Jeanne Delanoue

Jeanne Delanoue, religious name Joan of the Cross, (18 June 1666 – 17 August 1736) was the founder of the Congregation of St. Anne of Providence, and is venerated as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church.

Biography

Early life Delanoue was born in Saumur, located in the region of Anjoú, France, the youngest of twelve children. Her parents had a shop in the city's Fenêt district, near the shrine of Notre-Dame-des-Ardilliers. Her father was a draper, who died when she was six years old. She helped her mother run the shop selling religious goods, catering to pilgrims to the shrine. She took over the business at the age of 25 when her mother died. She also provided accommodations to pilgrims who were visiting the shrine. A skillful businesswoman, she kept the store open even on Sundays and holydays, which was considered somewhat scandalous in 17th century France. Her early life was characterized as one of self-centeredness, pride and avarice. A landslide during the earthquake in 1703 destroyed her home, but undeterred, she found another. Many of the poor could only find shelter in the caves carved out of the tuff along the Loire. She made them as comfortable as she could. Her work was endorsed by noted preacher Louis de Montfort. Delanoue founded Providence House, which during the famine of 1709, cared for about 100 people. That same year, Michel Poncet de La Rivière, Bishop of Angers approved the constitutions of the small congregation. At the time of her death there were twelve communities of her sisters, spread throughout France, serving the poor and needy. She was canonized in October 1982 by Pope John Paul II. Her feast day is August 17.

The congregation Jeanne founded was renamed as Congregation of the Sisters of St. Anne of Providence on 3 December 1964. As of 2021, over 400 members serve the poor in France, Madagascar and Sumatra.

La Nef ardente is an oratorio by Michel Bosc about Jeanne Delanoue.