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Irma Grivot was born on April 28, 1866 in Baune, France. Her father was a barrel maker, and her mother was a homemaker.
Though she only had a basic education, Irma knew from an early age that she wanted to become a religious sister. Her parents were not happy with this decision, but they didn’t stop her.
When she was old enough, Irma tutored children to earn some money before entering the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (F.M.M.) in 1894. Because Irma had a variety of illnesses, her novitiate took longer than usual. In religious life, Irma became Sr. Marie-Hermine of Jesus
In 1899, Marie-Hermine was chosen to lead a group of sisters to China to set up an orphanage in China. The group of seven sisters represented sisters from Belgium, France, Italy, and the Netherlands.
The group left the Port of Marseille for Taiyuan, China on May 12, 1899. Although they arrived safely to their destination, they were well aware that the Boxer Rebellion, which was an anti-Christian and anti-imperialist movement, was known for its violence. The Boxers had already killed other missionaries.
In June of 1900, the bishops advised the sisters to remove their habits and escape in plain clothes. Mother Marie-Hermine of Jesus argued that the sisters should be allowed to stay and take the same risks for their faith as everyone else.
On July 5, 1900, the Boxers told the Christians at their mission that they would be killed if they did not renounce their faith. The Christians remained faithful and refused. Four days later, on July 9, 1900, priests, sisters, seminarians, and lay worders were all martyred. Many believe over 100,000 Chinese people were killed in the Boxer Rebellion that ran from 1899 to 1901.
Pope John Paul II canonized Marie-Hermine on October 1, 2020 as one of a group of 120 people known as the Martyr Saints of China.
Saint Marie-Hermine of Jesus’ feast day is July 9.
