April 8 | Saint Julie Billiart

Welcome, young history buffs and curious minds, to My Daily Saint, the podcast that digs deep into the incredible lives of the saints, those remarkable people who shaped history and continue to inspire us today. Forget dusty old portraits and boring stories. Today, imagine being in your early 20s. You are energetic, your whole life is ahead of you, and you are ready to take on the world. And then, out of nowhere, you cannot move a single nuzzle. You are completely paralyzed. Now, imagine being stuck in that bed for 22 years.

Oh, and just to make things even more intense, while you are stuck in that bed, Unable to walk, a literal revolution breaks out in your country. Armed people are hunting down anyone connected to the church, and you have to be secretly smuggled into hiding just to survive, knowing you cannot even run away.

Sounds like a total nightmare, right? Most of us would be terrified, angry, and deeply better. But the person we are talking about today wasn't. In fact, she survived revolution, physical suffering, and exile, and she became famous for her unshakable joy and her absolute trust in God, St. Julie Billiard. Let's set the scene. Julie was born in Cuvilly, France, on July 12, 1751. When she was 23 years old, she was suddenly completely paralyzed and confined to her bed. Instead of giving up, Julie used her time in bed to do something amazing.

She began to memorize massive amounts of scripture, along with the catechism. Because she became so full of faith and spiritual wisdom, she became a highly sought-after spiritual guide. But history wasn't going to let her rest peacefully in her room. The French Revolution exploded across the country. This was a super dangerous time to be a Catholic in France, and Julie was forced to go into hiding. Can you imagine how terrifying that must have been? Being paralyzed, totally relying on your friends to carry you and hide you from revolutionaries who want to end your life?

Then, in the year 1804, Everything changed. After 22 long years of being trapped in a paralyzed body, Julie was miraculously healed. What would you do if you suddenly got your legs back after two decades? Julie didn't waste a single second. She immediately got to work, devoting her newly healed body to founding a brand new religious order called the Sisters of Notre Dame. Her main mission was education and catechesis, specifically focusing on helping the poor. If you ever see artwork of her, her attributes usually include her religious habit, Children and a catechism book showing her true passions.

But wait, the drama isn't over yet. You'd think that after 22 years of paralysis, a miraculous healing, and surviving a revolution, she would be able to catch a break. Nope. Julie faced massive internal conflicts and harsh opposition from bishops and leaders within the church. The very people who should have supported her pushed her out, eventually forcing her into exile and sending her away to Belgium. But Julie refused to hold on to any resentment. Through all the suffering, the hiding, the betrayal, and the hardship, Julie's entire spirituality came down to one simple, beautiful conviction.

How good is the good God? Julie Billiard died on April 8, 1816, in Namur, Belgium. In 1969, she was canonized as a saint by Pope Paul VI. Because of her life's incredible work and the physical trials she faced, she is now the patron saint of catechists, educators, and the sick.

Think about a time when you felt like things were totally unfair. Maybe you are dealing with a tough sports injury that is keeping you on the bench, just like Julie was stuck in her bed. Or maybe a friend betrayed your trust, or you were treated unfairly by someone in charge, similar to the institutional betrayal Julie faced.

It is so easy to get bitter and hold a grudge. But today, choose forgiveness over resentment. Instead of complaining, take a deep breath and repeat her famous words, How good is the good God? Try to find just one good thing to be joyful about, even in the middle of a really tough situation. Thank you for joining us on My Daily Saint. We look forward to sharing another incredible story of faith and courage with you tomorrow.