Our Patron Saint:
St. Rose Philippine Duchesne
St. Rose Philippine Duchesne
Born in Grenoble, France, St. Philippine answered a missionary call to the American frontier in 1818. She established the first free school west of the Mississippi in St. Charles and devoted 34 years to frontier education, service, and prayer among the Potawatomi.
St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Timeline
Explore key milestones in her life and mission.
Early Life in France
Born August 29 in Grenoble, France, to Pierre Francois Duchesne, a lawyer and revolutionary leader, and Rose Perier, an intelligent, practical Christian woman.
Education & Revolution
Educated at Ste. Marie d’en Haut. Entered the Visitation nuns at 18, but the French Revolution forced them to disperse. Spent 11 years serving prisoners, orphans, and the poor.
Society of the Sacred Heart
Reclaimed her old convent to open a school. In December, she met St. Madeleine Sophie Barat and joined the newly formed Society of the Sacred Heart.
The Atlantic Crossing
Answered Bishop DuBourg’s call to serve in America. Set sail on March 14 aboard the Rebecca. Arrived in New Orleans on May 29 after a stormy 70-day voyage.
Log Cabin School
Traveled up the Mississippi to St. Louis, establishing a log cabin school in St. Charles—the first free school west of the Mississippi River.
Frontier Expansion
Relocated to Florissant to expand schools. Founded new institutions in Grand Coteau (1821), St. Michael’s (1825), St. Louis (1827), and reopened St. Charles (1828).
Mission to the Potawatomi
At age 71, fulfilled her dream to serve Native Americans at Sugar Creek, Kansas. Named by the Potawatomi Quah-kah-ka-num-ad ("the woman who prays always").
Return to St. Charles
Frail health forced her return to St. Charles for her final decade. In 34 years on the frontier, she persevered through illness, isolation, and manual labor with deep faith.
Prayer to St. Rose Philippine Duchesne
Philippine Duchesne,
You were a pioneer woman,
called to join a pioneer endeavor -
to explore, to begin,
to expand the educational frontiers of a new world.
Each of us, as a Duchesne Pioneer, asks that, through your intercession,
We will be able to face our 'frontiers'
and meet the challenge of being 'pioneers.'
As boundaries appear before us,
Help us to step gently over despair
and fashion a resurrection realm,
a hope-hallowed world.
Help us follow your model, as we
strive for a world that we cannot explain,
Risk our lives to find new life,
challenge social patterns that give false comfort,
enter the Heart of the One who is Beginning and End,
share in the restlessness of the Spirit,
and become instruments of peace.
AMEN
"It was not her extraordinary accomplishments, but the way Philippine dealt with failure and isolation that makes her a model for modern Christians."