“Saint Louis parish was taken over by priests who had taken the oath of fidelity to the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, which asserted that the Pope had no authority in France and provided for election of bishops and priests by panels of citizens.” Jean-Henri Gruyer left and went to Paris to ask for temporary accommodation in Saint-Firmin only to be held captive and killed within a day.

Marie-Anne Vaillot comforted Odile Baumgarten as they were waiting execution by saying “We will have the happiness of seeing God and possessing him for all eternity… and we will be possessed by him without fear of being ever separated from him.”

A Congregation of the Mission priest who refused to sign the Civil Constitution of the Clergy during the French Revolution, Jean-Charles Caron was martyred.

Nicolas Colin was driven from his presbytery and replaced by a priest loyal to the Civil Constitution. He is known to have said: “…as reward for my fidelity to the faith, hunger, exile, prison and, perhaps even death itself.”

As a wife, mother, teacher, nurse, social worker, mentor, spiritual leader, and foundress, St. Louise de Marillac stands as a model to all women.

St. Vincent de Paul was a 17th century priest whose influence is still being felt today through the more than 2 million people who are inspired by him and serve in the many Vincentian organizations.