St. Rose Philippine Duchesne

Patron Saint of perseverance amid adversity, Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau

Born on August 29, 1769 in the French city of Grenoble, Rose Philippine was baptized in the Church of St. Louis.

She was educated at the Convent of the Visitation of Ste. Marie d'en Haut and, against her father’s wishes, became a novice there when she was eighteen years old. However, the French Revolution caused much disruption for the nuns, and when the Sisters of the Visitation were expelled from their convents, Rose returned home.

She cared for the sick and the poor, helped fugitive priests, visited prisons, and taught children. Some time after the Revolution ended, she unsuccessfully tried to reestablish the Visitation community, and ultimately gave the convent to St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, foundress of the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and joined the Order.

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