Colette of Corbie
Colette of Corbie was a French abbess and the foundress of the Colettine Poor Clares, a reform branch of the Order of Saint Clare. She is honored as a saint in the Catholic Church and is venerated as a patron saint of women seeking to conceive, expectant mothers, and sick children due to miraculous events attributed to her life and intercession. Her reform emphasized extreme poverty and austerity within the Franciscan tradition.
- Century
- 15th century
- Country Or Region
- France
Key Facts
- ›She was born Nicolette Boellet in Corbie, France, on January 13, 1381.
- ›Colette founded the Colettine Poor Clares, a reform branch of the Order of Saint Clare, focusing on absolute poverty and austerity.
- ›She received papal authorization from Antipope Benedict XIII to found new monasteries and reform the order.
- ›During her lifetime, 18 monasteries of her reform were founded, with strict rules including going barefoot and perpetual fasting.
- ›She is recognized as a patron saint for women seeking to conceive, expectant mothers, and sick children.
- ›Colette died in Ghent in March 1447 and was canonized on may 24, 1807.
Nicolette Boellet, Nicolette Boylet
Women Seeking To Conceive, Expectant Mothers, Sick Children
About Colette of Corbie
Colette of Corbie (born Nicolette Boellet, January 13, 1381 – March 6, 1447) was a French abbess and mystic, most notably recognized as the foundress of the Colettine Poor Clares. This reform branch of the Order of Saint Clare sought to return to the original Franciscan ideals of absolute poverty and austerity. She is honored as a saint within the Catholic Church and is widely invoked as a patron saint for women desiring to conceive, expectant mothers, and sick children, attributed to miraculous events during her life.
Life and historical context
Born in Corbie, Picardy, France, to parents who had prayed to Saint Nicholas for a child, Nicolette was affectionately nicknamed Colette. After the death of her parents in 1399, she briefly joined the Beguines and a Benedictine order but found their lifestyles unfulfilling. In 1402, she embraced the Third Order of St. Francis and lived as a hermit, guided by the Abbot of Corbie. Through a series of visions, Colette became convinced she was called to reform the Franciscan Second Order, emphasizing rigorous poverty and austerity.
Foundress of the Colettine Poor Clares
In 1406, Colette sought and received authorization from Antipope Benedict XIII to transfer to the Order of Poor Clares and to establish new monasteries. With the support of the Countess of Geneva and her confessor, Henry de Beaume, she began her reform. Her first monastery was established at Besançon in 1410, and her reform subsequently spread to numerous other communities, including Auxonne, Poligny, Ghent, and Heidelberg. By the end of her life, 18 monasteries following her reform had been founded. These monasteries were characterized by extreme poverty, going barefoot, and perpetual fasting and abstinence. The Colettines' special Constitutions were approved by Franciscan superiors and later by several popes.
Veneration and Legacy
Colette was beatified in 1740 by Pope Clement XII and canonized in 1807 by Pope Pius VII. Her patronage of women seeking conception, expectant mothers, and sick children stems from the miraculous events attributed to her intercession. Colette's reform established the Colettine nuns, whose communities are found in France, Ireland, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States. She also initiated a reform among Franciscan friars, the Coletans, though this branch was eventually merged into the wider Observant branch. Miracles attributed to her include the multiplication of food and wine, and effecting cures, even after her death.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Colette of Corbie?
Colette of Corbie was a French abbess and the foundress of the Colettine Poor Clares, a reform movement within the Order of Saint Clare. She lived from 1381 to 1447 and is honored as a saint in the Catholic Church.
What is Colette of Corbie known for?
She is primarily known for reforming the Poor Clares, emphasizing a return to their original ideals of absolute poverty and austerity, a branch that became known as the Colettines. Miraculous events attributed to her life and intercession also led to her veneration as a patron saint.
What are the Colettine Poor Clares?
The Colettine Poor Clares are a reform branch of the Order of Saint Clare, founded by Colette of Corbie. This reform stressed extreme poverty, going barefoot, and perpetual fasting and abstinence.
Who is Colette of Corbie a patron saint of?
Due to miraculous events claimed during her life, she is venerated as a patron saint of women seeking to conceive, expectant mothers, and sick children.
When was Colette of Corbie canonized?
Colette of Corbie was beatified on January 23, 1740, by Pope Clement XII, and canonized on May 24, 1807, by Pope Pius VII.
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