Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne
Religious Sister and Foundress
“Woman Who Prays Always”
(1769-1852)

Saint’s Life Story

Her Early Life

Rose was born August 29, 1769 in Grenoble, France, the second of seven daughters, along with one son. Her father, Pierre Francois Duchesne, was a lawyer, businessman, and prominent civic leader in Grenoble, France. Her mother, Rose Perier, was a member of a leading family from the Dauphine region of France.

When she was eight years old, Rose heard a Jesuit missionary speak of his missionary work in America. This talk sparked a strong desire within her to evangelize. She was educated at home. Then, at the age of 12, Rose was sent to the convent of the Visitation nuns in Grenoble to continue her studies. At the age of 19, without the knowledge or permission of her family, who strongly opposed her choice, Rose decided to join the Visitation nuns as a member.

Despite her family’s opposition, Rose remained committed to her vocation.

Her Convent Closed and Then Reopened

Then, in 1792, during the Reign of Terror of the French Revolution, religious communities were outlawed and Rose’s convent was closed. For the next ten years, Rose lived as a laywoman, but continued to act as a faithful member of her Order.

Rose established a school for underprivileged children, provided care for the sick, and even hid priests from the Revolutionaries. After the end of the Terror, Rose reclaimed her convent attempting to reestablish it with the remaining sisters from Grenoble. However, the majority of the sisters had already dispersed.

In 1804, the remaining few were incorporated into the Society of the Sacred Heart under the leadership of Saint Madeline Sophie Barat. The sisters then reopened the convent of Sainte-Marie-d’en-Haut as the second house of the Sacred Heart nuns. In December 1804, Rose became a postulant and a year later, she made her final vows. In 1815, Mother Duchesne was assigned the task of establishing a Sacred Heart convent in Paris, France.

Missionary in the United States

However, her missionary spirit was not yet fulfilled. At the age of 49, on March 14, 1818, Rose and four sisters were sent as missionaries to the Louisiana Territory to establish the Society’s presence in America. The journey was arduous, and Rose fell gravely ill with diseases contracted during the trip. Yet, after recovering in New Orleans, she continued her missionary work and traveled up the Mississippi River.

Saint Charles, Missouri

Eventually, Rose established her first mission outside of France at Saint Charles, Missouri. The log cabin she established in Saint Charles became the first free school west of the Mississippi River. Rose’s devotion to education and care extended beyond Saint Charles, where she founded six additional houses that included schools and orphanages. While she faced some opposition due to her French teaching methods and poor grasp of the English language, her students received a quality education, and her intentions were clearly directed towards their well-being.

Beyond her passion for education, Rose showed great concern for the Native American communities she encountered. She dedicated much of her work to educating and caring for the Native Americans, as well as working against alcohol abuse among them.

Retired But Still Evangelized

In her later years, Rose was able to retire from administrative duties at the age of 71. When she was 72 and no longer a superior, a school for the Potawatomi was opened at Sugar Creek, Kansas. Though many thought Philippine was too sick to go, the Jesuit head of the mission insisted: “She must come; she may not be able to do much work but she will assure success to the mission by praying for us. Her very presence will draw down all manner of heavenly favors on the work”. Among the Pottawatomie tribe, Rose taught young girls and cared for the sick. The tribe bestowed upon her the name Quah-kah-ka-num-ad, “Woman-Who-Prays-Always””

Her Death

In July 1842, Rose returned to Saint Charles. Her last ten years in retirement, Rose lived in a small, austere shack at the convent in Saint Charles in constant prayer. She lived a simple life dedicated to constant prayer. On November 18, 1852, at the age of 83, Rose passed away peacefully in Saint Charles, Missouri, USA, from natural causes.

Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne left a legacy of 656 letters, four journals, and several smaller writings, all but one in her native French.

Born:                   August 29, 1769 in Grenoble, France

Died:                   November 18, 1852 age 83 in Saint Charles, Missouri, USA

Beatified:           May 12, 1940 by Pope Pius XII

Canonized:        July 3, 1988 by Pope John Paul II

Feast Day:          November 18

Patron Saint:    Archdiocese of St Louis, Missouri, USA; Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Missouri, USA

Source:

• • St. Rose Philippine Duchesne – Catholic Fire
  • CatholicSaints.Info » Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne
  • Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne – Saint for a Minute: Saints & Blesseds
  • Rose Philippine Duchesne – Wikipedia

Prayers

Video Link

Cloud of Witnesses: St. Rose Philippine Duchesne – YouTube (Sisters of Life)