Feast Day: St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, born in France in 1779, is the patron saint of school girls for the simple reason that she dedicated her long-life to the education of girls ... founding and supporting the establishment of more than 100 schools and convents in 12 countries (St. Rose Phillipine Duchesne brought the order and its schools to America).  St. Madeleine and several friends founded the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (RSCJs) in 1800 -- a personal note:  my sister was educated by the RSCJs in San Francisco.  Two years later, St. Madeleine was elected their superior general at the age of 23 and remained in that post for sixty-three years, weathering the secularization of France (during the French Revolution) and much of Europe. 

St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, patron saint of school girls, help me to be the teacher and guide God would have me be!  Pray for us.