Born: 12 August 1591, France
Died: 15 March 1660
Country most active: France
Also known as: Louise Le Gras
The following is excerpted from “400 Outstanding Women of the World and the Costumology of Their Time” by Minna Moscherosch Schmidt, published in 1933.
Among the most active members of the Ladies of Charity were Mlle le Gras, so wise, so prudent and so capable. Allied interests crowded rapidly upon this splendid and noble organization, which is known as the St. Vincent de Paul. Somewhat after the fashion of the modern woman’s club, various departments of work were soon taken up. But above all other interests came the care of foundlings, so closely associated with the name St. Vincent de Paul. Finally a house rather small, was chosen, and on the 29th of November, 1663, Mile le Gras with five sisters took possession of it. This little house was still standing in 1894 in the Lemoine, bearing the number 43, and occupied as a sta- tioner’s shop. This was the cradle of the Sisters of Charity, Mile le Gras trained the sisters for their work and appointed them to it. It was this able teaching and administration that attracted numbers of applicants. During the many trying periods
Mile le Gras exhibited the most unwearied patience and strove with every weapon of goodness to straighten out the tangles. At least forty letters of Mile le Gras are still in existence, which were written during trying times, these give a graphic picture of this time of difficulty, so often duplicated in hospital history. The remaining years of Mile le Gras were spent in extending and strengthening her army of workers, for whom so many calls came now that she was unable to meet them. Mile le Gras died in March, 1660.