April 30
María de la Encarnación Guyart (1599–1672)
Widow
Practical advice
Unite prayer and competence today: before serving, learn a fact, procedure or word from the culture of the person who will receive your help.
Biography
French, wife, mother and widow, María Guyart competently managed her brother-in-law's business while her intense contemplative life grew. She joined the Ursulines and in 1639 she left for New France to found a community in Quebec dedicated to the education of French and indigenous girls. He learned native languages, prepared catechisms and dictionaries, rebuilt the monastery after a fire and advised people of all walks of life. Called "mother of the Church in Canada", she united mystique, practical ability and missionary courage.
Example of
Family lifeContemplationMissionary zeal