St. Colette
Reformer of the Poor Clares, Founder of the Collettines
📖 Life of St. Colette
Colette was the daughter of a carpenter named DeBoilet at Corby Abbey in Picardy, France. She was born on January 13, christened Nicolette, and called Colette. Orphaned at seventeen, she distributed her inheritance to the poor. She became a Franciscan tertiary, and lived at Corby as a solitary.
She soon became well known for her holiness and spiritual wisdom, but left her cell in 1406 in response to a dream directing her to reform the Poor Clares. She received the Poor Clares habit from Peter de Luna, whom the French recognized as Pope under the name of Benedict XIII, with orders to reform the Order and appointing her Superior of all convents she reformed.
Despite great opposition, she persisted in her efforts. She founded seventeen convents with the reformed rule and reformed several older convents. She was renowned for her sanctity, ecstasies, and visions of the Passion, and prophesied her own death in her convent at Ghent, Belgium. A branch of the Poor Clares is still known as the Collettines. She was canonized in 1807. Her feast day is March 6th.
🌟 Legacy of St. Colette: Reformer and Visionary
Reformer of the Poor Clares
St. Colette's legacy as a reformer of the Poor Clares demonstrates the importance of returning religious orders to their original charism and fervor. Her work in founding seventeen new convents and reforming several existing ones shows her commitment to authentic religious life. The Collettines, the branch of Poor Clares that bears her name, continue her reform to this day.
Model of Obedience to Divine Will
St. Colette's response to a dream directing her to reform the Poor Clares shows her complete obedience to God's will, even when it meant leaving her comfortable solitary life. Her willingness to take on such a challenging mission demonstrates the power of divine guidance and the importance of listening to God's call in our lives.
Mystic and Visionary
St. Colette's ecstasies and visions of the Passion show her deep mystical union with Christ. Her ability to prophesy her own death demonstrates her close relationship with God and her acceptance of divine providence. Her mystical experiences remind us that God continues to work through chosen souls to bring about His purposes.
Perseverance in the Face of Opposition
St. Colette's persistence despite great opposition shows her courage and determination in following God's will. Her success in reforming the Poor Clares demonstrates that with God's grace, even the most difficult missions can be accomplished. Her example teaches us to persevere in doing what is right, even when faced with resistance.
📅 Feast Day
Feast of St. Colette, Reformer of the Poor Clares
Liturgical Celebration
The feast of St. Colette is celebrated on March 6th, commemorating her death and her lifelong dedication to reforming religious life. This date falls during Lent, a fitting time to remember her call to penance and her vision of the Passion of Christ.
Collettine Celebrations
In Collettine convents around the world, St. Colette's feast day is celebrated with special devotion. The nuns who follow her reform pray for her intercession and seek to live according to the ideals she established. The day is marked by prayers for religious vocations and for the renewal of religious life.
Prayer and Devotion
The feast day is an excellent time to pray for religious vocations, for the renewal of religious orders, and to ask for St. Colette's intercession in helping us to be obedient to God's will. Many people also pray for the grace to persevere in difficult missions and to trust in divine guidance.
🛡️ Patronage
Primary Patronages
- • Poor Clares: The order she reformed
- • Collettines: The branch she founded
- • Religious Reformers: Those who renew religious life
- • Franciscan Tertiaries: Lay members of the Franciscan family
- • Picardy: Her birthplace in France
- • Ghent: Her place of death in Belgium
Special Intentions
- • Religious Vocations: Calling to religious life
- • Divine Guidance: Following God's will
- • Perseverance: Overcoming opposition
- • Mystical Prayer: Deep union with God
- • Reform: Renewing institutions
- • Solitude: Contemplative prayer
🙏 Prayers
Prayer to St. Colette
"St. Colette, who responded to God's call to reform the Poor Clares, help us to be obedient to divine guidance in our lives.
Teach us to persevere in doing God's will, even when faced with opposition and difficulties. May we, like you, be willing to leave our comfort zones to serve God's purposes.
Help us to seek authentic religious life and to be open to the mystical experiences that draw us closer to Christ. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
Prayer for Religious Vocations
"St. Colette, who founded seventeen convents and reformed religious life, intercede for all those discerning religious vocations.
Help them to hear God's call clearly and to respond with courage and generosity. May they find the strength to persevere in their vocation despite challenges. Amen."
Prayer for Divine Guidance
"St. Colette, who followed a dream to reform the Poor Clares, help us to be attentive to God's guidance in our lives.
Teach us to listen for God's voice and to trust in His providence. May we be willing to take bold steps when God calls us to serve Him in new ways. Amen."