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Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac Catholic School Community shared vision is to guide and
challenge our students through excellence of teaching to develop a sense of ownership
for their own learning so that students achieve their maximum potential to become
faith filled, responsible, literate, critical thinkers and contributing members
of a multi-cultural society.
To learn more about us, we invite you to view this excellent video about our school
and staff. The video is narrated by Henry Teahen, produced and edited by A&R Video Productions.
Click
here to Watch
About Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac
Jeanne de Lestonnac was born on December 27, 1556, in Bordeaux, France. This time
of great turmoil within the Catholic Church of France, which was brought about by
the Protestant Reformation, had its effect on each individual and family in France
and throughout the world. Thus, Jeanne's early childhood was marred by a religious
conflict within her own family, which constantly challenged her to remain steadfast
in her Catholic faith.
Although as a young woman Jeanne desired to enter religious life, she was advised
to the contrary by her father and married Gaston de Montferrand. Her first three
children died at an early age, but a few years later she was blessed with five more
children.
At the age of forty, Jeanne's husband died and she continued the spiritual formation
and upbringing of her children alone. As soon as her children were grown and able
to care for themselves, she once again seriously considered a religious vocation.
In 1603, after much prayer and discernment, she entered a Cistercian monastery.
However, due to her advanced years and her delicate health, she was unable to adapt
to the rigorous penances of the monastery. She became so gravely ill that it was
necessary for her to leave the monastery after having been there for only a few
years. Once again she had to discover God's will and plan in this new development.
It was at this time that she was inspired to establish a religious community under
the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Order of the Sisters of the Company
of Mary Our Lady would dedicate itself to "education in the faith and the promotion
of justice". As one of the first religious orders for women in the Catholic Church
to have an active apostolic dimension, it had, at the core of its spirit, the harmonization
of action and contemplation.
On April 7, 1607, the Company of Mary received papal approbation from Pope Paul
V. Blessed in seeing the Order flourish throughout France during her lifetime, Jeanne
died on February 2, 1640, after a long life of dedication as wife, mother, and foundress.
Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac was canonized on May 15, 1949, by Pope Pius XII.
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