Madeleine Sophie Barat

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Saint Madeline Sophie Barat
Born	12 December 1779, Joigny, France
Died	25 May 1865, Paris, France
Venerated in	Roman Catholicism
Beatified	May, 1908 by Pope Urban VIII
Canonized	24 May 1925 by Pope Pius XI
Feast	May 29
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Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat (December 12, 1779 – May 25, 1865) was a French saint of the Catholic church.

She was daughter of Jacques Barat, a cooper who worked with the vineyards. Naturally bright, she was educated by her older brother Louis, a monk. When she was ten years old, France underwent Revolution with its suppression of Christian schools. The education of the young, particularly young girls, was in a troubled state.

As Madeline grew older, her brother feared she would be exposed to too much of the world, and so brought her to Paris with him. She wanted to be a Carmelite lay sister, but with Father Joseph Varin and three other postulants, she founded the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1801, who are devoted to the Sacred Heart, and dedicated to teaching girls. She became Superior General of the Society at age 23, and held the position for 63 years. Receiving papal approval of the Society in 1826, she founded 105 houses in many countries; Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne and four companions brought the Society to the United States.

Mother Barat died in Paris. She was canonized on May 24, 1925 by Pope Pius XI.