GIOVANNA de LESTONNAC, saint. – Niece of the celebrated essayist Michele Montaigne and foundress of the Company of the Daughters of Mary Our Lady, born in Bordeaux in 1556, died there on 2 February 1640. As a girl, she had to endure the overbearing influence of her mother, an ardent Calvinist, but she never surrendered to heresy; in 1573 she married the Baron of Landiras, Gastone di Montferrand, by whom she had seven children.
Widowed in 1597 and having arranged for her family’s welfare, she entered the Convent of the Feuillantines in Toulouse in 1603; but her health could not withstand the austerity of the Rule. After ten months, therefore, she returned to her home, where she led a secluded life wholly devoted to good works; until, in 1606, following the plan of two Jesuits, F. Raymond and especially J. de Bordes, she founded a new Congregation, modeled on the Society of Jesus, for the education of girls, above all to shield them from the baneful influences of the prevailing Calvinism.
The institution received the approval of Paul V (7 April 1607) and began to flourish remarkably; but this also brought G., elected superior from the outset, bitter disappointments and sorrows: the original structure of the foundation was altered, and she was removed from office through the envious intrigues of fellow sisters. G., however, endured everything with serene peace and trust in God. She was beatified by Leo XIII on 23 September 1900 and canonized by Pius XII on 15 May 1949. Feast day: 2 February.