Saint of the day August 12, 2025

Jane was born in Dijon in 1572, the second child of Bénigne Frémyot, president of the Senate of Dijon, and Marguerite de Berbisey, who died giving birth to Jane’s younger brother André. Deprived in the babyhood of the care of her pious mother, the little girl grew up under the wise guidance of her father. Little Jane was a lively, intelligent child. Her father was pleased and proud to afford her every advantage proper to her age and social station. Her sister married early, leaving Jane the position of mistress of the house. These responsibilities, met with grace and skill, helped to round out domestic duties and an unusually well-balanced personality.

At the age of twenty-one, Jane married the young Baron de Chantal, who immediately placed her in charge of the management of his estate at Bourbilly. With courage and competence, she undertook and carried on these onerous duties to the satisfaction of all concerned. Saint Jane was a devoted wife and mother. When her husband was at home, she did everything to please him, to entertain his friends, and to make his home delightful. When he was away, she ceased to entertain and gave herself entirely to the duties of her household and the training of her little ones.

In her twenty-eighth year, just after the birth of her youngest daughter, the Baron suffered one of those tragic accidents for which no one is ever prepared. Stalking a deer from an opposite direction, a good friend of the Baron, mistaking movements in the brush for the animal they were hunting, fired the fatal shot that was to end the happy career of his young host.

Nothing could exceed the distress of his widow. Slowly and painfully, she resumed the labors of directing the affairs at Bourbilly, saw to the settling of the estate, and considered what would be best for the future of her little family, a son and three daughters, all of tender age. Then, on the demand of her father-in-law, she went to live with him. For seven years, she was the victim of this old man’s whims and unreasonableness, bearing the arrogance of his housekeeper, and employing her days in service and charity and prayer.

Troubled with anxiety to know God’s Will, she finally came under the direction of St. Francis de Sales, Bishop of Geneva. To each of these chosen souls had been vouchsafed a vision of the other, so that when they finally met, it was with sudden and happy mutual recognition. Provision being made for the settlement of her worldly affairs and for the future establishment of her children, the Baroness de Chantal went to Annecy to be Mother Superior of the little group that was to become the Sisters of the Visitation.

St. Jane de Chantal died at the age of sixty-nine, on December 13, 1641, after having served most of that time as Mother Superior of the Convent of Annecy. Many miracles are attested as having been performed through her prayer during life, and many more since the time of her holy death. She was canonized by Pope Clement XIII on July 16, 1767.

Reflection

Saint Jane de Chantal began her life within the world of the nobility, embraced her marriage with deep devotion, raised children with motherly love, became a widow, discerned a new calling to religious life, and became a spiritual mother to many new daughters.

As we honor this wife, mother, baroness, founder, religious, and saint, ponder the fact that Christ led her down a path she could never have discerned early in life. She responded to promptings of grace over and over, and God did incredible things through her. Know that God’s plans for your life might not be what you expect. Every cross and every twist and turn in life has the potential to be a new beginning to a new and glorious life. Allow this saint to inspire you wherever you find yourself on life’s journey.