Blessed Louise of Savoy

Rebroadcast of the long-running radio program, "The Ave Maria Hour," a presentation of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. www.AtonementFriars.org

Blessed Louise of Savoy was born on December 28, 1461 to Amadeus IX, Duke of Savoy and his wife Yolande of Valois. (Amadeus, a pious and charitable ruler, was himself beatified by the Church in 1677). Despite her family’s wealth and status, Louise was drawn to prayer and solitude. Although she desired to become a nun, her family arranged a marriage to the Prince of Chalon.

Louise was only 27 years old when her husband died. She declined all offers of a second marriage, and instead devoted herself to works of penance, piety, and charity. Desiring to live in close union with God, she entered the convent of the Poor Clares at Orbe, now part of modern-day Switzerland.

Blessed Louise of Savoy died on July 24, 1503. She was beatified by Pope Gregory XVI in 1839.