St. Mary of the Incarnation

St. Mary of the Incarnation was a French Ursuline nun and mystic who founded the first Ursuline convent in Canada, bringing education and religious life to the New World

Born in Paris, France, on October 28, 1566, St. Mary of the Incarnation (born Marie Guyart) was drawn to the religious life from an early age. She entered the Ursuline convent at Tours, where she took the religious name "Mary of the Incarnation." In 1610, after years of prayer and preparation, she felt a profound calling to journey to New France (now Canada) to help establish a presence of Catholic education and religious life.

Her mission was both spiritual and educational, and she sought to provide young girls in the New World with an education grounded in Christian values. She arrived in Quebec in 1639, where she founded the first Ursuline convent in Canada, establishing a school that would become a center for the education of indigenous girls as well as settlers’ children.

Her work in New France was not easy. She faced numerous hardships, including harsh weather, diseases, and challenges in communicating with the native people. However, her faith was unwavering, and she became known for her deep mystical experiences, marked by frequent visions of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and angels. St. Mary of the Incarnation also focused on the education and evangelization of the First Nations, sharing the Christian faith and building lasting relationships with the indigenous people.

Despite her success in establishing the Ursulines in Canada, St. Mary of the Incarnation’s health began to deteriorate due to the harsh conditions, and in 1618, she passed away on April 30. She was revered as a model of courage, faith, and commitment to Christ, with her contributions in both education and the Church enduring in Canada to this day.

St. Mary of the Incarnation’s life is celebrated not only for her religious dedication but also for her extraordinary contributions to education and the care of the native people. Her legacy continues in the work of the Ursuline Order and in the strong Catholic educational foundation she helped build in Canada.

Feast Day

30-4-

Birth Date

28-10-1566

Died Date

30-4-1618

Canonised Date

--N/A

Tours, France

St. Mary of the Incarnation, may your deep love for Christ and commitment to spreading His Word inspire us to serve with purity, faith, and dedication. Amen.
ST. MARY OF THE INCARNATION

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ST. MARY OF THE INCARNATION

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Credits & Acknowledgments

Anudina Visudhar (Malayalam) – Life of Saints for Everyday
by Msgr. Thomas Moothedan, M.A., D.D.
Saint Companions for Each Day
by A. J. M. Mausolfe & J. K. Mausolfe
US Catholic (Faith in Real Life) – Informational articles
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Pravachaka Sabdam (Malayalam) – Saint-related content and insights

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