Born in France in the mid-17th century, her baptismal name was Jean Delanoe and she was the youngest of 12 children. 

Her father was a draper and her mother ran a small shop that catered to pilgrims who came to visit a local shrine to The Blessed Mother known as Our Lady of Pity, with a statue of The Blessed Mother holding the Body of Jesus while an angel supports His head. 

She grew up working in the shop and then, after her mother died, running it herself. 

Unfortunately, Jean was known for her greed and a particularly strong dislike for the poor and those begging for help. 

Then one day, she crossed paths with a poor widow named Francois Fouchet who predicted Jean would, one day, have a passion for the poor she so despised. 

After this encounter, Jean’s heart did change and she began caring for the poor and looking after those in need. 

Eventually, she closed her business and founded what came to be known as The Congregation of St. Anne of Providence and it was then she took the name, St. Joan of the Cross. 

She would go on to found twelve communities and several hospices and schools. 

She died on this day in 1736 and was Canonized in 1982 by St. Pope John Paul II. 

St. Joan of The Cross, please pray for us.