christ, we grow in grace and are transformed by His love and mercy.
STEP 1
We’re here to serve you. Let us help you complete your gift with confidence.
Send a message to Mission Advancement.
Guidance for DAFs, stock, IRA, and more.
Manage your gifts and preferences.
