It is commonplace to describe any forward-thinking woman as "ahead of her times." In the case of Anne de Xainctonge it is an understatement. Born in the 16th century in Dijon, France, Anne understood at an early age that she was called by God to embrace a mission that would demand perseverance, courage, a generous heart and, above all, faith in God.
Anne combined her desire to help others with the daring required to teach girls and women what was most important in the Catholic faith and help them grow in their relationship with God. She navigated the complex political situations in France, and in the Church, and established a religious community that is open to the whole world and not limited by the cloister.
Anne de Xainctonge immersed herself in Ignatian spirituality and feminized it to nourish the spiritual lives of her Sisters. They, in turn, share this way of finding God in all things with others.
This brief biography of Anne de Xainctonge, follows her spiritual journey and her destiny to found the Society of St. Ursula in 1606. It is now translated from French into German and English and has been published in India, Europe and North America as well as on the Internet as an e-book and on Kindle.
