Blessed Jeanmartin Moÿe

Biography

Blessed Jeanmartin Mo√øe, also known as Jean-Martin Moye, was born on 27 January 1730 in Cutting, Meurthe, France, as the sixth of thirteen children to John Mo√øe and Catharine Demange. He received his education at various prestigious institutions including the College of Pont-Ö-Mousson, the Jesuit College at Strasburg, and the Seminary of Saint-Simon at Metz.

After completing his studies, Jeanmartin Moÿe was ordained on 9 March 1754 in the diocese of Metz. He had a deep sense of compassion for the poor and, driven by a desire to educate and help them, he founded schools specifically for country children in need. His commitment to providing quality education for the underprivileged led him to establish the Congregation of the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1762. The Sisters dedicated themselves to caring for the sick and teaching Christianity to women and children in their own homes.

Father Mo√øe became the Superior of the seminary of Saint Dié and later, in 1769, he joined the Paris Foreign Mission Society. He felt a calling to spread the faith and as a missionary, he set off for China in 1773. Throughout his time in China, Father Mo√øe faced tremendous challenges and suffered repeated harassment and imprisonment for his religious work.

In 1782, Father Moÿe founded the Christian Virgins, a group of religious women who followed the rules of the Congregation of Providence. These devoted women cared for the sick and played a crucial role in teaching Christianity to women and children. Despite numerous difficulties and obstacles encountered during his mission in China, his health began to decline, and he returned to France in 1784 to resume his role as the director of the Sisters of Divine Providence.

Back in France, Father Moÿe preached missions in Lorraine and Alsace, using his knowledge and spirituality to inspire and guide the faithful. However, the French Revolution in 1791 forced him into exile, along with the Sisters of Divine Providence, to Trier. In Trier, when the French troops captured the city, an outbreak of typhoid fever occurred. Father Moÿe and the Sisters selflessly dedicated themselves to caring for the sick in the hospitals. Tragically, Father Moÿe fell victim to typhoid fever and succumbed to the disease on 8 February 1793.

Recognizing his holiness and devotion to his fellow human beings, Blessed Jeanmartin Moÿe was venerated on 14 January 1891 by Pope Leo XIII. He was later beatified on 21 November 1954 by Pope Pius XII. Today, the site of his burial in Trier has become a public square, commemorating his selfless contributions and exemplifying his life of service and dedication to the Church and the poor.