Bl. Mary of the Incarnation, Nun

She was born Barbe Avrillot on February 1^st 1566 and baptised the next day.  Her father, Nicholas Avrillot, was accountant general in the Chamber of Paris and chancellor to Queen Margaret of Valois.  Her mother, Marie Lhuillier was also from the upper class of Parisian society.   Barbe was educated by the Franciscan nuns of Longchamp.  The girls were taught to read and to sing and they joined in most of the Divine Office with the nuns.  Barbe always felt drawn to religious life but in obedience to her parents’ wishes she married Pierre Acarie in 1582.  He was a rich young man from Parisian high society but he was also a committed Catholic.  They had six children and Barbe proved to be an excellent wife and mother.