Alix le Clercq

 As I was rereading yesterday's post, I realized that Godfrey was named Godfrey because he was born on St. Godfrey's Feast Day (if you know Godfrey and you see him tomorrow, wish him a happy birthday). I sometimes wonder what my name might have been had I been named from the calendar of Saints. I know it would not have been the Saint that I am featuring today because, although her Feast Day is on my birthday, my Mom never liked girls' names that sounded too much like boys' names.

Blessed Alix le Clercq was born in 1576 in the Duchy of Lorraine to a wealthy family. She loved music and dancing and parties. At about the age of 19, she felt a growing conviction about the need for a new direction in her life. She sought the spiritual direction of her pastor, Father Peter Fourier, who suggested that she enter a convent. None of the religious orders appealed to her. In a vision of Our Lady, she felt called to care for the daughters of the poor of the region, who had little or no access to education. Supported in this by Fr. Fourier, Alix decided to dedicate her life to this mission. 

Soon a few friends had joined Alix and together they formed a community where they could follow lives of simplicity, prayer and respecting the presence of God in each girl whom they would receive for instruction. On Christmas Day 1597, the women made private vows in the parish church to Fr. Fourier. This was the humble beginning of the religious order of the Canonesses of Saint-Augustin of the Notre Dame Congregation, although the congregation was not formally approved by the Holy See until 1616.

Alix died on January 9, 1622. The monastery where she was buried was destroyed during the upheavals of the French Revolution and all traces of her grave were lost. This resulted in a delay in the cause for her canonization due to the lack of her remains, normally required during the process. Despite this obstacle, the cause moved forward, and she was beatified by Pope Pius XII in 1947.  Three years later a group of students exploring a basement in the city found a lead coffin. The remains in the coffin were conclusively identified as those of Blessed Alix le Clercq.

Her Feast Day is January 9. Blessed Alix le Clercq, pray for us.