Mary of the Passion

Sent to India in 1865, she became provincial superior in Madurai. In 1876, following internal dissensions, she separated from the Society of Mary Reparatrix with nineteen other religious sisters. In 1877, she obtained authorization from Pope Pius IX to found the Missionaries of Mary. In 1882, she affiliated with the Third Order of Saint Francis, giving birth to the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary. Despite her temporary dismissal in 1883 and subsequent rehabilitation by Leo XIII, she developed the institute, which numbered more than 2,000 religious sisters at the time of her death in 1904.

After her death, her reputation for holiness spread rapidly. The informative process opened in Sanremo in February 1918. The decree on her writings was promulgated in 1941, followed by the introduction of the cause in January 1979 with the approval of John Paul II. On June 28, 1999, Pope John Paul II promulgated the decree on the heroic nature of her virtues, declaring her Venerable.

The miracle accepted for her beatification is the scientifically unexplained healing of a religious sister suffering from pulmonary and spinal tuberculosis (Pott's disease). This miracle was officially recognized on March 5, 2002. On October 20, 2002, Mary of the Passion was solemnly beatified by Pope John Paul II in Saint Peter's Square in Rome.

The spirituality of Mary of the Passion intimately unites contemplation, through daily Eucharistic adoration, and missionary action. Marked by the mystery of the Passion and the simplicity of Saint Francis of Assisi, she was also committed to the advancement of women and social issues. Today, her sisters continue her mission among the poorest throughout the world.