February 4

St. Jane was the daughter of King Louis XI of France. She was born in

1464. Since the king wanted a son, he was very disappointed when Jane was

born. He did not even want his little daughter to live at the palace

because she was deformed. When the princess was just about five years

old, she was sent to live with other people. Despite the way she was

treated by her own father, Jane was good and gentle with everyone. She

was convinced that Jesus and Mary loved her. Jane also believed that the

Lord would use her to do good in his name. And she was right.

When she grew up, Jane decided that she did not want to marry. She had

given herself to Jesus and his Blessed Mother. But her father ignored her

personal choice. He forced her to marry the duke of Orleans. Jane was a

devoted wife for twenty-two years. After the duke became king, however,

he sent Jane to live by herself in a far-off township. The queen did not

let herself become resentful. Instead, she exclaimed: "God be praised! He

has permitted this that I may serve him better than I have up until now."

Jane lived a prayerful life. She practiced penances and acts of

kindness. She gave all her money to the poor. She even started an order

of sisters called the Sisters of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin

Mary. She spent the rest of her life joyfully for Jesus and his Mother.

St. Jane died in 1505. She was proclaimed a saint by Pope Pius XII in

1950.

When we find someone or some situation hurtful, let us remember St.

Jane Valois. We can ask her to help us be as patient and forgiving as she

was.