Catholic Saints: St. Rose Philippine Duchesne

Augustine Institute | November 18, 2025
Host: Mary McGhan | Guest: Dr. Arielle Harms

Episode Overview

This episode explores the life, spirituality, and legacy of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, a French missionary and education pioneer who served in Missouri. The discussion highlights her journey from France to the American frontier, her deep prayerfulness, her hardships, and her impact on Catholic education and missionary activity in the United States. With personal reflections, site visits, and key stories, the episode invites listeners to draw lessons from St. Philippine’s perseverance and faith.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Setting and Saint’s Local Connection (01:22–02:50)

• The Augustine Institute has moved its campus to Florissant, Missouri—near St. Rose Philippine Duchesne’s resting place.
• The proximity to her tomb deeply impacts the hosts, making her legacy tangible and inspiring to their current mission.

Name and Background (02:50–05:30)

• Name Origins:
  • St. Rose Philippine Duchesne went by “Philippine” or “Mother Duchesne” among close companions.
  • Baptismal names: after St. Rose of Lima and St. Philip the Apostle.
• Childhood and Education:
  • Born August 29, 1769, in Grenoble, France.
  • Grew up in a family described as “new rich”—parents involved in commerce and politics, not titled aristocracy.
  • Her father imparted political skills; her mother, love for the poor.
  • Educated at the Convent of the Visitation and entered the order at 19, despite family opposition.

“Her parents sent her to be educated at the Convent of the Visitation. And she loved the life there so much that she decided when she finished school she was going to enter the Visitation Sisters.”
—Dr. Arielle Harms (04:25)

The Impact of the French Revolution (05:30–06:56)

• Forced closure of her convent during the Revolution; Duchesne continued apostolic works—caring for the poor, opening a school, risking her life for persecuted priests.
• Joined the newly founded Society of the Sacred Heart after the Revolution.

Call to America: The Missionary Journey (07:02–08:53)

• Bishop Dubourg’s appeal for missionaries for the Louisiana Purchase territory brought Duchesne and four other sisters to America in 1818.
• A 70-day sea journey brought them from France to New Orleans, then upriver to Missouri.

"We think an eight-hour flight is long... Seventy days!"
—Mary McGhan (08:43)

• Duchesne’s original desire was to serve Native Americans; instead, the initial focus became general education for local children.

Frontier Life and Hardships (08:53–10:56)

• Juxtaposition of France’s beauty with the harsh, rugged American frontier.
• St. Charles, Missouri, was "the remotest village in the U.S."—the edge of civilization at the time.
• Early work included founding the first free Catholic school west of the Mississippi.

Sites of Her Legacy Today (10:56–12:29)

• Notable sites: Shrine of St. Ferdinand (Florissant, MO), and her tomb at the shrine in St. Charles.
• Unique privilege for the hosts to live and work near her resting place—unusual in the United States context.

Mission to the Potawatomi and Her Spiritual Role (12:39–14:26)

• At age 72, after nearly two decades in the U.S., she ministered among the Potawatomi tribe in Sugar Creek, Kansas.
• Regarded as "the woman who prays always" because of her constant prayer, even when unable to teach due to language barriers. Her prayer supported her sisters actively teaching the tribe.

“They called her affectionately the woman who prays always, because that's what she would do. Her prayers were what was supporting her sisters who were actually teaching the Potawatomi.”
—Dr. Arielle Harms (13:13)

• Reminiscent pilgrimage stories make her legacy vivid: rocks placed on her habit during prayer, which remained unmoved as evidence of her stillness and devotion.

Final Years, Death, and Canonization (14:26–15:08)

• Returned to Florissant in frail health, spent her last decade in prayerful retirement, died in 1852 at 83.
• Canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1988.

Educational Legacy and Influence (15:08–16:19)

• Pioneer of Catholic schooling in the Midwest—her work paralleled St. Elizabeth Ann Seton on the East Coast.
• Brought new perspectives of education and faith to the American frontier, planting the seeds for Catholic education in the region.

Lessons for Today (16:19–18:09)

• Inspirational determination to serve through missionary zeal, perseverance despite hardship, and fidelity in prayer.
• Her inability to teach the Potawatomi due to language barriers became a lesson in offering unfulfilled desires to God and serving through supportive prayer.

“...She took that desire and used it differently. When she couldn't fulfill it in the way she wanted, she took it and took it to prayer.”
—Dr. Arielle Harms (17:41)

Importance of Venerating Saints’ Relics (19:57–21:29)

• Rare opportunity for American Catholics to visit the body of a canonized saint; these experiences make sainthood feel attainable and the communion of saints tangible.
• Her incorrupt body is venerated as a sign of holiness and a source of inspiration.

“When we're actually standing in a place where a saint stood... it makes that call to holiness that we all have more, I think, more within our reach.”
—Dr. Arielle Harms (20:23)

Favorite Quotes from St. Philippine Duchesne (22:23–24:12)

• "Let us bear our cross and leave it to God to determine the length and the width."
  – St. Rose Philippine Duchesne (22:26)
  • Emphasized acceptance of God’s will regarding suffering and trial.
• "We may not understand his will for us in time, but in eternity the veil will be drawn and we shall see that he acted only for our happiness."
  – St. Rose Philippine Duchesne (23:45)
  • Her ability to accept delays, disappointments, and change, trusting in divine providence.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On adapting to God’s plans:

  "Her deep trust in God's providence is a very good reminder for when things might not be planned or when we are going through discouragement or just derailing of our hope." —Mary McGhan (22:48)

• A simple yet profound legacy:

  “Her prayer sustained her community's work... even if she wasn't able to physically do a lot of manual labor and teach.” —Mary McGhan (18:09)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Move to Missouri & Introduction: 00:21–02:50
• Name and Early Life: 02:50–05:30
• Impact of French Revolution: 05:30–06:56
• Journey to America & Initial Ministry: 07:02–08:53
• Frontier Life & Schools: 08:53–10:46
• Legacy Sites & Relevance Today: 10:56–12:29
• Potawatomi Mission: 12:39–14:26
• Death & Canonization: 14:26–15:08
• Educational Influence in the Midwest: 15:08–16:19
• Personal Lessons: 16:19–18:09
• Venerating Relics: 19:57–21:29
• St. Philippine’s Quotes & Final Reflections: 22:23–24:12

Conclusion

Living and working near the legacy of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne serves as a daily reminder of the call to holiness, perseverance, and providence. Through her adaptability, steadfast prayer, and pioneering work, modern Catholics can find inspiration to trust God’s designs, serve with fidelity, and pursue sanctity in the ordinary and extraordinary circumstances of life.

“Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, pray for us.” (24:15)