Émilie de Rodat

Émilie de Rodat (1787-1852)

Émilie de Rodat, born Marie Guillemette Emilie de Rodat, was a French nun, virgin, and mystic, celebrated for founding the Sisters of the Holy Family of Villefranche. Born into a noble family near Rodez, she was sent to live with her maternal grandmother in Villefranche at 18 months old to protect her from the religious oppression of the French Revolution. She experienced a significant spiritual awakening at age 16, which led her to become a teacher at 18.

Life and Ministry

In 1815, Émilie de Rodat, inspired by the lack of religious instruction for poor girls, began a school in her small room in Villefranche with 40 students. This initiative marked the beginning of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Villefranche, also known as the Sisters of Villefranche. With the support of Abbé Marty, she rented a building in 1816 and established a free school for girls, which soon expanded. Despite facing challenges such as unexplained illnesses within the community, which were attributed to "diabolic influence," and initial opposition from some members of the Maison Saint-Cyr, the congregation was established.

Rodat and her nuns took perpetual vows in 1820. The congregation was formally approved by the bishop of Rodez in 1832. Their primary focus was founding schools, but their ministries gradually broadened to include visiting prisoners, opening orphanages, establishing rescue homes for prostitutes, and creating retirement homes for "aged religious." Rodat also founded contemplative branches of nuns to pray for the community's charitable works.

Personal Struggles and Legacy

Throughout her life, Émilie de Rodat endured considerable spiritual and physical hardship. She battled cancer in her left eye and nose, as well as an unknown disease that caused permanent tinnitus. These health issues, coupled with the loss of direct support from Abbé Marty, led to a period of spiritual despair. However, through intense prayer, she found inner peace. Outwardly, she was perceived by some as stern and even unattractive, a demeanor she used to counteract what she saw as her main weakness: pride. Despite her "stubborn" nature, she was also recognized as a mystic with healing powers.

In April 1852, after 30 years leading the community, Rodat retired due to her declining health. At the time of her death on September 19, 1852, the Sisters of the Holy Family had begun working with abandoned infants in China. At the time of her death, the congregation comprised 38 houses, 25 cloistered communities, and 32 schools with over 5,000 students across several countries. Streets in Villefranche and Rodez were named in her honor. She was beatified in 1940 and canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1950. As of 1999, there were 520 Sisters of the Holy Family of Villefranche worldwide. Her feast day is observed on September 19.