Saint Emily de Vialar, 1797–1856

June 17

Saint Emily was born in France. When she was fifteen, her mother died. She took care of her father’s house. She devoted her life to prayer. After inheriting some money, she cared for children who were sick and poor. Saint Emily taught the children that we should always love each other. She also taught them that Jesus wants us to be happy and live with God forever in Heaven.

Discuss: What makes you happy?

Saint Emily was born in France. When she was fifteen, her mother died. She took care of her father’s house. She devoted her life to prayer. After inheriting some money, she and three other young women cared for children who were sick and poor. Saint Emily taught the children that we should always love each other. She also taught them Jesus wants us to be happy and live with God forever in Heaven.

Saint Emily had a special concern for the sick and for education of children and the poor. At the time of her death, her group of Sisters had established over forty houses, and the congregation was working in Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Activity

Heaven
Visual/Spatial

Explain to the child that Saint Emily wanted the children she taught to go to Heaven forever with God when they died.

• Provide watercolor paper and watercolors to the child.
• Have them first draw what they think Heaven is like, and then paint the scene with watercolors.
• Display their work on a bulletin board titled "Heaven is ..."