St. Julie Billiart
Saint Julie Billiart
When They Lived
St. Julie Billiart lived from July 12, 1751, to April 8, 1816.
Where They Lived
St. Julie Billiart was born in Cuvilly, a small village in northern France. She spent most of her life in the region of Picardy, particularly in Amiens.
Notable World Events During Their Life
- American Revolution (1775-1783): The United States’ struggle for independence from British rule.
- French Revolution (1789-1799): Social and political upheaval in France and beyond.
- Industrial Revolution: Rapid advancements in technology, urbanization, and mechanization.
- Napoleonic Era: Political change and military campaigns under Napoleon Bonaparte.
- Birth of Mary Shelley and the Frankenstein Novel (1797-1818): Mary Shelley’s birth and the iconic novel “Frankenstein.”
- Discovery of Uranus (1781): Astronomer William Herschel’s discovery of Uranus.
- Louisiana Purchase (1803): The United States’ acquisition of a vast territory.
Their Patronage
St. Julie Billiart is the patron saint of those who suffer from bodily ills, illnesses, and disease. She is also invoked for healing and protection against physical ailments. Additionally, she is the patroness of those ridiculed for their piety and dedication to faith.
St. Julie Billiart’s Remarkable Life
St. Julie Billiart’s life unfolded against the backdrop of revolutionary changes in both politics and technology. Born into a modest family in rural France, she faced personal challenges early on, including an accident that left her partially paralyzed. Undeterred, Julie remained steadfast in her faith and dedicated herself to teaching children in her village, fostering their spiritual and intellectual growth.
The Young Teacher
Marie Rose Julie Billiart was born on July 12, 1751, in Cuvilly-Picardy, Northern France. Her parents were simple, well-to-do farmers. She was the sixth of seven children, with only three surviving adulthood: her father, Jean Francois Billiart, and mother, Marie Louise Antonette.
Julie showed interest in God’s work as a child. By the age of seven, she had learned catechism by heart. Julie would gather her playmates and farm laborers to hear her recite the catechism and teach them. When her family lost their money, she took to farming to earn money as a teen.
It was apparent that Julie was way ahead of her peers in matters of religion. Her Parish Priest, Father Dangicourt, made an exception for her to receive the First Holy Communion at nine instead of the stipulated age of thirteen as practiced at that time. At age 14, Julie privately took the oath of chastity before God.
Broken but Not Crushed
Julie was a child to look out for with the simple education she obtained from the local school run by uncle Thibault Gillibiert and her advanced knowledge of religious matters. Growing up, she was known as the “Saint of Cuvilly” for her virtues and piety.
A sad occurrence at home in 1774 when she was 22 threatened to break her heart, but Julie wouldn’t let it crush her spirit.
An unknown assailant had shot at her father in a missed attack on his life, and witnessing this event sent Julie into a nervous shock. Inadequate medical treatment resulted in the paralysis of her legs. For many years, Julie was confined to a bed.
Nevertheless, from her bed, Julie instructed children to prepare for the First Holy Communion, make altar linen and cloths, and offer great advice to all who came to her. Many recognized her gifts and will beseech her bed.
Julie the Rebel?
In 1989, the French Revolution broke out. Following the aftermath of the revolution, the civil constitution was constituted. Church properties were sold off, and priests were forced to swear allegiance to the civil law, stripping the church of all its power and jurisdiction over church matters.
Refusal to comply with the directives of the new civil law by any clergy person attracts punishment, some death or banishment as the court may deem fit.
But Julie defied the new law, and at the risk of her life, she hid fugitive priests who had refused to swear their allegiance to the law. When the authorities became aware of the help she had been rendering to non-compliant priests, they sought to kill her.
With the help of her friends, Julie was smuggled out of Cuvilly in a cart to Compiegne. She hid in different houses at Compiegne despite her growing suffering and pain from being paralyzed. Later, she moved to Amiens.
New Dawn
At Amiens, Julie met Francoise Blin de Bourdon, a noblewoman and religious woman. Together, they devoted themselves to working for God and fighting for the poor.
On February 2, 1804, Julie, Francoise, and Catherine Duchatel took the oath of chastity. With the approval of the bishops of Amiens, Julie and Francoise founded the Congregation of Sisters of Notre Dame. The congregation was devoted to the Christian education of the girl child, the poor, and training catechists.
Remarkably, on June 1, 1804, the fifth day Julie was offering novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for no particular intention, guided by Fr. Enfantin to take a walk of faith, Julie was cured on the spot of her paralysis.
In the following years, Julie traveled the roads of France and Belgium, founding communities with her sisters and setting up schools for young girls deprived of education at the time. She brought hope and the goodness of God into society by preparing vulnerable young children to face life’s duties.
Setbacks encountered in France made Julie move the motherhouse of the congregation to Namur, Belgium.
End of the Journey
Julie spent the rest of the years tirelessly caring for others and running from war hostilities in France.
She took ill, and on May 13, 1816, she departed the world at the motherhouse in Namur, Belgium.
She was beatified on May 13, 1906, by Pope Pius X, and on June 22, 1969, Julie was canonized as a saint by Pope Paul V.
5 Interesting Facts About St. Julie Billiart
- Julie spent a total of 22 years as a paralytic before her miraculous
Healing took place. - In her lifetime, Julie founded 15 convents in France and Belgium.
made one hundred and twenty journeys in keeping correspondences
with her spiritual daughters in different places. - Are you aware Julie’s patronage is invoked against poverty, bodily
ills, and diseases? She worked tirelessly to lift the poor and
Never once in the 22 years of her affliction with paralysis did she
thought God had given up on her. - No condition was ever enough to keep me away from the Eucharist. For
all the years confined in bed, Julie received Holy Communion.
daily. - Guess the first college in California authorized to bequeath
Bachelor’s degree to women in the US? Yes, you’re right. Notre
Dame de Namur University, founded by the congregation of Notre
Dame. Her legacy lives on.
Prayer to St. Julie Billiart
Saint Julie, Through your incredible devotion to the sacred heart of Jesus, you were miraculously cured and favored by many graces. Through your powerful intercessions, Obtain for us above all things great trust in God in all the difficulties of life. The strength to accomplish in all things The adorable will of God and the special grace we now ardently ask of you
