Menu
Blessed Mary of The Passion - OUR FOUNDRESS
|
|
"True power is God"
(NS 46) The Franciscan Missionaries of Mary was founded by Blessed Mary of the Passion, a woman of great vision and missionary zeal. She was born in France in 1839 into a landed gentry family, the youngest of five children and baptised Helene de Chappotin.
|
The Franciscan Spirit
Helene entered the Poor Clare Monastery at the age of 21. It was here that she encountered the spirit of St Francis of Assisi, an encounter that would mark her deeply. Unfortunately her poor health made it impossible for her to continue in the austere life of the Poor Clares. When she recovered, her family opposed her vocation and Helene had to wait a couple of years before she could pursue her dream once more of consecrating her entire life to God.
Missionary Zeal
In 1864, guided by her spiritual director, Helene entered the newly founded society of the Marie Reparatrix where she was given the name Mary of the Passion. While still a novice she was sent to India as a missionary. Within two years she was asked to assume responsibility for the mission. She had not reached her 28th birthday! Gifted with a quick intelligence, initiative and organizing ability she took the inherent challenges in her stride. Her intense missionary activity developed over a period of ten years.
Marked by the Passion of Jesus
External and internal events, compounded by the slow means of communication between herself and her superiors in Europe led inevitably to difficulties. Mary of the Passion trusted in God and through much struggle and suffering followed her conscience and left her religious community. Nineteen other sisters followed her.
Obedience to the Spirit
Led by God, she set out for Rome with three of her companions. She met with Pope Pius IX who, on 6th January 1877 approved the foundation of a new institute – the Missionaries of Mary, the first missionary community of women founded by a woman.
In 1882, with the encouragement of Pope Leo XIII, the Missionaries of Mary were affiliated to the Franciscan Order and became known as the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary.
Universal Mission
Despite the many difficulties and challenges of the beginnings, the new Institute grew rapidly throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and America. From the beginning, Mary of the Passion insisted that the aim of the Institute was universal. Sisters from different cultures were sent together on mission. They lived in international communities as an important expression of their commitment to universal mission.
When Mary of the Passion died on 15th November 1904, there were 2000 sisters working in various fields in almost every continent.
She was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 20th October 2002.
Helene entered the Poor Clare Monastery at the age of 21. It was here that she encountered the spirit of St Francis of Assisi, an encounter that would mark her deeply. Unfortunately her poor health made it impossible for her to continue in the austere life of the Poor Clares. When she recovered, her family opposed her vocation and Helene had to wait a couple of years before she could pursue her dream once more of consecrating her entire life to God.
Missionary Zeal
In 1864, guided by her spiritual director, Helene entered the newly founded society of the Marie Reparatrix where she was given the name Mary of the Passion. While still a novice she was sent to India as a missionary. Within two years she was asked to assume responsibility for the mission. She had not reached her 28th birthday! Gifted with a quick intelligence, initiative and organizing ability she took the inherent challenges in her stride. Her intense missionary activity developed over a period of ten years.
Marked by the Passion of Jesus
External and internal events, compounded by the slow means of communication between herself and her superiors in Europe led inevitably to difficulties. Mary of the Passion trusted in God and through much struggle and suffering followed her conscience and left her religious community. Nineteen other sisters followed her.
Obedience to the Spirit
Led by God, she set out for Rome with three of her companions. She met with Pope Pius IX who, on 6th January 1877 approved the foundation of a new institute – the Missionaries of Mary, the first missionary community of women founded by a woman.
In 1882, with the encouragement of Pope Leo XIII, the Missionaries of Mary were affiliated to the Franciscan Order and became known as the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary.
Universal Mission
Despite the many difficulties and challenges of the beginnings, the new Institute grew rapidly throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and America. From the beginning, Mary of the Passion insisted that the aim of the Institute was universal. Sisters from different cultures were sent together on mission. They lived in international communities as an important expression of their commitment to universal mission.
When Mary of the Passion died on 15th November 1904, there were 2000 sisters working in various fields in almost every continent.
She was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 20th October 2002.
God is not asking me to succeed but to offer myself."
(NS 8)
"We are women of different nations and cultures, choosing to live together in a fragmented world. Revealing the face of Christ by being a humanizing presence among people who suffer and are on the margins.Committing ourselves, with others to the care of creation and to the service of peace, justice and healing, where is most needed."
Copyright Franciscan Missionaries of Mary © 2021