Julie Billiart: Woman of Courage : The Story of the Foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame

Julie Billiart: Woman of Courage : The Story of the Foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame by Roseanne Murphy. paperback edition. ISBN: 9780809135356.

Julie Billiart was born into the turmoil just before the French Revolution and lived its horrors at the same time that she had to bear terrible personal physical handicaps. Yet she faced her circumstances with exceptional courage, profound faith, and a simple goodness that was the impetus for her unparalleled perseverance in the face of adversity. Her example of trust in God against overwhelming odds drew many young women to her side, and she fought tirelessly to found and establish the great religious community of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Two centuries later, still faithful to her vision of service to the poor and to women, it has spread in numerous branches throughout the world. Julie experienced many elements of the problems we are facing today: violence, confusion of theologies, defections from religion. Lack of priests and religious teachers, anti-Catholicism and misunderstandings regarding the role of women in the Church. But she became a saint through it all. Her fascinating story gives us hope.