Saint Louise de Marillac
Patron of social workers, the sick, widows
Feast day: May 9
Saint Louise de Marillac (1591-1660) co-founded, with Saint Vincent de Paul, the Daughters of Charity, sending consecrated women out of the cloister to serve the poor and sick in their homes, hospitals, and on the streets. A widow and mother, she organized works of mercy across France and is a patron of those in social service.
