Saint Julie Billiart was born in Cuvilly, France, in 1751. It is said that Julie had memorized the Catechism by the time she was 7 years old and would frequently teach it to young children and farmhands. Years later, after witnessing an attempt on her father’s life, Julie became paralyzed due to shock. She continued teaching the Catechism from her bed. Later, in 1803, Julie co-founded the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, an order known for educating the poor. A year later, she recovered from her 22 years of paralysis and continued her ministry. She is the patron saint of sickness and poverty. Her feast day is April 8. If Saint Julie were alive today, she might be teaching the Catechism in her local parish.

Our God does not want you to take fright if you commit some blunder, but to offer it quite simply to the good God, humbling yourself; for turning in on ourselves harms us exceedingly; and besides, God loves a simple heart which does its best. — St. Julie Billiart

Questions for Reflection:

• Have you experienced a hardship or trauma that separated you from God? Did you find your way back? How?
• How can you strengthen your relationship with God?
• How can you share God’s teachings with others?