JAVOUHEY, ANNE-MARIE, blessed. - Born at Jallanges, in Burgundy, on 10 Nov. 1779; died in Paris on 15 July 1851. A woman of the highest moral qualities, during the Revolution she devoted herself, while barely fifteen years old, to hiding non-juring priests and assisting them in their clandestine ministry.
In 1806 she founded at Chalon-sur-Saône a religious Congregation for the care of the sick and the education of youth, whose headquarters from 1812 were at Cluny in the diocese of Autun, and later in Paris. From 1817 the Congregation also became involved in missionary activity. The Blessed was in Senegal, then in French Guiana, where she carried out a great work for the redemption of Black people, highly recognized even by the French government. Famous is the remark of King Louis Philippe: «Madame Javouhey! mais c'est un grand homme». In consolidating the Institute she had to endure great difficulties, during which her firmness and humility especially shone forth. She was beatified by Pius XII on 15 Oct. 1950.