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Anne-Marie Javouhey

Anne Marie Javouhey, born on 10 November 1779 in a village in Burgundy, heard the call of God to proclaim his love for all persons without distinction of race, religion or social status,  throughout the five continents. 

She placed all her exceptional gifts at the service of God and neighbour, and on 12 May 1807, founded the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny. 

She lived through three revolutions and encountered many obstacles to her plans, while immense distances separated her from her Sisters on the missions. 

Nothing prevented her from promoting the dignity and the rights of all those she encountered, especially children, the sick, the poor, the Africans and the slaves.  She died in Paris on 15 July 1851 and was beatified in Rome on 15 October 1950.

Brief Chronology

1779 – 10 November, birth of Anne Marie Javouhey in a village in Burgundy, France.

1798 – 11 November, she consecrates her life to God during a clandestine mass.

1807 – Foundation of the Congregation in Chalon-sur-Saône

1812 – Acquisition of the house in Cluny; the Congrégation takes the name of Saint Joseph of Cluny

1817 – Sisters leave for the island of Bourbon (Reunion), and later for Senegal, the French and British West Indies,  Saint Pierre and Miquelon, India, Oceania, Madagascar …

1822 – The Foundress leaves for Africa, spends two years in Senegal, Gambia and Sierra Leone.

1828 – She leaves for Mana in French Guiana until 1833.

1835 – Mother Javouhey’s second departure for French Guiana where the Government entrusts to her the preparation of 500 slaves for liberation.

1840 – 19 September – ordination in Paris of the first three Senegalese priests formed through the care of Anne Marie Javouhey.

1843 – In August, Mother Javouhey returns to France after the liberation of the slaves in Mana.

1849 – Acquisition of the Mother House in Faubourg Saint Jacques, Paris.

1851 – 15 July : death of Anne Marie Javouhey in Paris.  She leaves more than 1000 Sisters in 140 communities throughout the world.

1950 – In Rome, Beatification of Anne-Marie Javouhey by Pope Pius XII.

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