Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher: She Served in Suffering

Today we celebrate a woman who suffered throughout her life but was faithful in serving Jesus. Her name is Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher. She was born in Quebec and the first part of her life was happy, riding horses and visiting Jesus in the Eucharist. Then her mother died, and she went to help her brother, who was a priest in a nearby parish. She helped with catechesis and other duties around the church. She wanted to become a nun, but ill health prevented her. 

The the local bishop asked her to found a religious order that would help with catechesis in her community. She resisted, due to her health and feelings of inferiority, but she finally agreed. After founding this successful group, she passed away from her health problems six years later at the young age of 38. You can read more about her here.

You might notice that many of the saints that we've discussed this year have had poor health. Suffering in our bodies is nothing new, and those who follow Jesus are not only not promised perfect health, but our bodies often begin to break down as we do His work. But God calls us to lean on Him and trust Him for healing in the meantime as we need it to do His work, and ultimate healing when we go to be with Him in our perfect, glorified bodies. If you are hurting today, you're in good company. Ask Blessed Marie-Rose to pray for you.

God, thanks for the example of faithfulness in suffering in this wonderful woman. Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher, pray for us.