St. Jane Frances De Chantal - Wife, Mother, Widow and Foundress of the Visitation Order (August 12). While married, Jane ably managed her husband’s estate to provide for the care of the poor and the disenfranchised.

After the untimely death of her husband of nine years who was accidentally shot in a hunting accident, she retreated into prayer and an austere life. She met Francis de Sales in Dijon, France (in 1604) and together, they founded the Congregation of the Visitation, a Religious Order that welcomed women who were unable to join existing Orders because of their age or infirmity. By the time of her death in 1641, Jane Frances De Chantal had founded over 85 convents of Visitation Sisters.