Rose Philippine Duchesne

Born in Grenoble, France, in 1769, Rose-Philippine Duchesne was a French religious sister of the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She grew up in a wealthy and devout family. During the French Revolution, her community was dispersed. After attempting to maintain a clandestine religious life, she joined Mother Madeleine-Sophie Barat and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1804. Driven by an ardent missionary desire, she volunteered to go to the United States in 1818, at the request of Bishop Louis William DuBourg. There, she founded the first Sacred Heart house in Missouri, in Saint Charles, and subsequently several other schools and convents, tirelessly working for the education of young girls, including Native Americans. She was particularly devoted to the evangelization of indigenous peoples, especially the Potawatomi, who called her 'Quahkahkanumad' (Woman Who Prays Always). Despite difficulties, hardships, and fragile health, she persevered in her mission until her death in 1852. She was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1988.