DOLE, FRANCE

JUNE 16, 1606

“Go wherever God calls you, and do whatever He inspires you to do.”

— Venerable Mother Anne de Xainctonge

Venerable Mother Anne de Xainctonge (1567–1621)

Venerable Mother Anne de Xainctonge stands as a courageous woman of faith, vision, and prophetic mission in the history of the Church. Born at a time of religious upheaval and social limitation for women, she listened attentively to the call of God and responded with remarkable courage by dedicating her life to the education and formation of girls—an innovative and daring mission in the 16th century.

Anne de Xainctonge was born on 21 November 1567 in Dijon, France, into a noble and deeply Catholic family. Her father, Jean de Xainctonge, was a respected magistrate, and her mother, Marguerite de Charmes, nurtured her in faith and virtue. From an early age, Anne displayed a deep spiritual sensitivity, strong character, and an intense desire to serve God.

During her youth, France was torn by religious conflicts between Catholics and Protestants. Witnessing the impact of these divisions, Anne became convinced that education, especially of girls and young women, was essential for renewing society and strengthening faith.

At a time when formal education for girls was rare and religious women were expected to live cloistered lives, Anne felt inspired by the missionary spirit of the Jesuits. She admired their active apostolate and longed to form women who would serve God in the world through education and Christian formation.

Anne envisioned a new form of religious life—consecrated women living in community, engaged in active apostolic service, particularly in educating girls, while remaining deeply rooted in prayer and the Gospel.

After years of discernment, trials, and opposition, Anne de Xainctonge founded the Society of St. Ursula on 16 June 1606 in Dole, France. She placed the new congregation under the patronage of St. Ursula, choosing her as a model of courage, faith, and commitment to Christ.

The Society was distinctive for:

* Its active apostolic life

* Commitment to education of girls

* Adaptability to local needs

* Deep spiritual life inspired by the Ignatian tradition

This was a bold and pioneering step, making Anne one of the early women founders to establish a non-cloistered religious congregation dedicated to education.

Mother Anne’s spirituality was deeply Christ-centered, rooted in:

* Love for the Incarnate Word

* Trust in Divine Providence

* Availability to God’s will

* Service with humility and joy

Her charism continues to inspire Ursuline Sisters to educate, empower, and accompany young people—especially girls and women—towards fullness of life.

Anne de Xainctonge spent her final years guiding and strengthening the growing Society. She died peacefully on 8 June 1621, at the age of 53, leaving behind a living legacy of faith, courage, and service.

In recognition of her heroic virtues and exemplary life, the Church declared Anne de Xainctonge Venerable in 1900. Her cause for beatification continues to inspire the Ursuline family worldwide.

Today, the Ursuline Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary (SU) continue Mother Anne’s mission across the world, including India, through:

* Education at all levels

* Empowerment of women and children

* Commitment to justice, peace, and integrity of creation

Venerable Mother Anne de Xainctonge was truly a woman ahead of her time — a foundress who dared to dream, to trust God, and to act boldly for the transformation of society through education. Her life remains a powerful inspiration for all who are called to serve God with courage, creativity, and compassion.

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DOLE, FRANCE

JUNE 16, 1606

Anne De Xainctonge was born on 21st November 1567 in Dijon, France, into a deeply religious and aristocratic Catholic family. As the eldest child, she had one brother and two sisters. Indeed, she enjoyed a privileged upbringing and a happy childhood. She grew up in a healthy and holy atmosphere marked by family prayer, Bible reading, shared meals, and daily participation in the Eucharist. It is said that kneeling beside her father, she learned to meditate and pray.

When she became seriously ill at the age of twelve, doctors were unable to heal the severe infection in her ear. When her parents asked for her last wish, she expressed her desire to attend the Eucharist. With great devotion, she participated in the Mass, trying to sit up during the consecration. At that very moment, the inflammation burst, the fluid drained out, and she felt relieved. She gradually recovered completely. This profound spiritual experience strengthened her desire to live a dedicated life of sacrifice for Christ and for others. Anne received an integral education and formation from her parents, who also encouraged her to seek spiritual guidance from Jesuit priests

As the eldest child, Anne had to shoulder certain responsibilities from a young age. As a teenager, she was put in charge of a farmhouse far from her hometown and parents. She proved to be orderly and responsible. During her stay there, she came into contact with many ignorant and less privileged girls and women of her time. In her free moments, she taught them housekeeping skills, various crafts, and catechism. She also realized that boys had far better educational opportunities than girls. A strong desire arose in her heart to educate girls and women.

Anne continued her life of prayer, sacrifice, frequent visits to the Blessed Sacrament, and spiritual direction, patiently waiting for clarity about her vocation and mission.

Near her hometown, Dijon, she would often see Jesuit priests educating boys and teaching catechism in the church. A deep desire grew within her to educate girls and women in a similar manner. In those days, only a limited number of girls from wealthy families received basic training in reading, writing, and housekeeping, mostly in cloistered convents and private homes.

Anne was ready to undergo any sacrifice for the mission of Christ. However, as was customary in privileged families, her parents took her to arranged evening parties and insisted that she wear expensive ornaments and lavish dresses, though she had little interest in them. When she expressed to her spiritual director her desire to teach catechism in the church, the priest refused, saying that her style of dressing was not suitable for such work. From then on, Anne began wearing simple clothes.

Eventually, her parents arranged a lavish marriage with a prominent lawyer from Dijon, but Anne clearly told them that she was not interested in marriage, and they respected her decision.