Émilie de Rodat, born Marie Guillemette (Wilhelmina) Emilie de Rodat, also known as Emily de Rodat, was a nun, virgin, mystic, and the founder of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Villefranche. She was born to a noble family near Rodez, in southern France. When she was 18 months old, she was sent to live with her maternal grandmother in Villefranche, to protect her from the oppression of Christians during the French Revolution. When she was 16, she had a spiritual experience, and at the age of 18, she became a teacher. In 1815, she started a school for poor girls in Villefranche, which became the Sisters of the Holy Family of Villefranche. Despite Rodat's spiritual and physical difficulties, the community expanded, eventually founding 38 houses, 25 cloistered communities, and 32 schools with over 5,000 students; they also visited prisoners and cared for abandoned infants in China. By 1999, there were 520 Sisters of the Holy Family of Villefranche worldwide.
Christian feast day: Emilie de Rodat
On September 19, in the year 0, Christian feast day: Emilie de Rodat. This event is recorded as a Holidays event in the history of September 19, one of 366 recorded events on this date across all of history.
Key Facts
- This event took place on September 19, 0 (AD era).
- It is categorised as a Holidays event in recorded history.
- Referenced in 1 Wikipedia article.
- Wikipedia source last updated on 15 May 2026.
On This Date in History 366
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