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Also known as: Barbara
Aurillot; Barbara Avrillot; Barbe Aurillot; Madame Acarie; Marie Acarie;
Mary of the Incarnation
Profile
Daughter of a French government official named Nicholas Aurillot. Educated
at her aunt's convent at Longchamps. Though attracted to religious life,
she married Pierre Acarie, an aristocrat and treasury official, at age 16.
Mother of six, three of whom became Carmelites, and one a priest.
Peter supported the Catholic League against Henry IV. When Henry became
king he seized the Acarie estates, impoverished the family, and exiled
them from Paris. Barbara went to court over the matter, won, and reclaimed
part of the family fortune.
She was devoted to the writings of Saint Teresa of Avila, and became
active in charities. Her good works eventually won her the admiration and
support of King Henry. Brought the Discalced Carmelites of Saint Teresa to
France, founding five houses between 1604 and 1609.
Widowed at 47. Carmelite lay sister in 1613 at Amiens, France, taking the
name Mary of the Incarnation. Spiritual student of Saint Francis de Sales.
Known for receiving visions and ecstasies, and for supernatural gifts.
Born: 1 February 1566 at Paris, France as Barbe Aurillot
Died: 18 April 1618 at Pontoise, France of natural causes
Beatified: 5 June 1791 by Pope Pius VI
Canonized: pending
Patronage: against poverty, impoverishment, loss of parents, parents
separated from children, poverty, widows
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