Today, July 8, is the memorial of Saint Marie Hermine de Jesus & Companion Martyrs.
Seven Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM) sisters found themselves in the middle of Christian persecution in China in 1900. Thousands and thousands of Christians were martyred during this time.
When Monsignor Francisco Fagolla, co-adjutor bishop of Shanxi, requested for sisters to manage a hospital, Sisters Marie Hermine, Maria della Pace, Maria Chiara, Marie de St. Natalie, Marie de St. Just, Marie Adolphine, and Marie Amandine from the FMM responded.
The seven FMMs sisters provided instruction to women and orphaned children, taught them good hygiene, wellness, singing, and prayer.
After almost a year after their arrival, the anti-Christian persecutions of 1900, known as as the Boxer Rebellion, leveled up. The bishops even advised the sisters to disguise themselves in Chinese clothes to save themselves.
Marie Hermine replied, “For the love of God, do not prevent us from dying with you. If our courage is weak, believe me that God who sends the test will give us the strength to meet it bravely. We fear neither death nor torments. We came here to exercise charity and to shed our blood for the love of Jesus Christ if need be.”
July that same year, Christians were brought to an official’s house. Four days later, everyone in the house were murdered by anti-Christian armed men. The seven FMM sisters were to be killed last.
The sisters embraced one another for the last time and sang the “Te Deum,” a song of praise. They were all beheaded.
They were beatified in 1946 by Venerable Pope Pius XII. Pope St. John Paul II canonized them in 2000.