FAGE, MARIE-ANTOINETTE. — In religion, Sister Maria di Gesù, born in Paris on 7 November 1824, died there on 19 September 1883. After a sad childhood, orphaned at the age of 14, she was taken in by relatives, with whom she lived, giving examples of fortitude in adversity and suffering.
In 1864, her meeting with Fr. Stefano Pernet determined her future. With him, in fact, she founded the Institute of Little Sisters of the Assumption (v.), nurses for the poor in their homes, of which she was the first superior general. At Pernet’s side, she worked tirelessly for the expansion of the Institute, enduring privations and overcoming opposition. The cause of her beatification has been introduced before the Sacred Congregation of Rites.
BIBL.: anon., Il p. Stefano Pernet, tmd. it., Rome 1906; id., La madre Maria di Gesù, there 1914. Silverio Mattei