Saint Who?
Saints Who Established Schools
Blessed Anne-Marie Javouhey
Foundress († 1851)Feast: July 15
Anne-Marie Javouhey came from a family of wealthy farmers in France. She was lively and pretty, and something of a daredevil. During the French Revolution, she assisted her family in hiding priests. She also taught catechism, a dangerous act at the time. One day her father, who feared for her safety, sneaked into the barn where she taught, hoping to show how easily the class could be discovered by enemies. But Anne-Marie cleverly shifted topics and appeared to be teaching arithmetic.
As a young woman, Anne-Marie spent time with different religious communities. It is said she received a vision of Teresa of Ávila, telling her she would start a congregation to care for children of all races. Unable to find a community that suited her, she returned home. With her three sisters she taught catechism, cared for orphans, and established small free schools. Then, encouraged by Pope Pius VII, she and her sisters established the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Cluny.
Delighted to be a religious at last, she worked with vigor, successfully introducing new methods to efficiently educate large numbers of poor students. She also traveled to Africa, where she ministered among newly freed slaves. Anne-Marie died in 1851. Her community has spread to every continent.
Merciful Father, through the intercession of
Blessed Anne-Marie Javouhey, grant creative joy
to all who work in Catholic schools.
