St. Rose-Philippine Duchesne
Feast day: November 18
Born in France, Rose-Philippine entered the Visitation of Mary convent. When the French revolution closed religious houses, she returned home and immersed herself in charitable work. She organized a new community of sisters, and with the acceptance of St. Magdalen Sophie Barat, she incorporated her community into the Society of the Sacred Heart. In 1818, Rose-Philippine traveled to Louisiana and Missouri and worked as a missionary there among Native Americans. She also established schools in the region. She died in 1852 at the age of 83 and was canonized in 1988 by Pope St. John Paul II.
Collect
Almighty God, who filled the heart of Saint Rose Philippine
Duchesne
with charity and missionary zeal,
and gave her the desire
to make you known among all peoples,
grant us to follow her way
and fill us with that same love and zeal
to extend your Kingdom to the ends of the earth.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
