St. Isabella of France
June 8, 2029
Daughter of Louis VIII and of Blanche of Castille, Isabella was a worthy sister of Louis IX, born in 1225. From her mother she received a Christian education and also the love of virtue. When she had visited the poor in their hovels and looked after all their needs, she spent the rest of her time in contemplation of God. In 1260 she founded a convent of Poor Clares at Longchamps near Paris; at her request, in 1264, Urban IV published the mitigated Rule of the Second Order, which has since been followed by a great number of poor Clare convents. The nuns who adopted it were, and are still, called Urbanists.” On February 23, 1270, at the age of forty-five, Isabella delivered up her soul to God. Miracles testified to her sanctity and Leo X gave his approval to her cultus in 1521.