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St. Marie Amandine

Let’s delve into the inspiring life of St. Marie Amandine, a remarkable missionary who left a lasting legacy of compassion and service. 🌟

• Birth and Early Life:
  • St. Marie Amandine, also known as Pauline Jeuris, was born on December 28, 1872, in Herk-la-Ville, Belgium.
  • Her upbringing was humble, and she came from a family of seven girls and one boy. Four of the children chose to serve the Lord in church ministries.
  • Tragically, when Pauline was just 7 years old, she and her siblings lost their parents. A neighbor woman took in the two youngest girls, including Pauline.
• A Calling to Serve:
  • At the age of 15, Pauline became a member of the Secular Order of St. Francis of Assisi.
  • Her sister Rosalie entered the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM) in Antwerp and took the name Marie Honorine. Only after Marie Honorine left to serve as a missionary in Sri Lanka did Pauline decide to become a Franciscan Missionary of Mary herself (her sister Mathilde followed suit).
  • In religious life, Pauline became known as Sr. Marie Amandine.
• Missionary Work in China:
  • Sr. Marie Amandine was sent to study nursing in Marseilles, France, before being assigned to China.
  • In the mission of Taiyuan-Fu, China, she cared for over 200 orphans, many of whom were sick. She also tended to patients from outside the orphanage.
  • Her nursing skills, learned in Marseille, allowed her to provide essential care despite challenging conditions.
• A Joyful Disposition:
  • Sr. Marie Amandine was not only known for her excellent work ethic but also for her cheerful disposition.
  • She sang and laughed throughout the day, earning her the nickname “The European sister who is always singing” among the Chinese.
  • When one of her fellow Sisters fell ill, Sr. Amandine cared for her tirelessly, even while fulfilling her regular nursing duties.
• Martyrdom and Canonization:
  • Tragically, Sr. Marie Amandine, along with six other Sisters, was imprisoned for her faith during the Boxer Rebellion.
  • On July 9, 1900, all seven of them were martyred in Taiyuan-Fu, China.
  • Pope St. John Paul II canonized Sr. Marie Amandine and the other martyrs on October 1, 2000.

St. Marie Amandine’s feast day is July 9. Her life reminds us that even in challenging circumstances, joy and compassion can shine brightly. 🙏🌟

!Statue of St. Marie Amandine in Bataan, Philippines

Learn more about St. Marie Amandine¹²³⁴

¹: Mission Priest ²: Santosepulcro.co.il ³: Wikipedia ⁴: Three St. John’s

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