Emily de Vialar
Emily de Vialar was a French nun and founder of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition. She is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church for her missionary work establishing hospitals and schools, particularly in French Algeria and the Mediterranean.
- Feast Day
- August 24
- Century
- 19th century
- Country Or Region
- France
Key Facts
- ›Emily de Vialar was born on September 12, 1797, in Gaillac, France.
- ›She founded the missionary congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition.
- ›She established hospitals and schools in French Algeria, Cyprus, Tripoli, and Beirut.
- ›A storm at sea led her to vow to open a house dedicated to St. Paul, which she did in Malta.
- ›She died in Marseilles on August 24, 1856.
- ›She was declared a saint on June 24, 1951.
Émilie de Vialar
About Emily de Vialar
Emily de Vialar (1797–1856) was a French nun and the founder of the missionary congregation known as the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition. She is recognized and venerated as a saint within the Catholic Church. Her life's work was dedicated to establishing and leading missionary efforts, particularly in founding hospitals and schools to serve the poor and destitute.
Life and Historical Context
Born on September 12, 1797, in Gaillac, France, Emily de Vialar was the eldest of three children. Her father was a doctor. Her early life was shaped by the turbulent period following the Reign of Terror and the capture of Pope Pius VI. After her mother's death in 1810 when Emily was thirteen, she returned to Gaillac to live with her father and younger brothers. She took on responsibilities within the household, often in conflict with a demanding servant, and began her efforts to aid the poor.
Founding the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition
In 1832, Emily inherited a sum of money from her maternal grandfather, which she used to establish a house for herself and her companions. Inspired by a passage from the Gospel of Matthew concerning the angel's appearance to Joseph, and with the support of the bishop of Albi, François-Marie de Gauly, Emily and three other women formally established the congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition on Christmas Day.
Missionary Work and Challenges
Emily's missionary endeavors extended to French Algeria, where her brother resided. She arrived during a cholera outbreak and used her inheritance to open hospitals and schools. The congregation received formal approval for its rule in 1835. However, in 1843, the bishop of Algiers required the nuns to return to France. Undeterred, Emily continued her work, establishing institutions in Cyprus, Tripoli, and Beirut. A significant event occurred in 1845 when her ship was caught in a severe storm for nine days. Upon landing safely in Malta, a place associated with the shipwreck of St. Paul, she fulfilled a vow by opening one of the first Catholic schools for young ladies there.
Later Life and Legacy
Back in Gaillac, the congregation faced financial ruin due to the deception of a businessman and the actions of a local superior. Emily, burdened by debts and slander, was forced to leave her hometown. With her inheritance depleted by the numerous institutions she had founded, she found support in Marseilles in 1852 through the benevolent acceptance of Eugène de Mazenod. Emily de Vialar died in Marseilles on August 24, 1856, mourned by the poor she had served. She was declared a saint on June 24, 1951. Her feast day is celebrated on August 24 in the General Roman Calendar and on June 17 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Emily de Vialar born?
Emily de Vialar was born on September 12, 1797, in Gaillac, France. She was the oldest of three children.
What is Emily de Vialar most known for?
She is chiefly remembered for founding the missionary congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition. This congregation was dedicated to establishing hospitals and schools.
Where did Emily de Vialar conduct her missionary work?
Her missionary work took her to French Algeria, where she helped open hospitals and schools, as well as to Cyprus, Tripoli, and Beirut. She also established a school in Malta.
When did Emily de Vialar die and when is her feast day?
Emily de Vialar died on August 24, 1856, in Marseilles. Her feast day is celebrated on August 24 in the General Roman Calendar.
How did the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition come to be founded?
Inspired by a biblical passage and with the help of the bishop of Albi, Emily and three other women established the congregation on Christmas. They were motivated by a desire to help the poor and destitute.
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