Jeanne-Marie de Maille was a 14th-century French noblewoman who later became a religious anchoress. Born in 1331 at the Château des Roches-Saint-Quentin, she married the baron Robert de Sillé, with whom she practiced charity by assisting the sick and the impoverished. Following her husband's death in 1353, she faced significant hardship and social isolation. She eventually joined the Third Order of Saint Francis and lived as an anchoress in Tours. She is recognized as a blessed in the Catholic tradition.
Life and devotion
After her marriage, Jeanne-Marie lived a chaste life and dedicated her resources to helping those in need. She famously sold her belongings to attempt to ransom her husband after he was captured during the Battle of Crécy. Following his death, she lived in poverty and sought spiritual refuge. In 1388, she entered a small cell at a church in Tours, where she lived as an anchoress until her death in 1414.
Veneration
Due to her reputation as a wise advisor, many people visited her during her lifetime. After her passing, her burial site became a destination for pilgrims. Her status was formally recognized in 1871, when Pope Pius IX beatified her in Saint Peter's Basilica. She is commemorated annually on March 28.