Saint Isabelle of France facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Isabelle of France |
|
|---|---|
St. Isabelle at the Church of Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois in Paris, a Neo-Gothic replica of the original statue
|
|
| Born | March 1225 Paris, France |
| Died | 23 February 1270 Longchamp, Pays de France, Kingdom of France |
| Burial | Longchamp Abbey, Pays de France, Kingdom of France |
| House | Capet |
| Father | Louis VIII of France |
| Mother | Blanche of Castile |
| St. Isabelle of France | |
|---|---|
| Venerated in | Catholic Church (Poor Clares in France) |
| Beatified | 1521 by Pope Leo X |
| Canonized | 1696 by Pope Innocent XII |
| Feast | 26 February |
| Patronage | Patroness of the Sick |
Isabelle of France (born March 1225 – died February 23, 1270) was a French princess. She was the daughter of Louis VIII of France, who was the King, and Blanche of Castile, the Queen. Isabelle was the younger sister of King Louis IX of France, also known as Saint Louis. She also had another brother, Alfonso, Count of Poitiers, and an older brother, King Charles I of Sicily.
In 1256, Isabelle started a special place for nuns called Longchamp Abbey. It was built in a forest near Paris, which is now a park called the Bois de Boulogne. Isabelle is honored as a saint by the Franciscan Order, a group of religious people. Her special day, called a feast day, is celebrated on February 26.
Contents
Isabelle's Early Life
Isabelle was born in March 1225. Her father, King Louis VIII, died when she was only two years old. Her mother, Queen Blanche, was in charge of her education. Isabelle learned to read in both Latin and French. She enjoyed stories about knights and also religious books.
She liked traditional activities like embroidery, especially making clothes for priests. As a child, she asked for spiritual guidance. She became very devoted to her faith with help from the Franciscans.
Marriage Proposals
When Isabelle was young, she was promised in marriage to Hugh XI of Lusignan. This agreement was made in 1227. However, Isabelle decided she did not want to get married. She wanted to remain a virgin her whole life. Even though she never became a nun, she refused to have a formal wedding.
Later, she also turned down a marriage proposal from Conrad IV of Germany. Many people, including the Pope, tried to convince her to accept. But Isabelle held firm to her decision.
In 1254, Pope Innocent IV gave her special permission. She was allowed to have Franciscan friars as her personal confessors. Isabelle was even more dedicated to the Franciscan Order than her royal brother, King Louis IX.
Founding Longchamp Abbey
Isabelle wanted to create a community for women called Sorores minores, which means "Sisters minor." Her brother, King Louis, started buying land for this in 1255. The land was in the Forest of Rouvray, near the Seine River, west of Paris.
On June 10, 1256, the first stone of the church was placed. Pope Alexander IV approved the new rules for the monastery on February 2, 1259. Isabelle helped write these rules with Franciscan experts, including Bonaventure. The community was allowed to own property.
The monastery was first called the Convent of the Humility of the Blessed Virgin. The nuns there were called the Sisters of the Humble Order of Servants of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary. They followed the guidance of the Friars Minor. Some of the first nuns came from a similar monastery in Reims.
A new version of the rules was approved by Pope Urban IV in 1263. This version gave the nuns the name Sorores minores inclusae, or Enclosed Sisters minor. This was the name they preferred for the nuns of Longchamp.
Isabelle's Life at the Abbey
After her mother passed away, Isabelle moved to Longchamp. However, she never officially became a nun there. She often suffered from illnesses, which made it hard for her to follow the nuns' strict daily routine.
As the patroness, she lived in a separate room from the nuns. She chose not to become the abbess, which is the head nun. This allowed her to keep her own money and resources. She used these to support her abbey and help poor people. Isabelle also spent most of her day in silence. Her brother, the King, visited her often.
Isabelle's Passing
Isabelle passed away at Longchamp on February 23, 1270. She was buried in the abbey church. Nine days later, her body was removed from the grave. According to religious legend, her body showed no signs of decay. Many miracles were also said to have happened at her grave.
In 1521, Pope Leo X allowed the abbey to celebrate her special day with a unique church service. Her body was moved again in 1637. In 1688, the nuns were allowed to celebrate her feast day for eight days. In 1696, Pope Innocent XII allowed the entire Franciscan Order to celebrate her feast on August 31.
Longchamp Abbey After Isabelle
Longchamp Abbey was closed down during the French Revolution. In 1794, the empty building was offered for sale. But no one wanted to buy it, so it was destroyed. By 1857, most of the remaining walls were pulled down. Only one tower was left, and the land became part of the Bois de Boulogne park.
Isabelle's remains were later moved to the Basilica of Saint-Denis.
See also
In Spanish: Isabel de Francia (santa) para niños
