Jeanne-Antide Thouret
Jeanne-Antide Thouret was a French Catholic nun and founder of a branch of the Sisters of Charity. She is remembered for her dedication to serving the poor and sick, establishing schools and hospitals, and founding a religious congregation that continues to provide services for the needy worldwide.
- Feast Day
- May 23
- Century
- 19th century
- Country Or Region
- France
Key Facts
- ›Thouret was born on November 27, 1765, in Sancey, France.
- ›She entered the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul at age 22 to serve the poor and work in hospitals.
- ›In 1799, she founded the Sisters of Charity in Besançon, France, along with a soup kitchen and a free school for girls.
- ›During the French Revolution, she refused orders to return home and was beaten when attempting to escape authorities.
- ›Her community was officially named the "Sisters of Charity of Besançon" in 1807.
- ›Pope Pius VII approved her community in 1819, naming them "Sisters of Charity under the protection of St. Vincent de Paul".
Joan Antide Thouret, Jane Antide
About Jeanne-Antide Thouret
Jeanne-Antide Thouret (1765–1826) was a French Catholic nun and the founder of the Sisters of Charity of Besançon. She dedicated her life to serving the poor and the sick, establishing educational and healthcare institutions across France and Italy.
Life and Historical Context
Born in Sancey, France, on November 27, 1765, Jeanne-Antide Thouret came from a humble and devout family. She felt a strong calling to religious life and charitable service from a young age. Despite family wishes for her to marry, she entered the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul at the age of 22, serving in hospitals in Langres and Paris. During the tumultuous period of the French Revolution, when religious communities were suppressed, Thouret faced persecution. She refused orders to return to her family home and was mistreated by authorities when attempting to evade them.
Major Contributions
In 1797, Thouret founded a school for impoverished girls in Besançon. Two years later, in 1799, she established the Sisters of Charity and, with two companions, opened a soup kitchen and a free school for girls, also in Besançon. Her vision extended beyond France; she established the Institute of the Daughters of St. Vincent de Paul in Switzerland, which eventually grew into France and Italy. In 1802, she revised a Rule of Life for her community, and by 1807, her congregation was officially named the Sisters of Charity of Besançon. Her work expanded significantly in 1810 when she traveled to Naples, where she cared for "Incurables" at a hospital and established a school and a pharmacy. Pope Pius VII officially approved her community in 1819, naming them "Sisters of Charity under the protection of St. Vincent de Paul."
Legacy
Jeanne-Antide Thouret died of natural causes in Naples on August 24, 1826. She was beatified by Pope Pius XI in 1926 and canonized in 1934. Her statue is among those of religious founders at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. As of 2020, the Sisters of Charity community numbered 4,000 sisters serving in 27 countries, continuing her mission of service to the poor. Her feast day is celebrated on May 23.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Jeanne-Antide Thouret born?
Jeanne-Antide Thouret was born on November 27, 1765, in Sancey, located in the Franche-Comté region of eastern France.
What religious order did Jeanne-Antide Thouret found?
She founded the Sisters of Charity in Besançon, France, on April 11, 1799. This congregation was later officially named the "Sisters of Charity of Besançon" in 1807.
What significant challenges did Jeanne-Antide Thouret face?
During the French Revolution, religious communities were suppressed. Thouret refused to return to her family home when ordered and was badly beaten while trying to escape authorities.
What services did Jeanne-Antide Thouret and her sisters provide?
They established schools for poor girls, soup kitchens for the poor, and hospitals. She also worked with prisoners, teaching them and organizing work that allowed them to earn a salary.
When was Jeanne-Antide Thouret canonized?
Jeanne-Antide Thouret was canonized on January 14, 1934, by Pope Pius XI.
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