Blessed Alix Le Clerc

February 2, 1576–January 9, 1622

Alix Le Clerc turned to Christ at age 17. At the time of her conversion, she sought out Peter Fourier, who agreed to be her confessor.

Peter wanted Alix and her three friends to be “Pious Women” rather than form a religious community. He knew that if they became a religious community they would have to abide by enclosure. She wanted to work with poor children in rural areas and small villages. However, Alix insisted on being in a religious community and thus the Canonesses of Notre Dame were formed.

Because of the rule of enclosure at the time, her dreams were not realized. In 1598 she had a vision in which Mary appeared to her holding a child and said: “Take this child and make him grow.” This confirmed her desire to begin a religious community that would educate children. Since Peter Fourier was a Canon Regular of St. Augustine, he devised a rule for the Canonesses based on the Augustinian Rule.