Saint Louis had a sister. Her name was Isabel. At the same knee where Saint Louis learned of the faith she also learned of the faith. Their mother the Dower Queen Blanche was a very pious and learned woman who taught her children the true faith. Mothers have always been the motive force behind teaching the faith. Blanche told Louis IX, "I would rather see you dead than commit a mortal sin." Did she say something similar to her daughter?

On 10 June, 1256, the first stone of the convent church was laid. The building appears to have been completed about the beginning of 1259, because Alexander IV gave his sanction on 2 February, 1259, to the new rule which Isabel had had compiled by the Franciscan Mansuetus on the basis of the Rule of the Order of St. Clare. These rules were drawn up solely for this convent, which was named the Monastery of the Humility of the Blessed Virgin.(1) The sisters were called in the rule the "Sorores Ordinis humilium ancillarum Beatissimf Marif Virginis". The fast was not so strict as in the Rule of St. Clare; the community was allowed to hold property, and the sisters were subject to the Minorites. The first sisters came from the convent of the Poor Clares at Reims.
Isabel herself never entered the cloister, but from about 1260 she followed the rules in her own home near by. Isabel was not altogether satisfied with the first rule drawn up, and therefore submitted through the agency of her brother King Louis IX, who had also secured the confirmation of the first rule, a revised rule to Urban IV. Urban approved this new constitution on 27 July, 1263.
The difference between the two rules consisted for the most part in outward observances and minor alterations. This new rule was also adopted by other French and Italian convents of the Order of St. Clare, but one can by no means say that a distinct congregation was formed on the basis Isabella's rule. In the new rule Urban IV gives the nuns of Longchamp the official title of "Sorores Minores inclusæ, which was doubtlessly intended to emphasize closer union with the Order of Friars Minor.
After a life of mortification and virtue, Isabella died in her house at Longchamp on 23 February, 1270, and was buried in the convent church. After nine days her body was exhumed, when it showed no signs of decay, and many miracles were wrought at her grave. In 1521 Leo X allowed the Abbey of Longchamp to celebrate her feast with a special Office. On 4 June, 1637, a second exhumation took place.(2)
On 25 January, 1688, the nuns obtained permission to celebrate her feast with an octave, and in 1696 the celebration of the feast on 31 August was permitted to the whole Franciscan Order. They now keep it on 1 September.
The history of the Abbey of Longchamp had many vicissitudes. The Revolution closed it, and in 1794 the empty and dilapidated building was offered for sale, but as no one wished to purchase it, it was destroyed. In 1857 the walls were pulled down except one tower (3), and the grounds were added to the Bois de Boulogne.
1)(Monasterium Humilitatis B. Mariæ Virginis)
2)The condition of the Body at the second exhumation is not known.


Saint Louis and Saint Isabel, pray for us.
Jhesu+Marie
de Brantigny
Excerpts from the Catholic Encyclopedia of 1917
6 comments:
I came to know St. Isabel from a historical fiction novel titled "The Crown Rose" by Fiona Kai Avery. (Published in 2005) The story covers primarily young Isabel's life. Also a young St. Thomas Aquinas has a cameo role in the story. It's a wonderful read!
Here's the author's website: www.fionaavery.com/TCR/
Thanks for the link.
I never was aware of her until Sunday after Mass. Pretty amazing.
Richard
I am receiving my confirmation in a month, And Isabel Is my Saint name. This Really Helped my write my report with. Thanks :)
Dear Isabel! Congratultions, Now will come the hardest part, you are no commissioned to spread the faith. Perservere!
God watch over you.
Richard
I have Saint Isabel as my confirmation name and need to da a report on her. Does anyone know of extra info or miracles she did?
Dear Judy, I am sorry for not having gotten back to you sooner. To answer you you might find something at New Advent, Catholic Encyclopedia, or here:
http://thepilgrimages.blogspot.com/2013/02/saint-isabel-sainte-isabel.html
http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/08179A.htm
http://www.traditioninaction.org/SOD/j236sd_IsabelleFrance_01_25.html
http://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/684/Bienheureuse-Isabelle-de-France.html
http://carmina-carmina.com/carmina/Mytholosaintes/isabelle.htm
http://notredamedesneiges.over-blog.com/article-16423743.html
the last three are in French. Let Me know if this helps please.
Brantigny
Post a Comment