Saint Marie of the Incarnation

Saint Marie of the Incarnation is remembered as one of the first missionaries to Canada. She was born Marie Guyart in France. Some people also call her Marie of the Ursulines because she was a member of the Ursuline Sisters. She gave her whole life to teaching others about God.

Marie lived at a time when travel to the New World was dangerous. Life in Canada was hard, and many did not survive. Still, she heard God’s call and went without fear. She trusted that God would guide her.

She is honored today because she built schools and helped spread the Catholic faith in Canada. She taught both Native children and the children of settlers. Her work helped shape the Church in a new land.

Even though she lived long ago, her story still inspires many. She shows that trusting God can lead to good things even when the path is hard and uncertain.

Marie was born in 1599 in Tours, France. She grew up in a simple and faithful family. From a young age, she loved prayer and wanted to be close to God. Her family had plans for her to marry, and when she was seventeen, she married a man named Claude Martin.

Her marriage did not last long. Her husband died after only two years, leaving her a widow with a young son. This was a very hard time for Marie. She worked to support herself and her son by helping with her family’s business.

Even though she cared for her son and worked hard, she never forgot her dream of serving God. She began to pray even more. She had strong spiritual dreams and feelings that she should give her life fully to God.

When her son grew older, she made the choice to join the Ursuline Sisters. It was a hard decision because it meant leaving her old life behind. But she believed God was calling her to do something new.

After joining the Ursuline Sisters, Marie felt God calling her even further. She believed she was meant to go to New France, the name for Canada at that time. She had dreams and visions that showed her this path.

In 1639, she set out by ship to Canada. The trip was long and full of danger. The sea was rough, and many people on the ship got sick. But Marie never turned back. She kept trusting God to lead her.

When she arrived in Quebec, she found a rough and wild place. Life was not easy there. Food was scarce, winters were cold, and there were many dangers. Still, she began her mission right away.

She helped start the first school for girls in Canada. She worked with Native children and the children of settlers. Her goal was to teach them about the faith and help them build strong lives rooted in Christ.

Marie spent many years teaching and caring for others in Canada. She learned Native languages so she could better speak to the people she served. She did not see the children as strangers but as beloved children of God.

She wrote many letters back to France. In them, she shared what life was like in Canada. These letters have been saved and help people today understand how hard but full her life was.

Her work helped build not only schools but a whole community of faith. She trained other women to teach and lead. Her Ursuline convent became a place of learning and safety for many.

Even when she was tired or sick, Marie kept working. She trusted that God was using her to plant seeds of faith that would grow long after she was gone.

Marie of the Incarnation died in 1672 in Quebec. Long after her death, people remembered her love and courage. The Church declared her Blessed in 1980 and Saint in 2014.

She is the patron saint of missionaries, educators, and people in Canada. Many teachers and people who serve others look to her for help and inspiration.

Her feast day is celebrated on April 30. On this day, many remember her brave journey and the good she did in a new and difficult land.

Saint Marie of the Incarnation reminds us that saying yes to God can lead us to places we never expect. Her life shows that when we teach and love others, we help build God’s kingdom on earth.