1900 - Irma Grivot

July 9, 1900

Taiyuan, Shanxi

Irma Grivot.

Among the 46 Protestant and Catholic missionaries massacred at Taiyuan on July 9, 1900, were seven sisters associated with the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary. Two years previously the Bishop of Shanxi had

“nominated seven sisters to go to that diocese in China to serve the poor in hospitals, and care for the unwanted and other destitute in orphanages or other various ways, so that their presence would proclaim that God is love, and that He loves all without distinction of race or rank…. They ran hospitals and orphanages, organized working centres for training women in sewing and embroidery and gave of themselves in the formation of young people.”[1]

Within a short time of their arrival the seven sisters had won the hearts of the people they had come to serve. Their service was cut short, however, by the Boxers’ murderous plans. When the carnage commenced,

“the Sisters chanted the Te Deum, the hymn of thanksgiving. To frighten them and prolong their torture, the seven Sisters were the last to be attacked so that they could witness the agonizing deaths of the bishops, the priests and their companions. Our Sisters waited in prayer on their knees until a soldier struck down [Clelia Nanetti]. Then the others lifted their veils to receive the blow of the sword.”[2]

Irma Grivot was born on April 28, 1866, in the French town of Beaume. She was a bright and intelligent child, excelling in her studies. As a young lady Irma desired to become a nun, but her parents strongly opposed it. Their disapproval gradually eroded, and she entered the Institute of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in 1894. There she adopted the name Marie Hermine de Jesus.[3]

Before departing for China, Grivot undertook a nursing course at Marseilles, from where she wrote:

“How can I express the longing with which I ask for that beautiful day when I, your unworthy child, will be the spouse of the King of Kings! The waiting is long, but is it not a punishment for all my infidelities? and if Jesus wishes it, is it not right? Let it be done according to the holy will of God. I can only repeat my daily wish: Whatever happens to me, may God be blessed. I must re-double my vigilance, however, to correct in myself all that displeases Jesus and work to remove the obstacles which hold me from Him.”[4]

The seven martyrs of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary.

Grivot was named the superior of the Taiyuan nuns because of her deep devotion to Christ. The other sisters loved her gentleness and meekness, but when she was first asked to lead the other sisters, Irma Grivot responded:

“Oh! my God, if this is so, I beg you remove me from the chalice of Superiority; entrust the charge to one more worthy. I will be so happy to place myself under her. But, oh! my God, with Jesus, my divine model, I say: Thy will not mine be done. I am the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to Thy word.”[5]

When the Boxer attack was about to begin, the bishop ordered the seven nuns to don normal Chinese clothes and be taken to a remote location for their own safety. Grivot strongly protested, telling Bishop Fogolla,

“For the love of God, do not prevent us from dying with you. If we are naturally weak, believe me that God who sends the test will give us strength to meet it bravely. We fear neither death nor torments nor the rage of the viceroy. We came here to exercise charity and to shed our blood for the love of Jesus Christ if need be. We beg you not to take from us this palm which Divine mercy extends.”[6]

This trial did end in victory for Grivot and the other sisters. Irma Grivot (a.k.a. Marie Hermine was the last one killed, having first witnessed the deaths of all the men and her six faithful co-workers.

1. CRBC, The Newly Canonized Martyr-Saints of China, 78.
2. CRBC, The Newly Canonized Martyr-Saints of China, 79-80.
3. Five of the seven nuns killed by the Boxers at Taiyuan had similarly adopted new names, as using Marie (Mary) as their first name. For the sake of consistency, I have chosen to list them by their given names at birth, while mentioning their “spiritual” names in the text.
4. Life of Mother Marie-Hermine, 10.
5. Life of Mother Marie-Hermine, 18.
6. Life of Mother Marie-Hermine, 56-57.