Blessed Marie Poussepin

Biography

Blessed Marie Poussepin, also known as Marie Poussepin, was born on 14 October 1653 in Dourdan, Essone, France. She was the daughter of a stocking manufacturer and grew up in a pious household. Marie received her education from her mother and the local parish priest, who nurtured her faith and intellect.

At the age of 22, Marie faced the untimely loss of her mother, and she took on the responsibilities of managing the household and raising her younger siblings. After her father's death in 1683, Marie stepped forward to lead the family business. In an impressive move, she introduced modern machinery to replace the manual labor previously done by hand, thus revolutionizing the operation. Marie not only learned to operate all the machines herself but also trained her employees.

While successfully managing the business, Marie's heart was drawn to a life of service and dedication to the less fortunate. In 1690, she joined the Dominican tertiaries, deepening her commitment to God and His people. Around this time, she gradually transferred her responsibilities in the family business to her brother Charles.

Marie's dedication to charity led her to become the President of the local Confraternity of Charity, which was an affiliate of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul from 1693 to 1694. During this period, she also opened her home to care for those in need, demonstrating her compassion and commitment to serving others.

In 1695, Marie decided to take a major step in her journey of serving the poor. She moved to Sainville, France, where she founded a religious congregation, which later became known as the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin, also called the Dominicans of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin. The community she established quickly gained recognition for their dedication to good works and service to society.

The Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin received legal recognition in 1724 and ultimately received diocesan approval in 1738. Marie's leadership and vision laid a strong foundation for the continued work of the congregation, empowering women to play an active role in society and serve the marginalized and vulnerable. The Sisters of the Presentation continue their good works to this day.

Blessed Marie Poussepin devoted her life to integrating deeply held faith with practical charity. She sought to provide not only spiritual support but also tangible assistance to those in need, ensuring they had access to basic necessities and the love and care they deserved as children of God. Her distinguished legacy inspires countless individuals to follow in her footsteps and continue the important work of serving the less fortunate.

Blessed Marie Poussepin passed away on 24 January 1744 in Sainville, Eure-et-Loir, France, peacefully succumbing to natural causes. Her profound impact on society and her extraordinary life of service led to her veneration by the Catholic Church. Pope John Paul II recognized her holiness by declaring her venerable on 21 December 1991 and beatifying her on 20 November 1994. Today, the memory of Blessed Marie Poussepin lives on, inspiring countless individuals to embrace a life of selflessness, compassion, and service to others.