Sister Saint Protais Déboille was born Claudine Déboille June 1, 1814, in Genas, Loire, France to Angelique Kuenin and Jean Baptist Déboille.

She was 21 years old when she came to America as a novice. She professed her vows on August 19, 1838 at the convent school in Cahokia, Illinois.

Timeline of her activity:

• 1836-1838 – St. Joseph School – Holy Family Parish; Cahokia, IL – teacher
• 1838-1844 – St. Joseph’s Academy; St. Louis, MO – May have been here, records not accurate
• 1845 Feb-1846 – St. Joseph School for the Colored; St. Louis, MO – teacher with first group
• 1846 – St. Joseph’s Academy – St. Louis, MO – teacher, here for a short time
• 1846-1848 – St. Joseph Home for Boys; St. Louis, MO – teacher, care of orphans
• 1848-1853 – St. Joseph School – Holy Family Parish; Cahokia, IL – Superior, teacher
• 1853-1854 – St. Vincent German Orphan Asylum; St. Louis, MO – Care of orphans; may have been here
• 1854-1855 – St. Joseph Hospital and Orphanage; Wheeling, (now) WV – Superior, care of sick and orphans
• 1855-1860 – St. Joseph’s Academy; St. Paul, MN – teacher
• 1860-1864 – St. Ann Academy; Corsica, PA – Directress
• 1864-1869 – St. Joseph’s Academy; St. Paul, MN – teacher, here at least some of this time
• 1869-1870 – St. Joseph’s Motherhouse; Carondelet, MO –
• 1870-1872 – St. Joseph Orphan Asylum; Chicago, IL – care of orphans
• 1872-1892 – St. Francis Xavier Mission, Assinins, MI – Instructor of indigenous population

Descriptions by those who knew her:

From the writings of Eliza McKenney Brouillet, a student at Carondelet from 1840-1846:

In charge of the garden and was Procuratrix
Willing to excuse our shortcomings
Heart without guile
Mild and gentle
Her example was so much stronger than her precept
One of the most faithful, devoted, and true assistants to Mother Celestine

From a research project and story by Sister Eunice Carolos, Erie, Pennsylvania:

She was a pioneer, but not a rugged trail-blacer
She was a teacher, but not a fore-runner in the field of education
She was a companion to leaders, but always an ‘interim’ sister herself
She was a missionary who never succeeded in learning the language of those with whom she worked

From the Native Americans among whom she served:

The woman who always prayed
Would visit all the sick and infirm

Sister St. Protais was the only living member of the original group living in the United State at the time of the Golden Jubilee of the Sisters of St. Joseph in America

She died at St. Xavier’s Indian Mission in Baraga, Michigan, April 12, 1871 at the age of 78.