February 26th - Saint Isabelle of France

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February 26th - Saint Isabelle of France
(also known as Isabel and Isabella)

1225-1270

Saint Isabelle of France was the daughter of King Louis VIII of
France. Remembered for extreme devotion to the Lord, even as a child,
Saint Isabelle requested spiritual direction and permanent confessors
from Pope Innocent IV, who allowed her to retain some local
Franciscans for that post. As she matured, she became even more
devoted to the Lord, through the direction of the Franciscans,
eventually breaking off several engagements (arranged for political
reasons by her brother who had assumed the throne), and refusing to
marry so as to remain virginal for the Lord.

Isabelle resided in the royal castle for much of young adult life, but
lived a cloistered life, similar to that of a religious. She refused
the lavish appointments and meals offered to her, instead subsisting
on meager rations, and donating what she saved to the poor. Her days
were spent in service to those in need, specifically the sick and the
destitute. Of weak constitution, Isabelle was often ill, specifically
with stomach ailments, a condition exacerbated by her fasting and
mortification.

Following the king’s return from the Crusades, where he had been
imprisoned for some time, Isabelle left the castle, called to found a
Franciscan Order for women--the Convent of the Humility of the Blessed
Virgin--in Longchamp, France. The sisters of the order spent their
days in charity, but as the name of the order suggests, never accepted
recognition or reward for their labors, instead glorifying the Lord.
The mission of the Franciscan Order was to serve the poor in love.

Saint Isabelle was appointed Abbess upon recognition and approval of
the Order, but refused, instead preferring to live nearby the
monastery, oversee operations from her home in solitude, and re-write
the rules governing the work of the sisters. Unpleased with the first
rule of the order, which was modified from the Rules of the Order of
Poor Clares, Isabelle sought to make the direction of her sisters more
strict, eventually succeeding in gaining approval.

Isabelle continued to suffer from constant illness, but also, through
the grace of God, received mystical graces and experienced numerous
ecstasies. During one of these ecstatic visions, she foretold the day
and hour she would pass away, which delighted her greatly, as she was
eager to return to her Lord. Following her death, she was buried in
her habit, and laid to rest in the convent she had founded. Her body
was exhumed twice, both times found to be incorrupt.

The life of Saint Isabelle suggests to us that our human weaknesses,
even those of the body, can be overcome by the grace of God. Isabelle,
despite pressure to do otherwise for personal and political gain,
resisted the pressure of the Courts of France to marry, remaining a
virgin, and consecrating herself to God. She sought out the spiritual
direction she needed, listened for the call of the Lord, and followed
it without question. Despite sickness and discomfort throughout her
life, she found the strength to serve the Lord and those around her.
So eager to rejoin her Maker, she was rewarded with knowledge of when
that would happen, which she awaited with joy. Saint Isabelle of
France inspires us to examine our lives, identifying those small
barriers we hide behind, rather than serving God. Whether it be work,
sickness, fatigue, or financial security, we all have many
reasons--many excuses--to focus on ourselves, rather than on the Lord,
and through Him, on those in need around us. This is a perfect
opportunity to broaden our view from ourselves to those around us,
breaking down our barriers, and embracing the Lord in those we serve.


Saint Quote:
Do not deceive yourself, you will obtain nothing except at the very
point of the sword. That is to say, you must do violence to self, and
be of the number of those who take Heaven by storm.
--St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Bible Quote:
And Jesus passing by, saw a man, who was blind from his birth: 2 And
his disciples asked him: Rabbi, who hath sinned, this man, or his
parents, that he should be born blind? 3 Jesus answered: Neither hath
this man sinned, nor his parents; but that the works of God should be
made manifest in him. 4 I must work the works of him that sent me,
whilst it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 5 As long as
I am in the world, I am the light of the world. (John 9:1-5) DRB


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Prayer To Serve God Well

Father of Mercy,
forgive my failings,
keep me in Your Grace,
and lead me in the way of salvation.
Give me strength in serving You
as a follower of Christ.
May the Eucharist bring me Your Forgiveness
and give me freedom to serve You all my life.
May it help me to remain faithful
and give me the grace I need in Your service.
May it teach me the way to eternal life.