Franciscan missionaries of Mary

The Seven FMM Martyrs

In 1898, Mgr. Francesco Fagolla, Coadjutor Bishop of Shanxi, China visited Rome, looking for a community of missionary religious to answer the many needs of his diocese in the fields of health care, education, empowerment of women, catechesis etc.

When he met Mary of the Passion, she listened attentively to his request. It was clear that the situation would be dangerous and difficult, but after a long period of reflection she accepted the challenge and began looking among her sisters to see who could be chosen for this new mission.

The seven sisters who arrived in Taiyuan-fu in Shanxi in May 1899 were from France, Holland, Italy and Belgium. During the Boxer Rebellion in 1900, they gave their lives for their faith and for those in their care. On hearing the news of their death, Mary of the Passion referred to them as "My seven sorrows and my seven joys". They were beatified in 1946 and then canonised by Pope John Paul II in October 2000.

Liturgical feast is on the 8th July.

Who are these seven martyrs.