Emilie was born, at Wégimont, in Belgium on October 11, 1818. She was gifted with a rich personality, and was both charming and strong-willed. Her father was the Ambassador of Belgium to the Holy See. Emilie accompanied him on his journeys across Europe. While still quite young, she felt strongly attracted to God as her All. She also discovered the person and spirituality of Ignatius of Loyola.

The desire for religious life gradually grew within her. When she was 18 years old, following the customs of the time, her parents began to speak to her about marriage. After some hesitation she married Victor d’Hooghvorst on October 19, 1837. It was an arranged marriage which became one of love and was fulfilled with the birth of four children, two boys and two girls.

Emilie was devoted to her family, the service of the poor and to her worldly engagements. One day, in Rome, in the middle of a ball, she received the revelation of God as the One who is her All. Her spontaneous response was: “Master, you alone in my life!” “From that moment I understood that my life would be one of union with God that nothing would destroy”.