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Also known as: Al Qiddisa; Maram
Baouardy; Mariam Baouardy; Marie of Jesus Crucified; Mary Baouardy; The
Little Arab
Memorial: 25 August
Profile
Born to Giries Baouardy and Mariam Shahine, a poor Greek Melchite Catholic
family. Twelve of her thirteen brothers died in infancy, and Mary's birth
was an answered prayer to Our Lady. Her parents died when Mary was only
two, and she was raised by a paternal uncle. Moved to Alexandria, Egypt at
age eight.
Betrothed in an arranged marriage at age 13, she refused to go along with
it, insisting on a religious life. As punishment for her disobedience, her
uncle hired her out as a domestic servant, making sure she had the lowest
and most menial of jobs. A Muslim servant with whom she worked began to
act as her friend with an eye to converting her from Christianity. On 8
September 1858, Mary convinced him she would never abandon her faith; he
cut her throat and dumped her in an alley. Mary lived, an apparition of
the Virgin Mary treated her wound, and she left her uncle's house forever.
She supported herself as a domestic, working for a Christian family and
praying. In 1860 she moved in with the Sisters of Saint Joseph.
Supernatural events began to occur around her, and the Sisters would not
let her join their house. She was taken to the Carmel at Pau by a Sister
in 1867, and became a lay sister. Later that year she entered the
cloister, taking the name Mary of Jesus Crucified, and making her final
profession on 21 November 1871.
She continued to experience supernatural events. She fought off a demonic
possession for 40 days, received the stigmata, was seen to levitate, had
the gift of prophecy and knowledge of consciences, and permitted her
guardian angel to speak through her. Helped found the missionary Carmel of
Mangalore, India. Returned to France in 1872. Built a Carmelite monastery
in Bethlehem in 1875. Supernatural gifts aside, she was known for her
devotion to the Holy Spirit, even sending word to Pope Pius IX that the
Spirit was not emphasized enough in seminaries.
Born: 5 January 1846 at Abellin, Galilee, Palestine as Mary Baouardy
Died: 26 August 1878 at Bethlehem of gangrene following an injury
received at the construction site of the Bethlehem monastery
Beatified: 13 November 1983 by Pope John Paul II
Canonized: pending
Readings
Everything passes here on earth. What are we? Nothing but dust,
nothingness, and God is so great, so beautiful, so lovable and He is not
loved.
-Blessed Mary
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Holy Spirit, inspire me. Love of God consume me. Along the true road, lead
me. Mary, my good mother, look down upon me. With Jesus, bless me. From
all evil, all illusion, all danger, preserve me.
-Blessed Mary
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Always remember to love your neighbor; always prefer the one who tries
your patience, who test your virtue, because with her you can always
merit: suffering is Love; the Law is Love.
-Blessed Mary
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I desire to suffer always and not to die. I should add: this is not my
will, it is my inclination. It is sweet to think of Jesus; but it is
sweeter to do His will.
-Blessed Mary
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The proud person is like a grain of wheat thrown into water: it swells, it
gets big. Expose that grain to the fire: it dries up, it burns. The humble
soul is like a grain of wheat thrown into the earth: it descends, it hides
itself, it disappears, it dies; but to revive in heaven.
-Blessed Mary
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Observance of the rule is of more value than all extraordinary states,
more than the stigmata and the gift of miracles.
-Blessed Mary
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Here in the peace of the Lord reposes Sister Mary of Jesus Crucified,
professed religious of the white veil. A soul of singular graces, she was
conspicuous for her humility, her obedience and her charity. Jesus, the
sole love of her heart called her to Himself in the 33rd year of her age
and the 12th year of her religious life at Bethlehem, 26 August 1878.
-inscribed on Blessed Mary's tombstone
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