Saint Louise de Marillac was born in 1591 in Paris, France. She married in 1613 and had a son, but in 1625 her husband died. During her husband's long illness she met Vincent de Paul, who became her spiritual advisor. Their love for the sick and the poor of Paris led them to found the Daughters of Charity in 1633. Louise assumed responsibility for the spiritual and professional formation of the Daughters. Her healing ministry spread throughout France and brought the Daughters to hospitals and orphanages. They cared for the poor, the homeless, prisoners, and slaves. They took care of whatever needs there were in the community. Louise died in 1660, and the work that she and Vincent de Paul began has continued, spreading from its humble roots in Paris to become a worldwide ministry to poor people. Pope Pius XI canonized Louise in 1934, and Pope John XXIII declared her Patroness of Social Workers in 1960.