Blessed Mary of the Passion (1839-1904)
Image: Franciscan Missionaries of Mary
Born in France Nantes into a noble Christian family according to the Vatican Helene Marie Philippine de Chappotin de Neuville, from childhood her deep faith and natural gifts attracted Helene to a religious life, first with the ‘Poor Clares’ and then with the ‘Society of Marie Repartrice’ where Helene received the name Mary of the Passion.
In March 1865 while still a Novice, Mary of the Passion was sent to India to the ‘Apostolic Vicariate of Madurai’ where she would take her vows and stay, ministering for the next 11 years.
In 1877 Mary of the Passion established the ‘Missionaries of Mary’ and in 1882 she was received into the Third Order of St. Francis for her congregation which became the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary.
Mary of the Passion zeal seemed to Know no bounds in responding to the calls of the poor and abandoned, she was particularly interested in the promotion of Women. With intelligence and discretion, she offered collaboration to others as she drew dynamism from contemplation of the great mysteries of the faith, in this way, she opened her institute to the horizons of universal mission, accomplished in St. Francis of Assisi’s evangelical spirit of simplicity, poverty and charity.
On this date in 1904 Mary of the Passion, passed away in Italy San Remo, leaving more than 2000 religious and 86 houses scattered abroad over 4 continents. – In 1999 Pope Saint John Paul II solemnly promulgated the Decree on the heroicity of the Virtues on Mary the Passions; She was Beatified in 2002
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