Blessed Catherine Jarrige

Biography

Blessed Catherine Jarrige was born on October 4, 1754, in Doumis, Cantal, France. She was the youngest of seven daughters born to Pietro Jarrige and Maria Célarier. At the tender age of nine, Catherine began working in domestic chores, gradually learning the skill of lacework.

In 1778, Catherine became a Dominican tertiary and fully committed herself to a life of service to God and the Church. She dedicated her time to caring for the poor, sitting with the dying, and ensuring that the deceased received proper burials. Catherine's acts of mercy and compassion touched the lives of many, and she became known for her selflessness and devotion to those in need.

During the tumultuous times of the French Revolution, when the practice of Catholicism was persecuted, Catherine's faith led her to take significant risks. She courageously sheltered and cared for priests who were in hiding, providing them with support and assisting them in ministering to covert Catholics. However, her faithful mission did not go unnoticed by the revolutionaries, and she was ultimately arrested for her acts of Christian charity.

In 1794, Catherine was imprisoned and sentenced to death by the Revolutionary court. However, due to a popular uprising by the local people against the court, she was miraculously released from her death sentence. This unjust persecution only deepened her resolve to continue her vocation of serving the poor and marginalized.

Following the Revolution, Blessed Catherine Jarrige dedicated the rest of her days to caring for the impoverished and disadvantaged members of society. Her humble and compassionate spirit touched the lives of many, and she became a beacon of hope for those in need.

Blessed Catherine Jarrige passed away on July 4, 1836, in Mauriac, Cantal, France, at the age of 81, having lived a life devoted to God and her fellow human beings. She was venerated on January 16, 1953, by Pope Pius XII, and later beatified on November 24, 1996, by Pope John Paul II. Her feast day is celebrated on July 4th each year, as a reminder of her unwavering faith and dedication to the service of God and others.