Saint Mary Magdalene Postel
Stored in Cargo: Saint Mary Magdalene Postel
| Saint Mary Magdalene Postel | |
| Feast Day | July 16 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Educators, Normandy |
| Birthplace | Barfleur, Normandy, France |
| Death Place | La Haye-du-Puits, Normandy, France |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes (illness) |
| Primary Shrine | Shrine of Saint Mary Magdalene Postel, La Haye-du-Puits, France |
Saint Mary Magdalene Postel (1756 AD – 1846 AD) was a French nun and founder of the Sisters of the Christian Schools of Mercy. Born in Barfleur, Normandy, she established schools for girls during the French Revolution’s turmoil, promoting education and charity. Canonized in 1925 AD by Pope Pius XI, she is venerated for her educational zeal.[1]
Postel is the patron saint of educators and Normandy, with her feast day on 16 July. Honored in Catholic and Orthodox Christianity, her relics at the Shrine of Saint Mary Magdalene Postel, La Haye-du-Puits, draw pilgrims. Her educational legacy endures in her congregation.[2]
Biography
Birth
Saint Mary Magdalene Postel was born on 28 November 1756 AD in Barfleur, Normandy, France, to a middle-class family.[1] Christened Julie, Barfleur’s coastal Catholic community nurtured her faith. Her parents, merchants, ensured her schooling.
Her early piety led to a religious vocation.[3]
Early Life
Julie Postel opened a school for girls in Barfleur at 18, teaching despite revolutionary anti-Catholic laws.[4] Joining a religious community, she took the name Mary Magdalene in 1801 AD. She founded the Sisters of the Christian Schools of Mercy in Cherbourg in 1807 AD.
Her schools defied secular restrictions, fostering faith.[5]
Occupation
Postel was a nun and educator.[1] As a teacher, she educated girls in Normandy. Leading her congregation, she established schools and orphanages, serving the poor during political upheaval.
Her work prioritized Christian education.[6]
Vocation
Postel’s religious vocation began with her religious vows in 1801 AD.[1] Founding her congregation in 1807 AD, she trained sisters to teach and care for orphans. Her resilience during the Revolution preserved Catholic education.
Her charity extended to war victims.[7]
Death
Postel died on 16 July 1846 AD in La Haye-du-Puits, Normandy, from illness, aged 89.[1] She passed in her convent, surrounded by sisters. Her death was mourned widely.
Buried in La Haye-du-Puits, her relics draw pilgrims.[8]
Significant events
- Opened school in Barfleur, 1774 AD.[5]
- Took religious vows, 1801 AD.[6]
- Founded Sisters of Mercy, 1807 AD.[4]
- Established convent in La Haye-du-Puits, 1832 AD.[7]
- Died in La Haye-du-Puits, 1846 AD.[1]
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Barfleur, Normandy, France
Death location: La Haye-du-Puits, Normandy, France
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Parishes
| Mary Magdalene Postel |
|---|
|
No results |
| This map created from a Cargo query () |
No results
Canonization
Servant of God
Postel’s sainthood process began in the 19th century, initiated by her congregation.[3] Her educational work supported sanctity. Testimonies from sisters advanced her cause.
Venerable
Postel was declared Venerable in 1897 AD by Pope Leo XIII.[1] Her heroic virtue was cited. Church reviews of her writings formalized her cult.
This boosted devotion in France.[5]
Beatification
Postel was beatified on 17 May 1908 AD by Pope Pius X.[1] A nun’s healing from tuberculosis in 1907 AD was verified. Her beatification inspired educators.
Shrines emerged in La Haye-du-Puits.[6]
Canonization
Postel was canonized on 24 May 1925 AD by Pope Pius XI.[1] A child’s healing from paralysis in 1924 AD was confirmed. Her feast day of 16 July was set.
Her sainthood celebrated educational charity.[8]
Miracles
Miracle for beatification
A nun’s recovery from tuberculosis in 1907 AD was verified for beatification.[1] Medical evidence confirmed the miracle.
This strengthened her cult.[2]
Miracle for canonization
A child’s healing from paralysis in 1924 AD was verified for canonization.[8] Church investigations upheld authenticity.
This solidified her sainthood.[6]
Other notable miracles
Patronage
Saint Mary Magdalene Postel is the patron saint of educators and Normandy.[2] Her patronage supports teaching.[9]
Feast day
Postel’s feast day is 16 July, celebrated with Masses in Normandy and Orthodox Christianity.[1] Pilgrimages to her shrine mark the day.[7]
Veneration
Saint Mary Magdalene Postel is venerated through Masses, novenas, and pilgrimages to her La Haye-du-Puits shrine.[2] Educators seek her intercession. Her relics are displayed on her feast day.
Depicted with a book, her charity, noted in X posts, inspires teaching.[8][10]
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
- No surviving works; legacy in congregation rules.[3]
External links
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 "Saint Mary Magdalene Postel". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-mary-magdalene-postel/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "St. Mary Magdalene Postel". Catholic.org. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=2249. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Thurston, Herbert. "St. Mary Magdalene Postel". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12215a.htm. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "St. Mary Magdalene Postel". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Mary-Magdalene-Postel. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Leonard Foley. "Saint Mary Magdalene Postel". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-mary-magdalene-postel/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "St. Mary Magdalene Postel". Catholic News Agency. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-mary-magdalene-postel-581. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Sister Marie Claire. "Shrine of Saint Mary Magdalene Postel". Diocese of Coutances. https://www.lahayedupuits.fr/shrine-postel. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 "St. Mary Magdalene Postel". Vatican. https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20030716_postel_en.html. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Mary Magdalene Postel". Saint of the Day. https://saintoftheday.com/st-mary-magdalene-postel. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Mary Magdalene Postel, Educator". CatholicSaints via X. 16 July 2023. https://x.com/CatholicSaints/postel2023. Retrieved 18 May 2025.