Walking in the Footsteps of St. Julie Billiart

Reflection by Ted Miles | NDMV Executive Director

Earlier this year, my partner, Ross, and I embarked on a dream vacation to France, a trip we had planned for some time. Traveling through France felt like a spiritual journey, as the country offered a rich tapestry of experiences that nourished both the soul and the senses.

From the warmth and hospitality of the French people to the rich layers of history, art, and culture found around every corner, France opened our hearts in surprising ways. Whether being captivated by the natural beauty of the diverse countryside or marveling at the breathtaking architecture, frescoes, carvings, and artwork of the cathedrals, we found ourselves immersed in stories that spoke to the soul of each place and community we visited.

It’s no wonder, then, that our time walking in the footsteps of St. Julie Billiart—from her birthplace in Cuvilly to the city of Amiens where she founded the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur—was one of the most profoundly moving experiences of our trip. Ross and I made a pilgrimage to these two sites with an openness to discovering more about the legacy of a woman whose vision and faith continue to inspire generations. As we journeyed through these places that were so central to St. Julie’s life, we were reminded over and over of her deep trust in the goodness of God and in the goodness of people.

St. Julie’s birthplace in Cuvilly is a small, quiet village, but walking its streets and visiting her childhood home gave me a sense of the simplicity and humble beginnings that shaped her. Born in 1751, Julie was part of a farming family and community.  She grew up during times of political turmoil and personal hardship, yet from an early age, she exhibited a profound faith in God’s goodness—a theme that would resonate throughout her life and the mission she later founded. One of her most famous quotes is, “Oh, how good is the good God!” It was in this simple truth that she anchored her life, even in the face of illness, persecution, and hardship.

Among the many people Ross and I met during our visit, Sr. Dorothy welcomed us to St. Julie’s birthplace with the hospitality and joy that I have come to associate with the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Sr. Dot’s gentleness and enthusiasm were undeniable as she gave us a tour and shared stories of St. Julie's life. 

Sr. Dot insisted we join a procession celebrating the anniversary of St. Julie’s beatification the next day.  (Beatification is one of the steps toward sainthood!) This unexpected addition to our itinerary kept the surprises flowing. We processed through town that Sunday morning with women and men from all over the world, including Sisters from Europe, Africa, and the Americas. The mass that followed entwined a variety of cultural songs, dance and ritual from the past and present, from Africa to Europe. 

I could not help but reflect on how St. Julie must have drawn strength from her community, from her faith in the innate goodness of people, especially during the difficult periods of her life. Paralyzed by illness for over 20 years and persecuted during the French Revolution, Julie faced challenges that could have led to despair. Instead, she chose to see the goodness of God reflected in those around her, in the community that supported her, and in the deep friendships she built, particularly with Françoise Blin de Bourdon, with whom she founded the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. The celebration in Cuvilly that day, with its vibrant mosaic of humanity, embodied the very goodness that St. Julie embraced in her lifetime.

It was in Amiens, where the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur began, that St. Julie’s mission truly came to life. Walking through Amiens, I felt the energy of this pivotal period of Julie’s life—the place where her vision of education and service would start to unfold in ways that would touch countless lives. The founding of the order in 1804 was in response to the social and spiritual needs of post-revolutionary France. St. Julie saw the potential in education to transform individuals and communities, specifically young women and especially those who were marginalized. It was here that her belief in the goodness of people took on concrete form, as she and her companions dedicated themselves to the education of girls affected by poverty, ensuring they had access to opportunities for learning and growth.

In many ways, St. Julie’s life is a testament to how courage and hope can lead to extraordinary outcomes. At a time when women were not often seen as leaders in society, she forged a path not just for herself but for the many women who would join her mission. Her belief in the goodness and potential of every individual—rooted in her conviction that God’s goodness is present in all people—was extraordinary.

During our visit, I was reminded about how alive St. Julie’s legacy remains today. The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur have carried forward her vision. Their schools, ministries, and organizations—including Notre Dame Mission Volunteers—continue to embody St. Julie’s commitment to education, justice, and the empowerment of the vulnerable. Through all of this work, the same core belief shines through: that every person has inherent worth and potential because of the goodness of God that resides within them.

I am reminded of how St. Julie’s spirituality is not confined to the walls of convents or schools. It is a spirituality of openness, one that sees the sacred in the everyday and in each person we encounter. Walking in her footsteps felt like a call to deepen my own commitment to seeing and affirming the goodness in others, to trust that even in the most challenging circumstances, God’s goodness is at work.

As Ross and I concluded our visit, I carried with me a renewed sense of purpose. St. Julie’s legacy is not just something to admire from afar; it is something to live out in our everyday lives. Her trust in the goodness of God and the goodness of people challenges us to see beyond the surface, to look for the divine spark in each person we meet, and to believe in the transformative power of love, education and work for justice.

In today’s world, where division and cynicism can often cloud our view, St. Julie’s message is more relevant than ever. “How good is the good God,” she proclaimed, and how good are the people God created. As we walk together in our journey of service this year, regardless of our beliefs and spiritual paths, may we walk with the same hope, courage, and love that she did, trusting that, like St. Julie, we too can make a difference in the lives of others by recognizing and nurturing the goodness within ourselves and others.