Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac

Patricia Ann Abrahams

The Early Years

Jeanne de Lestonnac was born in Bordeaux, France in December, 1556. Her father was Richard de Lestonnac a magistrate in Bordeaux and her mother was Jeanne Eyquem de Montaigne a Calvinist.

As a child she was devoted to Mary and prayed to our Lord everyday asking him for strength, courage, and a sign of what is to come in her life.

• Since her mother was a Calvinist, she tried many times to lead her from the Catholic Faith that was taught to her by Michel de Montaigne, her uncle.

At one time Jeanne’s parents were worried about her safety during the riots and fights in Bordeaux. They decided to send her to live with her aunt and uncle at Chateau Beauregard. Her mother chose this so that her aunt and uncle could try and change Jeanne’s faith. Instead, she would defend the Catholic Faith during her aunt’s gatherings.

During this time, Jeanne would turn to the Blessed Mother for love and support. Thanks to her Uncle, Jeanne returned to her home two years later. The attacks on her faith would continue on a daily basis. When Jeanne was about to give up to stop the arguing with her mother a voice came to her in prayer and told her not to extinguish the flame in her heart

The Middle Years

On September 22, 1573, she married the noble man, Gaston de Monferrand. Jeanne was only 17 at the time. She proceeded to have 8 children total. Three died shortly after birth. Throughout her marriage she continued to do her charity work while raising her 2 boys and 3 girls.

In a matter of three years she suffered much sorrow on the death of her father, her Uncle, her husband and finally her oldest son.

After her two oldest daughters joined a convent, because they felt they had the calling from their Lord to do his work and service, Jeanne felt something was missing from her life. She decided to also join a religious order and leave her youngest daughter to the care of her son Francois. Neither of her children felt this was a good idea and did everything they could to stop her. Jeanne joined the convent of Feuillantines in Toulouse

• After taking her vows she became known as Saint Jeanne Bernard. Unfortunately she became very ill and the mother superior felt the religious like was to strenuous, therefore she returned home.

• Before returning, God appeared to her and said he was saving her for greater things. Jeanne returned to the Chateau and to a life of prayer and helping the poor.

Foundation of the Order of the Company of Mary

In 1605, two priests visited her at home asked her to come and educate young girls and women. During mass one day Father be Bordes’s saw a light shine down on Jeanne in the church. After telling her of his vision, Jeanne with the help of five women began working on the foundation of the Company of Mary. On April 7, 1607, the Pope approved the institute of the Company of Mary

This was the first order that was dedicated to teaching in France. The work has now just begun. As the order began to prosper it became more difficult to open up convents. At times Jeanne would take short cuts in order to avoid the long delays. This would result in disapproval of the Cardinal. Many sisters would become jealous of her and yet she remained humble through the hard times. During reelections, she would explain her failures and it always resulted in her being re-elected Superior. Finally. She asked the sisters to elect someone else. Her health suffered deeply through these years and she did not let others know.

Every year on November 21, all of the schools to show a high devotion to Mary, our Mother in a special celebration. Today we call it The Celebration of the Child Mary.

Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac died on February 2, 1640 and was canonized a saint on May 15, 1949. The order is located on six Continents and 26 different countries. In France alone there are 30 convents.

The Mission StatementJeanne de Lestonnac, from her personal experience of salvation teaches us how to contemplate reality and to allow ourselves to be moved by it.

The Sisters of the Company of Mary Our LadyMoved by their contemplation of the world reality according to its charism finds new ways at each moment in history to live out their call as educators.

Our world today has become and is God´s cry and call to us. Youth, women, the family, they are each given a face with the color and features of all cultures; as followers of the poor and humble Jesus, we believe we are called to offer ourselves as life-bearers of humanity and to discover the saving force of the Gospel hidden in the heart of each person. To extend our hand through our educational mission is to have faith in the women and men of all times, in our own time as well, to enter into their culture, to tenderly contemplate their possibilities, and, filled with hope, to accompany the growth of seeds of resurrection. (OFE, n. 7, XIV General Chapter) 

The mission of Education takes place : • In Schools, as special places where children can   grow and find a

home.• Among Youth, in their circles of intellectual growth, and as well as

in their isolation.• Among Women, feeling a special affinity towards their marginated

sector of society.• In poverty-stricken Countries, Places,  and   Circumstances

which are most in need of salvation.• In those Institutions which reflect upon and make significant

decisions regarding social ethics,   economics, and religion...

Educational Project and Focus• Educational Philosophy• The educational philosophy of Jeanne de

Lestonnac harmonizes: Jesuit Pedagogy, Humanistic influence of Michael de Montaigne, and the unique insights of the Foundress.

• The Educational Focus• The educational focus of the Company of

Mary is the PERSON in all their uniqueness and specialness.Its form of education is integral and integrating. It is carried out by a family of educators who hold the same vision

• (Sisters of the Company of Mary, 2008) (Ruble, 1961/1961)

The Educational Project• The Educational Project of the Company of Mary Schools is to live, teach, and carry

out the mission of Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac with the charism and love that she had for Mary and our Lord. According to the project we are to:

– Extend our Hand to all those in need of God’s love and mercy.– Maintain the Flame that is lit within our hearts and keep it lit just

as Saint Jeanne did through her rough times.– Fulfill Our Name as walk in the path of our Lord with Mary and

Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac right by our side.•  As we continue to educate the children and adults today we are

reminded of Micah in this years theme, Walking with the Lord.

Reference Page• Ruble, R.A. (1961). The Story of Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac. A Woman In Love. Tustin, CA: Sisters of the company of

Mary, . (Original work published 1961)

• Sisters of the Company of Mary (2008). Company of Mary. Rome, Italy: The Sisters of the Company of Mary. http://www.lestonnac.org