St. Isabelle of France (1225-1270) Image: St. Paul Street Evangelization
(Catholic Online) Born a Princess, Isabelle was the daughter of King of France – St. Louis VII and Blanche of Castile, she was the younger sister to King of France – St. Louis IX according to SQPN and aunt to St. Louis of Tolouse — Isabelle’s father died when she was just two according to Newman Connection and it was her mother who saw to Isabelle’s education–she would become fluent in Latin.
As a child, Isabelle at an early age made a personal vow of chastity desiring to devote her life God — Pope Innocent IV, permitted her to retain some Franciscan Friars as her special confessors. — Isabelle later in life refused marriage proposals of of Hugh XI and Conrad IV of Germany, vowing to continue to live a celibate life, consecrated to God.
Isabelle devoted her young life to caring for the sick and poor, following her mother’s death, Isabelle founded a Franciscan ‘Poor Clare Monastery of the Humility of the Blessed Virgin Mary’ in France Longchamps — Isabelle would live there in austerity as a Nun (without taking vows and refused to become the Abbess) until her death at the age of 45 during this week in 1270
In 1521 Isabelle was Beatified by Pope Leo X and Canonized in 1696 by Pope Innocent XII
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