THÉVENET, CLAUDINE. — In religion Maria di S. Ignazio, foundress of the Sisters of Jesus and Mary, born in Lyon on 30 March 1774, died at Fourvière (Lyon) on 13 February 1837.
After witnessing the guillotine execution of her two brothers and heeding their dying plea to forgive their killers, she devoted herself to an intense life of charitable works and assistance, gathering around her a group of faithful collaborators. Together, on 31 July 1816, under the guidance of Abbé Coindre, they formed the Association of the Holy Hearts of Jesus and Mary under the patronage of St Ignatius of Loyola. The associates, meeting periodically, divided their work into sections: instruction, almsgiving, consolation for the sick, edification for lukewarm Catholics, at-risk girls, wholesome reading, and more. Five years later, the group evolved into a new religious congregation at the Fourvière house, which pursued its apostolate with renewed vigor, expanding its activities to include school-workshops, hospices, boarding schools, and colleges. The foundress did not live to see the mustard seed grow into a great tree, for death overtook her just as political turmoil made her sisters’ work even more difficult. Yet the Institute soon spread throughout France and abroad, including missionary territories. In 1901, the motherhouse was transferred to Rome.
**THEVESTE (NUMIDIA):** V. TEBESA.