St. Emily de Vialar

St. Emily de Vialar was born on September 12, 1797, in Gaillac, France, to Jacques and Antoinette Portal de Vialar, a time marked by the aftermath of the French Revolution. Baptized in secret due to the prevailing anti-Church sentiment, Emily was educated by her mother until she was sent to Paris at the age of seven. Her mother's death when Emily was fifteen led her to return home, where she managed her father's household while privately dedicating herself to prayer and celibacy. In 1832, Emily used an inheritance from her grandfather to establish the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition with three other women. This congregation focused on caring for the poor and educating young girls. Emily's work expanded rapidly, with her sisters serving during a cholera outbreak in Algeria in 1835 and later establishing schools and hospitals across Europe, Africa, and Asia. Despite financial difficulties and challenges from Church politics, Emily persisted until her death on August 24, 1856, in Marseille. She was canonized by Pope Pius XII on June 17, 1951, and her feast day is celebrated on August 24. Her legacy continues through the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition, who remain active on all continents.